AgGateway 2016 Communications Plan - Quarterly Goals
Q1 Q2 (JanApril-March)
- Further refine messaging and materials by target audience: Begin developing sub-plans for each key audience, and extend into the multi-year plan.
- Develop/Refine messaging and supporting points focusing on value and benefits. Articulate the “Why” of AgGateway
– why it is important to be engaged and why eAgriculture is important. - Examples of target audiences: specialty chemical industry, precision ag, ag retail. Refine priority audiences for 2016.
- Develop/Refine messaging and supporting points focusing on value and benefits. Articulate the “Why” of AgGateway
...
June)
Media relations
- Column in Precision Ag publication in advance of InfoAg
- Column directed to Ag Retailers on need to get engaged
- Goal of at least 3 press releases
in 1st quarter- Promote the value of AgGateway resources (AGIIS, etc.) w/in these communications
- Clean/update/expand press list; develop targeted lists for targeted messaging.
- Clean up distribution lists on Constant Contact with Member Services.
- Leverage relationships with trade association members, particularly ARA, TFI, AFIA, CropLife, and in the precision ag sphere.
- Set plan for series of visits and calls in 1st and 2nd quarter.
- Create a Membership campaign plan with the CEO and COO for how the organization can address this goal in 2016.
- this quarter
- this quarter
Execute the communications portions of the campaign plan throughout the year.
Membership Campaign
- Messaging - Further refine messaging and materials by target audience (value/benefits).
- Tactical activities (based on plan formulated with CEO and COO in Q1) such as letters, flyers, etc.
- Consider materials needed, leveraging website
, LinkedIn GroupWebsite- Freshen content on Home page, Working Group pages.
- Address how to facilitate newcomers into orientation of eAgriculture/ AgGateway Address new members “area” and education needs
- LinkedIn Group
Materials/“Ambassador” program: (Q1 and throughout year)
- Publicize to the membership the Communications Kit and how to use it.
- Encourage members to have their company publications run stories on the company’s work with AgGateway.
- Encourage ways to communicate with “c-level” executives within companies.
- AgGateway Global Network
- Presence on AgGateway website with messaging on why it’s important to support these efforts.
- Approach to affiliates’ logos – work with Rod Conner.
- Social Media (Q1 and throughout year)
- Work with the Communications Committee to broaden our social media presence.
...
Producer Engagement
- Consider concept of producer advisory group or some other way to engage producers/get their input. Consider: roundtable co-promoted with a publication. Or whether there are advisory groups that already exist that we can tap into.
Leverage relationships withtrade association members
- Visits and calls
Website
- Address how to facilitate newcomers into orientation of eAgriculture/ AgGateway
- Address new members “area” and education needs
- Re-evaluate current content and structure of the website to raise its effectiveness as a marketing tool, including:
- Evaluate how to make the Home page more powerful
- Address ways to maximize promotion of AgGateway resources (AGIIS, etc.)
- Leadership recognition – Continue to recognize active companies and individuals to encourage continued volunteer participation and to demonstrate the contributions of AgGateway members companies.
- Leverage further use of photography and video throughout the site.
Mid-Year Meeting Promotion
April
- Flyer pdf
- eBlasts 1) Register and Reserve hotel now (4/12); 2) Sponsorships (4/26)
- Newsletter:
- Website: Detailed MYM meeting page under Events (details posted by 3/25)
- Flyer pdf with meeting details – post to website by 3/25
- Home page promotion – Register now! (by 3/30)
- Press release when registration opens (3/23)
- eBlast: Register Now! (3/30)
- Newsletter: April issue – Hotel, registration details; highlights, sponsorships – (due 3/16, publish 4/6)
...
- May issue – Highlights, invite a trading partner (due 4/15; publish 5/4)
- Communication to Councils to encourage registration (4/6)
- Trade associations: Blurbs with request to run on their websites/newsletters (4/8)
May
- Press release - promote speaker and educational opps, invite a trading partner – (5/4)
- eBlasts: 1) Hotel reminder, invite a colleague (5 reasons you should be at MYM) – (5/3); 2) Invite a trading partner, hotel/registration reminder – (5/10); 3) Previous attendees eblast (5/17); 4) Networking opportunities, roughly 2 weeks out registration reminder – (5/24)
- Communication to councils to encourage registration (5/2)
- Newsletter: last minute information, transportation options (due 5/18; publish 6/3)
June (meeting begins June 13)
- Membership eblasts: 1) Final reminder/logistics details (6/7); Survey (6/22)
- Newsletter – July issue – thank sponsors (due 6/17)
Annual Conference Promotion
June
- Website: Events page set up
- Newsletter: Save the date on right sidebar of newsletter
- MYM: Promotion at the meeting – info table about Annual Conference
AgGateway Global Network
- Presence on AgGateway website with messaging on why it’s important to support these efforts.
- Approach to affiliates’ logos – work with Rod Conner.