
DIGITAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TOOLKIT
HOW TO USE THIS DIGITAL TOOLKIT
CHOOSE
YOUR CONTENT
& GRAPHICS
BROWSE
THE READY-TO-USE
MATERIALS
LAUNCH
YOUR TOBACCO CESSATION
CAMPAIGN
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.
PRINTABLE CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TACTICS
DIGITAL CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS
Choose your message here.
The Time is Now. Your Health Can’t Wait.
You’ve Been Targeted.
Do It On Your Own. There Is Support in Your Community.
What’s Your Plan to Quit?
Are You Stressed? Don’t Smoke to Cope.
Current Event Focused
PRINTABLE CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS
READY-TO-USE POSTCARDS
These postcards are ready to print and distribute. Postcards can be displayed in your lobby and handed out during community outreach and specific events.
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
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.
The Time is Now. Your Health Can’t Wait.
These messages focus on letting African-Americans know that there is no better time to quit smoking than right now by using the importance of their personal relationships. The free cessation resources and support that are available through the Quitline and the Smoking Cessation Trust will end in 2021.
Quit for Your Son
Whether teaching him to ride a bike or hanging out fishing by the lake, the memories we make when spending time with our children are priceless. Don’t let smoking rob you of the chance to make many more memories with your son. Quitting tobacco is not easy, but it’s not impossible. You can do it, for him and for yourself. For free, 24/7 support for your effort to quit, call the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitWithUsLa.org. There is no better time than today to get started.
Quit for Your Daughter
She’s your princess and you’re her protector. As her father, you would do anything for her. You want to see her go to prom, graduate college, get married, and have her own child. Don’t let smoking rob you of the chance to share in those moments and memories. Quitting tobacco is not easy, but it’s not impossible. You can do it, for her and for yourself. For free, 24/7 support for your effort to quit, call the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitWithUsLa.org. Take advantage of this opportunity and begin your quit journey.
Quitting Isn’t Easy
74% of Louisiana tobacco users have tried to quit before– and many have tried multiple times. Quitting tobacco is not easy, but it’s not impossible. Support the partner in your life as he tries to quit. It can be the difference in his success. Take the journey together. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitWithUsLa.org and take advantage of free quit resources, peer support, smoking cessation classes and much more. We want them to succeed, just like you do. Together, we can help him quit smoking for good.
Break the Cycle
There are many great traditions that are passed down through generations of families. Special recipes. Holiday activities. Cheering for that certain sports team. But not all family traditions should be passed down. Children learn from your example. Many smokers started smoking because they saw their parents smoke. The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline wants to help you break the cycle and not pass down your habit. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitWithUsLa.org for free resources and 24/7 support. We want to help you succeed.
You’ve Been Targeted.
These messages focus on raising awareness among African-Americans that tobacco companies are specifically targeting low-income communities to push tobacco. They don’t care that you’re addicted; they say it’s not their fault. You can fight back for yourself and your community by quitting smoking today.
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.
Do It On Your Own. There Is Support in Your Community.
These messages focus on letting African-Americans know that they don’t have to quit on their own and highlight how the Quitline and QuitWithUsLa.org can help them quit, through the variety of resources made available through the Quitline and website.
Text 2 Quit
Quit With Us, Louisiana now offers Text2Quit® as a support feature for individuals who are ready to quit smoking, dipping or vaping. Text2Quit® is a new FREE tool available to all tobacco or vape users who are interested in receiving instant help and encouragement from your mobile phone. The text messages are designed to encourage your daily journey with useful quit tips that will prepare you for quitting and prevent relapse. Sign up now to begin your quit journey with Text2Quit®!
Tobacco Quitline Information
The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline provides free and confidential support when you’re trying to stop smoking and using tobacco. When you call 1-800-Quit-Now, here’s what you can expect:
1) We will schedule a time for your Quit Coach® to call you for a one-on-one phone counseling session
2) You can sign up for Text2Quit.
3) We will mail you a Quit Kit and information on quit smoking programs in your community.
4) You can even schedule to meet with a counselor in your community for an in-person session.
You’re not alone in the struggle to stop smoking. Call 1-800-Quit-Now. We Will Help You Succeed.
Quitline Support
1-on-1 Phone Counseling. In-Person Sessions with a Quit Counselor in Your Community. Nicotine Replacements. Local Smoking Cessation Classes. 24/7 Quit Support. These are just a few ways the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline can support your efforts to quit. We got your back, so make today the day you quit for good.
Support the Whole Way
Quitting tobacco can be tough, especially when it’s a part of your daily routine. But, you don’t have to quit alone. Quit with the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline and let us support you the whole way. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitWithUsLa.org for free quit resources, peer support, smoking cessation classes and much more. We want you to succeed. Make today the day you quit smoking.
We Got Your Back
Quitting tobacco can be tough, but you have a powerful support team on your side. If you want 24/7 personal support, nicotine replacements or a Quit Plan…we got you! The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline will help you make quitting a success. Make today the day you quit for good!
What’s Your Plan to Quit?
These messages acknowledge that quitting is difficult, but that it can be easier with a plan and ongoing support. If you have tried to quit before and failed, then it’s time to contact the Quitline and get a new quit plan.
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.
Are You Stressed? Don’t Smoke to Cope.
These messages acknowledge that many African-Americans smoke to relieve stress, but also seek to convey that smoking is not a solution to stress. Smoking only leads to things that can cause people more stress, like issues with their health or their budget.
Healthier Ways to Cope
Stressed? Need a break? Instead of stepping out for a smoke, step out for a walk or jog, or call a good friend. Smoking might seem relaxing for a few minutes, but it just leads to more stress: money stress, health stress, relationship stress. Finding healthier ways to cope is an important step in quitting and has great benefits in the long run. Find new ways to relieve stress at the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or go to QuitWithUsLa.org for support. We are here to support you in your efforts to quit.
Don’t Smoke Away Your Worries
We know that life can be stressful and that tobacco is what you use to cope. But we’re here to tell you that you’re NOT alone. The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline has helped many residents find healthier ways to cope with stress. Call 1-800-Quit-Now or go to QuitWithUsLa.org for free resources and to get connected to quit smoking programs in your community where you can get peer support. Make today the day, you start living a healthier life.
Current Event Focused
These ads will relate the need to quit smoking to anything that may be adversely impacting the health outcomes of the African-American community. These ads can also support and promote any local events targeting our audience.
Don’t Let Coronavirus Take You Out
You may be tired of coronavirus, but coronavirus and its variants aren’t tired of our communities. Keep yourself protected by making healthy choices. Research shows that people who smoke are more likely to experience severe complications, and even death, as a result of the coronavirus. Now is the time to quit smoking or vaping. Protect your health and your family! The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline has the 24/7 support you need to make quitting a success from your home. Make today the day you quit for good! And stay safe!
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
- Providing refreshments is a welcome addition to your event or meeting. If your meeting is virtual, instead use any pre-start time to ask attendees how their days are going.
- Think about incentives you can provide to increase attendance, such as door prizes or an end-of-event raffle. If the meeting is virtual, let attendees know that any incentives will be mailed or delivered to them.
- To attract attention, create flyers and other materials that are colorful and easy-to-read. Use large, centrally-located images and photos that reflect what people in your community look like. Also, use words and phrases that reflect local culture and will catch people’s interest.
- Promote events and activities to both males and females. Encourage people from all walks of life to come out to your event. We need “all-hands-on-deck” to begin to change community attitudes about playing an active role in keeping the community smoke free.
- Promote meetings/events as places where people in the community can connect, network and provide mutual support to each other.
- 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.
- All participants have been placed on mute as they enter the session.
- Camera on is/is not mandatory.
- Please hold questions until the end of each presentation section.
- [Zoom] If you have a comment during the presentation, please “raise your hand” virtually. Click on “Participants” at the bottom of the Zoom window. A list of all participants is shown in a window at the right. At the bottom, you will see the icon for raising and lowering your hand.
- When it’s your turn, the moderator will call on you and unmute your mic.
- 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.
CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY CANVASSING
Community canvassing provides an opportunity to expose the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline (or your organization’s tobacco-cessation services) to organizations and establishments that are unable to be represented at your in-person or virtual meetings. The idea is for outreach staff to stop by each location, have a short dialogue about the Project ASIRT campaign with a representative, and leave materials for display or sharing.
Planning and executing a community-canvassing session consists of three steps: 1) initial contact; 2) conducting the canvassing; and 3) tracking.
Initial Contact
Using a pre-determined script, calls should be made to a list of prospective canvassing locations. The script should explain that the outreach staff will be in their neighborhood promoting the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline (or your organization’s tobacco-cessation services) and distributing free campaign materials. The caller should ask whether outreach staff can stop into their establishments, have a short dialogue about the campaign and leave materials for display or sharing. Representatives of the organization should also be asked whether they know of any other organizations that might be interested in learning about the campaign and receiving materials.
Conducting the Canvassing
Based on the locations of the organizations that agree to a canvassing visit, MEE recommends using mapping software to develop the most effective and efficient on-the-ground canvassing route. Once the route is established, conduct the canvassing sessions by stopping at the select organizations and retailers with pre-sorted campaign materials. During the canvassing stops, outreach staff should speak with organization representatives (i.e., shop owners, supervisors, etc.) to explain the importance of the campaign and what we are asking them to do (the 3D’s): display and/or disseminate campaign materials and hold dialogue with their clients/contacts about tobacco cessation.
Tracking
Outreach staff should track the contact data for the organizations and establishments that are visited during canvassing and enter them into an Excel spreadsheet along with the amount of materials they delivered. Periodic follow-up correspondence (emails, phone calls, social media outreach) to canvassed organizations and retailers will keep the campaign “top-of-mind” and spark continued dialogue with clients and customers.
PRINTABLE CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS
DIGITAL CAMPAIGN COMPONENTS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TACTICS
READY-TO-USE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGING AND GRAPHICS