Both industry
and the government gain from jointly producing and distributing consumer
booklets. For instance, when industry tries to get its message out, it reaches
a certain portion of the population. The same is true for the government. But
when they work together, the impact is greater than each working alone. The
costs are lower, the public perception is positive, and a broader variety of
information reaches consumers.
The benefits of cooperative publishing
include:
Combining business and government
views and experience on topics of mutual interest;
Building an educated
consumer/customer base;
Pooling staff time, expertise and
budgets;
Expanding distribution and
recognition through an increased number of media outlets, including the
Consumer Information Catalog and award-winning web site,
www.pueblo.gsa.gov;
Engaging in a positive partnership
with your federal/private sector counterpart;
Building consumer confidence in
your company, trade association or agency.
What Does The Federal Citizen Information Center
Have To Do With It?
The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) of the
U.S. General Services Administration assists federal agencies in the development,
promotion, and distribution of helpful consumer publications. FCIC has
developed an innovative cooperative publishing program that encourages
the federal government and the private sector, including foundations,
trade associations, and individual companies, to collaborate and create
timely consumer publications. To date, more than 180 publications have
been produced cooperatively for nationwide distribution by FCIC. Current
partners include American Express, MetLife, Kidde Safety, National Futures
Association, Prudential Insurance, American Council on Education and the
Toy Manufacturers of America.
FCIC seeks out cooperative opportunities
by contributing staff time and acting as matchmaker, project coordinator,
publicist, and distributor. FCIC provides a number of services without charge.
For example, FCIC:
Assigns a specific FCIC liaison
officer to work on your project;
Identifies partners for
cooperative ventures;
Provides editorial and design
assistance;
Lists publications in
approximately 4 million copies of each edition of the free, quarterly Consumer
Information Catalog;
Offers electronic access to
publications in .pdf, .html, and text formats on
www.pueblo.gsa.gov.
Markets publications through news
releases sent to more than 2,000 newsletters, weekly and daily newspapers,
magazines, wire services, and freelance writers;
Develops special promotions in
magazines such as Family Circle, Parade, Modern Maturity and U.S.
News and World Report;
Takes publication orders through
our toll-free call center and provides other call center services as
needed;
Informs the public through
live-copy scripts sent to approximately 2,000 radio and television
stations;
Gauges reader satisfaction through
publication evaluation surveys and follow up reports;
Provides publication distribution
reports and press clippings about your publications; and
Assures that the Government
Printing Office (GPO) distribution facility in Pueblo, Colorado fills consumers
orders in an efficient and timely manner.
How Much Will It Cost?
There are generally two costs to
consider--publishing and distribution. The cooperative partners share these
costs depending upon their respective resources.
Development and printing costs vary
according to the size of the manuscript, weight of paper, number of colors
used, etc.
Distribution costs include the postage,
handling, and warehousing of publications through the GPO Pueblo facility. FCIC
takes a "no frills" approach to distribution to keep costs extremely
competitive while meeting or exceeding industry standards for service. FCIC has
been authorized by Congress to accept funds from the private sector to cover
distribution costs.
FCIC uses these funds to pay GPO and does
not keep any funds received from the private sector or charge for any service
it provides other than publication distribution and specialized call center
services.
How Do I Know If My Booklet
Qualifies?
FCIC has established the following
guidelines for cooperative
publications in conjunction with the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals
in Business, the American Council on Consumer Interests, the National Institute
for Consumer Education, and the National Coalition for Consumer Education. The
publication must:
1. Receive the endorsement of the
appropriate federal agency;
2. Indicate clearly that it is a joint
government/industry effort;
3. Be an unbiased, objective presentation
with clear labeling of industry or government positions whenever
present;
4. Be free of advertising or promotional
messages;
5. Include permission for reproduction in
whole or part by educational and non-profit groups.
For more information on creating
cooperative publications, read the
Consumer Education and
Information: Guidelines for Business - Sponsored Materials. (A
.pdf version is also
available)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have an idea for a cooperative
booklet or would just like to learn more, call Mary Levy, Director of
FCICs Federal Agency Services, at (202) 501-1794 (mary.levy@gsa.gov). You
may also contact FCIC's staff of agency liaison officers who represent more
than 50 federal agencies and departments. The liaison officers will be glad to
discuss ideas and potential cosponsors for a publication project with
you.
Updated March
2001 |