Communicating with Spanish-Speaking Clients

Educators who need consumer publications in Spanish can find them at the Federal Citizen Information Center (also known as Pueblo Consumer Information Center).

The publications cover topics such as personal finance, retirement saving, and managing medical benefits. They are provided by a variety of agencies and private-sector organizations. These publications are available only from the Pueblo site.

An Extension Educators' order form on the FCIC Website makes it easy to review titles and to order directly from that site.For more information, contact Jim Zawada at 202-501-1799, or james.zawada@gsa.gov.

--Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

Communicating with Spanish-Speaking Clients

Census 2010 and Marketing K-State Research and Extension

The new U.S. census represents another important time in how K-State Research and Extension markets its programs to the people in Kansas. KSRE’s marketing team has used census data extensively to understand demographics in Kansas, which helps to inform our marketing strategy for the organization.Among many areas, census data might help us

• determine areas where marketing to a low-income population is most beneficial;
• determine areas where the heaviest population exists;
• determine areas where a certain age demographic is most heavily-concentrated;
• ask more relevant questions in future surveys, focus groups and similar research.

The deadline for mailing in a U.S. census has passed, but census-takers will soon be out to interview non-responders in person. Encourage people in your programs and community to participate. Census data not only helps the federal government know your community better, it will also help K-State Research and Extension market your programs to Kansas residents more effectively.

--Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

Census 2010 and Marketing K-State Research and Extension

Facebook as a Marketing Tool

Facebook continues to be one of the social media tools that is growing at a rapid rate. K-State Research and Extension is taking advantage of this new opportunity with its own Facebook presence.

We’re still looking for folks who would like to be part of discussion boards on our Facebook site. If you’d like to help us by posting one topic each month, please contact Pat Melgares at melgares@ksu.edu.

This week, we learned of some great ways to drive traffic to your Facebook page. Here’re some great ideas:

• Post a weekly quiz or question on your Facebook site. Then, wait a few days before giving the answers.
• Sponsor a photo contest, such as “Scenes of the County Fair.” You choose a winner, and might even be able to give a simple prize.

Other marketing ideas include setting up connections in your “Favorite Pages” tab; acknowledging those that comment on your posts; and creating a landing page for those that are not yet your Facebook fans.

--Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

Facebook as a Marketing Tool

Using Google To Find What You Need

One of the most widely used tools on the web is Google. Here are a few simple tips to make your searches more powerful:

• Less is More: Instead of using a full sentence, such as "Which vegetable is the most popular in the United States" simply search for "popular vegetable united states" and quickly look through your results to find what you need.
• Use unique and descriptive terms: Try to use words that are unique to what you are searching for. For example, use "carnivore" instead of "meat eating animal."
• Use quotation marks to search for exact text: If you are looking for a quote, put it in quotation marks. This is especially useful for looking up computer error messages!
• Start broad, then narrow your scope: If there are a few good results in your first set that all contain the same word, add that to your search and look again.
• Use - to remove a word: If there is a word you don't want to include in results, add a minus sign in front. "Frankfort -Kentucky" would search for results that include Frankfort but not Kentucky.
• Use ~ to look for synonyms: Instead of using a thesaurus, you can have Google search for synonyms by simply putting a tilde (it's on the key above Tab) in front of a word. "Cow ~facts" will search for pages containing "facts," "information," "trivia" and many other words along with "Cow."

You can find more information on using Google on their help pages, http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=134479 and http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?answer=136861.

--Russ Feldhausen russfeld@ksu.edu

Using Google To Find What You Need

Check Your Web Links Regularly

A Web page full of links, particularly to other organizations, should be checked at least every few months. Authors of the linked sites may have rearranged their webs, which will turn your links into "not found," or other error messages.

Even worse, links to .org or .com sites can be bought by someone else, including advertisers, if the original organization drops the address. In that case, your link could go to a page that has information different than the original topic. It may be information that doesn't belong on a university Web page.

--Amy Hartman ahartman@ksu.edu

Check Your Web Links Regularly

When a Reporter Calls

Here’re a few tips for a successful interview when a reporter calls.• Ask the reporter’s name and publication or broadcast station.
• Ask the story angle.
• Determine whether you are the appropriate source. If not, refer the reporter to the right person.
• Call the reporter back in 10 to 15 minutes so you can prepare.
• Simplify your message. Write down your key point(s) before the interview.
• Anticipate the tough questions and practice positive responses.
• Think of an interview as a way to talk directly to your audience.
• Do not use overly scientific or technical terms. Speak in short sentences.
• Get to the point. Keep your answers brief, and keep them focused on your message.
• Avoid light humor or negative remarks.
• If asked to comment on something that’s controversial or makes you uncomfortable, tell the reporter that you don’t think you are the appropriate person to respond.
• Be honest. If you don’t know the answer to a question, simply say so.
More information is on the web at Event in the Box.

--Elaine Edwards elainee@ksu.edu

When a Reporter Calls

Capitalize on Co-Branding

K-State Research and Extension’s strengths include the variety of programs we offer and the partnerships we develop. Partnerships can strengthen the marketing message for both groups by co-branding, which is a strategy to combine the strength of two or more brands for greater awareness and the overall good.

A national survey released February 17 indicates, however, that Land-Grant universities can do a better job of promoting partnerships. The survey includes interviews with more than 2,000 Americans, as well as 1,911 employees, 1,300 volunteers, and 1,260 current users of Extension services.

Two areas used as examples highlight the increasing need for all programs to associate their connection with K-State Research and Extension:

• Of those that have knowledge of their state’s 4-H program, only 9-percent knew that it is connected to the state’s Extension service.
• Of those that have knowledge of their state’s Master Gardener program, only 6-percent knew that it is connected to the state’s Extension service.

The marketing group that conducted the study cited those two examples, but the message was clear that all Land-Grant universities and their associated Extension programs can benefit from greater recognition of its partnerships.

Always use the K-State Research and Extension logo when promoting your local program, services, and activities. Current versions of our logos, slogans and more are available online at www.ksre.ksu.edu/techweb (then select KSRE Image Gallery).

More information on branding always is available from K-State Research and Extension’s marketing unit. Contact Pat Melgares at 785-532-1160. You can also read more and share your ideas on our blog, www.ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com.

--Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

Capitalize on Co-Branding

How to Efficiently Manage your E-Mail Inbox

To help you keep up with all the e-mail you receive in a day, here are a few tips to help you more efficiently manage your e-mail inbox:
* For e-mails you receive regularly that only contain information (and are not items to act on), use a filter to move those messages out of your inbox.
* Make sure your SPAM filter is turned on and up to date.
* Once you are done with an e-mail, move it out of your inbox or just delete it if you don´t need it. Don't worry about filing it properly; you can always use the search feature to find it later.
* Take time each day to look through your inbox, and act on e-mail that you can take care of quickly.
* For e-mails you send often, save a copy and reuse it as often as you can.
* Avoid sending e-mail to more recipients than are absolutely necessary. That will help keep their inboxes clean.
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about how you can use e-mail more efficiently, call IET at 785-532-6270 or e-mail us at support@ksre.ksu.edu. Not only can we assist with computer problems, but we can help you use technology more effectively in your everyday routine.

--Russ Feldhausen russfeld@ksu.edu

How to Efficiently Manage your E-Mail Inbox

Postal Rates and Reproducing Course Materials

Postal rates - and subsequently the cost of mailing newsletters and other printed materials -- are increasing. But the U.S. Postal Service recently announced new guidelines for automating delivery of compatible bulk mail.

What it means for K-State Research and Extension is an opportunity to reduce mailing costs. Check with your local postmaster to learn what you can do when producing your printed materials to get the best mailing rate.

Here's another opportunity that some faculty on K-State's Manhattan campus already are taking advantage of. K-State Research and Extension's duplicating center is printing course materials that can then be sold through the distribution center directly to students.

If you've got an idea for taking advantage of this service, contact Greg LeValley at 785-532-1158 or glevalle@ksu.edu ; or Gina Nixon at 785-532-5804, or gnixon@ksu.edu .

--Greg LeValley

Postal Rates and Reproducing Course Materials

A Strategy for Your Website

A recent national study continues to show that American adults (ages 18 and older) use the Internet for information, and more than half of them are using wireless connections to do so.

The Pew Research Center reports that 74% of American adults use the Internet. Their research included interviews with 2,258 Americans (including Spanish-speaking Americans). The margin of error for this study was 2 percent.

Fifty-five percent of American adults connect wirelessly through laptops or handheld devices. And, 60% are using broadband connections at home.

Those findings underscore the ongoing need to keep Websites updated, and to maintain content that is brief and well-written.

If you don't already have a Web strategy for your office, consider drafting at least simple guidelines, including:
* Who determines and approves updates?* Who posts the updates, and how often?* How do you monitor and use new information from KSRE?* How do you determine when to link to external information?* What are the key messages your office communicates, and does the Web page reflect those?

See more communications tips at http://www.communications.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=899 .

--Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

A Strategy for Your Website

Tips for Changing Your Password

The start of a new year means it is time to change your eID password. You must change your eID password by February 10.

To be valid, your new password must meet certain criteria, available at https://eid.k-state.edu/eProfile/jsp/faq/password.jsp#required . Among the requirements, your password must
be 7 - 30 characters long;
contain 3 of 4 of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or special characters or symbols;
have at least 5 different characters;
not be based on any name, eID or known word.
A password can be a multi-word phrase; you can separate parts of the password with spaces.

To change your eID password, simply log on to the eID Web site, http://eid.k-state.edu , and enter your current eID and password. Then, click the "Change your eID password or password-reset options" link and set your new password.

Some additional tips:
After clicking the "Change password" button, make sure you see a message in green text stating your password was accepted.
Set a verification e-mail address and a secret question and answer.
Never write down your password or share it with anyone, for any reason.
If you have questions about this process, contact IET technical support at 785-532-6270, or support@ksre.ksu.edu . If you forget your eID password, or have problems changing your eID password, you can also call the K-State IT Helpdesk at 785-532-7722 or e-mail helpdesk@k-state.edu .

--Russ Feldhausen russfeld@ksu.edu

Tips for Changing Your Password

Color Printing Increases the Value of Your Message

Reaching your target audiences means you must provide products that will appeal to them. In print, it is clear that color printing makes a difference. Various research conducted with consumers indicates that color: increases retention by 78 percent, increases comprehension by 73 percent, increases brand comprehension by 80 percent, reduces search time by 80 percent.
K-State Research and Extension employees have an excellent opportunity to take advantage of color printing at affordable prices. The Department of Communications now offers full-color services at a cost of 40-cents or less per page (depending on quantity). Professional graphic design also is available at a fraction of what you would pay. Think creatively: Color can spice up your pre-prints, and print-on-demand projects. For more information, contact Greg LeValley at 785-532-1158 or glevalle@ksu.edu .

--Greg LeValley glevalle@ksu.edu

Color Printing Increases the Value of Your Message