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Image for event: From Insights to Impact

From Insights to Impact

How to Tell Brand Stories in News, Marketing, and Online

2025-07-09 11:30:00 2025-07-09 13:00:00 America/Chicago From Insights to Impact Do you have a story about your business or cause? We can help you share it! This four-part series teaches you how to use storytelling to connect with your community, build trust, and grow your reach. Main Library - Robeson Pavilion Room B

Wednesday, July 09
11:30am - 1:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-07-09 11:30:00 2025-07-09 13:00:00 America/Chicago From Insights to Impact Do you have a story about your business or cause? We can help you share it! This four-part series teaches you how to use storytelling to connect with your community, build trust, and grow your reach. Main Library - Robeson Pavilion Room B

Main Library

Robeson Pavilion Room B

Do you have a story about your business or cause? We can help you share it! This four-part series teaches you how to use storytelling to connect with your community, build trust, and grow your reach.

Part 1: Building Your Media Blueprint-Build a Press Kit for Targeted Journalists

In the first session of From Insights to Impact, attendees will learn the foundational steps of getting their story in front of the right people. This module focuses on identifying target media outlets, researching journalists and influencers aligned with your brand, and creating a strategic, segmented press list. We will also explore best practices for pitching, outreach timing, and securing interviews with journalists, podcasters, and content creators.

By the end of this session, attendees will have a customized media list and a clear plan for scheduling meaningful press opportunities.

No registration required; bring your lunch and your questions!


Course Overview: From Insights to Impact – How to Tell Brand Stories in News, Marketing, and Online

From Insights to Impact is a four-part course designed to help creatives, entrepreneurs, and communications professionals transform raw data and brand insights into powerful, resonant stories. From securing media coverage to crafting digital campaigns, this course provides a step-by-step roadmap for sharing your brand story across press, marketing, and online platforms. Each session builds toward a complete storytelling strategy—starting with the tactical work of building press lists and scheduling interviews, and ending with the strategic use of data to refine your message and maximize impact. Whether you’re promoting a product, a nonprofit, or a personal brand, From Insights to Impact equips you with the tools to be both the author and the amplifier of your story.


You’ll learn:
● The Steps of Research and Development for Storytelling and Public Engagement in Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising
● Accessible Technology/AI Tools to Plan, Create, Organize and Share Content for Television, Radio, Print, and Online Media Sources
● Using Public Relations and social media platforms to interpret data and manage relationships in real life and online.


About the presenter: Shannon McFarland is a publicist, investor, and inherent board member raised in central Illinois. A graduate of Urbana High School (c/o '05), Shannon is a seasoned communications professional with editorial experience across STEM, venture capital, sports, and Black classical music in major US markets. Upon graduating from Urbana High, Shannon played and coached volleyball at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA and received her masters in Recreation and Sport Management from Florida International University in Miami, FL, while working for the 2011-12 NBA Champions Miami Heat. Shannon was inducted into the Urbana Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015, and included in the News-Gazette Best of the Decade 2010-2020. 


Starting or growing your business? We can help. champaign.org/launch

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Business |

TAGS: | |

Main Library

librarian@champaign.org
Phone: 217-403-2000

Hours
We're closed Friday July 04 due to Independance Day
Mon, Jun 30 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 01 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 02 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jul 04 Closed
(Independance Day)
Sat, Jul 05 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 12:00PM to 6:00PM

About the branch

Our beautiful, state-of-the-art Main Library opened on January 6, 2008. You’ll find a wide variety of books, movies, and music, as well as free events for all ages. Looking for tech options? We offer free Wifi, dozens of public computers with internet access, and public meeting rooms.

Upcoming events

Thu, Jul 03, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jul 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 03, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Fri, Jul 04, All day

Sat, Jul 05, 11:00am - 11:45am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jul 05, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jul 05, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Mon, Jul 07, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 08, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jul 09, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room B

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
The Studio
This event is full

Thu, Jul 10, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jul 10, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Jul 10, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Thu, Jul 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 10, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Thu, Jul 10, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jul 11, 9:30am - 11:30am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jul 11, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Fri, Jul 11, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jul 11, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Sat, Jul 12, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Mon, Jul 14, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Mon, Jul 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
The Studio

Tue, Jul 15, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 15, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jul 15, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Tue, Jul 15, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)
This event is full

Tue, Jul 15, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jul 16, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jul 16, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room C

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Wed, Jul 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 17, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jul 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 17, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Thu, Jul 17, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jul 18, 9:30am - 11:30am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jul 18, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Fri, Jul 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jul 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Sat, Jul 19, 11:00am - 11:45am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jul 19, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jul 19, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sun, Jul 20, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Mon, Jul 21, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 22, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 22, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)
This event is full

Wed, Jul 23, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jul 23, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room C

Wed, Jul 23, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Wed, Jul 23, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 24, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 24, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Thu, Jul 24, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jul 25, 9:30am - 11:30am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jul 25, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Fri, Jul 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jul 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Sat, Jul 26, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Mon, Jul 28, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 29, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jul 29, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jul 29, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Tue, Jul 29, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)

Wed, Jul 30, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jul 30, 11:15am - 11:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jul 30, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room C

Wed, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 31, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jul 31, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room C

Thu, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jul 31, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Thu, Jul 31, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Aug 01, 9:30am - 11:30am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Aug 01, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Fri, Aug 01, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Aug 01, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Sat, Aug 02, 11:00am - 11:45am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Aug 02, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Aug 02, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B,Robeson Pavilion Room B