The promotional newsletter is an outstanding marketing tool to inform elected officials about the impact of Extension, to educate the general public about the scope of Extension's programs, and to inform clientele about the variety of educational programs. The most powerful marketing tool is a successful educational program. It should include a statement of the educational need, a description of how Extension responded, and the impact. The statement should be distributed to elected officials, key clientele, and the media. Each Extension office projects hundreds of messages every day and every message projects an image.
Quality control is an essential component of marketing.
Periodic marketing audits must be regularly done by staff to determine organizational strengths and weaknesses. A prioritized list of image enhancers should be developed after each audit. Appraisals Adding marketing responsibilities to job descriptions and performance appraisals adds credibility to the process. It legitimizes marketing and can help staff strive for excellence in their marketing efforts. Sessions Regular meetings for staff and board members should include creative methods of promoting organizational identity, improving educational programing, and developing effective marketing strategies to influence media and elected officials.