Managing or engaging in public relations work includes media relations, marketing and promotions, social media management, and other activities. These may be part of your portfolio of responsibilities as information and cultural heritage professionals either as managers, or in positions of outreach and engagement. If you are part of a larger organization, you may need to work with communications staff to promote or increase engagement with and use of your services, collections, events or other activities. .

In this introductory workshop, you will

• Gain an overview of the various types of communications and public relations activities undertaken within an information or heritage organization, using the the U of T Libraries as an example.
• Learn about various communications platforms and channels used for public relations.
• Become aware of the benefits of media coverage and learn how to identify and pitch a story to media professionals.
• Learn how to maximize your organization’s social media presence and how to know if a platform is right for your organization and when to retire it.
• Get tips and tricks for creating engaging Instagram posts, including Instagram stories.
• Find out how to deal with complaints on social media.
• There will be hands on activities with Instagram, so bring or arrange with the Inforum tech loans program to have a mobile device with Instagram installed on it.

Students will also engage in an activity to identify and pitch stories to media.

Take aways include a communications checklist used in the U of T Libraries communications office, as well as the social media best practices guide from the University of Toronto Libraries, and a slide deck containing tips and best practices.

Students will also be able to download and save their finished instagram story for their online portfolios.

Should you fail to withdraw 48+ hours in advance, thereby preventing your colleagues on the waitlist from filling in your spot, your library account will be charged $10 per missed workshop.  Please note, it is your responsibility to sign next to your name on the attendance sheet for each workshop session.  A blank signature spot will result in a penalty charge.

Please make sure that you register with a correct email address, as the confirmation email includes the link to withdraw.

Instructor: Jesse Carliner, Communications & User Services Librarian

Location: Room 538, fifth floor, Claude T. Bissell Building, 140 St George Street