If you have a project for which you would like to have help from Marketing and Communications, please review the chart below ahead of time to find out approximately how long it might time for your project to be completed. Some projects only take a few days to complete, but some projects can take a couple of months from the first planning meeting to the project’s completion. Please plan your projects accordingly.
If you have a project you’d like to have completed through Marketing and Communications, please compile some information about what you hope to achieve with the project, information about the class, event, program, etc., and an idea of a timeline and budget.
Please use Marcom Service Desk Portal with specifics to initate a new project, or make an update to an existing project.
Alternatively, you can send an email to marcom@mymvcc.atlassian.net with the project detail.
Project Timelines
The following is guidance on approximately how long some projects take, but please keep in mind that each project's timeline will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to:
- Client Preparation
- Completeness of Content
- Clarity of Purpose
- Priority Level
- Marketing Workload
- Budget
A major factor in timing is whether a project must go out for a quote or bid. Quotes can be had in a matter of days. Bids take up to two months.
Sample Projects
| College Viewbook | 9 months |
| College Catalog | 4-6 months |
| Event Promotional Materials (High Quality) | 8 weeks |
| Event Promotional Materials (Quick and Dirty) | 2 weeks |
| Admissions Publications | 4-8 weeks |
| Complex Brochures | 6-12 weeks |
| Tri-fold Brochures | 3-5 weeks |
| One-sheets | 2-3 weeks |
| Posters | 1-2 weeks |
| Postcards | 2-3 weeks |
| Videos (YouTube Quality) | 2-3 weeks |
| Videos (TV Quality) | 4-8 weeks |
| Webpages | 1-7 days |
| Custom Webpages | 2-7 days |
| Social Media Initiatives | 2 weeks-1 month |
| News Releases | 1-14 days |
| Press Conferences | 1-2 weeks |
| Magazines/Newsletters | 1-2 months |
| Photography Requests | 2 days in advance |
| Mass Quantity Promotional Items | Yearly |
| Custom Promotional Items | 6-8 weeks |
Before you begin:
- Know your project manager: Find out whom your project manager is if you don’t already know by checking this list. Make sure to take note of who in the Marketing Department is responsible for your area of the College, as they will be your go-to person for any events or programs you may need help marketing.
- Help us help you: The Marketing Department offers a variety of services to help you market your program. Find a list of those here. Look it over and see what you think would be the most helpful to you and your department.
- Consider cost: Is your department able to pay the expenses to market this program? Unfortunately, the Marketing Department is unable to pay for every publication, poster, and other materials. Be prepared to have a conversation about cost and payment.
Things to consider to market your program:
If you have an idea, event, or program you would like help marketing, please consider the following:
- Time: When is your event or program? Is there enough time to prepare the message appropriately, get the word out, and encourage participation?
- Content: Please have the basics set — the What, When, Where, Why, and How. Have this information ready to go so that your project manager can begin to come up with a plan. Also make sure to have contact and/or registration information ready as well. Loose ideas are great, because we can take the idea and turn it into something do-able. You don’t have to have all of the details thought-out and finalized, just the basics.
- Audience: Think about how many people you are trying to reach, and the logistics to do so. For example, how many postcards will you need? Is your audience on social media? Should we do a news release or media pitch?
- Imagery: Are you thinking you would like posters or flyers? Please have some ideas in mind on imagery you think would best help to market your event.
- Be willing you put yourself out there: We may be able to line up a spot for you on television or radio. But these spots won't happen if someone isn't willing to speak on camera or on the air about an event or issue. Think about if you would be willing to go on the air for promotion, or if you know of someone involved in the project who would.