Leo, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond! Your input is very helpful. The “Riding through History” exhibit looks awesome (just googled it). Do you have any specific examples of language you used when posting on Facebook, when reaching out to targeted campaign offices, press releases, etc.? Also, RAGBRAI sounds really cool! I’ve never been to Iowa, but that may be a good excuse to make it up there sometime. Thanks! Michelle From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Landis, Leo Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2017 11:58 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Asking for Collections Loans/Donations Dear Michelle and List, When we launched our "Riding Through History" exhibit on bicycling in Iowa at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in 2013 we partnered with the Des Moines Register newspaper to promote a small collecting initiative. We did that because one of Iowa's and the nation's best-known recreational bicycle rides is RAGBRAI*, a weeklong ride across Iowa that attracts 20,000+ (not a typo) bicyclists. It is sponsored by the Des Moines Register. The RAGBRAI Facebook (FB) page had over 40,000 followers in 2013. I developed a list of targeted artifacts, about 15-20 general types, and we asked the RAGBRAI FB administrators to make a post. We got a great response and it helped fill some important gaps. By letting the FB group know the sorts of items we wanted it gave the collecting project focus and reduced the offers of unneeded items. I also have done targeted collecting related to the Iowa Caucus. I have reached out to campaign offices and political parties and had pretty good success. I'd suggest you reach out to your state's political parties and ask them to do a FB post where you list any specific messages or candidates you want to collect. I've used private messages through Facebook when I saw an item of interest at an event. 1. Develop a list of any specific shirts you want. 2. List general types you would also consider. 3. Create a FB post on your page and tweet it to your followers. 4. Ask relevant partners to share it and also do their own e-mail blast. 5. Blast it to your own e-mail list. 6. Send out a press release, too. Sincerely, Leo Landis *RAGBRAI stands for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It is the nation's largest, longest and oldest touring bicycle event. It began in 1973 and takes a new route over 7 days and about 400 miles every year. I've ridden the full ride twice. Leo Landis State Curator, State Historical Society of Iowa Museum Curator, State Historical Museum [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | 515.281.4006 | iowaculture.gov<http://www.iowahistory.org/> Iowa Arts Council | Produce Iowa | State Historical Society of Iowa Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Share your stories using #iowahistory ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).