Your guide to being the best MnD Director that HackRU has to offer.
MIT
HackRU Marketing and Design Directors' Guide
Hello! 👋
Firstly, congratulations on becoming MnD director! Being a director here at HackRU involves a lot of responsibilities, but I can assure you that it'll all pay off in the end. There is no better feeling, especially on this team, to see the fruits of your labor come to life during the hackathon. Whether you're doing this to see the smiles on hackers' faces while they code up the next Google, or to learn about how such a big student-run event is run, or to extend your leadership and communication skills within your arsenal, being a director has its perks. Let's get started!
About this guide 📔
I've written this guide so that you, as a new director, will not get overwhelmed about the tasks and duties that are expected of you throughout the semester. This guide is sectioned chronologically in respect to the begin date of the next HackRU, with miscellaneous tips and tricks scattered throughout. Think of it as a schedule you should aim to follow so that everything gets done in a timely manner. Of course, no guide is perfect, and this one isn't an exception. Some things and responsibilities will be missing from this guide (as the semester progresses, new ideas and thoughts for MnD will arise that will incur extra duties) so it's good to give yourself some leeway. Furthermore, this guide is ever-changing, as we learn more every semester and improve upon past mistakes. Feel free to note down anything you'd like to add to this guide and submit a pull request, or simply make a copy of this repo, add your suggestions, and pass it down to the next generation of MnD directors!
Overview 🔮
Here's a general overview of what should be done as HackRU draws closer. Each of the suggested deadlines are respective to the beginning date of your current semester. For example, if you're currently planning for a Fall-semester HackRU (which traditionally begins mid-October), then 2 weeks before launch places the task due at the beginning of October. Use these deadlines to plan your own specific due dates for your team and organizers.
Time Before Launch
Things to Do/Have Done
3 months
Select a theme for this semester
Decide on the color scheme
Launch splash page with RnD
Create a sponsorship document with Finance team
Reach out to interested MnD applicants to be a part of the team
Create square icon using HackRU logo with color scheme
Create social media cover pictures with color scheme (and theme)
2.5 months
Finalize registration website with RnD; replace splash page with registration
Send out emails to subscribers about registration open
Advertise on all social media about registration open
Collect any marketing or design needs from other teams
Begin having MnD team meetings
Brainstorm the first marketing campaign(s)
Change social media logos and covers with updated designs
2 months
Begin brainstorming and delegating design tasks
Execute first marketing campaign(s)
Have further MnD meetings and brainstorm rest of marketing campaigns
Make a budget with Finance
Decide on quantity of swag to buy
Begin reaching out to (approved) apparel vendors for quotes