library marketing

Library Marketing During a Pandemic: Tips for Working from Home or the Office and Dealing with the Stress of a Crisis

This week has been super crazy.

Many libraries have closed their doors to help quell the spread of COVID-19. Some have chosen to remain open.

I’m not here to judge one way or another. I’m here to help you work efficiently during this crisis, whether you’ve been allowed to work from home or whether you are compelled to report to the office.

Even before the pandemic struck, remote work was growing in popularity in the library world. At the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, administrative staff could work from home up to two days a week.

That’s a trend in workplaces across the nation. The amount of people working from home has tripled in the past 15 years, according to the Federal Reserve.

But if you’ve never worked from home, the transition can be a little tricky. And there are things you can do to set yourself up for success and weather this strange time in library land.

Working from Home

Treat your morning routine the same as you would if you were heading into an office. Have breakfast, shower, and get dressed, even if it’s not in fancy clothing.

Keeping a consistent schedule will help you get in the right head space for work. It will also make the transition back to the office easier (once this is all over).

Make yourself a designated workspace. It is super tempting to set up shop on your couch or bed. Resist the urge. In fact, never do work in your bed. Your sleeping space is sacred. If you are working in your bed, you mind will start to associate that space with work and its stresses. It can mess with your sanity.

Set up at your desk, kitchen table, the kitchen counter, or some other non-sleeping space. Have all the supplies you normally have at hand. Set up your photos, your plants, and your trinkets. Make it feel as much like your normal workspace as possible.

Be careful what you download. Ask your library’s IT team which platform they prefer you use to work remotely. Google, Slack, Facetime, and Teams are the most popular tools. If you do need to download a new tool or app, stick to well-known companies or ones that have been vetted and approved by your library.

Ask your library about a VPN. A virtual private network can give you access to shared drives at your home library and protect your privacy.

Watch out for scammers. Already, there are reports of coronavirus scammers calling employees. They claim they’re with the help desk, They try to get you to download software or go to a certain webpage. Don’t fall for it.

If you get an email or a phone call from someone claiming to be from IT, especially if the email contains links or documents, send a new email to your IT deparmtnet (so you’re not using the address the possible scam came from). Or call your IT department to make sure it’s legitimate.

Scammers also sometimes claim you library has set up special new call centers and the regular corporate IT phone numbers won’t work. Don’t buy it. Hang up and call your IT department.

Leave healthy food within easy reach. It’s hard to avoid the chips when you can just open the cupboard door. To help combat the constant urge to munch on junk food, I usually wash fruit and veggies in the morning and place them in bowls on my kitchen counter. That way they’re within easy reach when I get hungry.

Don’t fall into a Netflix/YouTube/Twitter/whatever hole. It’s hard for some work-at-home employees to avoid distractions. The best way to keep from binge-watching shows when you should be working is not to start.

I try to have the same mindset in my home office that I had at the library: if my boss walked in right now and saw what I was doing, would she approve?

Over-communicate. The distance created by working from home sometimes can hamper communications. Ask co-workers to tell you the best way to reach them… by text, or chat, or email, or video. Then try your best to respect their preferences.

Ask for clarity on projects from your boss. Get instructions and deadlines in writing.

And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Clarity will help get the work done faster and without mistakes.

Mute yourself if you’re on a conference call. As many of us move to virtual meetings and working from home during this strange time, we need to remember to respect meeting time as we would in the office. That means protecting your fellow workers from the sound of your dishwasher/barking dog/loud neighbor during a conference call.

Create a wrap-up routine for the end of your day. This will signal to your brain that your work has ended.

It sounds silly, but it works. Put away your laptop, pack up your pens, straighten your desk, and maybe talk a walk or lite a scented candle to signal to yourself that it’s time to relax and readjust to non-work life in your home.

If You Must Still Report to the Library

Talk to your boss about what to do if you get sick. Make sure you know who to call if you fall ill and what your rights are in terms of medical leave. Having a plan in place will help ease some of the anxiety of working in a public building.

Clean your workspace before you touch anything. This is particularly true for workers sharing desks. Clean the phone, the desk, the keyboard and the monitor buttons, the copy machine keypad, and any other shared surface with an antibacterial wipe.

Wash your hands or sanitize frequently. No need to be specific here. You’ve seen the recommendations from experts. Sing your 20-second song of choice and do it frequently.

Advice for Everyone

Remember it’s a global crisis. If you feel less productive, it’s natural and you’re not alone.

Managers: please remember that your staff are dealing with issues. They may not be sharing everything with you. Concerns about the health of loved ones, daycare situations, and generalized anxiety may lead to less productivity. Please be patient and generous with your employees.

Our cardholders and community may also be working through anxieties and taking out their stresses on staff. Please support your employees. Make sure they know it’s okay to talk about the additional stresses this situation creates for them.

And if you are feeling anxious, seek professional help. There is no shame in talking with a licensed medical professional about these extraordinary circumstances and the fears they may cause.

Try to get enough sleep. Exercise. Limit your exposure to the news. Talk with friends and family about how you feel. Read a good book.

We will all get through this. Let’s be kind and patient with ourselves and others as we navigate these uncharted waters.

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March 16, 2020 7

Practical Tips for U.S. Libraries to Promote the 2020 Census

The Library Marketing Show Episode 36

Watch Now

On March 12, people in the U.S. will start to receive an invitation to participate in the census. This is the first time respondents will be urged to respond online. In this episode, we talk about why it’s so important for libraries to promote the census and make sure everyone in our communities get counted. Plus practical tips!

How is your library helping with the census? Let me know in the comments.

More help

American Library Association Census Guide for Libraries

Public Libraries Online Podcast About the Census

Also KUDOS this week to the New York Public Library. They are celebrating their 125th anniversary and they put out a fantastic list of their favorite 125 books. The hosts of their podcast, The Librarian is In, will be reading and reviewing books from this list this year. How many have you already read? (I’ve read 20. Pretty sad!)

If you have a topic for the show, kudos to share, or want to talk to me about library marketing, contact me using this short form.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Want more Library Marketing Show? Watch previous episodes!

Check the Upcoming Events page to see where I’ll be soon. Let’s connect!

This blog consists of my own personal opinions and may not represent those of my employer. Subscribe to this blog and you’ll receive an email every time I post. To do that, click on “Follow” button in the bottom left-hand corner of the page. Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

March 11, 2020 2

How Libraries Are Responding to the Coronavirus Threat and How Your Library Can Prep for Any Crisis

Photo courtesy Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

This past week, many public libraries found themselves grappling with a real and unexpected threat. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is causing many libraries to consider how they can best share information about the disease and protect their patrons.

Public library staff and patrons may be particularly vulnerable. The library is one of the last places in the world where people of all ages, economic backgrounds, and social standings are welcome to gather without judgment or prejudice. We hold public programs, share equipment, and conduct business face-to-face. We have lots of surfaces touched by thousands of hands. We help the elderly, those experiencing homelessness, and the young.

Libraries are also a vital source of truthful information about many subjects, including the spread of COVID-19. It’s no surprise that there are already lots of rumors and false safety tips circulating on the internet. Libraries must help make sure the public has accurate information about how to protect themselves.

I want to share some resources to help your library as you grapple with COVID-19. These are gathered from official sources and from librarians working in libraries across the U.S.

This is also a good time for library marketers to consider how they respond in a crisis and to update their crisis communication plans. Scroll down for more help with that.

Coronavirus Resources for Libraries

Official CDC site for Coronavirus. Bookmark this page so you can provide information to the public. Library social media managers should post facts about the illness taken from the CDC site. A once-a-day Coronavirus fact check post is a good way to counteract the effects of false internet rumors. It will establish your library as a trusted source for the truth about the illness.

CDC Communications Resources for Coronavirus. This section of the CDC site includes videos and print materials to share with your patrons. In addition, the section for public health communicators should be shared with your senior staff.

EveryLibrary guide. EveryLibrary has created an extensive resource page for libraries. They’re also holding a free webinar on Thursday, March 26, on pandemic preparations for libraries. You don’t have to register but you do have to be a member of Library 2.0, which is free.

Comic for kids from NPR. Library social media managers are passing around this piece by NPR education reporter Cory Turner. He asked some experts what kids might want to know about the Coronavirus. You can print and fold the comic, which also comes in Chinese.

BrainPOP video for kids. You can share this video with teachers and caregivers or play it at story times or children’s events to help educate kids and alleviate their fears. The site also has lots of other resources for kids including related reading, games, and lesson plans.

Blog post from North Central Regional Library, Washington. This is a great example of how to communicate the facts about the illness to a broad audience. This library used state and federal authorities to answer key questions. They also addressed concerns about visiting their public library. If you have a blog, I recommend a similar post to help spread facts and assuage fears.

Blog post from Bucks County Free Library, Pennsylvania. Their post includes a special section of information for kids that would be particularly helpful for caregivers and teachers.

Oregon City, Oregon resource guide. This version includes documents that anyone can print or download and share.

Clemson Libraries Guide. The Clemson library included a Google news feed with stories from trusted stories, which is a great idea.

UC San Diego Guide. The University of California San Diego post includes a graphic from John Hopkins that updates the number of cases around the world, making it easy for people to get updated information about the spread of Coronavirus.

Libraries 2020 article. If your library doesn’t have resources for a blog or a page on your website, you can share this fantastic article from Libraries 2020 to help customers recognize rumors and false information about Coronavirus.

Kimberly Barker, Librarian for Digital Life at Claude Moore Health Sciences Library – University of Virginia, created this printable PDF for libraries to post. She gave me permission to share it with you.

Preparing for a Crisis

At some point your library will face a crisis. It might be a transmittable disease, like COVID-19. It might be a non-lethal but worrisome issue–black mold found in study rooms. It might be a power outage that lasts several days and closes several branches (that happened to my former library!) Perhaps it will be more severe–a fire that destroys a branch, a violent argument between customers, or an administrator caught doing something illegal.

As upsetting as it is to contemplate, it will happen–this I can promise you. Your response to the crisis in your role as the library spokesperson can make or break an organization. In my earlier life as a journalist, I watched it happen dozens of times. It’s heartbreaking to watch an organization fall apart during a crisis.

On the flip side, I’ve witnessed communicators who keep their organization afloat with amazing and inspiring work during scary and emotionally trying times.

The best thing you can do right now is to prepare. Here’s how.

Have a frank conversation with the administration about disaster preparedness. They might feel uncomfortable having this conversation but make it clear that it’s necessary so that you can perform your job in the best way possible. Make decisions about how you’ll handle a crisis while you are calm and rational because rationality and calm will fly out the window the minute a serious crisis threatens your library.

Create a system-wide disaster communications plan. If your library doesn’t have one in place yet, now is the time to decide how a crisis will be handled. Your library should assign employees to serve on a crisis communications team. This team will be responsible for gathering and disseminating information to internal and external audiences, including staff and the media.

Decide who will be authorized to speak to the media on behalf of the library. Ideally, you’ll have one main spokesperson and a backup. Try to limit it to two people, or you’ll risk losing control of your message. The spokespeople need to be comfortable in front of a TV camera, credible, knowledgeable about the library, articulate, calm, and able to work with other agencies to coordinate responses.

When it happens, be sure to communicate with your staff first, then the media. But do so quickly. Don’t wait until you know all the facts about your situation. By then, rumors will spread through social media by your customers and your co-workers and you’ll lose control of your narrative. If you don’t talk first and fast, reporters will start looking for workers and customers to interview.

Don’t be afraid to say “we don’t know yet” and refer questions to the investigating authorities. This is particularly true in criminal investigations. Send reporters to the investigating agency for answers.

Prepare your staff for ambush interviews. Warn your staff that they will likely be approached by a reporter wanting information. Train them to funnel all such requests through your designated spokesperson.

Always having someone watching social media. Designate one person to watch for any mention of your organization on social media channels. Have clear guidelines in place for how this person can respond to those mentions and comments.

March 9, 2020 4

The Secret to Forge Library Loyalty: Stop Holding Programs and Start Creating Experiences

Photo courtesy Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Anytime I hear anyone talk a new marketing trend, I must consciously remind myself not to roll my eyes. Marketing trends tend to be nonsense created by agencies hoping to generate buzz.

So, when I first learned about a trend called experiential marketing a few years ago at a conference, I listened politely, and filed it away in the back of my mind, along with my skepticism about whether this truly existed.

It’s clear to me now that experiential marketing isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a legit marketing option for libraries everywhere. And it could be the trend that permanently cements the bond between your library and the community it serves.

What is experiential marketing?

Experiential marketing is sometimes also called event marketing. It can be a pop-up library or program. It can take the form of a special day long library event, an immersion experience, a conference, a workshop—there are limitless possibilities.

But this isn’t just an ordinary event. An experiential marketing event is a program that includes a way to create an experience, to engage the attendee’s senses, and to create a personal and memorable interaction with your library.

It’s about sparking positive emotions in the people who attend. Those emotions become imprinted in the minds of the attendees. They associate that positive emotion with your library.

See why it sounded a little hokey to me the first time I heard it?

But here’s the thing. While most marketing interrupts and forces itself on the community, the experiential experience is voluntary. Your community or cardholders are choosing to interact with your library. Those experiences create beautiful memories. Those beautiful memories become a part of the overall library experience for your community. A loyalty is formed.

Libraries tend to think about their programs and events in simple terms. The program is a way to offer something to the community that is in line with the library’s overall strategic plan. It may also help to fill a community need like literacy or workforce development. These reasons are all valid and valuable.

But there is a clear marketing value in expanding our understanding of what a program or experience can be for our community–and what it can do for our libraries.

And we need to do so because our younger cardholders are at stake. Experiential marketing appeals to younger people. A study by Harris Group found that 72 percent of millennials would rather pay for an experience than for material objects.

This can be a differentiating factor for libraries. We should jump at the chance.

Why experiential marketing is so appealing

It all comes down to the fear of missing out, or FOMO. We see our friends and family posting on social media as they engage in exciting events. We feel anxious because we are missing out on these amazing experiences. And we feel compelled to resolve that anxiety by attending.

Think FOMO isn’t real? Check out the Twitter feed anytime the ALA or PLA conference is in full swing. The number of librarians who lament about missing the conference is pretty astounding.

What are the benefits of creating library experiences?

Experiential marketing forges a personal connection with your library. As younger generations increasingly value experience over tangible items, they’ll patronize and visit libraries that have taken the time to get to know them and offer them experiences that they can learn and grow from in a deep and meaningful way.

85% of consumers say they were likely to purchase after participating in events or experiences.
91% of consumers say they had more positive feelings about brands after attending events or experiences.

Examples of experiential library marketing programs

Challenge yourself to go beyond the normal crafting groups, story times, and passive programs. Instead, push your library to nurture the relationship between the library brand and your community.

You can create all kinds of innovative programs that foster a love and joy of reading. Try a TED talk style book talk. Invite readers to give a compelling talk under a time limit, say 60 seconds, to convince people to read one of their favorite books. Or schedule book dates, where readers talk one-on-one with under a limited time deadline about their favorite books.

At the Edge 2020 conference in Edinburgh last week, the head of Library and Information Services at East Renfrewshire Libraries in Scotland talked about programs they hold called “Come Complete Your Bucket List at the Library.” Visitors use virtual reality sets to visit places and have experiences they’ve only dreamed about. That is an amazing example of experiential library marketing.

⁦@ERCL4⁩ discusses innovative approach to #vr with ⁦@uwslib⁩ through #PLIF ⁦@SLIC1991⁩ Great final session ⁦@edinedge⁩ #edge2020 pic.twitter.com/AbJ84FktvE

— Pamela Tulloch (@SLICCEO) February 28, 2020

Other great experiences for library customers include:

Escape rooms
Interactive STEM programs for adults and kids
Interactive activities between patrons and in-residence programs featuring authors, entrepreneurs, makers, and artists
Interactive programs in your MakerSpace
A conference connecting readers and authors interacting in sessions, workshops, and one-on-one experiences
Interactive and immersive library exhibits
Interactive activities at outreach events
Library sleepovers

Experiential experiences are any kind of program that creates a lasting, emotional experience that will bond your community to your library. This is not a one-off kind of event. This is something memorable.

You’ll notice the word “interactive” is used frequently to describe these events. Experiential marketing events require that attendees to do more than sit, listen, and absorb. If they are playing a part in the activities, they’ll remember them.

Experiential marketing is not a quiet kind of marketing. It’s often noisy, literally and figuratively. It might be messy. It might take more planning. These events are not what people think of when they think about what libraries look like.

And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

March 2, 2020 2

You Can Do It! What Library Marketers Need to Know About Promoting Books

The Library Marketing Show, Episode 34

WATCH NOW

This week, we talk about the work of Becky Spratford from RaForAll.Blogspot.com. She is a reader’s advisory expert. Her seminar made me think about how to improve library book promotion. You’ll learn four things that can help you with your library collection promotion.

Also, KUDOS in this episode go out to Greenfield Public Library in Greenfield, Massachusetts which recently received great press for their pop-up library initiative. Get out of your building and reach out to the community. That’s good marketing!

If you have a topic for the show, kudos to share, or want to talk to me about library marketing, email me at ahursh@ebsco.com.

Want more Library Marketing Show? Watch previous episodes!

Check the Upcoming Events page to see where I’ll be soon. Let’s connect!

February 26, 2020 0

Seven Big Revelations I Had About Library Collection Marketing and How You Can Avoid Making the Same Mistakes

Four weeks ago, I started my new job.

In my previous role at a major metropolitan system serving a population of nearly a million people, I thought I knew people who were wild about books. But these folks at my new company love books on a whole new level.

I have learned so much in my first month. And I’ve come to realize that, as much as I loved collection marketing, I was making mistakes. In fact, I did a lot of things wrong.🤷

Because promoting the collection should be the core of any library’s marketing efforts, I want to make sure I pass on what I’ve learned.

Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Promoting Books

What I did wrong: I recommended books.
What you should do instead: Suggest books.

It sounds like semantics, but there is a real difference between recommending and suggesting books to potential readers.

Readers advisory consultant Becky Spratford of RA for All points out that library anxiety is a real thing. People come into your building or log onto your website to find a book they love. But they have a certain amount of anxiety. They feel like they absolutely must read a book that is recommended to them by a library staff worker. If they don’t finish it, they worry that we will judge them.

So, let your library users know that your book recommendations are just suggestions. No one will judge them for not reading the titles you suggest. And let your customers know it’s okay to return books unread!

What I did wrong: I used plot to promote books.
What you should do instead: Use story elements to promote books.

Most readers advisory experts rely on something called the Vocabulary of Story Appeals to make books suggestions. This is a way of describing the book without talking about the plot.

When picking their next book, readers don’t look for a certain plot line. They are looking for factors that appeal to them, including pacing, characters, tone, style, and the story line. Story line, I have learned, is different from plot in that it focuses on the WAY the story is told, as opposed to what happens in the story. Mind blown.

Library marketers can learn about story elements by requesting a free copy of The Secret Language of Books. I got my copy at the 2019 Library Marketing and Communications Conference. It expanded my vocabulary and gave me new words to use when marketing my library’s collection.

It’s so much more interesting to describe a book in terms of story elements. It intrigues readers and may lead them to place holds on books they would otherwise ignore.

What I did wrong: Promoting only new books.
What you should do instead: Promote new books AND offer a readalike available right now on the shelf to help soften the hold wait.

At my library job, I stopped promoting older books because the data told me that new books were the ones that got the most circulation from my targeted email marketing.

My change in philosophy doesn’t mean that the data was wrong. But there was a piece I was missing.

Sometimes, the most popular books are also the ones with the longest hold list. Most library lovers are, in my experience, okay with waiting awhile for a book they really want to read.

In the meantime, library marketers can do a better job of suggesting a currently available readalikes to our readers. This helps to create satisfaction for our readers. It also can expand their worldview. It keeps them engaged with the library while they wait for the new title. And, it helps our circulation numbers!

What I did wrong: Thinking I really didn’t have the skills to suggest books.
What you should do instead: Everyone in your library can suggest books. And I mean everyone!

I had a real hang-up with suggesting books to others. I can’t tell you how many times I said the words, “I’m not a real librarian but…”

But what I’ve come to learn is that I am a book expert because I love reading! I don’t have a degree, but I do read… a lot.

I also read about books a lot. I listen to podcasts about books. I talk to other book lovers. I have resources at my disposal that I can use like NoveList and Goodreads.

You don’t have to have a degree to be passionate about books or connect with another reader.

What I did wrong: Limiting the book genres I suggest to what I have know or read.
What you should do instead: Use resources to make recommendations from genres you’re not familiar with.

Consciously push yourself to suggest books outside your own comfort zone. It’s better for you, for your friends, your fellow readers, and for the world in general, when we broaden our horizons to suggest books outside our comfort zone. We should strive for equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our lives—and that includes our reading materials.

What I did wrong: Putting more weight on New York Times bestsllers list for book suggestions.
What you should do instead: Promote books on the USA Today best seller list and on Amazon.

By using more than just one list of bestsellers, I could have gotten a better idea about what was truly a best seller. Lists from USA Today and Amazon include books from every age, genre, and publishing house.

Don’t discount sales of a book. If a book is making money, it’s popular. And your community is full of people who can’t afford to buy those books. But that doesn’t mean that people don’t want to read those books. We need to let them know they have access.

What I did wrong: Not asking my readers often enough what kind of books they like.
What you should do instead: Ask your readers about the books they love!

Survey your patrons. And do it regularly, because their tastes change. Your population changes. You don’t even have to do this using a formal survey. Just ask on social media. People love to talk about what they’re reading or what they want to read!

February 24, 2020 3

Stats to Consider Before Your Library Dumps Facebook!

The Library Marketing Show: Episode 33

WATCH NOW

In this episode, we talk about a hot button issue: deleting your library’s Facebook account.

Many libraries are thinking about quitting Facebook for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we go over a few key Facebook statistics to consider before you make a decision. NO JUDGEMENT HERE! Stats are courtesy of Social Media Today.

Also kudos to the Evanston Public Library for their brand-new podcast. It’s getting great buzz and I can’t wait to listen. Read more about the podcast here. And, if you want to start your own, here’s some advice from a library podcast expert.

If you have a topic for the show, kudos to share, or want to talk to me about library marketing, email me at ahursh@ebsco.com.

Want more Library Marketing Show? Watch previous episodes!

Check the Upcoming Events page to see where I’ll be soon. Let’s connect!

Subscribe to this blog and you’ll receive an email every time I post. To do that, click on “Follow” button in the bottom left-hand corner of the page. Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

February 19, 2020 0

Podcast Like a Pro! Amazing Advice from a Library Podcast Expert

Photo courtesy Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Readers, you are in for a treat.

I attended a session hosted by Jeff Laser at the Ohio Library Council Conference in Cincinnati. His tips on creating a great library podcast were clear, concise, and actionable.

I thought I knew everything there was to know about library podcasts, having helped launch and promote Inside the Writer’s Head, now in its fifth season. Turns out, I did not know everything. But Jeff does! And that’s why I asked him to share his knowledge with you. This post was written by him.

Jeff Laser is an Adult Services Librarian at Bexley Public Library in Columbus, Ohio. He has worked at BPL since 2012 and in that time has helped launch services such as Book-a-Librarian and is the host of the BPL Podcast. He has a BM in Music Composition from Capital University and an MLIS from Kent State University.

Podcast Like a Pro by Jeff Laser

So why start a podcast at your library? As we move further into the 21st century, libraries are increasingly looking for ways to serve the public beyond our physical walls. Podcasts allow just that.

In addition, they provide a platform to discuss important (and fun!) topics and promote library services. It’s also a great way to utilize staff talent, offering a unique, creative outlet that is both fun and stimulating.

That said, one of the main reasons Bexley Public Library (BPL) decided to give a library podcast an earnest shot was to leverage our high caliber adult programming. We host a range of speakers, professors, writers, and other experts to discuss a variety of subjects including social justice, literature, culture, and more. The podcast gives us a unique opportunity to have a concise conversation about these subjects in a format that is accessible beyond just the one-night speaking engagement. This gives patrons who are unable to attend the program itself an entertaining and convenient alternative.

Even if your library doesn’t have a similar focus on adult programming, don’t fret. There are several directions a podcast can go besides the traditional host-interviewing-guest structure. Narrative podcasts (e.g. Serial or Welcome to Night Vale) tell a story across multiple episodes. Review podcasts, such as Binge Mode, focus on a particular book, movie, or television show for in-depth discussion.

How Much Will It Cost?

Being a public library means having a limited budget. Employees need to justify expenses. Realizing this, Bexley Public Library purchased equipment that has multiple functions at the library.

For example, we use the same equipment for the library podcast that we use to record our oral history interviews, and to record full-length programs from time to time. We also make the equipment available for our patrons to use.

The initial expense for starting a podcast doesn’t need to be outrageous. Free software such as Audacity or GarageBand will work just fine. Quality microphones can be purchased for around $100 each. Add a few accessories like pop filters and boom, and you’re ready to record.

Making a Great Podcast

Interview preparation goes a long way to ensure an engaging conversation with your guest. Familiarize yourself with their material and come up with a few questions.

During the interview, allow yourself to go off-script and ask follow-up questions. If you know you and your guest share common interests, ask about them! Capturing that human connection is one of the most fruitful parts of podcasting and one of the primary reasons the format has grown exponentially.

Editing is arguably as important as preparation. If you come across long silences, excessive filler words, unwanted background noise, or even just generally uninteresting passages, remove them! Remember, however, the goal is to keep the human element intact. Don’t go as far as removing every single “um”, “uh”, or slight pause in the conversation. Keep it sounding natural.

From the technical side of things, less is usually more with podcast editing. I stick with equalization, compression, and reverb. A high-pass filter is useful for removing unwanted low sounds such as hums, fans, etc. Compression will help even out the peaks and valleys of your audio track for a smoother listening experience. Finally, a bit of reverb will add some depth to your recording (not too much though or it will sound like your interview was recorded in a gymnasium!)

Getting Your Podcast Out There

You have a few great interviews edited and ready to go, what now? First, you’ll want to find a hosting solution for your podcast. Popular options include Blubrry, Libsyn, and WordPress. BPL uses Podbean, which allows unlimited upload time for $108 per year. These services will guide you through setting up your Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed, which will allow you to submit your podcast to various platforms. You’ll provide information about your podcast during this process, such as artwork, title, author, and description.

Once your RSS feed is ready, submit it to as many platforms as you can: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. The process is easy and the more platforms you’re on, the easier it will be for listeners to find you.

Don’t overlook the importance of branding your podcast. Even if you aren’t a graphic designer, you can create simple but effective graphics by using tools such as Canva. (Note from Angela: If you are a LibraryAware user, you can also use a widget template to make your podcast graphic.)

Include brief theme music during your podcast to make it more memorable. If you don’t have the ability to create a jingle, try royalty-free music websites such as Bensound.

Marketing your podcast on a limited budget is challenging but not impossible. Try to utilize your guest’s social media following. Ask them to post (or re-post your content) about the podcast. A pull quote graphics (see below) is an easy way to draw people into any given episode and works well across social media platforms. Try placing an embeddable player in a prominent space on your library website to allow for spontaneous discovery and easy listening.

Go for It!

Now that you have an idea of the basics, give it a shot! If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the podcasts I linked above, or perhaps some library related podcasts such as The Librarian Is In, Lost in the Stacks, Book Squad Podcast, or (of course) The BPL Podcast. Hosting a podcast is truly one of the most unique and rewarding things I’ve done in my professional career, and it could be for you too!

For more help with your library marketing, email me at ahursh@ebsco.com. Subscribe to this blog and you’ll receive an email every time I post. To do that, click on the “Follow” button in the bottom left-hand corner of the page. Connect with me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

February 17, 2020 3

What Metrics Demonstrate Your Library’s Social Media Marketing is Working?

The Library Marketing Show: Episode 32

WATCH NOW

In this episode, we answer a question from Tiffani from the St. Charles City-County Library. She asked, “What analytics are the most helpful to determine if social media is working?”

Angela shares the three big measures of success and ONE metric that doesn’t mean much anymore!

Also kudos go out to libraries taking part in the Dolly Parton meme. Find out why this fun project is so important to library marketing.

If you have a topic for the show, kudos to share, or want to talk to me more about library marketing, email me at ahursh@ebsco.com.

Want more Library Marketing Show? Watch previous episodes!

Check the Upcoming Events page to see where I’ll be soon. Let’s connect!

February 12, 2020 3

Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips and Ideas for Library Promotion

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