PAGE 1 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

50TH ANNIVERSARY

CUSTOM POSTER GUIDEBOOK

HOW to CUSTOMIZE

CAMPAIGN POSTER MATERIALS

February 2, 2017

PAGE 2 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

CUSTOM POSTER GUIDEBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Poster Samples 3

Custom Local Poster Template 4

Fill In The Blank Suggestions 5

Copywriting Tips 6

Photography Tips 7

This Guidebook provides OACB

members an overview and how-to

guidelines to customize posters

to tell stories and promote

the Always There 50th Anniversary

Campaign in their local

communities.

PAGE 3 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

POSTER SAMPLES

TWO TYPES OF POSTERS We know that posters are a popular tool for our

members to communicate in their communities.

We are currently developing two sets of posters.

STATEWIDE CONTENT POSTER

One poster design will include a complete story with

photo support in a ready-to-go format. You just need

to order and print from the artwork supplied in the

online tool kit.

CUSTOM LOCAL POSTER TEMPLATE

The second set of artwork will provide a template

that can be adapted to include photos and stories

from your local community.

SAMPLE SAMPLE

STATEWIDE CONTENT POSTER

SAMPLE

SAMPLE

CUSTOM LOCAL POSTER

TEMPLATE

PAGE 4 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

CUSTOM LOCAL POSTER TEMPLATE

CUSTOMIZING OPTIONS Poster artwork that can be customized in a number

of ways to reflect a story from your community is

available for download on the Always There tool

kit. Files have been built in InDesign will require

Adobe Creative Suite software to edit.

PERSONALIZE THE HEADLINE Update the headline to include the name

of your subject and select an impactful word or short

phrase and use a font that looks like handwriting to

make the poster more personal.

USE A REAL PHOTO Replace the picture with an engaging photo that

reflects your community.

TELL YOUR STORY

Expand upon your photo and headline with a short

story about someone in your county.

UPDATE THE BRANDING Add your county board logo and contact information

at the bottom of the poster alongside the branding.

If possible, update your website to include a link

back to the Always There campaign website after

it launches later this year.

SAMPLE

PERSONALIZE THE HEADLINE

USE A REAL PHOTO

TELL YOUR STORY

UPDATE THE BRANDING

PAGE 5 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

FILL IN THE BLANK SUGGESTIONS

Introduce the story told through your photo by

updating the fill in the blank headline with a

compelling verb. See list below for inspiration, but

feel free to come up with your own unique

headline.

SUSAN IS ALWAYS…

•  learning

•  growing

•  working

•  achieving

•  contributing

•  discovering

•  pushing boundaries

•  making new friends

•  trying new things

•  supportive

•  collaborative

•  striving

•  loving

FONTS Use a handwriting font in the contrasting teal to

emphasize and personalize your headline. You can

find links to download handwriting fonts in the

Always There tool kit.

FONT SAMPLES

Draw attention to your

poster by using a

compelling and

customized headline.

Learn more about fonts at

AlwaysThereForOhio.org/toolkit

PAGE 6 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

COPYWRITING TIPS

The Always There template posters are designed

to accommodate about 85 words, 100 at most.

Here are a few tips to help you write copy that is

engaging and focused.

KEEP IT SIMPLE There’s no room for fluff here, so now is not the

time to reach for your thesaurus or show off your

broad vocabulary. You’re writing for a variety of

audiences, so keep your language simple and

direct.

IDENTIFY AND WRITE TO THE WHY Before interviewing your subject and putting a

word on paper, determine why this story is

important to tell. What does this story say about

Ohio’s developmental disabilities community and

the county boards? Define its purpose and write to

the purpose.

CAPTURE THE RIGHT TONE The tone of the posters should be positive, real,

informative, and reflect the voice of your subject.

USE A QUOTE Let your subject tell their own story in their own

words, it will result in more compelling, personal

copy. Focus on capturing your subject’s words when

you interview them.

EDIT, EDIT, AND EDIT AGAIN Read your copy and make necessary edits, then ask a

colleague to read and edit as well … then do the

entire process again.

SHARE WITH YOUR SUBJECT Before publishing, preview the copy with your

subject for approval.

Here’s how to tell a good

story in 85 words or less.

PAGE 7 © 2017 OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARDS of DD

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Whether you shoot photos with an iPhone or a

point-and-shoot camera, these basic tips will help

you enhance the quality and energy expressed by

your images.

FIND GOOD LIGHT

Move your subject to an area that is well lit,

preferably away from fluorescent ceiling lights.

Consider moving outside. Early morning and late

day sunlight provide a warm glow. Overcast skies

offer even lighting; bright sunlight makes your

subjects squint.

AVOID BACKLIGHTING

Make sure the light or sun is behind you so the

light falls on your subject’s face. Try shooting with

the flash on and also shoot with it off to

experiment with the best lighting.

KEEP COMPOSITIONS SIMPLE

One subject is all you need. Make sure the

background is uncomplicated and uncluttered.

TELL A STORY Include relevant objects in your subjects hands,

or pose them in an environment that supports the

story. Get up close and personal. If you

photograph more than one person, make sure they

are interacting in a way that adds to your story.

Consider embraces, holding a common item,

sitting close together or back to back, etc. Tell

them jokes to make them laugh. Ask them

challenging questions as you shoot, it will make

their eyes light up.

Showcase your unique

stories with the perfect

photograph.