Promote the newsworthy accomplishments in your department by producing original content to add to your website’s news section.
Start with a communications plan
Effective communications can help your department share its story clearly and consistently. A communications plan with key messages keeps everyone aligned and builds awareness and interest in your programs.
Use our departmental communications plan template to begin. Your HawkID is required to view.
Want feedback on your plan? Email clas-marcom@uiowa.edu.
Implement a process to streamline content creation
Implementing a process to streamline content creation saves time and ensures your messaging is consistent and strategic. You can avoid last-minute scrambles and disorganization by planning. To achieve this, we use free University supported tools such as Planner in Microsoft 365/Teams to map out social media posts, events, and web articles. This approach keeps everyone on the same page and helps you deliver timely, effective communications.
Note: Use Planner functions like labels, due dates, and assignments to set expectations and support your content creation and publishing process.
What content should I highlight?
Showcase the impact of your department and foster meaningful connections with alumni and friends. Consider including a mix of these content types:
Student and faculty success: Feature stories about your current students and faculty making an impact through awards, research breakthroughs, community engagement, or experiential learning opportunities.
Upcoming events: Promote events that are happening in your department to your audiences.
Alumni achievements: Spotlight notable accomplishments from your graduates, such as career milestones, community service, awards, or personal stories of impact.
Hawkeye pride: Use campus imagery and Hawkeye colors to evoke moments of nostalgia and Iowa pride.
Note: Use visual assets to supplement your storytelling. View the photos and videos section in our toolkit.
Writing and messaging
The University of Iowa has an editorial style manual that guides proper style for all public communication. We use AP style, with some exceptions. Visit the university brand website for sample messaging and to view the style guide.
View the recently published stories on the CLAS site for similar topics and story formatting.
Using article content type
The Office of Strategic Communication provides documentation on how to use the article content type. View our guide on how to write summaries or meta descriptions for articles.
We’re here to help
The CLAS Marketing and Communications team strives to provide you with the resources you need to make your marketing work easier. This includes access to the CLAS Communicators Network, which meets regularly to provide marketing and communications training, sharing, and networking to our employees.
If you have questions or suggestions, or would like to join the CLAS Communicators Network, please email clas-marcom@uiowa.edu.