The Power of Will is about tenacity, determination, and resilience. How do we show that?
Miami Online Messaging Guide
THE STORY
How does Miami Online fit into the Power of Will story?
The Power of Will is about quiet confidence, optimism, and resolve. It’s about humans, what they can accomplish, and how they can help others. It’s about the people who embody Miami’s values, who work daily to understand more deeply and connect more meaningfully.
The students of Miami Online embody the Power of Will, furthering their education while balancing demanding family and work commitments. Our job is to support this journey, demonstrating Miami’s values by providing the knowledge, support, and connections today's students need.
The Power of Will is designed to empower and support, never to alienate or intimidate. When we tell someone they will accomplish great things at Miami, we’re saying it’s our purpose to help them accomplish great things. We provide the resources, opportunities, and support vital to meeting a wide range of goals.
Miami Online’s flexible, personalized approach empowers these students to meet and surpass their goals while earning a degree from a top-ranked university. Individualized attention gives each student the support they need to succeed and helps them feel part of a larger community — even from home.
THE HOW
When it's time to apply these concepts to real-world communications like emails, blogs, social media posts, etc., keep in mind the things that make your program unique. These will naturally fit with Miami's brand pillars and The Power of Will campaign.
Here are some prompts you can use if you're feeling stuck:
The Power of Will is empowering and never alienating. How do we help others live up to and exceed their potential?
The Power of Will is about Miami University as a community succeeding through confident action, intentional collaboration, and mutual support. How is our work demonstrating that approach?
THE APPLICATION
How do we take what makes Miami Online unique and blend it with Miami's messaging?
Brand Pillars + Your Pride Points + The Power of Will = Your Story
Find places where Miami University's brand pillars and your pride points intersect— and when possible, use The Power of Will as a creative framework to elevate your message and help strengthen the Miami University story. Practically speaking, seek out opportunities to build messages around the word "will," clearly communicating will as an empowering invitation brought to life through the powerful support and opportunities Miami University offers. Here are a few examples:
| Brand Pillar | Pride Point | Headline/Subhead | Example Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Understand Deeply | The quality/reputation of a Miami degree as a deciding factor for student choice. | You have the will, we have the way. Miami Online connects you with an Ivy League-quality degree on your schedule. | A Miami University degree is more accessible than ever thanks to Miami Online. You will work with the same faculty who teach on campus, in classes of the same size. We will remove boundaries of geography and schedule, freeing you to focus on what's important—your future. So you can answer the question "What will you achieve?" with "Everything I want." |
| Learn Broadly | Global perspective. | Online learning puts the world at your fingertips. Travel, work, and explore cultures through Miami Online. Want to understand the world? You will. | The power to change the world comes from the will to understand it. Miami Online's commitment to a global approach to education is just one avenue for you to deepen your understanding of the world, with opportunities to work or travel abroad while continuing your coursework. |
| Think Entrepreneurially | We help driven students find and create opportunities. | You will find a world of opportunities with Miami Online. And you will create even more. | Miami Online students in every discipline build an entrepreneurial mindset—an outlook that sees opportunity where others see obstacles. We will connect you with the personalized support and network you need, from our world-class faculty to career coaches, to build the future you want. |
| Serve Purposefully | Personal, flexible, accessible. | Miami Online's investment in you will open doors. | At Miami Online, we focus on access, flexibility, and personalized attention, clearing barriers and allowing you the freedom and tools to put your own will into action to build your career and impact your community. |
| Connect Intentionally | DEI focus and personalized attention. | Be seen. Be known. Belong. The Power of Will is yours with Miami Online. | Success requires determination and support. Nobody does it alone. At Miami Online, we provide personalized support and world-class services—including disability services and IT support—so that no student feels lost or anonymous. When you succeed, we all succeed. And you will with Miami. |
NOTE: These examples were not developed for a specific audience or channel. They are intended to be helpful guides to how you might integrate with The Power of Will and Miami University’s brand pillars with your own stories.
