511 MARKETING IDEAS

[511 Marketing & Outreach Committee]

How can a 511 service benefit users if they don't know it's there? As public agencies, 511 deployers have limited funding and staff resources for 511 marketing and outreach programs. The good news is that you don't have to re-invent the wheel—great marketing ideas are right here. Mining this web page will unearth a treasure trove of resources developed by 511 marketers who have gone before you—market research reports, marketing plans, and marketing materials and media kits that will put you way ahead in planning your 511 deployment, launch, and promotion. Immediately usable marketing tools from the 511 Deployment Coalition, including the official 511 logo,are here for viewing and downloading.

By using the official 511 Logo and Logo Guidelines, you can link your 511 service to similar services across the country and achieve national branding of the 511 service. The logo already is being used by many deployers, as illustrated in the diverse marketing materials presented in this section of the web site. The logo, and the guidelines for logo use, are available for download here, but kindly note that the logo is for the use of official 511 deployers only. Contact the webmaster if you are uncertain whether you qualify as an official deployer.

The first step in any good marketing program is to build a product that meets user needs. If you are planning a 511 market research program, reading the Market Research Reports available here will provide valuable background. For the many 511 deployers who do not have the resources to conduct their own market research, these reports may be even more valuable.

Well-developed Marketing Plans are invaluable to marketing success. Before you develop your 511 marketing plan, check out the plans developed by other deployers, which may be viewed and downloaded here.

A good way to make the most of limited marketing resources is to adapt concepts, text, and graphic designs developed by earlier 511 deployers. On this page, 511 marketers who have gone before you generously share a tremendous range of Deployer Marketing Materials. Here you can find brochures, business cards, literature rack cards, advertisements, billboards, kiosks, gas pump and truck decals, bumper stickers, launch event invitations, ...and more!

Here, too, you can download a variety of 511 Deployment Coalition Marketing Tools, including custom artwork, bus and train advertisements, and a 511 brochure for deployers and decisionmakers. (Note that these marketing tools are for the use of official 511 deployers only. Contact the webmaster if you are uncertain whether you qualify as an official deployer.)

The 511 Deployment Coalition Outreach Presentations are here, too, to assist you in discussing the 511 concept with a variety of audiences. There are six standard Powerpoint presentation modules covering a variety of topics, which may be mixed-and-matched according to the speaker's specific needs.

Media Relations Materials including press releases, FAQs, and more, can be viewed and downloaded here.

Finally, don't overlook the effectiveness of 511 Road Signs in spreading user awareness of the service. Photos of 511 road signs used by deployers, and the most recent guidance on 511 road signs from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) are posted here.

511 Marketing and Outreach Committeee Information

January 6, 2005 Meeting Notes [.pdf]
December 6, 2004 Meeting Notes [.pdf]
October 27, 2004 Meeting Notes [.pdf]