How to Be Creative and Spontaneous in Publicity

A. Motivation: Benefits of Using These Guidelines

    1. You will be able to motivate students to use one of the most effective means of publicity – personal invitations.

    2. You will be able to generate enthusiasm and interest on your campus.

    3. You will be able to create an awareness of your movement on campus.

    4. You will have a lot of fun in being creative.


B. Overview of Your Materials and Responsibilities

    1. The next several pages contain three main items that are designed to help you accomplish
        your objectives. (Remember: This is your Lecture Series.)

        a. Responsibility description that highlights the main aspects of your job.

        b. An organizational chart to show lines of communication between the believers working on
            the project.

        c. Helpful guidelines with specific details and ideas for doing the best job possible.

        These items contain ideas that have been used with success around the globe. Many have
        come from the ministries of Josh McDowell, Andre' Kole and the Paragon Experience, as
        well as from Rusty's own speaking ministry. We hope they will help you to glorify our Lord
        though this outreach.

    2. Paul wrote, "Let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner" (I Corinthians 14:40).

        a. The Responsibility Description (RD) shows the purpose and scope of your job and lists
            your main responsibilities. It may seem somewhat cold and impersonal at first glance; but
            remember that its purpose is to briefly explain your job. Please understand that we (and,
            we hope, all involved  in this ministry) love you and care for you as a person. We merely
            use this written material as a simple and accurate means of communication.

            Most of the RD is self-explanatory. One aspect that is sometimes new to some is the
            "Authority" line under each item. This is a simple way of communicating how you should
            act on a given task. There are three main types of authority for our purposes:

            1) "Act" – This means you can act on the item without checking with your "supervisor"
                first.

            2) "Act and inform" – This means you can act without checking with your supervisor, but
                you should inform him/her of the action after you have done it.

            3) "Act after approval" – This means you should submit your plan of action to your
                supervisor and wait for his/her approval before acting on that item.

        b. The Organizational Chart shows how those involved relate to and communicate with each
            other. Most of your communication regarding the work of the lecture series should be with
            the person immediately above you or those immediately below you on the chart. This can
            help keep confusion to a minimum.

            1) The chart is not intended to convey positions of superiority or inferiority but simply
                working relationships. Everyone's job is significant. This is a team effort!

            2) Remember that the best leader is a servant. If ever anyone qualified to be the "man at the
                top" it was Jesus. Yet He turned the organizational  chart upside down when He said,
                "Whoever wishes to become first among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes
                to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be
                served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:43-45).

        c. The Guidelines are intended to help you carry out your responsibilities You will want to use
            them to develop a strategy for your area of  responsibility that is personalized to your
            ministry location. Go over your strategy with your supervisor to get his or her input and
            feedback.

        d. You probably will not be able to do your job without helpers. Consult your supervisor and
            the Lecture Series Personnel Coordinator for assistants. Once you have your helpers,
            consider them as teammates. Practice "Growth Delegation": Delegate responsibility not just
            to get the job done, but to help that person grow and develop in their job skills and their
            walk with God.

        e. Continue to emphasize "Relational Thinking" rather than "Terminal Thinking." Relational
            Thinking considers every activity in light of how it contributes to the overall objective.
            Terminal Thinking sees activities only as ends in themselves.

        f. Our overall objective is to glorify God by reaching people for Christ and building committed
            multiplying disciplers to help reach the world. If you can evaluate everything you do in light
            of your objectives, your motivation and effectiveness will most often increase. Your
            committee members need you to help remind them of this.

        g. Besides your encouragement, several items will help your team members see how they fit
            into the overall team. You should give them each:

            1) A copy of Rusty's letter, so they can see his heart-desire to be a co-laborer with them.

            2) A list of the benefits for their tasks.

            3) A copy of this "Overview of Your Material" (Section B).

            4) A written responsibility description.

            5) A copy of the organizational chart.

            6) A clear statement of your committee's objectives, their individual objectives and how
                both help accomplish the overall objective.

            If copies of these are not provided for you, photocopy them. In some cases, you may need
            to write them yourself, which will be a good learning experience. It is best to assemble the
            material in some sort of binder cover before you give it to the committee member. This
            conveys your desire to be sharp and do a good job as well as your concern for them.

    3. In order for you and your co-workers to be really motivated in your work, it is important to
        have a vision for how Rusty can be used on your campus. One of the best ways to do this is
        to circulate copies of his evangelistic articles among your volunteers. The Lecture Series
        Coordinator should have access to these. Take the initiative to get them and expose your
        committee members to them, perhaps at a committee meeting. Consider it your responsibility
        to "keep the vision before them."

    4. Be sure that individually and as a group, you bathe everything you do in prayer. A well-
        organized effort without constant dependence upon the Lord can have greatly diminished
        effectiveness.

    5. A priority for you and everyone involved in this project should be to continue to develop your
        personal relationship with God. Never let activity keep you from seeking the Lord often
        through prayer and Bible study. Our desire is that this be a growing experience for you that
        you are built up (not burned out) through your involvement. Strive mightily to keep this
        perspective in your personal life and to impart it to those with whom you work.


Special Promotions Chairperson

Responsibility Description

    "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the  inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Colossians 3:23-24)

    "Serve the Lord with gladness." (Psalm 100:2)

    I. Purpose: To invest and develop new and unusual methods of promoting Rusty in order to
        generate interest and excitement.

    II. Scope: Your campus or ministry area.

    III. Responsibilities:

        A. To motivate and train Christian students to invite others to the lectures.

            Authority: Act after approval.

        B. To organize and lead "Search and Hustle" for each lecture.

            Authority: Act after approval.

        C. Determine and list all other possible projects.

            Authority: Act and inform.

        D. Determine and list all materials needed for each project.

            Authority: Act and inform.

        E. Organize teams to carry out projects.

            Authority: Act after approval.

        F. To submit upon completion a written report and evaluation of your job (see enclosed
            form). Submit this to the Publicity Coordinator.


IV. Working Relationships:

        A. Report to the Publicity Coordinator.

        B. Work closely with all committee heads.

        C. Recruit committee members through the Publicity Coordinator and Lecture Series
            Personnel Coordinator.

Organizational Chart and Lines of Communication

C. Directions: Guidelines for Special Promotions

    1. Publicity is divided into two phases: Phase I and Phase II:

        a. Phase I spans from 3-4 weeks before Rusty's arrival to one week before his arrival. It is
            designed to make the students wonder just what in the  world is going to happen! Your
            teasers and publicity create awareness of the intriguing topics but do not indicate who,
            when, where and what.

        b. Phase II spans from 7-8 days before Rusty arrives to the day he leaves. This phase is
            designed to give the students all the information necessary  to make a decision about
            coming: topic, time, place, speaker and sponsor. As a general rule, every time we publicize
            the speaker and topic, we need to indicate the sponsor also as to mislead no one.

        c. A major purpose of the publicity, besides to draw the crowd, is to create an atmosphere
            that is conducive to Christian students personally  inviting people to the lectures.

    2. Personal Invitations

        a. One of the most effective means of motivating people to come to the lectures is personal
            invitation. Simon Peter came to see Jesus because Andrew invited him (John 1:40-42).
            Rusty was led to Christ partly because someone he had never met phoned and invited him
            to a Campus Crusade meeting. (We don't mean to put Rusty in the same class as Simon
            Peter! But the example is appropriate.) Many groups (such as the Billy Graham
            Association) have found that an organized approach to personal invitations really works!

        b. Work with the Publicity Coordinator and Prayer Chairperson to help students and
            volunteers develop and implement a plan for “Operation Andrew.”

            1) The “Operation Andrew” strategy materials explain how to motivate believers to bring
                their nonChristian friends to the lectures. The Publicity Coordinator is in charge of
                making Operation Andrew happen, but you should assist. The Publicity Coordinator has
                originals for two important Operation Andrew tools: the “Bring Your Friends to Hear
                Rusty” cards (that can be printed and distributed to Christians) and an Operation
                Andrew guidelines sheet (that can be printed and given to leaders of small groups and
                large meetings). Seek out the Publicity Coordinator, examine the materials and help all
                you can.

            2) Have students extend personal invitations to each person on their list at the start of Phase
                II. The publicity everywhere will make it easy.

            3) On the night of each lecture, students/volunteers can have dinner with the people they
                invited and then all go together to the lecture. If dinner  together beforehand is
                impractical, they can meet and go to the lecture together and then go out for
                refreshments afterwards.

            4) After the lectures, students can individually follow up each person they brought.


    3. "Search and Hustle"

        a. This important means of publicity involves personal invitations shortly before the lecture
            begins.

        b. Have all the Christians meet 1 1/2-2 hours before the lectures for prayer and orientation.

        c. Teach them what to say and have them practice on each other. Here is what they can say:

            "Hi! We're inviting folks to the lecture on “The Dating Game” (or “Dynamic Sex,” “How to
            Be Successful and Satisfied” – be sure the title comes out distinctly). Have you heard about
            it? ... Well, it's tonight at (time) – one hour from now, at (place). Rusty Wright will be
            speaking how to have a great dating life (or “how to have a fulfilling love life,” “how to find
            success and real satisfaction”). Hope you can come. Would you like to?" (Leave them a
            handbill.)

        d. Pair up students, assign them locations and give them handbills to distribute. Send them to
            dorms, Greek houses, the Student Union -- anywhere people congregate. Plan to start
            inviting people at least one hour before the lecture starts. If women will be inviting men to
            the “Dynamic Sex” lecture, it helps if they have a male teammate (this can help cut down
            the crude remarks).


    4. You may want to develop a strategy to have Christian students phone all the new students
        each night after the lecture to invite them back for the next night and encourage them to bring
        friends. This can take some work and coordination, but personal contact and attention can
        pay off.

    5. "Ceramic Sex" Skit

        (Lou Doozan at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, wrote this skit and students used it at a
        Christian meeting during Phase II to motivate Christians to invite others. You can have a lot of
        fun with it and develop it even more. Naturally, you will want to follow the skit with a
        challenge bring friends, get involved in Search and Hustle, etc.)

    NOTE: Monte is a young TV show host. Thelma is a woman made up to look like an old maid.

    MONTE: Welcome to "Tuesday Night Live." This is Monte Carlo with our weekly edition of "What's Your Opinion?" Tonight we have with us Miss
                    Thelma...

    THELMA: Ms.!

    MONTE: Uh, Ms. Thelma Grenschler, with a very controversial editorial statement. All set, Ms. Grenschler? You have two minutes.

    THELMA: My fellow Americans, certain things have come to my attention that point out the
     utter immorality of our society and this university! What's  all this I hear about "Ceramic Sex?"
    My goodness, twenty years ago, we'd have hardly mentioned anything about this subject! And
    now, we have posters all over campus, advertising another new fan-dangled sex craze! Ceramic
    sex has got to be stopped! Imagine – sculptures and ceramic designs of indecency throughout
    our society -- and then saying Rusty might! Rusty might what, is what I'd like to know! It's just
    horrible -- (mutters on) Now...

    MONTE: Eh ... eh, excuse me, Ms. Grenschler. The posters on campus aren't talking about
    ceramic sex.

    THELMA: (Hard of hearing) What?

    MONTE: (Yelling) I said, those posters aren't talking about ceramic sex!

    THELMA: They're not?

    MONTE: No, they're talking about “Dynamic Sex,” which is the topic of a College Life Classic
    lecture coming up next week.

    THELMA: Oh? Well, what's all this about Rusty might -- what does he think he might do?

    MONTE: No, no, that's Rusty Wright. He's a speaker and author who travels around the world
    lecturing on different campuses, relating Christianity  to subjects students are interested in.

    THELMA: Oh! Well, that's better! I sure do enjoy those College Life meetings! This sounds like
    a giant College Life.

    MONTE: That's right. It's a special big event we call a "College Life Classic." (A little annoyed -
    - running out of time)

    THELMA: When did you say this meeting will be?

    MONTE: Friday night at 7:00 at (location). Bring a friend if you like.

    THELMA: Oh, I will. I'll bring several!

    MONTE: Well, our time is up. Tune in next week for another exciting two minutes of "What's
    Your Opinion?" This is Monte Carlo saying, "Good night -- and the Lord bless you real good!"

D. Directions: Guidelines for Generating Creative and Spontaneous Publicity

    1. Determine all unusual methods of promoting Rusty's lectures.

    2. Determine and list all guidelines and materials for each method.

    3. Select qualified students to carry out each project.


E. Suggested Projects

    It is said that a person needs to be exposed 27 times to the same image in order for that image to
    make an impact on behavior. Flyers and handouts help with this. However, the attention-getting
    “stunts” also greatly help stir curiosity and help motivate students to "check it out."

    1. Table-tent Displays. This is a display designed to put on top of tables where students eat: A
        low-cost, but high-exposure tool.

        a. Use the handbill logos for designs. Be sure to duplicate the logo on both sides of the table
            tent. Print on a small piece of paper and then fold it so  it will stand up. Use light shades of
            brightly-colored paper (so the wording can be seen).

        b. Place the tabletop displays to coincide with the posters and news ads of the same design
            for Phase II and Phase II.

        c. Secure approval of authorized areas to place displays.

        d. The best locations are campus cafeterias and off-campus restaurants like McDonalds.

        e. They usually do not stay on tables for more than a day, so print plenty and check them
            regularly.

        f. Place one display one day a week (i.e., one message per week).

        g. Changing the displays each week will promote interest.

    2. The Walking Box

        a. This can be an invaluable attention-getter. Paint a cardboard refrigerator carton one solid
            bright color. Then paint "(LECTURE TITLE): TODAY, TIME, PLACE" in large letters
            and bright colors on each side of the box. Perhaps paste a few flyers on, too.

        b. Have a student walk around campus, in the library, cafeteria, etc., with the box over his
            head. Cut a small hole for him to see.

        c. Have the "box" verbally announce the lecture and students accompany the box to distribute
            handbills.

        d. One very effective stunt is to have the box closely follow unsuspecting individuals around in
            high traffic areas.

        e. Use the box on the day of the lecture only (possibly the day before if the lecture is a noon
            rally).

    3. Signs on Sticks and Walking Signs. These are very effective and generate a lot of attention.

        a. Design your own signs (i.e., sandwich boards).

        b. For the poster-sticks, attach a poster to a cardboard backing and then mount the
            cardboard to a wooden stick. You can then plant the sticks in  the grass along sidewalks.
            Having posters on both sides of the stick can increase exposure.

        c. Use these the three days Rusty is on your campus.

    4. Business Bulletin Boards and Windows

        a. Make a list of merchants who will let you place flyers on their boards and posters in their
            windows.

        b. Talk with the handout and poster chairman on what should go up and when it should go up.

        c. After Rusty leaves, take down posters and write "thank-you" notes.

    5. Sound Truck. This is a truck or car equipped with sound equipment.

        a. Arrange to equip a car or truck with sound equipment. Use old cars or cars that attract
            interest.

        b. Use the radio spots for your sound script (work with the Media Chairperson on these
            spots).

        c. While Rusty is on campus, drive car/truck around the campus as a publicity stunt.

    6. Billboards and Marquees

        a. Determine if there are any strategic bulletin boards or marquees that are available for your
            use.

        b. You may be able to rent movable bulletin boards or marquees.

        c. Select qualified artists to plan the copy and artwork.

        d. Use the boards and marquees the week Rusty is on your campus.

    7. Bus Announcements. This strategy can be employed on campuses that bus students to and
        from classes and involves contacting thousands of students who ride buses between classes.

        For three days before Rusty arrives, ten teams of two people each ride the buses as much a
        as possible during the class breaks and tell all about the lectures. One of the people on the
        team gets the riders' attention and enthusiastically explains who Rusty is and why the students
        should attend  his talks. The other team member passes out flyers.

        This strategy can expose many students to Christ as an issue on campus. Many will be shaking
        in their boots at the very thought of jumping on a bus and speaking. However, after trusting
        God for the words and results, their faith will be greatly increased.

    8. Publicity Table or Booth.

        a. Secure approval for a table or booth in the Student Union or other high traffic area.
            Arrange for an attractive display of posters, flyers, and copies of Rusty's materials.

        b. Set up the booth or table for the week of Phase II and the days Rusty is on campus.

    9. Messages on the Sidewalks. This strategy involves laying out strips of tape on sidewalks and
        stairs and then writing a message on the tape or using colored tape to make the letters.
        Another option would be to simply write on the sidewalks with colored chalk or securely tape
        flyers to the sidewalks.

        a. Secure approval for tape or chalk on the sidewalks.

        b. Determine the message. Possibly time this to coincide with the blackboard strategy.
            (Coordinate with the Blackboard chairperson.)

        c. Organize your team to carry out the project.

        d. After Rusty leaves, remove tape. Chalk will automatically fade away. (Do not use paint!)

    10. Bumper Stickers and Buttons

        a. Have bumper stickers printed with logos from the flyers (see Handouts Chairperson for
            flyers).

        b. They can be used on cars, bicycles, windows, doors, mail boxes, notebooks, etc.

        c. Use them 3-4 weeks before Rusty arrives.

        d. You can also have special buttons printed up to advertise the event and have Christian
            students wear them.

    11. Balloons!

        Almost everyone likes a balloon! They're so floaty and popable.

        What fun to watch hundreds of helium-filled balloons let loose into the air. But think if
        hundreds came down around you. Sometimes even the most mature intellectuals will pop,
        swat, and stomp madly.

        b. If campus staff leadership is committed to using or wearing them, then the students will
            likely rally.

        c. When to use balloons: Usually only on the day of each main talk or possibly the day before,
            but no sooner.

        d. A Few Ideas On How To Use Balloons:

            1) Freebie Handout – Pass out as many as possible to anyone who will take one. You’ll
                need a large quantity to do this effectively because 100 balloons may be gone in 20
                minutes or less.

            2) Christian students attach a balloon to a belt loop and go to class that way, to car
                antennas, bikes.

            3) Ceiling Drop: You can fill 100 balloons that will stay up 7 hours before dropping
                (approx. 30 cu. ft. of helium). Release balloons in Student Center, cafeteria, recreation
                hall, etc. at 5:00 a.m. so they start dropping by lunchtime, or release them 7 hours before
                the evening meal.

            4) Helium can be purchased from a welding supply store.

    12. Weather Balloon

        a. Secure approval to use them on campus.

        b. Paint your message on them.

        c. Fly them from a lamppost or the top of a building.

    13. Airplane Banner. You may be able to arrange to have a plane pull a banner across campus
        during a peak time; e.g., athletic event, lunch break, etc.

    14. Tee Shirts. Most campus bookstores have iron-on letters. Several students can purchase tee
            shirts and letters and put a slogan on the shirt. Or have the shirts printed commercially. This
            strategy can be very effective.

    15. Costumes

        a. Have people dressed as bears with signs on their backs stating "The Bear Facts of Dynamic
            Sex?" or "Bears need love, too, get the bear facts on Dynamic Sex tonight."

        b. Have a student dressed as a mummy to advertise "The Resurrection" lecture.

        c. Costumes are very strategic and a lot of fun.

    16. Shopping Bag Inserts. The handbills can be used to place next to cash registers for inserts
            into shopping bags. They can also be used to insert into letters.

    17. Additional Attention-getters for “Dynamic Sex” or “The Dating Game”

        a. Target Board "Love Tester"

            Use darts, spring guns with rubber tips, bow and arrows with rubber tips, etc. Set up on a
            grass area for game time. The boards can be concentric circles with balloons in the middle
            or various sizes of circles in different locations on the board. If participants hit the bulls-eye,
            it  means that they are really "red hot." (That could be written on the board directly behind
            the balloon so it would show when the balloon is popped.) However, if they miss the circles
            altogether, then they are "ice cold." There are varying degrees between these two extremes
            on the  Love Tester. They measure the state of the contestants "Love Life" and are
            excellent crowd gatherers. Some other possible degrees on the Love Tester are
            Uncontrollable, Passionate, Promising, Marginal, Blah, Ice Cold, What Love Life?, etc.

            b. Make a big valentine heart to place in an obvious location with an arrow through it.

            c. Walking Box "Love Gauge." This would be like a big Geiger counter. Use some type of
                electric ticking device (see your local skilled electrical technician). As the box gets
                nearer, the ticking increases and a gauge (dial) moves to the various degrees of the Love
                Life gauge. It must be unpredictable what the gauge will register with different people.

            d. Love Test Box Electric Analysis. This will have to be stationary and needs to be
                "plugged in" to an electrical outlet. Have a place for a person to place their hands (palm
                down) or a lever to squeeze. The light on the top half is to be controlled by the operator
                inside. Under the lights you would have different funny slogans that the operator turns on.
                Refer to the Target Board section for some slogan ideas.

            e. Old lady and old man on a park bench acting out the "Laugh-In" park bench scene.

            f. Sadie Hawkins Day (A US custom involving a special day when women are encouraged
                to ask men for dates.) Only your imagination – and biblical prudence – will hold you
                back.

            g. Sign slogans to be posted or carried:

                1) "Why Can't Everyday be a Sadie Hawkins Day? Hear Dynamic Sex!” To be worn by
                    a "little old lady-type."

                2) “Is Your Park Bench Empty? -- Hear Dynamic Sex” -- to be worn by a woman
                    dressed like a little old lady or a man dressed like an old man.

            h. Stage a Mock Wedding: One campus did this with a bride and groom in full formal dress
                arriving in separate Mercedes’ in the center of campus during a crowded lunch break.
                The procession marched through campus, with a bullhorn announcing that a wedding
                was about to occur and encouraging students to follow to see it. Masses of students
                followed. Once in the cafeteria, a “minister” performed the wedding ceremony. Then the
                minister invited the “newlyweds” and crowd to follow him right away to the “Dynamic
                Sex” talk. The procession made its way to the auditorium, which soon was packed with
                eager, excited and responsive students.


    18. Dining Hall and Cafeteria Announcements

        a. A simple announcement made in dining halls and cafeterias the days of the lectures can be
            very effective.

        b. Handbills can be distributed simultaneously.

        c. See "Search and Hustle" section for ideas on what to say.

        d. Some campuses have staged an argument between a man and woman in the cafeteria at the
            height of mealtime traffic. As the student actors (portraying a dating couple) are standing in
            line with their trays, at a salad bar, etc., the woman asks what the man would like to do that
            evening. The man shrugs and seems noncommittal, saying “Oh, I don’t know.” The woman
            responds with a criticism that the man doesn’t seem to care about her. An argument ensues,
            becoming louder and more animated. Soon the entire cafeteria has become focused on the
            spat. Students begin cheering at each successive comment. Finally the woman gets so
            “angry” that she slaps the man and throws water in his face, to the delight of the crowd. At
            this point, the man turns and addresses the crowd: “Is your love life like this? Then you
            need to hear Rusty speak on “Dynamic Sex: Unlocking the Secret to Love” (Or “The
            Dating Game: The game you both can win!”) tonight at (time and place).

    19. Announcements in Greek and Dorm Meetings

        a. Announce the lecture in Greek meeting or meals and at dorm meetings a few days before
            the lecture or at meals on the days of the lecture.

        b. Be sure to do some advance work to determine when (day and time) each group has their
            meetings or meals so you can make the announcement on the most strategic day and time.

        c. Get the group leader's permission and have Christian students make the announcement at
            dinner or meeting time.

        d. Coordinate this with the Special Invitations Chairperson, who will also be contacting special
            groups.

    20. Put the Lecture Series on the University Calendar. This usually requires a minimum of time
        and can help publicize the event at no cost. Putting it on months in advance may also
        discourage other groups from scheduling events that compete with the lecture series.


Special Promotions Chairperson

Checklist

(Work with the Publicity Coordinator to plan out "target dates" for each responsi-bility. Then check them off as you complete them.)