Did someone say FREE publicity? - Part 2
[480 words]
As I pointed out last month, donors
first need to know you exist. So how do you build awareness of your wonderful mission without busting your budget? EVERYONE
constantly promotes.
Speak Out
Join clubs and
organizations. Share through speaking the valuable business, leadership, and human relations experience you've acquired over the years
that any business benefits from.
If you're afraid of public speaking - conquer
it. Join Toastmasters International and get comfortable in front of people: http://www.Toastmasters.org/find. And if your skills are already quite advanced, another great speaking and
networking opportunity is http://www.BillGoveSpeechClub.com
Just don't pitch your organization from stage
unless you've been given a clear green light to do so. Many of these groups are rather strict on this. But you'll still be
generating awareness and free publicity.
Your introduction (that you write for the host) will
mention what you do and who you represent. And it may be appropriate to include an example or story from your work during your talk. You
will make contacts and spread the word.
Op-Ed
This is an opinion article (i.e., essay or
guest column), written by anyone outside of the newspaper or magazine, and it appears on the page opposite the publication's
editorial. There's lots of competition for this space, so keep your eye on current national and area events. Comment on
anything with a connection to your mission.
Here are a few tips to get your article noticed by the editor:
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Will it cause readers to say, "Hey! Did you read 'xyz' yesterday?"
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Will it generate any discussion in the community?
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Can you share a local story about a person or family you helped; or could have helped if
they had just known about your mission?
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Have it signed by the most notable person you can get. A prominent
supporter outside your organization can even sign it.
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Do not blatantly promote your
nonprofit or an upcoming event you're planning. It's extremely unlikely it will get published.
Here's a resource: http://www.WonderVoice.com. Send your article to them and they can distribute it
among 500 newspapers and publications as you wish.
More Possibilities
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Free interview on a radio station. Make it easy for them with a
press release and typed questions to ask you.
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Anyone on your staff could contact their college/university
alumni office. Request space for a brief article in the alumni publication. It's also an opportunity for
the school to feature something wonderful a graduate is doing.
I believe you'll be thrilled with the rewards of
your efforts . . . A growing number of people who know and understand the value of your mission. And more
donations coming your way as your list grows. As always, outsource what you're not an expert in
yourself.
Do something weekly to promote your nonprofit
organization. It's analogous to caring for a plant - it needs regular watering and feeding to be healthy and growing.
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Just for fun - a quote for
you
"No person was ever honored for what they
received. Honor has been the reward for what they gave." (Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, Former
President of the United States)
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Hot Tip of the Month - Happy St. Valentine's
Day [287 words]
Okay. Maybe this isn't exactly a
"Hot
Tip" unless you forgot the big day is tomorrow! But there's still time to get
something for your sweetheart. And for the curious here's a brief history on the origin of this holiday (source: http://www.americancatholic.org/).
"The historical record on Saint Valentine is
murky. There are legends he was a priest in the Roman Empire who helped persecuted Christians; a Catholic bishop of Terri; someone who secretly
married couples when marriage was forbidden; or someone who suffered in Africa. Most of the legends end with the beheading of Valentine, but no
one knows for sure.
The holiday's roots are found in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia,
which was celebrated on February 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. They called upon him to keep
away the fierce wolves that roamed the nearby woods.
Pope Gelasius I altered the customs of the holiday to have young men and
women draw names of saints whom they would emulate for the year. Then instead of Lupercus, the patron of the feast became Valentine. For
Roman men, the day was an occasion to seek the affections of women, and it became a tradition to give out handwritten messages of admiration that
included Valentine's name.
There was also a conventional belief in Europe during the Middle Ages that
birds chose their partners in the middle of February. Thus the day was dedicated to love. And people observed it by writing love letters
and sending small gifts to their beloved. Legend has it that Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the first real Valentine card to his wife in 1415,
when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London."
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they can sign-up to receive it directly:
1. Just click on this link, info@pkscribe.com. In the email message to me, please include the first name and email address of your colleague. I'll
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Or. . .
2.
You can sign them up directly on my website by
following this link:
"Karen's Fundraising Tips"
Thanks for
joining me and until next time . . . have fun as you get inventive and do more to raise awareness of your
nonprofit mission without breaking the bank.
All the best,
Karen
Karen Zapp, Fundraising & Sales Writer
Perceptive Karen
http://www.pkscribe.com |
