Marketing Your PTA

Marketing is the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service. When your PTA invites parents to participate in a back-to-school event or purchase a membership, your PTA is engaged in marketing. Marketing is simply the art of making someone want something you have!
 

Your PTA products can include memberships and services, events and fundraising activities, PTA newsletter and website, volunteer and goodwill opportunities,  PTA's mission and advocacy efforts.

Using the PTA Name and Logo Guidelines

Your PTA name is important. It not only identifies your PTA as a part of your community and the important work you do, it helps identify you as part of the national network of PTAs all working on behalf of children and youth. Only by insisting that all PTAs use the same logo, in the same way, can we guarantee our name recognition will continue to grow and be protected under trademark law.

As a licensee of National PTA, you are entitled to use the PTA® or PTSA® name.

While the name "PTA" is recognized widely, many people think it is a generic term to describe any parent group or school association. The name "PTA" and "PTSA" are registered service marks of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. The symbol ® designates that the PTA name has been registered with the federal government and may not be used by organizations not affiliated with National PTA. In addition, the tagline everychild. onevoice.® is a registered service mark of National PTA.
 

Always publish, print, or speak the name of your PTA in a consistent manner be consistent in the typeface or font you use, how your logo appears, and the color you use. The official color of PTA is a dark, slate blue. The PTA name, logo, and tagline should always appear together in the same color either in the official blue, all black, or white. The PTA logo should appear the same at all times on all correspondence, whether it is a memo, press release, newsletter, poster, or brochure.

(You may request an electronic version of the logo from your Assistant Director or the Region Director.)

Correct forms of abbreviation and punctuation:
PTA, PTSA (no periods)

PTAs, PTSAs (plural, no apostrophe)

PTA's, PTSA's (singular possessive, use an apostrophe)

PTAs', PTSAs' (plural possessive, apostrophe follows the s)

Use Public Relations to help market your PTA

Public Relations is a means to educate and establish credibility. PR communication tools might include printing fliers, newsletters, or brochures; hosting PTA speakers; developing traveling exhibits; holding special events designed to build reputation in the community; and developing online activities and resources designed to improve communication among members, journalists, and the general public. Using PR can help attract new members, increase meeting attendance, and garner public attention for your PTA's programs and activities. It should be an integral part of the planning for all your unit's efforts.

Your PR Toolbox

• Take a few moments to develop a file of basic PTA resources. This will help organize the many PR activities you will undertake. And it can be used as a preliminary evaluation tool of your PR efforts.
• Get to know PTA, its goals, programs, policies, and activities on the local, state, and national levels. Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with National PTA resources, such as Our Children, the National PTA Handbook, and website (www.pta.org).
• Who is your spokesperson? Create a list of PTA leaders who can speak for the organization. Make sure you have the names and telephone numbers of PTA officers. Keep close at hand information on your PTA and its activities.
• Develop a media list. Include reporters and editors names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. This information can be obtained from media directories at your local library, or call local TV and radio stations and newspapers to find out the appropriate staff member to receive PTA information. Learn deadlines for sending information.
• Working with the Media: You can't control the media. While you can send them materials and ideas, they will decide whether and how it will be used. You can increase your chances of success by knowing what types of stories will interest different media representatives. Determine what reporter or editor should be notified about a PTA event. Position yourself as an information source. Be creative in nourishing the relationship even when there isn't breaking news.

Teacher Websites © 2010 SchoolWorld