Communications & Promotion

Web Communications

• Quick Reference List

Web Promotion

General Strategies for Promoting a Website

• Include the website URL in print pieces such as news releases, publications, business cards, letterhead, etc.
  
  
• Include the website URL in other communication vehicles, such as commercials, videos, and CD ROMs, as well as on promotional items, such as bookmarks, pens, mousepads, and keychains.
  
  
• Ask everyone in the organization to create e-mail "signatures" that include the website URL.
  
  
• Contact affiliated partners and related organizations with websites. Request the addition of a link to your site and, if possible, offer to include a reciprocal link.
  
  
• Enhance your profile in major search engines. Some basic search engine placement tips are available in the Search Engine Watch website (www.searchenginewatch.com/webmasters/tips.html). Additional information regarding indexing and ranking is available in the major search engine websites.
  
  
• Use free on-line services related to search engine profile. SiteOwner (www.siteowner.com) allows you to announce your site to multiple search engines, and use Did-it (www.Did-it.com) allows you to monitor your profile in major search engines.

Promoting Campus Websites within the U of S Website

• Add your website to the U of S Services and Resources Index. This index is maintained manually by the U of S central webmasters, and is located at www.usask.ca/services/. If your site is already listed, verify the entry is accurate.
  
  
• Improve your rankings by Harvest, the main campus search engine, and Google U of S, another popular search engine. For more information, refer to the search engine profile page.
  
  
• Profile your website through the What's New on the Web page. Contact webmaster@www.usask.ca and the U of S central webmasters will ensure your site is listed at www.usask.ca/changes.html.

Promoting Campus Events within the U of S Website

• Add your activity to the events column of the U of S home page. To obtain home page profile, you must submit an entry to the U of S general events calendar (see below).
  
  
• Add your activity to the U of S general events calendar. Further information is available on the Events page at www.usask.ca/events/calendar/. The central webmasters profile calendar entries in the events column of the U of S home page. Please note some restrictions may apply, due to space constraints.
  
  
• Issue a press release for newsworthy activities of interest to the off-campus community. University Communications posts release headlines on the U of S home page, and circulates this information via a campus e-mail list. For more information, call 966-6607 or e-mail communications@usask.ca.
  
  
• Post event information on the Usask.General newsgroup. This newsgroup provides information of interest to U of S faculty, staff, and students, and is restricted to use by individuals with campus accounts. The newsgroup is located at news:usask.general.
  
  
• Create an event website or page. Request web space from the sponsoring department(s) and promote the site using some or all of the suggestions listed above.