A Cost-effective Approach : Marketing For Charities And Non-profits
For charities and non-profit organizations, great marketing is essential. Especially as they first start out, many organizations struggle to find donors in order to achieve their goals. Marketing themselves effectively, in this case, is really the only way they can succeed.
Even though as a non-profit, you don’t have a lot of money to spend on marketing strategies, you need to at least invest some of it – as this will help you attract more benefactors. After all, donors need to be aware of your organization before they make a pledge. The key is to create an amazing but cost-effective campaign.
Smart Budget – Smart Research
First, you need to determine how much money you can spend on your campaign in order to get your first donations. Try to be smart here, and invest enough to earn you some steady influx of donations. If you try to spend very little, it might not yield the results you are hoping for.
The other thing you need to pay attention to is doing good research regarding your target audience. Try and appeal to people who might be interested in your cause, who have already contributed to similar causes, or who might have a personal stake in your success.
Sponsorships and Partnerships
Many charities look for sponsors or partners to help them stay afloat and to get things going. There are many companies that allocate a part of their yearly budget to sponsoring good causes. For them, this is a great way to show their charitable side and to market their company at charitable events.
Another way to find sponsors is to turn to celebrities. While it might be very difficult to attract the attention of an A-lister, you can certainly try to get on the radar of as many well-known people as possible. Again, look for someone who is interested in championing your particular cause. If you are into clean energy, don’t try to net someone who is more interested in animal welfare.
Online Marketing
The best thing you can do for your charity is to be present online. Not only is it cost-effective, but it’s also the fastest way to reach your donators.
Start by being present on social media. Choose the networks that would most likely appeal to your target audience, and establish a presence there. Don’t solicit for money with each post – you need to get people to identify and feel for you cause, not just reach into their wallet. Using paid ads will also help you get that initial traffic.
Running a blog that highlights how your efforts are making a difference will also help your online presence, and allow future donors to see where their money is being put to use.
You should also be present on different community websites, and try to reach online stakeholders that can help you further your message.
Hosting a Fundraising Event
Finally, hosting a fundraising event is where you can acquire the largest amount of donations. If you host an interesting event, you are more likely to attract checks. Try to figure out what type of event your donor base might enjoy. A themed event, like the ones hosted by Fundraising Events, might be the right blend.
A fundraiser does not have to be a highbrow affair limited by black ties. You can easily host something for a younger and less serious crowd, or a laidback brunch even. The key is to know whom you are appealing to, and what buttons to push to get them invested.
In Conclusion
When making a marketing campaign for a charity, the important thing is to keep your eyes on the prize. Even though your campaign might not be the most expensive one, it can yield the results you need. Focus your campaign on the cause and all the ways your charity can make the world a better place.