Our brand strategy lays out the factors that distinguish us from other institutions. The next step is to use this information to inform the way we talk about ourselves.
These verbal guidelines, including the brand narrative and voice and tone, should guide all messaging initiatives, and provide a cohesive direction for how school communicators should tell our story to the world.
Brand Narrative
The role of a narrative is to lay the foundation for writing in a distinct voice, as well as to inspire the messages we communicate going forward. The narrative is not marketing language and should not be referenced directly—rather, it should guide the spirit of future brand messaging. No matter who or what we’re writing about, our voice should stay true to the big idea encapsulated here.
It might sound like a bold statement to say—that a university’s every action revolves around the success of its students—but at Valdosta State University, we’ve delivered on that promise since 1906.
From one of the state’s top business schools to a thriving arts center, we provide nationally-acclaimed programs in a large number of disciplines—but it’s the deep and engaging educational experience we offer and the student-centered philosophy we live by that truly set us apart. Our unique and comprehensive mentorship program means we’re not just ‘here if you need us’—we’re proactive about our students’ success, from the first day of their university experience through their years as a proud alumni; and we recognize that successful career preparation means something different for each student.
The reason our approach is a little different is because our students are a little different. Valdosta State students believe not just in personal fulfilment, but in being the fuel for positive change—in their families, in the South Georgia community, and far beyond. We care so deeply about each and every student’s educational journey, not because we view ‘success’ as an end result, but because we know it doesn’t end with the student. Blazers arrive at Valdosta State hungry to learn and grow, and they leave us as happy, confident, passionate, independent citizens—not only prepared for their next phase in life, but ready and determined to better the world around them.
That’s a big responsibility—and we carry it proudly. Because at Valdosta State, we believe that education should empower and transform both us as individuals, and the people and places closest to us. It’s why we’re so invested in our students’ success—and it’s that special thing that sets Blazers apart.
Voice & Tone
Each story we tell should have both a clear purpose and an authentic tone that feels distinctively like Valdosta State University. A helpful first step for any communicator is to commit the personality words to memory as a reference. Then, use the following writing tips as a stylistic gauge.
- Be clear and concise.
The most effective messages are uncomplicated. Rather than getting hung up on academic language or marketing jargon, write clearly and in a straight-forward tone. - Know your audience.
The Valdosta State University brand will be communicated to lots of different audiences, with different needs and priorities. Before you start writing, know who it is you’re aiming to connect with, and make sure you’re speaking to them. - Make it all about “You.”
Use the second-person “you” or “your” to engage and motivate the reader. While everything you write will feel like it’s about us, in reality, it’s about them. - Be human.
Our students, faculty, and alumni are the best examples of the work we’re doing. Highlight their stories, their wins, and the challenges they face as part of the fabric of the Valdosta State University story. - Be relatable.
The level of humor in our messaging will vary depending on the message, audience, and medium (e.g., social media posts vs printed brochures); but where appropriate, don’t be afraid to have fun, and be relatable. After all, some experiences (like exam stress, or mixed emotions at graduation) are universal. - Provide a benefit.
What’s in it for the reader? If you can’t answer this question, it’s time to pause and reconsider the piece. - Back it up.
Our storytelling should feature relevant points of pride, statistics, testimonials, and emotion—but use them to support our messaging, not as a substitute for it. - Focus on impact.
We do lots of things differently, and better, than other institutions—but what’s most important is the impact this has on our students and our greater community. Demonstrate VSU’s relevance by communicating the results of our hard work. - Give the reader something to do.
Always provide a single, clear call to action. - Say one thing well.
Every Instagram post, pamphlet, headline, or blurb should have one distinct message. Get to the point and refrain from sending mixed messages, so that your audience knows how to act on the information you’re giving them.
Boilerplate
A boilerplate refers to an organization’s standard description that is used repeatedly without significant change. Traditionally, boilerplates would be included at the bottom of a press release or other media document; but you can also sometimes find them on a university or organization’s ‘About’ webpage.
Established in 1906, Valdosta State University is a public university in Valdosta, South Georgia, serving over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students in over 60 bachelor, associate, masters, and doctorate programs, from business to education and health sciences.
Located in the heart of Valdosta and just 16 miles from the Florida state line, Valdosta State students are within walking distance of the city and just a short drive away from the beach, as well as nearby cities Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Orlando, and all the industry, culture, internships and service opportunities they offer.
Known for its comprehensive academic advising program, Valdosta State prides itself on its individualized approach to education and its commitment to student success, consistently ranking as a top college for social mobility. Valdosta State students are driven, focused, and determined to use their success to impact and transform the South Georgia region and all the communities they touch.
Meta Description
A meta description is an attribute within your meta tags that helps to describe your web page. This snippet of text will often appear in search engine results under your web page title, though sometimes, search engines will pull a snippet of text from the main body copy of the page instead. A meta description should provide an overall, concise description of your institution, and encourage searchers to click through to the website for more information.
(155-160 character limit)
Located in sunny Valdosta, GA, our comprehensive programs and personalized approach give students the confidence to create their own unique success stories.
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Our comprehensive programs, spirited community and mentorship approach to education give students the confidence to create their own unique success stories.
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Elevator Pitch
The following is not “marketing speak.” Rather, the elevator pitch is presented in a casual tone designed for impromptu one-off conversations between faculty or staff and someone unfamiliar with the University.
At Valdosta State University, everything we do revolves around our students’ growth and success, because we know it stretches much further than the student.
From our picturesque campus in sunny Valdosta, South Georgia, we provide a unique mentorship model of education to over 12,000 students in 60+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Our students can participate in cutting-edge research projects and internships as early as their first year, and have access to all the resources and opportunities of a large university alongside the support and close-knit community of a small school. For those students who want to explore, the bustling cities of Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Orlando are just a short drive away, offering endless opportunities for connection and collaboration. Valdosta State University is intimately connected and committed to the beautiful South Georgia region, and our students use their individual success to contribute to their communities and lift up the people and places closest to them.
Brand Headlines
Brand headlines can be used in various tactics for Valdosta State University at the brand level. These are not “taglines”—rather, they’re succinct ways of expressing the brand that can serve as calls to action or copy on advertisements (billboards, digital ads, light pole banners), and are intended to demonstrate how the VSU brand messaging can be brought to life in various ways. These can be built out and updated over time as needed.
- South Georgia’s University.
- Every success story is an original.
- Helping students write their success stories for 100+ years.
- The journey to success is not a solo one.
- Mentorship for success.
- Blaze your own trail at Valdosta State.
- A community of trailblazers.
- Success is not one-size-fits-all.
- Ambitions, ignited. /
Ignite your ambition. - You’re an original.
So are we. - Education that energizes and empowers.
- Education should
energize | empower | uplift
Words in red can change/flash
from one to the other (for example in a digital ad) - Goals are personal. So should be your education.
- Individualized education
for collective impact. - Original’s in.
Audience-Specific Messaging
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We view every student as an original. Our dedicated faculty and mentorship approach to education allow students to explore their interests and take advantage of their unique passions and strengths.
Every Valdosta State student is provided with a professional advisor who provides guidance throughout a student’s college career, from deciding on the courses to take to creating a clear path to achieving their goals.
Each of our programs is developed with an experiential curriculum, to ensure students gain the practical and hands-on skills that will best serve them in their chosen careers.
With over 200 student clubs, as well as organizations like Blazer2Blazer and CORE Outdoors, Valdosta State students have countless opportunities to make connections, form friendships and gain leadership skills from the very beginning of their college journey.
Our location in the heart of Valdosta and just 16 miles from the Florida state line provides easy access to the coast, as well as nearby cities Atlanta, Jacksonville and Orlando; enriching the student experience both recreationally and academically.
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We recognize that study is just one part of your life. With flexible schedules and class times and a wide range of program options, Valdosta State provides students with the freedom to learn at their own pace.
We are experts at distance learning – in fact, we were recently named a Tier 1 School by Educate to Career for our ability to offer a quality education in any learning scenario; in the classroom, online, or a blend of formats.
Every Valdosta State student is provided with a professional advisor who provides guidance throughout a student’s college career, from deciding on which courses to take to creating a clear path to achieving their goals.
Each of our programs is developed with an experiential curriculum, to ensure students gain the practical and hands-on skills that will best serve them in their chosen careers.
We view every student as an original. Our dedicated faculty are always available to help, and our flexible approach allows students to explore their own interests and take advantage of their unique passions and strengths.
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Our students are supported on their academic journeys from day one. Every new Valdosta State student is provided with a professional advisor who provides guidance throughout a student’s college career, from deciding on which courses to take to creating a clear path to achieving their goals.
Our picturesque campus in the heart of Valdosta offers the perfect balance between comfort and safety, and connection and opportunity. Our location just 16 miles from the Florida state line provides easy access to the coast, as well as thriving nearby cities Atlanta, Jacksonville and Orlando.
Our mentorship approach to education and hands-on curriculum prepare our graduates to thrive in their chosen careers and become leaders in their communities, with 91% of VSU alumni who responded to a recent survey rating their university experience as good or excellent.
Through organizations like Blazer2Blazer and CORE Outdoors, Valdosta State students have countless opportunities to connect with their fellow Blazers, form friendships, and develop leadership skills from the very beginning of their college journey.
Valdosta State is committed to ensuring that students and parents obtain the financial aid necessary to pay for a quality college education. From grants and scholarships to loans and veteran education benefits, our Office of Financial Aid offers a wide variety of options for financial support.
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Our unique mentorship approach to education and hands-on curriculum give VSU students the confidence and depth of understanding to thrive in their college careers, and to create positive change in their relationships and communities.
Employers value VSU degrees, with our graduates having a reputation for being driven, determined, and active contributors to their workplaces and industries.
VSU students graduate committed to use their individual success to make a positive impact on the people and places closest to them. Valdosta State graduates contribute to their communities as doctors, nurses, educators, journalists, psychologists, political representatives and more.
Once a Blazer, always a Blazer. Our graduates become proud alumni who continue to connect through their shared history, pride, traditions, and support of the university and current Blazers.
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As South Georgia’s University, we are committed to the continued growth and development of the South Georgia region, and in strengthening our connection to the area through initiatives such as the Okenfenokee Swamp Park Alliance and the Center for South Georgia Regional Impact.
Recognized as a top-ranked university for social mobility, VSU continues to increase opportunity and drive economic growth in Valdosta and the surrounding area by making a quality education affordable and accessible.
Many of our proud VSU alumni remain in the South Georgia region and contribute to their communities as doctors, nurses, educators, journalists, psychologists, political representatives and more.
Employers value VSU degrees, with Valdosta State graduates having a reputation for being driven, determined, and active contributors to their workplaces and industries.
VSU’s Office of Professional and Community Education (PACE) enhances the quality of life in the region by providing educational, artistic, cultural, technological, and economic development activities and programs to the community.
Social Media Bios
At VSU, we offer comprehensive programs & a unique mentorship model of education, giving our students the confidence to create their own unique success stories.
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Our broad programs & mentorship model of education allow students to create their own success stories. Tag us & share what makes YOU a #VSUoriginal.
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ABOUT SECTION: Located in sunny Valdosta, GA, our spirited community and personalized approach give students the confidence to create their own unique success stories.
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GENERAL INFORMATION SECTION: Valdosta State University is a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, health sciences, education, criminal justice and more. Our unique student mentorship program and focus on individualized success mean our students benefit from a personalized education that honors each student’s originality and supports their unique strengths.
Located in vibrant Valdosta, Georgia – ranked as one of America’s Friendliest Cities, our picturesque, palm-studded campus is in the heart of the downtown district and just a short drive from shopping, hiking, rivers, and the beach – not to mention nearby cities Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Orlando. Whether you’re cheering on our national championship athletic teams, enjoying one of our regular student events like Fall Explosion, or forming connections through one of our 200+ student clubs, you’ll never be short of opportunities to connect and unwind with your fellow Blazers.
VSU students benefit from the connection, resources and opportunities of a large university, alongside the one-on-one attention and close-knit community of a small school. Pay us a visit and see how you can create your own VSU Original success story at Valdosta State.
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At VSU, we offer undergraduate and graduate programs in business, health sciences, education, criminal justice and more. Our unique mentorship approach to education provides our students with a personalized learning experience that honors their originality and supports their unique strengths.
Located in vibrant Valdosta, Georgia – ranked as one of America’s Friendliest Cities, our picturesque, palm-studded campus is in the heart of the downtown district and just a short drive from shopping, hiking, rivers, and the beach – not to mention nearby cities Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Orlando. Whether you’re cheering on our national championship athletic teams, enjoying one of our regular student events, or forming connections through one of our 200+ student clubs, you’ll never be short of opportunities to connect and unwind with your fellow Blazers.
VSU students benefit from the connection, resources and opportunities of a large university, alongside the one-on-one attention and close-knit community of a small school. Pay us a visit and see how you can create your own VSU Original success story at Valdosta State.
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Valdosta State University is a comprehensive public university serving over 12,000 students in 60+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Located in the vibrant city of Valdosta, GA, Valdosta State is intimately connected and committed to the beautiful South Georgia region. Our students live and learn on our beautiful campus in the heart of one of America’s Friendliest Cities, and enjoy easy access to the bustling cities of Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Orlando, along with all the culture, industry connections and opportunities they offer. Valdosta State students can participate in cutting-edge research and internships as early as their first year, enjoying all the resources of a large university alongside the faculty mentorship and close-knit community of a much smaller institution.
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