> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/engage/social-marketing-campaigns/create-a-social-marketing-campaign.md).

# Create a Social Marketing Campaign

Enter general information to create a new social marketing campaign in PEARS.

Begin a new social marketing campaign by entering the general information that defines your campaign's scope, topics, and implementation timeline.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** The red asterisk **\*** next to the heading of a field indicates that the field is required.
{% endhint %}

![Screenshot: A social marketing campaign detail page showing the saved Units, Crisis Impact, Program Areas, Action Plan, Reporting Periods, Sponsoring Agencies, Agency Description, and Stages of Planning & Implementation values beside the Progress panel](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-89f895bc39170430c4295fc1571b6189d604e58b%2Fsocial-marketing-campaign-create-form.png?alt=media)

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to Social Marketing Campaigns

Hover over the **Engage** menu in the top navigation bar and click **Social Marketing Campaigns**, then click the **Add** button on the list page.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter Campaign Name **\***

Type a descriptive name in the **Campaign name** field, for example "Pick a Better Snack". This name will appear in lists and reports throughout PEARS.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Program Areas **\***

Select one or more **Program areas** that the campaign supports.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Assign a Project **\***

Select the **Project name** this campaign falls under. This field is required when it is available. SNAP-Ed organizations that use intervention names also select an **Intervention** here, which is likewise required when the field is available.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Action Plans and Units **\***

Choose the **Action plans** this campaign supports. If the campaign is not tied to a plan, select **Not linked to an Action Plan**. Then choose the **Unit(s)** the campaign targets.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter Agency Information **\***

Enter how many local SNAP-Ed agencies are involved in this campaign, such as local health departments or sub-contractors. Do not count implementing agencies; in many cases this number is 0. If you enter a number greater than 0, list or describe those agencies in the field below. Organizations reporting under an Extension reporting period are asked about local Extension agencies instead.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Primary Topics **\***

Select all the primary topics that describe the focus of the campaign. If a topic is not listed, select **Other, please specify** and name it in **Other Topic**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Set Stages of Implementation **\***

Check every stage of planning and implementation you worked on during the current reporting year. At least one stage is required.

* **Planning (market & formative research)** -- The campaign is in the planning phase.
* **Developing (campaign materials design & consumer testing)** -- Campaign materials and strategies are being developed.
* **Implementing** -- The campaign is actively running.
* **Tracking & Evaluation** -- Campaign results are being tracked and evaluated.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Set Launch Date **\***

Select the **Campaign launch date**. This is the approximate date the campaign first launched or will launch.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Languages **\***

Choose the **Languages** in which the campaign will be delivered. English is selected by default. If a language is not listed, select **Other** and name it in **Please specify additional language(s)**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Define Campaign Scale **\***

Select the **Campaign scale**, the largest geographic unit used to plan the campaign, such as **ZIP Code**, **Census tract**, **Towns/cities**, **Counties/parishes/wards**, or **Entire State (all media markets)**. If you choose census tracts, ZIP codes, towns/cities, or counties, select the specific **Project areas** the campaign covers. If you choose schools, media markets, or **Other**, describe the areas to be covered by the campaign in the field that appears.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add Details and Attachments

Enter a brief description of the campaign in **Campaign details**, including the campaign's specific action-oriented message as well as any taglines or calls to action. Both this field and the **File Attachments** section below it are optional; use File Attachments for campaign materials, plans, or supporting documents.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save and Continue

Click **Save and continue** to save your general information and proceed to the [Collaborators](/engage/social-marketing-campaigns/collaborators.md) step, or click **Save** to save the record and open its detail page.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** Most fields on this page are required. The agency description is required whenever the number of agencies is greater than 0, and the **Campaign scale** option you choose determines whether you must select **Project areas** or describe the areas the campaign covers.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Select all applicable stages of implementation to accurately reflect the current status of your campaign. You can update these stages as the campaign progresses.
{% endhint %}