This document provides 11 free marketing strategies for libraries to try. It recommends starting with a good foundation by assessing current positioning, creating a clear blueprint and goals, and removing obstacles. It also suggests renovating when necessary by examining what works for others, simplifying messages, and making small improvements. The document stresses performing constant maintenance through regular evaluation, being open to new ideas, engaging the community, and building an ongoing toolkit of strategies.

1. 11 Free Marketing Strategies to Try Today
Lindsay Sarin, Andrea Snyder & Julie Strange

2. This session’s hash:
#STIMiL
The conference hash:
#

3. Have you showered recently?

4. Start with a good
foundation
Renovate when
necessary
Perform constant
maintenance

5. Start with a good foundation

6. 1. Assess: Know Where You Stand

7. HOW?!
• Start with the Staff
• Look at the numbers
• And…

8. Ask the User!!!

9. Sometimes the
truth hurts…

10. Figure out what
you need to
assess.

11. 2. Create a Blueprint

12. Know Your Goals
• Where you want to end up?
• Use what you know.
• Think big. Start small.

13. Visualize where you want
to end up. What do your
goals look like?

14. 3. Clear the Decks

16. Examine the things you
like from others’ and
figure out the elements of
their success. Replicate.

17. 4. Create Your Message

18. Keep the Message Simple
You Belong @
Your Library
Turn to us. The choices will surprise you.

21. Right person. Right place.
Right time.

22. Cut 60%
of the words

23. 5. Reduce Pain

24. Use your library like a
customer and pay attention
to the little ways you can
make a big difference.

25. Renovate when necessary.

26. 6. Be Brave

32. Brainstorm for 1 min with
your neighbor.
No idea is too crazy!

33. 7. Give people something to do

34. Rewrite an old
message in
active language.

35. 8. Steal Ideas

36. Immerse yourself in
something outside your
comfort zone.
Pay attention while
you’re there.

37. 9. Get into the Community

38. Get
off
Your
Ass!

40. 1. Create elevator
speeches
2. Keep your librarian
brain on at all times.

41. BONUS TIP: ifttt.com

43. Perform constant maintenance.

44. 10. Assess the Results

45. Debrief after everything.
Learn.

46. 11. Build a toolkit

47. Decide what you
want in your toolkit
and build it!

48. Lindsay Sarin
lcsarin@gmail.com
@lcsarin
Andrea Snyder
THANK YOU! alsnyder02@gmail.com
stealtheseideasmarketing.tumblr.com @alsnyder02
Julie Strange
julie.strange@gmail.com
@strnglibrarian

49. Photo Credits
Shower Shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dieselbug2007/370557683/
Baltimore: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidereal/305963750/
Princeton Stuffed Animal Sleepover: http://www.flickr.com/photos/princetonpubliclibrary/4887853605/in/set-
72157624716712838/
Wheel: http://www.flickr.com/photos/__my__photos/5025541044/
Bored Donkeys: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mysticwisdom/2905853760/
Surveyors: http://www.ohiolandsurveys.com/images/surveying_crew_on_construction_site.jpg
Earthquake House: http://www.frumforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/eqarthquake.jpg
Crazy math guy: http://thissideoftypical.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html
Goals: http://psychologyface.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/goal.jpg
Scrabble shelves: http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/storage/organization/ways-to-store-more-in-your-
kitchen/#page=12
Awesome light bulb guy: http://pantsinacan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/momentofclarity.jpg
Edmonton Public Library: http://www.epl.ca/
King County Public Library: http://www.kcls.org/
Assessing results house: http://deargolden.blogspot.com/2011/07/come-in-again-this-time-my-house-was.html
Butler: http://www.pastorjonas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/faithful-servant.jpg
Conversation: http://www.flickr.com/photos/khalidalbaih/5653817859/
Texas Tech: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlykv/5060849839/
Bulletin board: http://www.flickr.com/photos/denverjeffrey/458846298