Libraries do so much good work and provide so many wonderful resources.
But unless people know about these things, you may not even be making much of an impact.
That’s where CALL’s new in-person, no-cost workshops with Kathy Dempsey come in.
You might know Kathy from her work as author of The Accidental Library Marketer…or from her episode on the Library Leadership Podcast…or from her work with Information Today and the Marketing Libraries Services newsletter…or as head of the consulting firm and Facebook site Libraries Are Essential. She calls herself a “marketing maven,” and really, what library doesn’t need one?
Kathy is coming to the California State Library in Sacramento for two days in August 2024. On Wednesday, August 7, from 1-4:30 p.m., she’ll help you hone your personal skills with a hands-on workshop, “Gaining Confidence in Public Speaking: Pro Tips for Giving Great Presentations.” On Thursday, August 8, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Kathy will guide you through “Promoting Your Library: External Communications and Outreach Training and Practice.”
Travel reimbursement is available for anyone traveling more than 50 miles one way. Sign up for either or both workshops! Together, they’ll provide you with a comprehensive introduction to public speaking and promoting your library.
More information about the two upcoming sessions:
Gaining Confidence in Public Speaking: Pro Tips for Giving Great Presentations
- Wednesday, August 7, from 1-4:30 p.m.
- If you don’t give presentations very often, you might find the task intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Communications maven Kathy Dempsey has given roughly 200 talks over her career, both face-to-face and online. In-person audiences have ranged from 10 people seated in a semi-circle to conference rooms with hundreds of attendees. She’ll share her pro tips on avoiding butterflies, speaking effectively, and keeping people’s attention. Whether you’re about to give your 1st or your 21st presentation, in a small boardroom or a big ballroom, you’ll find some tips here that will make it less nerve-wracking for you and more enjoyable for your audience.
Listeners will learn:- Why preparation means everything
- What to know about your audience ahead of time
- How to start the presentation on a good note
- How to make the microphone your friend
- Tips for speaking slowly and clearly
- The power of eye contact
- How to connect to crowds when you’re presenting online
- Things you should avoid doing
Promoting Your Library: External Communications
- Thursday, August 8, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- This session will teach you the basics of outreach communication, then show you how to apply them to get your messages to those in need, even if they don’t have email or internet service. You’ll learn how and why to separate populations into “target audiences” with the help of basic audience research. Then, using a combination of psychology and wordsmithing, you’ll learn how to write effective messages that your target audience will respond to. We’ll also discuss where to place messages to help them get noticed. After this session’s lessons, you’ll do some writing practice and have it evaluated on the spot.
The knowledge you gain will prepare you to create:- Compelling value statements
- Media soundbites
- Brochure text
- Elevator speeches
- Web copy
- Email subject lines
- Social media posts
- Better press releases
These strategies will be especially helpful to those who don’t have prior communications training. Any library worker will leave this session with more knowledge and confidence in communicating with hard-to-reach segments of their communities.
Be sure to register for these wonderful workshops!