4-H Leadership Team Reporters 2009 Developed by – Becky Walker and Karla Knoepfli Oklahoma 4-H...

4-H Leadership Team Reporters

2009Developed by – Becky Walker and Karla

Knoepfli

Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development

Getting the Word Out


Image• The 4-H organization, programs, and

materials must contend in a competitive service market

• We must draw people outside our existing market and keep the attention and interest of our current consumer

• Quality communicates that you:– Know and care about the client/audience,– Are confident in your role as an Educator, and– Understand the purpose and role of 4-H

Image is Everything


Image

• Is it one that will cause people to identify with the relevance of 4-H in today’s society?

Or• Is it an image which keeps our

market small and presents an antiquated picture of an organization which is not changing with the times?

What Image do you Communicate?


Audience/Clientele

• Identify the commonalities and interests of the audience

• Understand why they would want to receive and read the publication

• Clientele should look forward to receiving and reading a newsletter, news column or handout

Know Your Audience


Purpose

Do I want to • Educate,• Inform,• Persuade,• Inspire people to

act, or• Entertain?

As you write your publication ask this question…


Quick Reading

• People want to be able to read and comprehend quickly

• Use familiar short words• Write to express, not impress• Write at a level slightly below the

audiences capabilities

Write to be Read Quickly

Practice the K.I.S.S. philosophy


Effective use of Text

• Provide data• Convey an idea or message• Announce an event• Inform in a timely, accurate,

factual, and easy to understand manner

Present the following in text


Editing• Let copy sit 24 hours• One other should read the copy• Keep articles brief or break them

into two companion pieces• Editing

– Saves space– Clarifies vague information– Identifies repetition– Removes unnecessary words or

statements

Make Time to Edit


Make it Readable

Bullets – a group of related items with no specific order•Apples•Oranges•Pears

Break up lengthy text using:

Listings or points – a group of related items with a specific order and/or relevance1.Remove the lid from the milk bottle.2.Pour the milk into a glass.3.Put the lid back on the bottle


Make it Readable

Companion articles – information relevant to a main theme or point


The purpose of a newsletter is to provide specialized information to a target audience. Newsletters can be a great way to market your ser-vice, and also create credibility and build your organization’s identity among peers, members, employees, or clientele. Publish a newsletter that clientele look forward to reading.

N ew sl et t er Ben efi t s


Make it Readable

Side bars – brief article or information that relates to other information on the page.

Break up lengthy text using:Remember to:

Use familiar short words Write to express, not

impress Write at a level slightly

below your audiences reading capabilities

Convey an idea or message, or announce an event

Keep information timely, accurate, factual, and easy to understand


Make it Readable

Departments – sections and headings based on the audience and the purpose of the newsletter



Using Departments

• Departments makes it easier to produce and read a publication.

• Effective departments appear in the same place and have the same format issue to issue.

• A table of content is a department that lists information or highlights to draw attention to specific articles.

• Calendars are also considered departments, keep them simple.


Managing Departments

• Use an outline of the departments to organize materials

• Departments help the editor recognize and locate information that would make good articles

• Keep a file of appropriate materials to assist in preparing the periodical

Tips for Managing Departments


Eye Appeal

• Publication is neat, clean and pleasant to the eye

• Number of columns, column balance, clip art, headlines and text, and side bars effect readability

• Nameplate and masthead contain pertinent information

Publications with Eye Appeal


Effective Page Layout

• One column is difficult and time consuming to read

• 2-4 columns allow quicker reading

• Columns do not have to be the same width

Using Columns


Effective Page LayoutUsing Column Balance

A-symmetrical Balance

Formal Balance



• Nameplate – contains the name, subtitle, origin and date of the newsletter

Name

DateOrigin



Masthead – located at bottom of page 2 or at the end. Contains author(s) and contributors; address and phone; publication schedule; date and volume number; and/or subscription or postal regulations Masthea

d


Effective Page Layout“To Make the Best Better”

The Perspective Newsletter is published quarterly by

the Oklahoma Association of Extension 4-H Agents,

2 5 15 W. 92 n d, Pe r k in s , O K 7 4 05 9,

(405) 744-5304 (Becky), (405) 744-8891 (Karla).

Information for the newsletter will be due the first Friday

of the following months: Oct., Jan., April, and July.

Issues will be published in Nov., Feb., May, and Aug.

E-mail information to [email protected] or [email protected]. Articles may be edited for

content and space.

The Perspective is one way of communicating

educational information and updates to members and

friends of 4-H.

The OCES offers its programs to all eligible persons

regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion,

age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran and is

an equal opportunity employer.

Perspective Editor: Becky Walker

Committee: Karla Knoepfli, Cathy James, and Nancy Tucker.

Address and

phonePublication

Schedule

AuthorContribut

ors

Purpose



• Font style and size– Rule: the wider the line of text the larger the typeface– 11-12 point comfortable for the average reader– Larger type “Ok” for the older and younger reader, but

uncomfortable for most people– Minimize CAPITALIZATION– Serif type for text– San Serif for headlines T, t

San Serif type face

T, tSerif type

face

• Margins assist eye movement – Rule: the wider the column the wider the margins

• Text – Ragged right is comfortable and contemporary– Justified is formal or business like


Headlines• Purpose –

“Attract Attention”

• Well written and bold

• Readers scan headlines to see what applies to their needs

“Cowboys Humble Sooners”• Most important

information should have the biggest headlines

• Justifying Headline- Right- Left- Centered


Headlines• People like to make

and save money• People like security• People like to save

time• People enjoy humor• People enjoy human

interest• People like recognition

Five Needs of the Reader

Reader scans to see what applies to their

needs.


Clip Art

• Art adds to the content of the newsletter

• Art supports or enhances the message

• Avoid art out of context

Clip Art is Part of the Message• Wrap text for

space• White space is a

“good thing”• Lines and boxes

are a form of clip art– They separate

information – Tie stories together– Decorate– Draw attention to an

article– Effective sidebars


News Column• Purpose

– Education• Know publisher requirements.• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread• Choose timely topics.• Personalize the message.• Include non-discrimination

statement and contact information.

Read all about it!


Press Release• Purpose

– Announce Event, Activity, Meeting– Promote Educational Programs– Recognition

• Utilize Ag Communications Services• Personalize• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread• Include non-discrimination statement

and contact information.

What’s Going On?



• Image is everything• Know the

Audience/Clientele• Have Purpose• Quick Reading

– Make text effective– Edit– Use bullets, lists,

and sidebars– Departments

Write to be read!• Eye Appeal

– Layout – columns & text

– Headlines– Clip Art

• News Column• Press Release



• Present a professional image

• Prepare a periodical people want to read

• Communicate a clear and succinct message

• Never be at a loss for timely and appropriate materials

What it’s all About

4-H Leadership Team Reporters 2009 Developed by – Becky Walker and Karla Knoepfli Oklahoma 4-H...

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