Communications
Phone Blasts
Some alumni chapters utilize phone blasts to advertise upcoming chapter events and activities. The IU Alumni Association employs a phone messaging service provided by Stericycle Complete Communication Inc. Chapters wishing to promote a chapter event via a phone blast message simply need to contact their chapter staff liaison. The staff will assist the chapter in creating the message. Below are some sample phone blast messages.
San Francisco Phone Blast Script
Seattle Phone Blast Script
Sending a Phone Blast Message
There are three steps involved with sending a blast phone message - notifying your chapter staff liaison, identifying the individual who will narrate the message, and finally writing the script for the message.
- The first step in sending a phone blast message is to notify your chapter liaison. In turn, they will arrange for a list of alumni phone numbers in your chapter area that will be used when the message is launched.
- The next step is to identify an individual who can narrate the message (i.e. the person whose voice will actually be heard on the message itself). Often, phone blast messages are narrated by someone from IU (i.e. the featured speaker for an upcoming chapter event, or an IU celebrity such as a coach or administrator).
- The final step is to write a script for the message. The message can be funny or simply share basic details of an upcoming event. The key thing to remember is to keep the message short (one minute or less). The main goals of phone blast messages are to communicate information about a chapter activity, and to keep it simple enough that alumni will listen to the entire message. The chapters staff can assist you in creating a phone blast script. You can find an example of a phone blast script at the links above.
Once you've completed all of these steps, the chapters staff will make sure the message is launched to alumni in your chapter area.
When Should a Chapter Utilize a Phone Blast?
Often phone blasts are used when lead-time for an upcoming activity is very short, and mailing an announcement regarding a chapter event is impossible - simply not enough time exists to produce the mailing, send it to the desired audience, and elicit a response). Also, some chapters utilize phone blasts as an additional method of promoting the event. In these cases, the chapter also sends a mailing and/or e-mail promoting the event, and the phone blast simply serves as a final reminder about the upcoming chapter activity.
Phone blast messages cost nearly the same as a chapter postal mailing. The average cost per phone blast ranges from 500 for a small chapter to 1,500 for a large group. However, phone blasts can be an effective way to remind alumni about important chapter events and activities!