Advertising is very diverse. We live in a world that seems to be moving faster and faster, especially when it comes to social media. If you initiate a project via the engagement platform Sandkasten, you should follow a few rules to promote your project in the best way possible, e.g. on Instagram, and not get lost in the stream between hundreds of other pages.

In this article you will learn

• how to present your project in the best way possible
• which TU and Sandkasten platform channels you can use for advertising
• who you need to ask
• Tips on advertising on your own channels
• Tips on the right wording
• the most important things about image editing and image rights

This is the best way to present your project!

A simple but useful trick to make sure you don’t forget anything in your project description is to focus on the w-questions - who, how, what, where, when, why? Photos and short videos also support your project presentation.

What?

Tell us what you are planning! What is the project about? What are your goals and who is the target group?
Tip: always keep your target group in mind! Design your advertising according to the target group. Describe your project in a few simple sentences.

How?

How would you like to approach the project? Show us your strategy!

Who are you?

Introduce yourselves! This also makes your project more personal.

Why?

Tell us about your vision! Why is this topic important to you? What drives you? This is also a bit about telling stories. Perhaps there is a specific reason that gave rise to the project idea?
Tip: Start with why! It can also be helpful to start with the bigger vision and then show which idea you want to use to contribute to this vision.

Where and when?

If not already mentioned, tell people where and when they can experience you and your project.

Photos and videos

The first impression is the most important thing. Think about how you can best visualize your project so that it is better understood and draws the attention of as many interested people as possible. It doesn’t always have to be professional photos and videos, it can also be graphics, sketches or Instagram videos you have created yourself with funny filters that go well with your idea.

Channels of the Sandkasten platform and the TU

Channels of the Sandkasten platform

On the one hand, of course you can regularly update your project on the Sandkasten platform. On the other hand you can also get in touch with the Knowledge Transfer team and promote your event on the Sandkasten Instagram page.

Tip: You can advertise your event on the platform yourself to attract more attention to your project. An event can be, for example, a helper meeting, the project kick-off, a project meeting, e.g. in the Sandkasten-Zentrale, or whatever is related to your project. You can create the event in the dashboard of your project.

Channels of the TU

The Communication and Press Service provides regular information about topics and events at TU Braunschweig in various formats - online and in print.

The Communication and Press Service will be happy to advise you on which medium and which channel (classic press release or TU web magazine and TU social media) is suitable for your content. Therefore, please contact the Communication and Press Service team first. The team will be happy to advise you on whether a press release is the right way to go or whether other formats, such as the online magazine or the TU’s social media channels, are more suitable.

Advertising on your own channels

Of course, you are not dependent on the TU channels. You can also use your own Instagram account for your project, for example, or create a new one that you only use for your project. I’m sure you have even more ideas.

Wording in own advertising

When you advertise your project, it should be clear who is doing the project. And that’s you! When you mention the Sandkasten platform, you should bear in mind that Sandkasten is an engagement platform that enables volunteers to carry out cool projects on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. You can mark it like this, for example:
“Project XY
Project initiated via the engagement platform “Sandkasten”, TU Braunschweig
https://www.sandkasten.tu-braunschweig.de“
In connection with the Sandkasten platform, you should use the following keywords if possible: engagement, campus, sustainability, topic (?) + format + target group etc.
Words like campus design, … should be avoided.

The most important thing about image editing

Image editing does not have to be complex and expensive. Even simple measures such as changing the image section (also known as cropping), correcting the colors and adjusting the contrast, removing red eyes or reducing the file size can significantly improve the impression of the image.

Images on the World Wide Web

If you want to present images on the Internet, it is important that the dimensions of the image are not too small or too large. In addition, the resolution (“dpi”) should not be too high. All of this affects the file size of an image, which is important to ensure that your image is easily accessible for every user. After all, if users have to wait too long, they will quickly lose interest and leave the website before they even see the image. In addition, uploading a large file takes much longer and consumes unnecessary data volume.

Possible programs

Here is a selection of programs that are free or inexpensive to use to optimize your images:

• fotobearbeitung.de – works in the browser without an account
• pixlr.com – works in the browser, an account is required
• Photoshop Express – an app to download for iPhone and iPad
• gimp.org – a comprehensive open source program for OSX, Windows and Linux
• canva.com – an online tool for layouting the images, e.g. if you want to place a font or similar over your image, works in the browser, an account is required
• imageoptim.com – an overview of open source programs for various operating systems for compressing images to reduce the file size even further, e.g. by removing unnecessary meta information

There are countless ways to optimize your images. No matter which one you choose - it is always advisable to do it. Just try it and gradually you will develop a good workflow for it.

The most important things about image rights

Use of images on the platform

If you would like to advertise your projects or events with third-party images, you must observe copyright law. In the case of protected images, the rights of use must be acquired first and the author must be named if the image is used.
Alternatively, you can use search engines such as Google or Ecosia (filter usage rights/license) to search for royalty-free images for free use or use free stock photos, e.g. from Unsplash or Pexels.

Taking photos at events

Your event is ready and of course should be recorded. If you take photos or videos, make sure that you always need the consent of the people being photographed. Each person may decide for themselves whether they may be photographed and whether these images may be published.

You are usually on the safe side if you briefly ask your guests whether you are allowed to take pictures. Especially at smaller events, this is an uncomplicated way of ensuring that the personal rights of individuals are respected.
To be completely safe, you can also display declarations of consent that must be signed by the participants.

Of course, you can not only advertise your project online, but also with flyers or an information stand in the canteen. You can find the most important information in this handbook article.
If you have any further questions, simply contact your project coach. Have fun designing your advertising!