I have to agree that how we market ourselves as professionals and our services is extremely important. I don't think the marketing skills need to be elaborate as simple things can tend to be more effective.
How people and students perceive us as individuals can influence their decision to use the library or not. Are we friendly, approachable, willing to listen and explore new things? Simple things such as Tea and Coffee for Easter term, while providing an area and time for students to have a break, can also be a marketing tool, encouraging them that we are here to help. If those students then tell there friends, who also decide to use the library for its friendly, warm atmosphere then mission accompished.
"If we don’t have a presence there too we’re missing a trick." This statement about not getting involved with using social media techniques, I believe to be true as it is also my belief. As I've previously commented on this blog, I think as librarians we need to be actively using social media, whether its, blogs, facebook, twitter or other mediums, in order to get our message and services out to our users. As each person is different we need diversify away from traditional communication tools and have a presence on these new online forums. The idea isn't to abandon traditional methods, just be more inclusive to everyone. For example if a student doesn't use their Hermes email, but follows us on Twitter, they will still be in contact with the library and what we have to offer.
As for what I'm going to do in relation to social media marketing, continuing with facebook and twitter is a must. We're also going to try and promote them more at the freshers fair this year. In conjunction with tutorial we may try and set up a doodle poll to find out what sites our students use most and what method of communication they would like us to use. I'm also very impressed by the Quinlib blog and may see if we can get this off the ground next term.
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