Buzz creators for non-profits
Some of world’s most well-known brands are non-profits: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Special Olympics, Girl Scouts of America, even the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (you know, that heartbreaking commercial with Sarah McLachlan) and the list goes on. Our world heavily relies on non-profit organizations for their donations, charitable giving and selfless support.
A perfect example of this? The outpouring of support provided to the millions affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The devastation energized people across the world to act. From large, arranged mission trips to something as simple as a couple dollars donated to a charity that was sending money, supplies and aid to Haiti.
But a lot of the time, non-profits — regardless of their size — have little budget to work with because generally the dollars are used to support the cause. That being said, they do what they can with what they have. And just because they might not have a lot, a lot can be done — and positively impact a lot of people.
If you volunteer or work for a non-profit, below are some suggestions to generate buzz, stay top of mind and make a big impact with limited dollars.
- Capitalize on your “super fans.” Because non-profit organizations support such great causes, so many people become so passionate and dedicated to a particular cause. Capitalize on that. Encourage your brand ambassadors to carry the message of the organization out into the community. Word of mouth is one of the best forms of communication.
- Get more bang for your buck with bloggers. Never underestimate the power of a blogger. Now more than ever, consumers are reading blogs like they read traditional media. Be good to your local blogger.
- Communicate with your members, donors and even non-members. Communicate on a regular basis — not just for donations or during fundraising — to let them know where their money is going and how valuable they truly are.
- Value your members. Remind your members year round of the many benefits of being a member of your organization — not just a month before renewal hits.
- Pick one or two social media outlets and do them well. Social media can be very time consuming and overwhelming. Instead of trying to touch many outlets, pick one or two and really invest time in it. Post content, pictures, and information — but most importantly, interact with your audience.
- Hit the web. Everyday new tools, ideas and best practices are shared online through some great non-profit communities and blogs. One of my favorites is Beth’s Blog. You can find many more through Alltop.
Our world relies on non-profits. What does that mean to you? Get involved. Donate. Volunteer your time. Others are counting on us. To make a donation to the victims of Haiti, visit the Red Cross.
