All club communications should be created with these primary goals in mind:
- Publicize the club’s programs and services
- Build the club’s reputation and recognition among potential members
- Appropriately reflect and support Wharton’s brand identity
It is important to take the time to develop a marketing plan for club programming, asking questions like:
- Who is our audience?
- What is the value we are offering?
- What information is essential?
- How do we scale membership and engagement?
Your staff liaison can guide you in drafting simple and effective messaging, taking advantage of several available tools.
1. Wharton Alumni Club Logo/Wharton Club® Name: Detailed information about the appropriate and authorized use of the Wharton alumni club logo and Wharton Club® name and trademark can be found here. Your staff liaison can provide logo files for letterhead, name tags, and PowerPoint templates. We can also provide information for ordering podium and wall banners and other branded merchandise for use at club functions. The Wharton/Penn logo is designed as a seal of uniformity; the shield and “University of Pennsylvania” tag line MAY NOT be separated. Clubs must use the Wharton alumni club logo with the Penn shield/Wharton alumni name on all websites, banners, letterhead, and other materials. Each club has access to a suite of custom logos designed by Wharton. Please contact us to initiate this request.
2. Email: It is essential to judiciously plan an email strategy to avoid email overload. Never send an email that shows recipients’ email addresses (utilize the bcc: line) and always use a consistent “From” address for messaging members. If you are using the School’s website platform, use the email tool provided by the website. For frequency and format best practices, contact your staff liaison.
3. Newsletters: A great way to create awareness of your club and connect with your members on an ongoing basis is to send a regular newsletter. Newsletters are an excellent tool to highlight upcoming events, feature volunteers, showcase club’s successes, and share club news. Contact your staff liaison for best practices on content, frequency, and formatting, or to see newsletters sent by other Wharton clubs.
4. Survey: It is important to get input from your membership base on club priorities and programming. Surveys should be short and allow users the option to fill out anonymously or include contact information for follow-up. Your staff liaison can provide samples of effective post-event and general surveys used by other clubs. Please click here for an example survey.
5. Websites: A website or a platform (Facebook Group, LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp Group Chat, etc.) is recommended for established clubs to communicate and provide resources to existing and potential members.
6. Social Media: Some clubs find using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other sites can help publicize events and increase membership. These can be used instead of, or in addition to, a formal website. Contact your staff liaison for best practices and to help you get started using social media. Your staff liaison can advise you on your best option for social media depending on the level of engagement of your club.
Please click here to access the Wharton Alumni Relations Privacy Policy.