Marketing

Starting with a campaign for the LibreOffice Conference in September.

Any stats/feedback from the September campaign, any impressions to share?
We should do this on a regular basis, and the "next round" would be due in October, possibly with the help of Karl and the wider marketing community

It worked better for the LibreOffice 5.0 announcement than for the conference. We should prepare a number of "ready made" tweets for people to share on their accounts. Apart from the Hamburg hackfest, we should get ready for the LibreOffice 5.1 Preview, because a well organized social media campaign could help us in cannibalizing AOO 4.1.2 announcement.

Some social media ideas for upcoming months:

• March: "I visited the #LibreOffice booth at #CeBIT" (+ photo of booth) -- 14th - 18th
• April: "I went to the first #LibreOffice Espania Summit" (+ pic from event or Las Palmas) -- April 7th to 9th
• May: "I'm a proud member of The Document Foundation" (+ TDF banner)
• June: "I donated to #LibreOffice to help make it even better" (+LO Supporter or Thank You banner)
• July: "I'm squashing bugs for #LibreOffice 5.2" (+ bug being swatted pic)
• August: "I contributed to #LibreOffice 5.2, our best release yet" (+ LO 5.2 release banner)
• September: "I'm going to the #LibreOffice Annual Conference in Brno" (+Brno skyline pic or related art) -- build up from 1st Sep

Assets we could reuse across multiple campaigns:

• LibreOffice Contributor banner
• LibreOffice Supporter banner
• LibreOffice Bug Squasher banner
• Hackfest graphics -- some examples at https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Hackfests

For the first three, do we want to put "Official" in there or does that make things complicated?

Official sounds as if we had to approve contributions ;-)
Other than that, let's go for the CeBIT thingie indeed! We also will have some lecture there, so maybe adding something w/ "listened to an exciting talk" or somesuch?

Created preliminary versions, added to the wiki and asked design mailing list for input:

https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Marketing/Branding/Social_Media_Banners

Someone on the mailing list pointed out that we should just have "LibreOffice" and not "The Document Foundation", to make it clear that people who use the banners are not actually working for TDF.

Will create one for attendees of talks at CeBIT

Got this started for CeBIT, eg https://twitter.com/libreoffice/status/708222338295308289

For the next Bug Hunting Session, I've talked to Sophie and we can try awarding Badges as per the Month of LibreOffice campaign (eg to everyone who takes part on the day). It will give contributors something to show for their efforts on social media, their blog etc.

Can you give us an update on what the plan currently is? From what I recall,

• twice a year (May and September/October) the month of LibreOffice contribution
• something for BHS

The idea to have monthly campaigns has been withdrawn? I recall we talked about it in the team call, but an update could help, so I can update the ticket ;-)

The current plan is to run English-language Month of LibreOffice campaigns every six months, in May and November. Those months are exactly between major releases when it's quieter in the project, to raise awareness and drive more activity in the communities. (Monthly campaigns wouldn't be as "special" and people may tire of them -- better to make them big events a few times a year, I feel.)

Also, NLPs can run their own Month of LibreOffice campaigns at other times. I have spoken to a few people about this and will chase them up.

For Bug Hunting Sessions, we planned to award badges in the most recent one but the turnout was very low so nobody got one: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/BugHunting_Session_5.2.0_RC1#Badges

The current plan is to run English-language Month of LibreOffice
campaigns every six months, in May and November. Those months are
exactly between major releases when it's quieter in the project, to
raise awareness and drive more activity in the communities. (Monthly
campaigns wouldn't be as "special" and people may tire of them -- better
to make them big events a few times a year, I feel.)

Fine for me, I'm happy to trust your social media expertise here.
Björn, any objections? You had the initial plan of monthly campaigns, so
I'd love to hear what you think, of course. :-) I'm not so active on
social media these days, both of you likely have more insight and
expertise than I do.

Also, NLPs can run their own Month of LibreOffice campaigns at other
times. I have spoken to a few people about this and will chase them up.

That sounds exciting indeed! How's the feedback so far? Something we can
promote during LibOCon maybe?

Also, NLPs can run their own Month of LibreOffice campaigns at other
times. I have spoken to a few people about this and will chase them up.

That sounds exciting indeed! How's the feedback so far?

No NLP has run such a campaign yet, but I've posted a reminder to the localization list with links and info for encouragement, offering my help.

Something we can promote during LibOCon maybe?

That would be good! As I'm not yet fully familiar with the structure of the conference, what would be the best method of promotion? As in, try to gather some NLP community members together to talk about it, or bring it up at one of their talks, if applicable?

On Tuesday afternoon, there is a community meeting focused on these topics.

Started a new campaign for November: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2016/11/01/the-november-2016-month-of-libreoffice-begins/

One improvement for this campaign: where possible, I will email badge and barnstar recipients (I've made a script to simplify this). That will hopefully encourage them to show off their badges and barnstars more on their blogs and social media.

Update after first week: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2016/11/08/the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2016-one-week-in/

I'll keep trying to ping team members and asking for barnstars...

Is there some more outreach we can do, e.g. via social media or another blogpost? Still some days left to act :-)

Florian Effenberger wrote:

Is there some more outreach we can do, e.g. via social media or another blogpost? Still some days left to act :-)

Yes, been chatting about it on social media and have done a "final week" blog post today:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2016/11/23/final-week-of-the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2016/

Link shared around on Twitter, FB, G+, Reddit, Telegram... Will write up a report at the end of the month.

Into the final week: 250 badges and 12 barnstars. Trying to get more barnstars from the TDF team...

I posted the final results here:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2016/12/01/month-of-libreoffice-november-2016-the-results/

Slightly down on badges since the last time, but more barnstars. Lots of likes and shares about the posts on social media, but still tough to get recipients to show off their badges.

For the next Month of LibreOffice, let's try some new ideas. I'll talk to Guilhem about single sign on, which may make it easier to award multiple badges to the same people. (Right now that's hard because contributors usually have different login names across different services.)

With some consolidation, we could offer more tangible prizes such as stickers -- not 277 of them, but maybe 50 for the people who contribute the most...

Started preparations for the next Month of LibreOffice campaign, due in May. I've asked on marketing-priv@ about possible budget provisions for tangible prizes instead of just images -- eg stickers we can post out to participants.

It looks like budget will be available for physical stickers. I'll make a more detailed proposal and run it by treasurer@tdf.

Budget has been approved for printing and posting physical stickers for the next Month of LibreOffice. I'll put up a blog post this week in preparation, and then the campaign can begin on Monday 1st of May.

May 2017 campaign started: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/05/01/may-2017-month-libreoffice-begins/

And first week update: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/05/01/may-2017-month-libreoffice-begins/

Printed stickers have been ordered.

Printed stickers have arrived, and over 200 have been awarded, with just under two weeks still to go:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/05/17/month-libreoffice-may-2017-printed-stickers/

This campaign finished, with 304 stickers being awarded:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/06/01/month-libreoffice-may-2017-results/

So far, 60 people have contacted me requesting their stickers. There's a lot of positivity around it -- many messages from people really looking forward to getting the sticker.

Florian Effenberger wrote:

When's the next month due, in November?

Yes, I think keeping the pattern of May and November makes sense (they're both relatively quiet months in the project, halfway between major releases).

The response to the stickers has been very positive. I'm encouraging winners to send me photos of the stickers on their hardware -- if I get enough responses, we can publicise this.

I've started planning the Month of LibreOffice for November 2017:

• Got marketing budget permission for sticker postage
• Exploring extra data sources to award stickers

I've started the November 2017 campaign:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/11/01/november-2017-month-libreoffice-begins/

Into the final week now:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/11/23/final-week-month-libreoffice-november-2017/

So far 256 stickers have been awarded, so I'm hoping it'll reach the 300 mark by the end.

November 2017 campaign has finished, with 312 stickers, 8 more than the last one:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2017/12/01/month-libreoffice-november-2017-results/

I'm collecting addresses now to post out the stickers to the winners.

All of the stickers were posted out, by the way.

Meanwhile, I'm going to make a "Thank you!" video for winners of the next campaign (in May). At FOSDEM, I'll go around with the camera and ask TDF team members, Board members and other people to just say a quick "Thank you" to the camera. Then I'll put all the clips together into a video for the end of the Month of LibreOffice.

Mike Saunders wrote:

Meanwhile, I'm going to make a "Thank you!" video for winners of the next campaign (in May). At FOSDEM, I'll go around with the camera and ask TDF team members, Board members and other people to just say a quick "Thank you" to the camera. Then I'll put all the clips together into a video for the end of the Month of LibreOffice.

So I got lots of videos at FOSDEM for this, various people saying "Thank you!", so I'll put them together into a single (short) video in preparation for the next Month of LibreOffice.

Started preparations for the May 2018 Month of LibreOffice, beginning with this blog post, that I'm spreading on social media:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/04/13/coming-up-the-month-of-libreoffice-may-2018/

I've created a promo video, to be posted on May 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtxUsbK_7l4

Some ideas for updates:

• Replace documentation cover with v6: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/File:LO6_GS_Cover_number_Fr.png
• Consider adding a mention of marketing, maybe with a flyer that we've created, eg https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/File:Poster_HH-Hackfest_2018-V1.png

Started for May 2018:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/05/02/the-may-2018-month-of-libreoffice-begins/#howtoget

Posted on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ communities, Reddit, Hacker News and Telegram.

First week is done: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/05/08/month-of-libreoffice-may-2018-the-first-week-in/

Another idea I'll implement: at the end of this month, I'll do a diff between sticker winners for May 2018 and November 2017, to see who's new, and give them an extra shout-out.

Into the final week now: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/05/24/final-week-of-the-month-of-libreoffice-may-2018/

Will prepare the special "thank you" video next week, and then make the list of new contributors.

So the May 2018 campaign has finished, and I've wrapped it up here, with the video:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/06/01/month-of-libreoffice-may-2018-the-results/

I'm collecting addresses now to post the stickers. I'll also do another blog post about stats next week, and give extra special credit to new contributors.

I've collected details about new/returning contributors (who weren't in the Months of LibreOffice 2017), and given them a shout out here – along with some background info on the stats:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/06/04/month-of-libreoffice-may-2018-a-look-at-the-numbers/

I'll now contact those new contributors individually.

So I contacted 60+ new winners, offering to post them stickers, and had a lot of positive feedback. Here's the final call for stickers for the May 2018 campaign:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/06/15/posting-stickers-for-the-month-of-libreoffice-dont-forget-to-claims-yours/

Started preparations for the November 2018 one:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/10/24/coming-up-the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2018/

This time I'm going to put special focus on new contributors, asking existing members of the community to spread the word. I'll also make a variant of our "4 ways you can get involved" infographic, especially focused on the Month of LibreOffice.

Heading towards the final week of this. I made an infographic as mentioned: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2018/11/08/month-of-libreoffice-november-2018-one-week-in/

Over 200 sticker packs have been awarded already, and I will target new sticker winners with personal emails at the end.

Florian Effenberger wrote:

Next one is in May IMHO

Correct. I'm already brainstorming some new approaches (what else we can award, who we can target). The last one had the most stickers ever, but we should take it even further.

We discussed this in the marketing call, and one idea is to offer some of the extra merchandise I recently got from the Papes. We can't post something big to every sticker winner, as the postage costs would be enormous, but we could select 10 - 20 sticker winners at random and send them something extra, like a mug.

So we can promote this idea from the start – we just need to be careful with the wording (it's not a competition prize, rather an extra free bonus).

I plan to post the blog entry in comment #64 on April 24, one week before the campaign starts. Meanwhile, some fun names for the tasks:

• Help to confirm bugs: Bug Basher, Bug Squasher
• Answer questions from users: Smile Maker, Problem Solver, Handy Helper
• Spread the word: Drum Beater, Rooftop Shouter
• Translate the interface: Terrific Translator, Word Wiz, Globetrotter
• Contribute code: Happy Hacker, Code Cruncher
• Write documentation: Docs Doctor

Update script and stickers page on the wiki created in preparation for the launch tomorrow: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Badges/2019-05

Blog post for tomorrow:

Starting today: the Month of LibreOffice, May 2019 - get cool merchandise!

LibreOffice is made by a community of developers and supporters around the world. This month, we want to say a big thanks to everyone who helps out - and encourage more people to join our friendly community as well! So how are we going to do this?

Well, everyone who contributes can claim an awesome sticker pack at the end of the month:

[pic of stickers]

And even better, we'll also choose 10 contributors at random to receive an exclusive glass LibreOffice mug:

[pic of mug]

How to take part

So, let's get started! There are many ways you can help out - and you don't need to be a developer. For instance, you can be a...

• Handy Helper, answering questions from users: over on Ask LibreOffice there are many users looking for help with the suite. We’re keeping an eye on that site so if you give someone useful advice, you can claim a shiny sticker.

• First Responder, helping to confirm new bug reports: go to our Bugzilla page and look for new bugs. If you can recreate one, add a comment like “CONFIRMED on Windows 10 and LibreOffice 6.2.3”. (Make sure you’re using the latest version of LibreOffice!)

• Drum Beater, spreading the word: tell everyone about LibreOffice on Twitter and Mastodon! Just say why you love it or what you’re using it for, add the #libreoffice hashtag, and at the end of the month you can claim a sticker. (We have a maximum of 100 stickers for this category, in case the whole internet starts tweeting!)

• Globetrotter, translating the user interface: LibreOffice is available in a wide range of languages, but its interface translations need to be kept up-to-date. Or maybe you want to translate the suite to a whole new language? Get involved here.

• Code Cruncher, contributing source code: The codebase is big, but there are lots of places to get involved with small jobs. See our Developers page on the website and this page on the wiki to get started. Once you’ve submitted a patch, if it gets merged we’ll send you a sticker!

• Docs Doctor, writing documentation: Another way to earn a badge is to help the LibreOffice documentation team. Whether you want to update the online help or add chapters to the handbooks, here’s where to start.

So there’s plenty to do! As the contributions come in, we'll be updating this page every day with usernames. So dive in, get involved and help make LibreOffice better for millions of people around the world – and enjoy your sticker as thanks from us. We’ll be posting regular updates on this blog and our Mastodon and Twitter accounts over the next four weeks!

Started: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2019/05/01/starting-today-the-month-of-libreoffice-may-2019-get-cool-merchandise/

147 sticker packs awarded so far. Some extra interest this time on social media -- people asking if they can still take part later in the month, and demand for the glass mugs!

I will post a half-way update next week (Weds 15).

When's the next Month of LibreOffice planned, in November? So we can adjust the due date accordingly :)

Florian Effenberger wrote:

When's the next Month of LibreOffice planned, in November? So we can adjust the due date accordingly :)

Correct, November, with glass mugs again - they were popular in May!

I've got preparations going for the November campaign:

https://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/marketing/msg11006.html

All prepared for November 2019 campaign: merchandise, bonus gifts (glass mugs), data sources, wiki page to track winners, and blog post. Also a banner thanks to Daniel Rodriguez: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/month_of_lo_nov19_banner.png

Started November 2019 campaign! https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2019/11/01/starting-today-the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2019-get-cool-swag/

Half-way update for the November 2019 campaign: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2019/11/16/month-of-libreoffice-november-2019-half-way-through/

Seen interest in the mugs on social media...

I'll start preparing the next Month of LibreOffice this week. This time, we have a special prize on offer: 10/20 hoodies!

Started for May 2020 – with extra merchandise that wasn't available in previous campaigns: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2020/05/01/starting-today-the-month-of-libreoffice-may-2020-get-cool-merchandise/

Half-way report posted on Friday:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2020/05/15/month-of-libreoffice-may-2020-two-weeks-in/

November campaign prepared: banner, blog post, wiki page, data sources etc. Ready to go on November 1.

Started:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2020/11/02/the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2020-begins-help-out-and-get-awesome-merch/

And posted half-way through:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2020/11/17/the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2020-half-way-through

Started for May 2021, focusing on new contributors: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2021/05/01/starting-today-the-month-of-libreoffice-may-2021/

Half-way point for May's campaign: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2021/05/17/month-of-libreoffice-may-2021-half-way-through/

Preparations for the upcoming November campaign, soliciting feedback from the marketing community:

https://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/marketing/2021/msg00107.html

November campaign started: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2021/11/01/the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2021-begins-join-in-and-get-cool-merch/

November winners announced:

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2021/12/07/winners-in-the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2021/

I'll contact the extra merch recipients personally, and thank them for their work.

November campaign started: https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2022/11/01/do-something-awesome-join-the-month-of-libreoffice-november-2022/