Tips for Top 10 Nominees - 2012

Hello! If you are reading this, you may be considering whether to nominate an artifact to Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts 2012. Nomination forms will be online from June 1st - June 15th, so don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of this award-winning program! Here are just a few tips for nominees that might help you get inspired to make this a winning year for conservation at your institution!

ENGAGEMENT = INTEREST = INCREASED DONORS AND FUNDING!

• Utilize social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest) to encourage voting within all constituencies (employees, visitors, donors, board).
• Promote voting via all communications vehicles: website, email blasts, newsletters, blogs, facility signage, direct mail, etc .
• Create a handout that directs people to vote.
• Post a YouTube video to website and Facebook.
• Talk about voting at meetings, in classes, and at special events.
• Host a function – vote in person, $10/vote/offers chance for “conversation around conservation.”
• Identify national story trends, anniversaries, events that relate to your item – for publicity, or just a way to call attention to
your item and the need.
• Create a special interest group for fundraising and a measurement tool (thermometer) for informing your constituencies
about fundraising progress for the object. Post everywhere.
• Sponsor a quarterly “Top 10” contest displaying potential nominees for next year; $10/vote, executed through Facebook or
on your website.
• Develop a special acknowledgement for the donor(s) who pay for conservation of the item, with certificate or other
item…great hook for media coverage as a follow up.
• Report on item conservation. Show progress reports online, in person at your museum, showing conservation at work.
• Develop an event themed around your particular item, held on a significant date for the item.
• Think about gift shop opportunities: Create a mouse pad, t-shirt on your artifact. Proceeds go to conserving it. Give this
item to donors who give more than a certain amount.
• Display your item at community events (if possible; if not, display photos).
• Find opportunities to bring the item into educational venues.
• Keep your donors informed!
• Develop a special appeal for donors and include this in as many outreach areas as possible.

We hope to see your nomination soon!