HOW TO USE THIS DIGITAL TOOLKIT

This toolkit will allow you to use print materials, social media content, community meetings (virtual or in-person), and community canvassing to promote tobacco cessation in hard-to-reach and underserved communities. If you or your organization have your own digital/social media sites, such as Facebook pages/groups, Twitter pages, YouTube channels, an Instagram site, etc., the Toolkit contains content and images that you can easily use on these sites.

Together, these components provide a full range of options for executing a tobacco-cessation campaign that fits the capabilities and strengths of your organization. Please choose the campaign elements that best reflect the circumstances, demographics, cultural specifics and needs of your community. This toolkit will support you in speaking passionately and persuasively about the tobacco-cessation services available in your community and in promoting quit solutions that are culturally relevant and effective.

Choose your message here.

CUSTOMIZABLE FLYER

The customizable event flyers allow you to get the message out about your organization’s tobacco cessation event, with fillable fields for key details. Follow the easy steps below.

• Download the PDF file for the customizable flyer of your choice.
• Open the file in your preferred application. Adobe Acrobat Pro is the best software for editing PDF’s. But Preview (Mac computers) and other similar applications can also work, though you will have less access to certain features. You will be able to add text, for example, but they will not allow you to insert your organization’s logo.
• Type the specific information for your event into the fillable fields in the PDF file. You will be able to add: the name of your organization (assuming you are the sponsor); event details (day, date, time and location); and contact information (email address, phone number, Website, for example) where people can get more details or ask questions.
• If you would like to add your organization’s logo to the flyer, and you have the right software, click on the Organization Logo box on the right side (bottom) of the document. This will allow you to upload a jpeg or png file of your logo.
• Save the document as a PDF with a new file name.
• You can now print or share your flyer to get the word out about your event.
• Refer to the Community Engagement Tactics section for tips about how to plan and execute a successful community event.

DIGITAL CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS

READY-TO-USE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGING AND GRAPHICS

This social media messaging and graphic images are designed to use and share on Facebook, but can also be customized for Twitter and Instagram. The messaging is designed to drive people to the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline to access free quit resources. If you would like to use the messaging and graphics to promote your organization’s tobacco-cessation program and services, you can replace the Quitline content with your organization’s information. The messaging and graphics are categorized by concept area.

Copy and paste the messaging below for use on social media platforms, newsletters, email blasts and more.

Take Control

Many people feel that they are powerless to quit smoking. That’s exactly what THEY want you to think. The people who make money from selling tobacco products don’t want you to quit. They are addicted to keeping you addicted. THEY depend on you feeling helpless against that next cigarette, that next cigar or that next vape. Don’t give THEM the satisfaction. Take Control Back From Tobacco. Make the First Move. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or go to QuitWithUsLa.org for support in kicking your habit. We’ve helped many others quit. We can help you.

The Power is in Your Hands

We know that quitting smoking isn’t easy, especially when it’s a part of your daily routine. But we’re here to tell you that you’re NOT alone. The power is in your hands! The tobacco industry spends millions every year trying to keep you addicted. They won’t stop until you quit! Prove it to yourself, and your family and friends that you’re smarter than the Tobacco Industry’s games. Find healthy ways to relieve stress, and other tips on quitting at QuitWithUSLA.org. You Make the First Move. We’ll Support You all the Way.

You Have the Power

The tobacco industry spends millions of dollars every year trying to keep you addicted to its products. QuitWithUsLA knows that quitting smoking isn’t easy, but we’re here to tell you that you’re NOT alone. Prove to yourself, and to your family and friends that you’re smarter than the Tobacco Industry’s games. The power is in your hands! Contact the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now or go to QuitWithUsLa.org. You make the first move and we’ll support you all the way.

Get A Plan

Want to Quit? Get a Plan. Quitting isn’t easy, but there are quit steps that can and have worked for a lot of people. Quit cold Turkey? Quit with a friend? Use nicotine replacement? In-Person Counseling? Most folks need a plan that tells them how to quit. We are here to support what works for you. The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline has everything you need for your Quit Plan. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or go to QuitWithUsLa.org. Make the next time you quit, the last time.

COMMUNITY-ENGAGEMENT TACTICS

Making changes in health disparities among African-American communities in Louisiana requires a collaborative effort involving a broad range of partners, including various non-traditional members of the grassroots community. Key individuals and organizations within your community are valuable resources that can be used to disseminate tobacco-cessation information and promote the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline and/or your organization’s tobacco-cessation programs and services.

Thought leaders can be found among community elders, faith-based organizations, health clinics and even among small-business establishments like barbershops. The challenge is to harness these resources in a culturally-relevant manner, bringing them together in ways that multiply their reach, penetration and effectiveness.

CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE IN-PERSON EVENTS

• Be straightforward if you want to wait a few minutes for others to join, but also state that you will end on time to be respectful of those who came/joined early or on time.
• As the moderator, make sure that members of the community feel they are being heard and respected, including summarizing (mirroring) what someone says, as time permits. Venting about problems or issues is often a stress reliever.
• Make the sessions flexible and interactive. Community members need to be the main “talkers” at sessions. This is how effective community relationships are built.
• Get attendees to openly share what they have learned—sometimes by trial and error—in their own experiences with quitting smoking. They will be able to validate much of the information you are presenting, giving you increased authenticity and credibility.
• Having interactive meetings allows residents to develop their own solutions to complex issues surrounding tobacco cessation in their community. This builds community capacity for long-term problem-solving and advocacy related to health disparities, even outside of or after your event or session.
• Make some time at the end of the meeting to discuss “next steps” based on the issues discussed.
• Encourage attendees to keep in touch and network with each other after the meeting, creating informal “support groups” for those dealing with similar issues. Ask attendees if they want to share their contact information with other attendees.
• If time permits, use a brief survey form or other document (or the “chat” feature for online meetings) to gather community feedback on the meeting and get suggestions on how sessions can be expanded or improved in the future.

CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE VIRTUAL EVENTS

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many of our gathering practices. Staff trainings, conferences, in-person meetings and face-to-face community outreach have all had to move online. This section provides some pointers on how to continue engaging with community members, leveraging online technology.

Note: Remember, not everyone is using formal teleconferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams regularly. As an alternative, you could try Facebook groups to stay in regular communication with residents of your community.

• Download the app to the computer, tablet or phone you will be using to host the meeting. There are free and paid versions, with the latter offering additional tiers of features. You will be prompted if you need to install or update any related software on your computer.
• Set up and invite participants to your meeting using a Meeting ID or weblink sent via email or text.
• Do a few trial meetings internally to learn the features and operation of the app. This will give you a chance to test your technology—internal microphone vs. headset (reduces ambient noise), the camera, strength of Internet connection, etc. Make sure you tackle the basics, such as how to share your screen to show documents, pictures or PowerPoint slides, for example.
• Before starting the meeting on your computer, it’s often helpful to close all other programs or files that you won’t be needing (helps prevents image freeze-ups and sound lags). In addition, it’s better to be directly connected to the Internet (i.e., using an Ethernet cable) versus using WiFi.
• Enter the meeting a few minutes before start time, so you can greet people as they join.
• Make sure your camera is on; seeing you face-to-face helps people connect with what you are saying.
• Have an agenda for your meeting. You can make it part of your PowerPoint presentation or you can post it in the chat, so participants can keep track of where they are/what’s being discussed.
• It can be useful to have two facilitators working together, one doing the main speaking, while the other monitors the chat box and participants list for questions or comments.
• Set up ground rules for the virtual meeting, so that participants know how to interact with you, other presenters and each other. For example, include a slide at the beginning of the presentation that outlines expectations.

• The normal cues that you would have in a face-to-face discussion are missing, so sometimes you will have to remind people to limit the length of their comments.
• If people are not interacting, you can directly call on a participant to make a comment. Some people are intimidated about jumping into big group discussions, especially when they can’t see or don’t know everyone.