40. Register with your Local Volunteer Centre
The key to successful marketing is sending the right message, to the right people, at the right time. If you’re trying to market for more volunteers, then the Volunteer Centre can send that message on your behalf. Better still, they will be sending the message to people who are actually interested in what you have to offer. You can find contact details for your local Volunteer Centre at www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/contacts/regional.php
Showing posts with label Toolbox Tuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toolbox Tuesday. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Stage a Publicity Stunt
39. Stage a Publicity Stunt
Nothing says publicity like a crazy stunt which starts people talking. I’m not suggesting your publicity stunt has to be dangerous or offensive, just something a little brave or clever. The best stunts are those that people can easily relate back to your organisation such as:
A kilometre of bras tied together along a public walkway (Breast Cancer Support)
An attempt at the Worlds Biggest Painting (Arts and Education Centre)
Living in a Cardboard Box for a Weekend (Fight Poverty Campaigns)
Nothing says publicity like a crazy stunt which starts people talking. I’m not suggesting your publicity stunt has to be dangerous or offensive, just something a little brave or clever. The best stunts are those that people can easily relate back to your organisation such as:
A kilometre of bras tied together along a public walkway (Breast Cancer Support)
An attempt at the Worlds Biggest Painting (Arts and Education Centre)
Living in a Cardboard Box for a Weekend (Fight Poverty Campaigns)
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Collaborate on Advertising
38. Collaborate on Advertising
Advertising of any sort can be expensive, but by collaborating with like-minded organisations you can lessen the expense and increase the impact. Consider joining with other organisations to produce a newspaper feature on an issue which you all relate to. The editorial can be generic to raise awareness of the cause, and each organisation can be represented by a small advertisement on the same page.
Advertising of any sort can be expensive, but by collaborating with like-minded organisations you can lessen the expense and increase the impact. Consider joining with other organisations to produce a newspaper feature on an issue which you all relate to. The editorial can be generic to raise awareness of the cause, and each organisation can be represented by a small advertisement on the same page.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Get on TV
37. Get on TV
Whether it’s a short mention during the weather broadcast, a roving reporter or a fully fledged story on a current affairs show, there are lots of opportunities to get your organisation on television.
The easiest way is to contact various shows is via their network websites. Simply click on the show you are interested in and follow the contact details from there. If the show you are looking for is not listed on the home page or it is currently off-air, you can find it under ‘all listings’.
New Zealand also has 14 regional television stations which are always looking for local stories.
Whether it’s a short mention during the weather broadcast, a roving reporter or a fully fledged story on a current affairs show, there are lots of opportunities to get your organisation on television.
The easiest way is to contact various shows is via their network websites. Simply click on the show you are interested in and follow the contact details from there. If the show you are looking for is not listed on the home page or it is currently off-air, you can find it under ‘all listings’.
New Zealand also has 14 regional television stations which are always looking for local stories.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Community Notices
36. Use Community Notices
Whether it’s Community Notices on the radio or in the newspaper, both are free and effective. To make them really work, choose just one key message you want to get across, and then give your audience a phone number and a website they can visit for more information. Remember, you can use Community Notices for more than promoting your events. You can use them to market for volunteers and donations as well.
Whether it’s Community Notices on the radio or in the newspaper, both are free and effective. To make them really work, choose just one key message you want to get across, and then give your audience a phone number and a website they can visit for more information. Remember, you can use Community Notices for more than promoting your events. You can use them to market for volunteers and donations as well.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Send Thank You's
35. Send Thank You’s
The definition of marketing is ‘the total sum of activities required to make a sale’ and in the non-profit sector that ‘sale’ could be soliciting a donation, securing sponsorship, recruiting a volunteer or signing up a new member. While a ‘Thank You’ obviously comes after the first ‘sale’ has been made, it is an important marketing step towards securing a second one. Why waste time, energy and money looking for new supporters, when you can grow you current relationships with some genuine acknowledgement?
The definition of marketing is ‘the total sum of activities required to make a sale’ and in the non-profit sector that ‘sale’ could be soliciting a donation, securing sponsorship, recruiting a volunteer or signing up a new member. While a ‘Thank You’ obviously comes after the first ‘sale’ has been made, it is an important marketing step towards securing a second one. Why waste time, energy and money looking for new supporters, when you can grow you current relationships with some genuine acknowledgement?
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Traditional Fundraising Events
34. Run Traditional Fundraising Events
Often I hear people complaining that there’s no point hosting a fundraising event because they make little money for a lot of effort. While in some cases that may be true, fundraising events are not just about the dollars. Running an event is a great way to get some publicity and engage face-to-face with potential supporters. It also shows the public you are prepared to ‘roll up your sleeves’ and are a looking for a hand-UP not a hand-OUT.
Often I hear people complaining that there’s no point hosting a fundraising event because they make little money for a lot of effort. While in some cases that may be true, fundraising events are not just about the dollars. Running an event is a great way to get some publicity and engage face-to-face with potential supporters. It also shows the public you are prepared to ‘roll up your sleeves’ and are a looking for a hand-UP not a hand-OUT.
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Talk with Your Team
33. Talk with Your Team
When it comes to marketing your organisation, it is important that your whole team provides a consistent message. Make sure everyone can accurately describe your mission statement and the services you provide.
Provide clear guidelines about who can speak with the media, and what can and can not be discussed. Create a frequently asked questions sheet, so that everyone can answer the basics about your organisation in the same way. This is the simplest and most important thing you can do.
When it comes to marketing your organisation, it is important that your whole team provides a consistent message. Make sure everyone can accurately describe your mission statement and the services you provide.
Provide clear guidelines about who can speak with the media, and what can and can not be discussed. Create a frequently asked questions sheet, so that everyone can answer the basics about your organisation in the same way. This is the simplest and most important thing you can do.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Info Stand at Community Events
32. Have an Information Stand at Community Events
If you can’t hold your own Open Day, at the very least have an information stand at someone else’s event. If possible provide some demonstrations throughout the day, with plenty of good signage so people know who you are and what you do. Make sure you have a sign-up sheet for people interested in receiving your newsletter or getting more information.
If you can’t hold your own Open Day, at the very least have an information stand at someone else’s event. If possible provide some demonstrations throughout the day, with plenty of good signage so people know who you are and what you do. Make sure you have a sign-up sheet for people interested in receiving your newsletter or getting more information.
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Host an Open Day
31. Host an Open Day
It’s one thing to tell people what your organisation does, bit it’s a completely different thing to actually show them. Hosting an Open Day allows potential clients or members to get a taste of what you can offer, and it gives potential supporters or sponsors a chance to see you in action.
For an Open Day to be truly successful you will need plenty of well-informed volunteers on hand to answer questions and lots of information brochures for people to take away. Make sure you include a range of demonstrations related to your organisation, and some hands-on activities so people can truly get involved.
It’s one thing to tell people what your organisation does, bit it’s a completely different thing to actually show them. Hosting an Open Day allows potential clients or members to get a taste of what you can offer, and it gives potential supporters or sponsors a chance to see you in action.
For an Open Day to be truly successful you will need plenty of well-informed volunteers on hand to answer questions and lots of information brochures for people to take away. Make sure you include a range of demonstrations related to your organisation, and some hands-on activities so people can truly get involved.
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Develop an Effective Brochure
30. Develop an Effective Brochure
The problem with brochures is that people feel compelled to use every last one in the pile, even if they are out-ofdate or tatty looking. Regardless of how much you paid to get them printed, they are worthless if the information does not truly reflect your organisation. Read through the promotional brochures you have on hand, and if they are out-of-date, toss them and develop a new one.
The problem with brochures is that people feel compelled to use every last one in the pile, even if they are out-ofdate or tatty looking. Regardless of how much you paid to get them printed, they are worthless if the information does not truly reflect your organisation. Read through the promotional brochures you have on hand, and if they are out-of-date, toss them and develop a new one.
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Send Personal Updates
29. Send Personal Updates
Within your organisation you will have people who support you in various ways and to various degrees. Generally speaking, the more personal your relationship with a supporter, the more generous they will be with their support.
Make a habit of going through your supporters list and identifying people you could build a stronger relationship with. Start by sending them personal updates, instead of (or as well as) the mass marketed newsletter. Make them feel like they are one of the chosen few, and they will return the favour.
Within your organisation you will have people who support you in various ways and to various degrees. Generally speaking, the more personal your relationship with a supporter, the more generous they will be with their support.
Make a habit of going through your supporters list and identifying people you could build a stronger relationship with. Start by sending them personal updates, instead of (or as well as) the mass marketed newsletter. Make them feel like they are one of the chosen few, and they will return the favour.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Join a Non-Profit Networking Group
28. Join a Non-Profit Networking Group
If a business networking group is where you meet potential sponsors, a non-profit networking group is where you meet supporters. Getting to know other people in your sector allows you to share ideas and resources, as well as spread the word about specific projects or programmes you are running.
Try not to see other non-profit groups as your competition – they are in fact your allies – and by working together you can increase the profile and level of support for everyone involved.
If a business networking group is where you meet potential sponsors, a non-profit networking group is where you meet supporters. Getting to know other people in your sector allows you to share ideas and resources, as well as spread the word about specific projects or programmes you are running.
Try not to see other non-profit groups as your competition – they are in fact your allies – and by working together you can increase the profile and level of support for everyone involved.
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Toolbox Tuesday - Enter Competitions
27. Enter Competitions
Entering competitions is different to entering awards, in that competitions are more about gaining public support than necessarily ‘being the best’. Competitions are a great way to rally your supporters and encourage them to find more support amongst their family and friends. It’s amazing how much your supporters will talk if they have something specific to talk about!
Silly radio competitions like ‘toss the boss’ definitely generate publicity, as do more serious competitions such as the monthly giveaway from Sovereign Sunshine. For more information on how you could win money and generate publicity with Sovereign Sunshine, visit www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz .
Entering competitions is different to entering awards, in that competitions are more about gaining public support than necessarily ‘being the best’. Competitions are a great way to rally your supporters and encourage them to find more support amongst their family and friends. It’s amazing how much your supporters will talk if they have something specific to talk about!
Silly radio competitions like ‘toss the boss’ definitely generate publicity, as do more serious competitions such as the monthly giveaway from Sovereign Sunshine. For more information on how you could win money and generate publicity with Sovereign Sunshine, visit www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz .
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Toolbox Tuesday - Send Regular E-Letters
26. Send Regular E-Letters
Sending regular e-letters (email newsletters) costs you nothing other than your time, but if you want to make them effective, you need to keep them short and to the point. If an e-letter is too long, it simply won’t be read.
With that in mind, it is better to send frequent e-letters which focus on just one or two things, rather than saving it all up for a massive email once every few months. Make sure the information you are sending is new, relevant and gives the reader a ‘call to action’ – that is, after reading the e-letter what do you want them to do?
Make sure you have permission to email the recipients and give them the option to unsubscribe.
Sending regular e-letters (email newsletters) costs you nothing other than your time, but if you want to make them effective, you need to keep them short and to the point. If an e-letter is too long, it simply won’t be read.
With that in mind, it is better to send frequent e-letters which focus on just one or two things, rather than saving it all up for a massive email once every few months. Make sure the information you are sending is new, relevant and gives the reader a ‘call to action’ – that is, after reading the e-letter what do you want them to do?
Make sure you have permission to email the recipients and give them the option to unsubscribe.
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Toolbox Tuesday - Write Articles for Other Peoples Websites
25. Write Articles for Other Peoples Websites
Increasingly the internet is becoming the first place people go for advice. It doesn't matter whether they want to know how to lower their cholesterol, manage their troublesome teen, or bake on a budget – chances are the internet is the first place they will search.
Writing ‘how-to’ articles about the issues that affect your potential members and clients, is a good way to be seen on the net. Once they have read your expert advice, they can click through to discover all the other ways you can help.
Increasingly the internet is becoming the first place people go for advice. It doesn't matter whether they want to know how to lower their cholesterol, manage their troublesome teen, or bake on a budget – chances are the internet is the first place they will search.
Writing ‘how-to’ articles about the issues that affect your potential members and clients, is a good way to be seen on the net. Once they have read your expert advice, they can click through to discover all the other ways you can help.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Toolbox Tuesday - Get Profiled in a National Magazine
24. Get Profiled in a National Magazine
The community sector is full of inspirational and outright incredible stories – many of which we take for granted because we see or work amongst them everyday. However for those who are not a part of the community sector, these stories of courage, hope and inspiration and truly magical moments.
Getting these stories into a national magazine is a great way to raise the profile of your organisation and shine the spotlight on the work that you do within your communities. You don’t necessarily have to be a journalist or PR agent to make this happen, and you don’t necessarily need to employ one either!
The community sector is full of inspirational and outright incredible stories – many of which we take for granted because we see or work amongst them everyday. However for those who are not a part of the community sector, these stories of courage, hope and inspiration and truly magical moments.
Getting these stories into a national magazine is a great way to raise the profile of your organisation and shine the spotlight on the work that you do within your communities. You don’t necessarily have to be a journalist or PR agent to make this happen, and you don’t necessarily need to employ one either!
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Toolbox Tuesday - Register with an Online Fundraising Site
23. Register with an Online Fundraising Site
Online fundraising sites allow you to create your own promotional page about your organisation, and the specific project you are raising money for. You can add photographs and blogs to truly engage people in your cause, and people can make donations to you via the site. Creating a fundraising page is free, but the website owners take a 5% administration fee for any money raised.
The plus side of using an online fundraising site is that you reach people you may not ordinarily reach. There are two great fundraising sites in New Zealand, and both are very pro-active in promoting the organisations that use them. Check them out at www.givealittle.co.nz and www.fundraiseonline.co.nz .
Online fundraising sites allow you to create your own promotional page about your organisation, and the specific project you are raising money for. You can add photographs and blogs to truly engage people in your cause, and people can make donations to you via the site. Creating a fundraising page is free, but the website owners take a 5% administration fee for any money raised.
The plus side of using an online fundraising site is that you reach people you may not ordinarily reach. There are two great fundraising sites in New Zealand, and both are very pro-active in promoting the organisations that use them. Check them out at www.givealittle.co.nz and www.fundraiseonline.co.nz .
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Toolbox Tuesday - Use Your Testimonials
22. Use Your Testimonials
It’s one thing for you to tell people how great you are, but it’s a whole lot more valuable if someone else does it for you. Gather testimonials from your volunteers about how much fun it is to be involved with your organisation, ask clients or past clients to share how much they have benefited from your service, and encourage sponsors to give feedback about their involvement also. Once you have them, use them on every piece of marketing material you have. Leaving them in the office drawer is a waste of time and space!
It’s one thing for you to tell people how great you are, but it’s a whole lot more valuable if someone else does it for you. Gather testimonials from your volunteers about how much fun it is to be involved with your organisation, ask clients or past clients to share how much they have benefited from your service, and encourage sponsors to give feedback about their involvement also. Once you have them, use them on every piece of marketing material you have. Leaving them in the office drawer is a waste of time and space!
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Toolbox Tuesday - Tell Your Citizens Advice Bureau
21. Tell Your Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau is still one of the first places people call when they need information – especially if they are new to town. Make sure the Citizens Advice Bureau has a brochure about your organisation, including details of how people can get in touch with you directly. If you do not have an office, make sure the personal contact details remain up-to-date as positions change.
The Citizens Advice Bureau is still one of the first places people call when they need information – especially if they are new to town. Make sure the Citizens Advice Bureau has a brochure about your organisation, including details of how people can get in touch with you directly. If you do not have an office, make sure the personal contact details remain up-to-date as positions change.
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