Library promotion and marketing is so important so here we show 9 easy ways to promote your library app!
We all know that the word “Library” is an amazing brand in itself – synonymous with trust, inclusion, equality and democracy, but marketing of public library services is often difficult because we offer so much to so many people from the cradle to the grave. We need a plan and a big loud voice to challenge any perceptions that we are very quiet, and full of old books.
An idea is to take different elements of your app message e.g. convenience/ access – the library in your pocket anytime, anywhere. Perhaps sometimes the contactless, safety, hygiene, covid message is more important? Remind customers how innovative you are with messages like – introducing the app, the library gamechanger. Keep showing how caring and adaptive your service is with multilingual options, click and collect, a digital library card and family account management. So much more…
With your new library app you need a campaign marketing strategy which means delivering the same message, tailored across different platforms, for a continuous period of time. Choose whatever messages/ solutions are most relevant for your community? e.g. Take different elements e.g. Convenience – Library in your pocket anytime, anywhere. Perhaps sometimes the contactless, safety, hygiene, covid message is more important. Remind customers how innovative you are with messages like Introducing the app, The Library Gamechanger. Caring and adapting to your community with multilingual options, click and collect, digital library card and family account management
” One-off marketing almost never works, because people seldom act on a piece of marketing the first time they see it.” Ned Potter
Here are some examples of how some library services across the world have taken or prioritised some of these messages. There is more detail on each of these in other pages of the SOLUS blog.
1. TV ADS
TV ads should be investigated as they are often much more affordable than you think! This TV add is one of the ways Woollongong in Australia promote their amazing library services – Reaching new customers! changing perceptions! Highlighting amazing digital services!
2. You Tube
A wonderfully bright and catchy you tube video that your customers are sure to remember!
3. BILLBOARDS
Again this is often a more affordable promotional tool than you think! Billboard ads can be surprisingly affordable. 4 of the biggest billboard spenders are big ventures that continue to thrive in their fields. These ventures are Apple, Google, Amazon, and Netflix – it’s a tool utilized by big companies so we know it works!
Way back in 2016 Jason Tutin and his team did an amazing job with the Leeds libraries’ innovative marketing campaign #whatsyourstory
What makes this billboard from Moreton Bay grab attention and leave a lasting impression? It’s simple, clear and effective it’s not trying to be too clever which will simply get lost on the audience. Your customers won’t miss this billboard! It underlines that the library is open even when its closed! It means 24/7 access anytime, anywhere for anyone!
4. AUTOSIGNATURES AND INTERNAL MARKETING
Not content just with this Moreton Bay have also added this image below to their council autosignatures! The clear message is the library is open 24/7 even when its closed! Given that ccouncils are often very large employers in communities everywhere this is an important tool.
5. INTRODUCING /HOW TO/ TUTORIALS
Of course YouTube is amazing to promote your work! It is so worth taking the time to show customers the how to’s of new services and technologies. This is how TRAC show their patrons new services.
There are many great examples of making it easy to use the new app on YouTube!
6. MAKE IT FUN!
Life has been a bit miserable for some time now so of course it’s important to show the fun in it all too! Check this out! Mid North Coast Library App
7. SAFETY/ HYGIENE/CONTACTLESS
A very important message to put out there across as many platforms as possible.
8. A SIMPLE IMAGE -THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE / LIBRARY IN YOUR POCKET MESSAGE
This message can easily be seen by everyone – just a simple image!
9. PR AND POLITICAL SUPPORT
You can necver get enough political support and PR from your political representatives! Great to get them on board – equal kudos for them and the library service.!
Wonderful to see the political support behind Bundaberg’s library app and innovation. If you’d like any more detail on any of these amzing library service let us know! Thse are 9 easy ways to promote your library app! Watch the blog to see what other ways the SOLUS family are using to promote the app [email protected]
