Web Based Tools to
Enhance Outreach
Beth Holtzman & Jessie Schmidt
University of Vermont Extension
New Farmer Project & Women’s Ag Network
April 3, 2014
Today’s Session
• Why use web tools?
• Tool examples
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Blogs
E-Newsletters & listservs
Web Forms
Web Integrations
• Before you dive in . . .
• Closing thoughts & questions
Why use web tools?
• Why we use web tools . . .
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Keep content fresh & share time sensitive news
Streamline client access to resources
Automate clerical tasks (registration, sign-ups, etc.)
Connect directly with our audience
Learn about our audience
Start with the End in Mind
What do you want to accomplish?
How will you know if the tools are working for you?
What will you measure?
Set up & collect metrics from the start:
Via Google Analytics or in-tool analytics
Blogs
Interactive
Build engagement
Static
Archive
Blogs
- Free
-Can be a “website”
-Mobile compatible
-Multiple contributors
-Easy set-up, uploads
-Search engines, metrics
-Easy integrations
-Comments & Discussion
- Design limitations
- Managing voice
-- Managing content
- “Hungry beast”
- People have to “go” there,
sign up
-Spam in comments section
Blogs
- Free
-Can be a “website”
-Mobile compatible
-Multiple contributors
-Easy set-up, uploads
-Search engines, metrics
-Easy integrations
-Comments & Discussion
- Design limitations
- Managing voice
- Managing content
- “Hungry beast”
- People have to “go” there,
sign up
-Spam in comments section
Blogs
- Free
-Can be a “website”
-Mobile compatible
-Multiple contributors
-Easy set-up, uploads
-Search engines, metrics
-Easy integrations
-Comments & Discussion
- Design limitations
- Managing voice
- Managing content
- “Hungry beast”
- People have to “go” there,
sign up
-Spam in comments section
Email Options
Listservs
Electronic
Newsletters
Listservs
- Easy to set up
-list management
options
-Interactive
-Big numbers
-Can be archived
-Email overload
-Text format
-Must be monitored
-User confusion
-Stats limited
Electronic Newsletters
-Low Maintenance
-Big numbers
-List Segmentation
-Graphics and links
-Good stats
-Can be archived
-Unidirectional.
-Email overload.
-Must be mobile
ready
Electronic Newsletters
-Low Maintenance
-Big numbers
-List Segmentation
-Graphics and links
-Good stats
-Can be archived
-Unidirectional.
-Email overload.
-Must be mobile
ready
Form Builders
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Google Docs
EmailMeForm (emailmeform.com)
Perfectforms (perfectforms.com)
Formsite (formsite.com)
Wufoo (wufoo.com)
… and lots of others.
Web Forms
-Easy to set up &
“brand”
-Easy to fill out
-Easy data management
-Easy to generate reports
-Multiple users with
different permissions
-Easy integrations
- Fees (but modest)
- Users cannot update
entries
- Easy/convenient for
whom?
Web Tool Integrations
Why Integrate?
• Enhancement
• Efficiency
• Engagement
Integration for Enhancement
Jan – March 2014
Efficiency & Branding
Efficiency & Branding
Integration for Engagement
Before you dive in . . . Ask:
• What’s the right tool for the task?
– For you? For your audience?
• Who will have access? Roles?
• User names, urls, passwords, etc:
– “Small” details that can make a big difference.
Questions?
Evaluation & Feedback:
https://wagn.wufoo.com/forms/web-tools-form/
Thank you!