TransComm 2013 Skills Contest 8 Secrets to a Successful Entry Dara Demi, NCDOT Marketing Services Manager

Tip #1: Read the Rules Skills Contest Webinar Submit your entry on time – Due July 12 at 5 p.m. CST Only 1 entry per category allowed Answer all questions on entry form Keep it to 2 pages

Tip #2: Toss the Laundry List Skills Contest Webinar Don’t just say “We sent it to…” Local newspapers Local TV stations Local radio stations Trade publications Local stakeholders Offer perspective! Show a strategic approach. Highlight innovation.

Tip #3: Analytics. Analytics. Analytics. Skills Contest Webinar The proof is in the pudding: Measure your reach. Facebook example: Posted on NCDOT page – 5,000 views, 200 likes, 45 comments Posted to 21 other Facebook pages – 50,000 potential viewers, 500 likes, 100 comments Twitter example: Sent 5 promotional Tweets RT-ed 23 times, Mentioned 15 times Total Twitter reach – 14,255 users Instagram example: 2 posts garnered 11 likes, including the official “Walking Dead” IG account

Tip #4: Show Me the Money ($aved) Skills Contest Webinar Attach value to your analytics. Video example: Produced :30 PSA in-house Cost = staff time Production company’s creative cost = $21,000 Convinced statewide cable outlet to air PSA Saved $71,000 in placement fees Helps your entry stand out.

Tip #5: Check Your Links. Twice. Skills Contest Webinar Nothing is worse than a bad link. Judge must be able to easily view your work. Make sure your link functions properly and leads directly to the desired content. Special instructions needed? Include them!

Tip #6: Avoid Tpyos Skills Contest Webinar Before you submit your entry, ask your resident grammarian to check for: Misspellings Proper subject-verb agreement Punctuation errors Missing words Flow problems Avoiding errors and ensuring your narrative is easy to understand will put your entry in the best possible position.

Tip #7: Trust Your Gut Skills Contest Webinar Before uploading your entry, put any nagging feelings to rest. If you think you’ve left something out, you probably have. Go back and include it. Are you worried something may be unclear? There’s a good chance it is. Rework the flow. Not so confident in your stats? Double check your numbers and do the math one more time. The better you feel about your entry, the better your chances are of winning!

Tip #8: There are No Stupid Questions Skills Contest Webinar If you don’t know, ask! Meadow Bailey of Alaska DOT is the Awards Committee Chair. Contact her at Common questions include: How do I upload my entry? Can you help explain what this category entails? Does my project apply? Good idea for first-time contest entrants.

Questions? Skills Contest Webinar