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Visit Ladonia Volunteer & Contributor Handbook

Welcome to the Visit Ladonia team! This handbook provides guidelines, standards, and expectations for anyone helping create or submit content for our website or social platforms. Our goal is to maintain a consistent, positive, and professional brand that promotes Ladonia as a welcoming place to visit, explore, and enjoy.

1. Our Mission

Visit Ladonia exists to:

  • Promote tourism and economic development in Ladonia, Texas.

  • Highlight local attractions, businesses, events, and natural beauty.

  • Support community pride and engagement.

  • Strengthen Ladonia’s identity within the region.

Every post, photo, or contribution should support at least one of these goals.

2. Brand Values

We promote Ladonia with a tone that is:

  • Friendly and approachable

  • Community-centered

  • Positive and solutions-oriented

  • Authentic and honest

  • Proud of Ladonia’s past, present, and future

We avoid negativity, criticism, divisive topics, and comparisons that diminish nearby towns.

3. What We Share

Content that fits these categories is typically approved:

A. Ladonia Events & Activities

  • City, Chamber, library, school, church, or nonprofit events

  • Seasonal celebrations, holiday events, parades

  • Markets, pop-ups, classes, workshops

B. Ladonia Businesses

  • Spotlights or profiles

  • New openings or expansions

  • Seasonal specials or visitor-friendly products

C. Outdoor & Nature Content

  • Lake Ralph Hall updates

  • Ladonia trails, grasslands, parks

  • Scenic photos or wildlife (with permission)

D. History & Culture

  • Historical buildings

  • Old photographs

  • Interesting facts or storytelling about the area

E. Visitor Information

  • Itineraries

  • Travel tips

  • “Top things to do” features

F. Regional Events (Limited)

We may share major regional events only if they:

  • Add value to someone visiting the Ladonia area,

  • Do not overshadow or compete with Ladonia events,

  • Support partnerships or cross-promotion.

Examples: county fairs, major concerts, holiday festivals.

4. What We Skip

The following should not be posted:

  • Political or controversial content

  • Crime, emergencies, or negative news (unless visitor access is affected)

  • Personal announcements or fundraisers

  • Daily specials or promotions from other towns

  • Memes or viral content without a clear Ladonia connection

  • Anything that shifts attention away from Ladonia

5. Content Submission Guidelines

To maintain quality and consistency, all submissions must follow these standards:

A. Photo Guidelines

  • High resolution preferred (1080px or wider)

  • No filters that dramatically alter the scene

  • Avoid blurry or dark images

  • Include the photographer’s name for credit

  • Confirm you have permission to share the image

B. Copy/Text Guidelines

  • Keep tone positive and welcoming

  • Use clear, simple language

  • Double-check spelling, names, and dates

  • If submitting an event, include: Who, What, When, Where, Cost, Link

C. Social Media Guidelines

  • Do not engage in arguments online

  • Keep all comments and replies polite and neutral

  • Direct sensitive issues to admin or city leadership

6. Posting Workflow

Depending on your role, follow the appropriate workflow:

Contributors

  • Submit photos, event information, or ideas through the approved submission form or email.

  • Include required details (date, time, description, location).

Volunteers with Posting Access

  • Use the Posting Policy and this handbook to determine if content fits.

  • Schedule or publish content as directed.

  • For Tier 2 or Tier 3 (regional) content, seek approval before posting.

Administrators

  • Review and approve regional content.

  • Manage partnerships and cross-promotions.

  • Oversee brand consistency.

7. Partnerships & Cross-Promotion

We collaborate with:

  • City of Ladonia

  • Chamber of Commerce

  • Local nonprofits and churches

  • Fannin County tourism partners (limited)

Partnership content should always highlight Ladonia’s connection or value.

8. Code of Conduct

All volunteers and contributors are expected to:

  • Be respectful and kind

  • Represent Ladonia positively

  • Avoid political bias or inflammatory discussions

  • Communicate promptly and clearly

  • Maintain confidentiality when required

Harassment or negative conduct may result in removal from the volunteer team.

9. Tools & Access

Volunteers may receive access to:

  • Social media scheduling tools

  • Shared photo folders

  • Submission forms

  • Posting templates

Do not share login credentials without permission.

10. Contact & Support

Have questions about what to post or how to contribute? Contact us and we’ll get back to you!

We’re grateful you’re part of the effort to help Ladonia grow, shine, and thrive!