- March 10th: Kyle Trudell, Culver.edu

March 10th Twitterview with Kyle Trudell
  E-Communications Director, Culver-Stockton College and the Moderator of the Design & Development Track

Here’s the transcript of the whole interview:

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel great ...let’s get started ... Kyle is the E-Communications Dir at Culver-Stockton College #eduweb

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel ...n this yr, he was chosen 2 b eduWeb’s Design n Development Track chair #eduweb

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel Kyle, why don’t u start by telling us how u got into your field? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf Sure. In HE for about 2.5 yrs now. I started out in print and sort of fell into the web in 95. The company I worked at became.. 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel we have followers in Florida joining us! #eduweb

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel Kyle n I are getting going with our twitterview, follow us #eduweb

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel have u been in hired ed for your whole career? #eduweb

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Sure. In HE for about 2.5 yrs now. I started out in print and sort of fell into the web in 95. The company I worked ... 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf Sure. In HE for about 2.5 yrs now. I started out in print and sort of fell into the web in 95. The company I worked at became

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel good to hear that you LOVE your work n HE; so let’s do a quick ? or 2 about your track this year #eduweb

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel if people want 2 present at #eduweb 4 the Design n Development track, what topics/ideas r u looking for? What is hot now? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb intersted in the web publishing. From there I also got into the cellular/telcom world

image  CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Everything from development for mobile devices and iphones, user gen media and social networking ... 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb ...To brand development, planning redesigns, assessment, and the list goes on. Very little on xml so far. 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb so from the proposals you’ve gotten n knowing that 3/19 is the deadline for accepting ideas, what is missing so far? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Works from social media to home grown interactive, mobile devices and iphones, user gen media

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I haven’t seen much on the technical aspects of UI or flash or even xml. Some technical lessons might be nice

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb ok, anyone “listening in” today n you’d like to present this year, look at Kyle’s ideas n submit http://bit.ly/cnG4ay

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel let’s move on 2 some of ur specialities-how do u design for multiple audiences (demographics, etc.) #eduweb

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Each of our deparmtents hav dif focuses. I start by asking them to give my the top 3 priorities

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb From there, I feel we can find out who is their primary audince. This allows a better marketing approach /focused design

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb so if ur working with student affairs, who have internal n external markets, how do u reach both w/ur design? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb We try to separate each message to each audience. If its a large message it may require pushing them to a sep page… 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb what simple approaches can u recommend 2 others in making your designs strong? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb using a prmo or ad. If the message is for all, I’ll use designs and phrasing for all. 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb My strongest designs are simple to read with high impact on one main focal point (cannot say it all at once)... 

image  eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb do u have microsites when u have different markets? How much input does your “client” have in the final design? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I also strive for as much interactivity as I can afford. It is making the most imopact. Even slide shows, ecards etc. 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb how receptive r your depts., academic/admin, 2 new ideas/technologies you suggest? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb We do have many sites with many people having input. I break it down to my own question / asnwer session. Then I listen

image  eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb how many people r in your office 2 help you create/mainting the dept. websites? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb and try to make sure I’ve addressed all their issues. But I work hard to make sure they undrstand what I am trying .. 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb to accomplish as a marketer. Our dep has been making headway in getting our internal audience’s buy in

image  eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb that’s so cool that u are approaching it from a marketing perspective; on the other hand, how do u work with IT? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I’m the main one doing the work/development. Our sports person maintains content, as do a couple of others (inhouse CMS) 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I’m lcky with out IT. My position was created, but as soon as I stepped on campus, I made sure they knew I needed them. 

image  eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb what do u find as the pros/cons of being a “one man show?” do u have support up the food chain?

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb glad to hear that u have a good relationship with IT; it’s critical for “both sides of the fence” to have a partnership

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb As long as I work ahead enough to give them notice. They do their best to keep me happy. I will help them as well

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I’m aggressiv on getting projcts done. So I’ve gottn great help because they rec that I’m in the middle of it. I actlly

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb let’s talk about differentiating your site from others; does this mean from other HE/peer institution sites?

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb am lucky in that I am now getting evn more support, since we recognize the value of the web. As acting Dir of Comm… 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I’m also in better communication with the leadership. So I hope to develop that more as well. I thnk schools today need

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb and really know that. If you can convince the leaders that you have relavent ideas and do-able ideas. They will lesten

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb yes, I agree with the leaders statement; most of the time, issues getting resolved come down to management

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Yes! I always look at what others are doing well. Then ask myself how can we make that our own. There’s definitely ... 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb choices to make. There’s so many great tools and so little time. pick the best ones that mk sens and go for it

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb On that. It might sound silly. But I made sure our team knew my exp prior to C-SC. Being vocal about skills helps people

image  eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb can u tell our “listeners” about a couple of tools that you LOVE? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb everyone know your best skills and good leaders will help you use them for their own good. Selling is in this biz too:>) 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I really like google anylitics and yes webtrends too. If you are looking for free stuff -google. use it 2 teach teamates

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb yes, HE is a biz too, although many don’t want to admit it

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb if you teach your team stats, they will give you more credibility

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb do u ever teach admin or faculty about google tools? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb From a designer side, go figure… Dreamweaver and Photoshop are great. They are both so in depth you can nevr learn all

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb I remember when I was in HE n submitted weekly stat reports 2 key offices; they would be thrilled n it helped our effort

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb and tons of free lesson on adobe.com! 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb let’s talk about 1 more item before the end of the interview at 2 pm ET

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Yes. but I try to decide depending on their level of internet comp. and the info they really need. 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb How do you develop a strategy for implementing online goals/projects? Can u share some pros/cons? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb It goes back to goal setting. I pick the goal and why I believe in it. Once I’ve sold that idea (w/approval)... 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb then I make sure I understand my assets. Tools, people power, target dates. Once I have my end result defined… 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb I put it all on an action item list with responsible people. Timelines/Ation lists help me see progress ,the goal line. 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb If ur like me and lov 2 see the outcome of a project, you’ll probably thrive doing it this way. Also I always mk sure

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb If ur like me and lov 2 see the outcome of a project, you’ll probably thrive doing it this way. Also I always mk sure

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel well, Kyle, we’re coming to an end of our time; what do u plan to speak about at the conf. this July? 

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Well I haven’t ran it by you but… I think a roundtable disc on creating interactivity with good examples might be fun

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb plus perhaps a little example of executing a tactic. Tell me what you think! :>) 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb sounds like a good idea; let’s talk soon about about it. Thank you Kyle n anyone else who tuned in today

image CSCchannel: @eduwebconf #eduweb Thanks so much to you and to the conference team. I am so excited and look forward to learning more from you all! 

image eduwebconf: @CSCchannel #eduweb The transcript of this interview will b eduwebconference.com website in 1 hr; submit prez ideas or come 2 conf in July!