United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Office of
Water
EPA 842-B-94-005
   August 1994
             Discharge
Control:
A Primer for        and
Local Oufrsach Campaigns
          Improper
          Sewage
          Discharge Can
          negatively
          Affect the
          Environment
                  Problem
                         Solution
         Result

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                Acknowledgment

This primer was prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection
    Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds,
 Oceans and Coastal Protection Division under EPA Contract
  No. 68-C2-0134 by Battelle Ocean Sciences, Duxbury, MA
          and AT.  Kearney, Inc., Alexandria, VA.
       Printed on recycled paper containing postconsumer material.
       Inks contain no lead or cadmium. Please recycle this handbook
       instead of discarding.

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Recreational Vessel
 Sewage Discharge
      Control:
  A Primer for State and
Local Outreach Campaigns

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            WHY PUBLIC OUTREACH?

Coastal waters are protected  by  regulation from recreational and
commercial  vessel sewage discharges.  Some state  and local
governments have applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) for approval of No Discharge Areas.  Although there are laws
against sewage discharge, laws alone are not enough to educate and/
or motivate the  public  to comply.  Boaters continue to  improperly
discharge sewage, negatively affecting sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Several important misperceptions contribute to difficulties with sewage
discharge.

   • Boaters may feel that  the regulations are unrealistic and that
     discharges of vessel sewage are unimportant.  They also may
     believe that marine sanitation devices take up too much space
     and that there are not enough pumpout stations available to
     receive wastes.

   • Some marina operators are concerned that boaters are not willing
     to pay a fee to use pumpout stations. Thus, the marinas are
     unwilling to assume the installation and operating costs of the
     pumpout stations.

   • Publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) authorities sometimes
     refuse to accept vessel-generated sewage because of the fear
     that  this type of  sewage will disrupt wastewater treatment
     operations. Therefore, marina operators cannot get rid of the
     contents of the pumpout stations.
                                           What is a good way
                                            to get rid of this
                                              waste?

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    •  Some boaters believe that enforcement of the sewage discharge
       law is lax (and it often is) and that the possibility of a fine is an
       acceptable risk.

    •  Finally, many boaters, and some marina operators, are simply
       unaware of the requirements.

 Effective public outreach can challenge and change these beliefs. State
 and local government officials must develop and implement thematic,
 long-range, and cost-effective public outreach campaigns. This primer
 has been developed to assist state and local government officials by
 explaining  the general  public outreach  campaign  and product
 development process and by providing an example of this general
 process as applied to the marine sanitation issue. However, the principles
 outlined in this primer can be applied to other issues as well.  When
 implemented, state and local public outreach campaigns can help
 persuade boaters and marina operators to handle sewage appropriately.
 This will reduce the negative impact on coastal ecosystems and reverse
 the damage caused by existing behaviors and practices.

 WHAT IS A PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN?

 A public outreach campaign is, essentially, an effective advertising plan.
 State and local officials must develop a mechanism which will motivate
 boaters to properly dispose of sewage, inform boaters and marina
 operators about the regulations and the technical options, and instruct
 the audience in how to  comply. To do this, the boaters and marina
 operators must be reached with carefully designed outreach products
which deliver a steady  stream of messages with growing levels of
sophistication.
              Disposing of sewage ina
              No Discharge Area is illegal!

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 WHAT ARE THE PIECES OF AN OUTREACH
                     CAMPAIGN?

Public outreach campaigns consist of five elements: the goal, the target
audience, the message(s), the tools, and the budget.
                          Target
                       Audience(s)
The goal of the campaign is the desired result. For outreach campaigns
on marine sanitation, the goal should be to increase public awareness
and understanding of the sewage discharge issue and to increase
proper disposal.

The target audience includes those persons who, if reached, can help
achieve the goal.  At least initially, the target audience consists of the
boaters, marina operators, and, potentially, POTW operators. Subsets
of these audiences (e.g., commercial fishermen) could be added, as
well as new audiences (e.g., enforcement officials).

The messages are the ideas conveyed by the campaign.  There are
three types of messages. Messages can motivate the audience to act,
inform the audience about facts, or instructive audience in how to do
something.

The tools of the campaign consist of the actual products issued to the
target audience. Examples of products include brochures, posters,

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 T-shirts, press releases, public service announcements (PSAs), and
 industry publications.

 The budget is the total amount of money allocated to the campaign.
 This total affects what the campaign will be able to do.  If financial
 resources are limited, the campaign may be developed to address only
 one message, or only one target audience may be selected, or a limited
 number of products may be developed. The budget affects the entire
 structure and success of the campaign.

         WHO NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED?

 The campaign must be developed by a team committed to the goal of
 the campaign. This team should consist of individuals who are technically
 competent in the issue and, if available, have experience in developing
 outreach or educational materials.

 The campaign  team should consult with regulatory, technical, and
 practical experts to make sure the campaign products are accurate. The
 team may wish to assemble an advisory panel made up of these experts
 and target audience representatives to provide guidance.

 Finally, the organization sponsoring the campaign must be committed
to providing the required financial, personnel, and other resources.
Without commitment from both management and the campaign team,
the campaign will fail.

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   DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY

Successful public outreach campaigns are based on a careful strategy.
The strategy establishes the framework to develop and issue products
for the target audience.  Campaigns that are not based on sound
strategy are doomed to failure—with wasted resources, frustrated staff,
and a misinformed or skeptical public.

A well-developed strategy on marine sanitation will bring together the
pieces of the campaign to develop a mechanism to reach the campaign's
goal:  to increase public awareness and understanding of the sewage
discharge issue and to increase proper disposal.  The strategy is
developed through five important steps.
        Five steps of campaign strategy Development
   1) Identify and prioritize the target audience and messages
   2) Determine the length of campaign
   3) Structure the campaign stages
   4) Select the number and type of products
   5) Develop a feedback mechanism
Identify and Prioritize the Target Audience and Messages

State and local governments do not have unlimited resources.  It is
important that public outreach products reach the right audience with
the right message so that none of these resources are wasted.

Initially, there are three target audiences for the recreational vessel
sewage discharge campaign: boaters, marina owners/operators, and
POTW operators. Which audience is the most important to reach? It
depends on the situation.

There are several messages which could be delivered about recreational
vessel discharge control. Some of these messages include: marine
sanitation devices (MSDs) can be effectively placed on vessels; vessel
sewage can be treated in POTWs; boaters will be fined if they illegally

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 discharge sewage; it is illegal to discharge sewage from vessels in a No
 Discharge Area; and improper sewage discharge can result in shellfish
 contamination and poor localized water quality. Which message is the
 most important to send? Again, it depends on the situation.

 While a successful campaign usually reaches all target audiences, the
 audiences must be ranked to determine who gets what message and in
 what order.   To  prioritize the target audiences and messages, the
 campaign strategist must consider several questions:

    • Which audience, if reached, could produce the largest impact on
     the goal?

    • Have  earlier  outreach materials conveying the campaign
     messages been sent to a particular audience?

    • What is the sophistication  level  of the audience?  Does the
     audience understand the consequences of sewage discharge?

    • Have other materials  on the message been  developed and
     disseminated?

    • What message is most appropriate to the target audience selected?

Finally, the strategist must determine what audience and message will
receive the largest percentage of the available budget. The three target
audiences vary widely in size, from millions of boaters to hundreds of
POTW officials.

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Determine the Length of the Campaign
The litespan of campaigns can vary. For example, if local marinas have
adequate pumpout stations in place, it may make more sense to run a
short campaign, targeted  specifically at boaters, with two or three
stages designed to alert boaters to the benefits of pumping  vessel
sewage  and inform them how to comply  with  state and federal
requirements.

In other situations, it would make sense to run longer, more complicated
campaigns that address more audiences and send more messages.
Whatever the case, this determination must be made early so that
resources can be properly allocated.

Structure the Campaign Stages

To effectively present the messages, the campaign should be organized
into stages. Each stage should emphasize new material, while building
upon the previous stages and combining different types of messages.

For example, a simple campaign with four messages might be targeted
to boaters. The campaign could be organized as follows:
                           (retraction la ttia
                         sss of tjplcai passport/
                         durap stations. (Instruct)
  Marinas IB thi
 Ma Dtecharga Area
I)i»t BiBiiHt statlatn.
     (In
 tewsga litsetts?* ts
  a sasres of tmtar
  pollrtlon. (Motivate)
 Sewsga titecftsrga tt
  Illegal. (Motivate)
                 (Inform)
              Rsclndar afStagat
                   (Motivate)

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  Select the Number and Type of Products

  After determining the structure of the campaign, the strategist should
  select the products to be used in each stage. The products should
  communicate the message  effectively and should  be uniform in
  appearance and feel.

  Products can be sorted into four categories:
Product Type
Print
Visual
Novelties
Formal Media
Examples
Manuals, brochures, flyers, coloring books, fact
sheets, pamphlets
Videotapes, display booths, posters, placards
Bumper stickers, magnets, T-shirts, hats, pins
Press releases, PSAs, industry publications, paid
advertising, public speaking engagements
 Products should be carefully matched to the target audience.  Some
 products can be used for many different messages and audiences while
 other products are more limited in use. Generally, novelty items are
 inappropriate for more detailed or complicated messages. For example,
 while bumper stickers could be used to motivate boaters to use pumpout
 and dump stations, they should not be used to inform POTW authorities
 about sewage discharge.

 Develop a Feedback Mechanism

 Finally, the campaign must be periodically evaluated to determine if the
 goal is being reached. If the early stages of a campaign do not work, it
 is wasteful to continue without restructuring.

The evaluation  can be both  formal and informal.  For  example,  a
telephone survey of marina operators could be conducted three months
                              8

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after mailing a fact sheet to determine how effective the product was.
Informal evaluation could include collecting anecdotal information from
marina operators and boaters. Whether formal or informal, evaluation
is critical to the success of outreach campaigns.

       DEVELOPING PUBLIC OUTREACH
                      PRODUCTS

Once  the campaign strategist  has  determined what products are
required, the products must be developed, reproduced, and distributed
to get the message  to the audience. All products developed for the
campaign should use the same campaign logo and color scheme.
These elements link the products and stages,  save  on  design and
development costs, and allow the audience to easily recognize campaign
products. If appropriate, campaigns can use material developed by
other sources.

Public outreach products are developed/produced in four basic steps.
Each of these steps  is equally important and has unique planning and
cost considerations.
             Pour steps of product Development
   1) Concept and Message Development
   2) Production
   3) Reproduction
   4) Distribution
Concept and Message Development

In this step, the product is planned. The concept and messages are
developed and the selected messages are prioritized; the text (copy) is
drafted; and the layout and graphics are designed.  When this step is
complete, the draft product is approved by management and is ready for
production.
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 Planning considerations. The product team must ask and answer
 several questions:

    • What is the most important message? The least important?

    • How knowledgeable is the target audience? What language level
      should be used?

    • How long will the product be used? What is its lifespan?

 If the audience cannot identify or understand the messages, the product
 will not work. The language used in the products must be appropriate
 to the audience.

 Some products can be used throughout the campaign, such as posters
 or bumper stickers. Other products, such as flyers or press releases, are
 used for a limited period.  Remember, each campaign stage should
 reinforce the previous stages. Therefore, it is likely that proven, effective
 materials introduced early in the campaign will be distributed throughout
 the life of the campaign.

 Drafting the copy.  The draft copy should be concise  and use the
appropriate language level. The primary and secondary messages
should be obvious. Care should be taken to make sure that the product
does not convey too many  messages.  It  is recommended that
management review and approve the draft text before they see the
graphics.  This results in fewer text revisions and saves money.  Each
revision raises costs.

Designing the layout and graphics. The format and graphics should
                                       be clean and precise.
                                       Cluttered  or  overly
                                       complex graphics do not
                                       communicate well nor do
                                       they  reproduce  well,
                                       particularly    when
                                       photocopied or  printed
                                       on cloth. Color should
                                       be used carefully and
                                       creatively. Some colors
                                       do not reproduce  well,

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 iiiiiaii^^                                         .:,^-:_^:^i

 while multiple colors result in higher costs for printed materials. When
 the layout and graphics are complete, the approved text should be
 incorporated into the draft product and submitted to management for
 approval. Once approved, the draft product is ready to be produced.

 Remember, simple visual products, such as posters, can have high
 design costs. Logos, color schemes, and slogans can save significant
 money  if they are selected, approved, and  developed early in the
 campaign.  Subsequent products can use the previously developed
 materials for significant cost savings.

 Production

 In this step, the approved draft product is readied for reproduction. For
 all print, visual, and novelty products (and most formal media products),
 this step  results in camera-ready,  or taping-ready, versions of the
 product which are sent to the printer or production house for reproduction.

 Camera-ready print products should be
 prepared as computer versions rather
 than hard copy (also known as  paste-
 up),  if possible.  In either case, the
 campaign team should  confirm the
 reproduction vendor's requirements for
 camera-ready versions (e.g., computer
 program/format). Many state and local
 governments have contracts with certain
 vendors who  must be used for  all
 reproduction services. Clean computer
 or hard  copy versions of the logo and
 other frequently used materials should
 be maintained at all times. Videotapes,
 films or audio materials (e.g., PSAs)
 should be provided on a clean master
 copy to the reproduction house.

 Paper and binding options and other
 materials are specified for the camera-
 ready product. Paper and binding options range in price, from expensive
cover stock to photocopy paper, from spiral binding to stapling.  The
prices for T-shirts and hats depend primarily upon the cloth used and the
                              11

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 quantity ordered. These items generally are cheaper if purchased and
 printed in bulk.

 The  production step for  public presentations such as workshops,
 speeches, or training sessions is a dry run, or test, of the material. The
 product should be tested, in its entirety, before a live audience to ensure
 that the presentation is clear and the materials (e.g., slides, overheads)
 are effective.

 Reproduction

 In this step, the finalized product is reproduced in quantity to reach the
 target audience. Generally, reproduction is conducted by an outside
 vendor.

 The most costly part  of reproduction is the set-up.  Once a printer/
 technician has setthe product on the printing press or other reproduction
 equipment, any number of copies can be made. A flat set-up price is
 charged no matter how many copies are made. The cost per item goes
 down as the number of copies goes up.  For example, a printer might
 charge $2,500 to make 100 posters ($2.50/poster) and $5,000 to make
 15,000 (50 cents/poster).
                                Color also affects costs. A four-
                                color poster runs through the press
                                four times, once  for each  color,
                                resulting  in   higher  costs.
                                Remember, to a printer, black is a
                                color and represents a run through
                                the printer.

                                Photographs,  quotations,  and
                                music are subject to licensing fees,
                                which may have one-time service
                                charges or per item charges. These
                                fees affect the reproduction costs.
Distribution
Finally, the reproduced product is distributed to the target audience.
Distribution may be the most important step in the campaign strategy,

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yet it is often overlooked;  Common distribution methods include direct
mail, radio/television broadcasts,  public presentations,  and paid
advertising. Other techniques are also available.

Direct  Mail.   This is an  effective
technique  where  products  are  sent
directly to the target audience. Costs
can be  minimized by using  accurate
mailing lists and bulk mail. Costs can
soar, however, if oversized envelopes
or bulky and/or heavy products are
mailed.

Mailing lists may be bought or rented.
Bulk mailings require a permit, which
can be obtained at the post office. Bulk
mail can save money on postage, but it
requires special handling  procedures,
such as sorting, labeling, and grouping,
that can add unexpected costs.

PSAs. Most radio, and some television,
stations will broadcast PSAs at no cost.
The broadcast time should be specified
up front. If the PSAs are not scheduled,
stations will run the PSAs in  off-peak
hours.   If appropriate, PSAs can be
broadcast on channels which cater to
non-English speaking audiences.  In
these cases,  the PSA needs to be
carefully translated into the appropriate language.  PSAs can also be
placed in magazines, newspapers, and industry publications.

Public  Presentations.   Conferences,  trade shows, and local
environmental  boards all represent  possible forums for public
presentations.   Unlike print, visual, and novelty products, public
presentations do not disseminate "hard" materials — the speech is the
product. The campaign should look for opportunities to speak and not
rely on invitations.  Non-traditional forums should also be considered.

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 Paid Advertising.  If the
 campaign  has a  large
 budget, paid advertising
 can be effective. Print ads
 can  be placed in maga-
 zines and  newspapers,
 and audio/visual ads can
 be broadcast on radio and
 television stations.  While
 costly, paid advertising
 ensures that ads are
 placed  in  prominent
 locations in print vehicles
 and broadcast during peak
 listening/viewing hours.

 Non-Traditional Distribution. Trade associations can be persuaded
 to issue the outreach materials, marinas can hand out flyers and posters
 to their clients, and high school students can place flyers on cars in
 marina parking lots. These distribution techniques can be very cost-
 effective.

           KEEP THE CAMPAIGN ALIVE
Each product in the campaign is vital. The first product must grab the
audience's attention, establish the campaign's look and feel, and prove
the importance of the issue.  Each new product should have the
campaign feel and support the messages/concepts in each campaign
stage.

Part of the challenge for public outreach campaigns is deciding which
product to issue at what time. The campaign should sustain audience
interest through a mix of products. For example, boaters could receive

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                                     a sticker and a technical
                                     brochure in the same
                                     package with their vessel
                                     registration. New methods
                                     of distribution and contact
                                     should be explored.

                                     Sometimes   outreach
                                     products miss  the mark.
                                     This is why feedback is so
                                     important. Logos can be
                                     mistaken   for   other
                                     symbols, the product can
be uninspiring, and information can be misread by the audience. In
these cases, the campaign team must decide if the problem was in the
product or the campaign strategy.  A poorly designed product can be
modified or scrapped without affecting the other products.  A poorly
designed campaign must be fixed, or all additional time and resources
will be wasted.

 SAMPLE  PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN ON
           MARINE SANITATION ISSUE

The following sample campaign is geared to all three of the initial target
audiences:  boaters, marina operators, and POTW authorities.  The
example is based on the scenario described below.

At the request of the state or local government, a No Discharge Area has
been approved by EPA.  The goal of the campaign is to increase public
awareness and understanding of the sewage discharge issue and to
increase proper disposal. Boaters have been ranked as the high priority
target audience, followed by marina operators, with POTW authorities
a distant third. The  campaign will focus, therefore, on messages
directed at the boaters. Secondary messages will be directed at marina
operators and POTW officials. The campaign will last three years and
will consist of three stages.  Each stage should last approximately one
year. Campaign evaluations are scheduled for the end of each stage.
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The campaign has a budget of $100,000 and the budgeted funds must
be spent within three years. Each stage of the campaign is budgeted
at $30,000.  The remaining $10,000 will be used to distribute  more
materials, reproduce additional copies of successful  products, or
purchase more postage. The $10,000 will also be used, if necessary,
to adjust the campaign after evaluation.

The stages should be completed in order. That is, Stage 1 should be
completed before Stage 2 is begun. If products from different stages are
sent out in the wrong sequence, the audience may become confused
and may disregard new products. The number of products is optional;
all products may  not be produced. Specific cost breakdowns for each
product have not been provided because labor costs range widely
throughout the country and new computer printing technologies are
emerging which will allow the campaign team to design more complicated
products at lower costs.
                                         I'm not sure where
                                       v  this campaign Is
                                         What a great idea for
                                           a campalgnl
                                             Audience
                                          Understanding
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Stage One
Boaters     Marina Operators
   Recreational vessel sewage is a significant source of water
   pollution.
   Discharging sewage is illegal in a No Discharge Area.
   If caught discharging sewage, boaters can be fined.
  Poster focused on water pollution and the No Discharge Area.
  Designed to motivate boaters that discharge is a problem.
  — Distributed via marina handouts, boat shows and other events,
     industry publications, and upon request
  — Three color (black, green, and orange), recycled paper, logo
     and slogan included
  T-shirts with logo and campaign slogan. Designed to motivate
  boaters and marina operators to comply.
  — Distributed via marina handouts and boat shows, other events,
     and upon request
  — Two.color (green and orange), logo and slogan included
  Fact sheet to inform boaters about law in detail, fully outlines
  enforcement actions/fines. Gives contact numbers.
  — Distributed with annual boat registration package
  — Single or double-sided, photocopied on recycled paper, logo
     and slogan used
  Public service announcements to motivate boaters to stop sewage
  discharge.  Gives contact number.
  — Distributed free of charge by public radio and public television
     stations
  — Copy read by state official. Logo and slogan displayed during
     television PSA
Poster
Design
Copy
Printing
Distribution
T-Shirt
Reproduction
(boaters pay
shipping)

Fact Sheet
Copy
Photocopy
Distribution

PSA
Copy




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 Stage Two
 Boaters      Marina Operators
   Pumpout and dump stations exist, but more are needed.
   MSDs and pumpout/dump stations are not difficult to use.
   Boaters will use pumpout/dump stations if accessible.
   Marina operators without pumpout/dump stations are contributing
   to the pollution problem.
   Reinforce Stage 1 messages.
   Brochure to inform boaters of the locations of all pumpout/dump stations
   in the No Discharge Area. Provides simple, illustrated instructions on use
   of typical pumpout/dump stations and urges boaters to request that
   marinas install additional facilities.
   — Distributed via direct mail, marina handouts, boat shows,
     other events, and upon request
   — Three color (black, green, and orange), recycled paper, logo
     and slogan included
   Note: the diagram and list of locations also could be printed in state
   recreational materials, such as maps.
   Placard for marinas presents diagram on use of typical pumpout/dump
   station and states that improper sewage discharge is illegal.
   — Distributed to marinas by direct mail
   — Three color (black, green, and orange) recycled paper, logo
     and slogan used
   Brochure emphasizing that marina operators can help solve the pollution
   problem by providing adequate pumpout/dump stations.  Provides case
   study example of  how a marina recouped facility installation costs, and
   made more money,  through boat users' fees.
   — Distributed through direct mail, conventions, boat shows, and upon
     request
   — Two color (black  and green), recycled paper, logo and slogan used
   Continued use of  Stage 1 products
Boater Brochure
Design
Copy
Printing
Distribution
Placard
Design
Copy
Printing
Distribution
Marina Brochure
Design (mimic boater)
Copy
Printing
Distribution


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 Stage Three
 Boaters      Marina Operators    POTW Authorities
   The laws against sewage discharge are enforced.
   Water quality will improve with compliance.
   Marina operators should work with boaters on compliance.
   Vessel sewage does not harm POTW systems.
   Reinforce Stage 1 and 2 messages.
 •  Flyer informing boaters about recentfines and state enforcement agencies.
   — Distributed with boater registration package, marina handouts
   — One color (black) printed or photocopied on green or orange recycled
     paper, logo and slogan
 •  Public presentations for POTW officials/marina operators on POTW
   acceptance of sewage.
   — No distribution costs, other than travel
   — Color slides, photocopied handout on green paper with logo and
     slogan
 •  Pamphlet for marina operators.  Demonstrates how to convince boaters
   to use pumpout/dump stations and how to talk to POTW authorities.
   — Distributed via direct mail, and by request, to marina operators
   — Two color (black and green), recycled paper, logo and slogan used
 •  Bumper Sticker/Boat Stickers for boaters who have installed MSDs or
   who have demonstrated that they use pumpout/dump stations.
   — Distributed by enforcement agencies and marina handouts
   — Three color (black, green, and orange), weather resistant stickers,
     logo used
 •  PSAs reporting  improvements in water quality.
   — No distribution costs
   — Copy read by state official. Logo and slogan displayed during
     televised PSA
   Continued use of  Stage 1 and Stage 2 products
Flyer
Design
Copy
Reproduction
Distribution
Presentation
Design
Copy
Reproduction
Pamphlet
Design
Copy
Printing
Distribution
Stickers    PSAs
Printing     Copy
Distribution
(limited)
                               19

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Action item List for Developing Public Outreach Campaigns
This list provides key concepts and reminders for each stage of the
campaign strategy development process.
    Determine the knowledge level of the target audience
    Consider other target audiences, or subsets of target audiences
    Keep the message simple
    Match messages with each target audience
    Make sure the budget will last throughout the campaign
    Determine the expiration date of funding
    Determine if the budget is available in a lump sum or if it will be
    distributed over the life of the campaign
  •  Determine how many stages will be developed
  •  Determine which audiences/messages will be covered in each
    stage
  •  Keep a percentage of the budget available for mid-course corrections
    Mix the types of products within each campaign stage to keep
    audience interest and maximize budget resources
    Limit the number of messages per product. Do not overwhelm the
    audience with messages
    Match the appropriate product to the appropriate audience
    Match the product to the message (e.g., do not put formal instructions
    on a novelty item)
    Consider distribution and reproduction costs
    Consider formal mechanisms such as telephone surveys
    Consider informal mechanisms such as anecdotal information

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Crisis-Free Public Outreach Product Development
A Checklist for Each Stage of the Product Development Process
This checklist may be used  during outreach  product development to
prevent  "surprises" during product  development, production,
reproduction, and distribution.
              Is the product appropriate for the target audience?
              Are the messages simple and clear?
              Does the product have three, or fewer, messages? If not, justify.
              Are the messages appropriate to the product and the audience?
              Have the campaign logo, slogan, and color scheme been used in the
              product?
              Has the product been designed with the distribution method in mind
              (e.g., oversized products cost more to mail, brochures can be designed
              with self-mail panels to eliminate the need for envelopes)?
              Have the draft text,  format,  and graphics  been  approved by
              management?
              Have new reproduction techniques been explored?
              Has written permission been obtained to use copyrighted material,
              such as quotations, illustrations, photographs, or music?
              Have product material (paper, cloth, videotapes, binding choices,
              etc.) prices been evaluated?
              Have the  finalized products been produced in camera-ready or
              master form?
              Does the product have to be reproduced by state or local government-
              approved vendors?
              Has the finalized product been prepared to the vendor's specifications?

              Has the speaker performed a dry run to evaluate the presentation?
              Have the slides and handouts been organized for easy distribution at
              the presentation forum?

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Has the vendor provided a cost break-out showing the set-
up costs and the per unit reproduction costs?

Have enough units of the product been ordered so that each
unit has an acceptable cost? Remember, the per unit price
of a product decreases as the number of units increases.
Has the number of colors used in the product been carefully
considered? (Remember, each color in a product means an
additional  run through the printing press and additional
costs.)

Can cost savings be realized by using colored paper instead
of an additional ink color?

Has the vendor been requested to use recycled paper and
cadmium/lead-free inks in the reproduction process?
                 22

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               Special Considerations for Direct Mali
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               Will products be distributed by bulk mail?

               Does the campaign have a bulk mail permit or access to a
               permit?

               Is the campaign team aware of the bulk mail packaging
               requirements?

               Are staff resources available to meet those requirements?

               Have mailing lists been rented orpurchased to save postage?

               If so, are the lists up-to-date and well-maintained?

               Is it appropriate to offer products to the public for only the
               shipping fees?
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