When it comes to running a non-profit, balancing the budget can feel a bit like trying to balance a pail of water on your head without spilling a drop.
Resources are limited, and every single spend counts. It's all too easy to let marketing fall by the wayside, when in fact putting resources into marketing is the key to raising your non-profit's profile and getting those all-important memberships and donations.
Why does marketing your non-profit matter so much and what can you do to make sure your message gets out there?
Why You Need to Market
Marketing isn't always at the top of the non-profit to-do list, but in actual fact marketing is absolutely vital when it comes to the long-term success of your non-profit.
Marketing is the means by which you get your message out to your existing and potential supporters and give them compelling reasons to lend their time and money to your cause. That means more revenue and more support, and a stronger future for your non-profit. So, what are some of the things you can do to make marketing work for your non-profit?
Make a Marketing Plan
The first thing you need to do when marketing your non-profit is make a plan.
A plan ensures that you make the best use of your marketing dollars, and get the best returns on investment.
Take the time to plan out what your desired outcome is, whether that's more members or support for a specific campaign.
Research your target market so you understand where best to interact them, and how best to approach them.
Make Name for Yourself in Your Local Community
Your local community can be a rich source of support for your non-profit.
To raise your profile in your local community, keep an eye on the local calendar, and take the chance to get involved, perhaps by helping to sponsor an event or volunteering some help with a community project.
That way, you can raise your profile locally while demonstrating that you're caring, invested in your local community, and committed to practicing the values that your non-profit espouses.
Make Use of Free Resources
When it comes to marketing a non-profit, the budget is nearly always pretty tight. That's where free resources are a boon.
As the following article shows, from free resources for your marketing efforts, such as the free whiteboard explainer videos in "Free Whiteboard Explainer Videos for Your Favorite Non-Profit", to free ways of offering up engaging content such as blogs and social media, free resources will help you get your message out while keeping your costs down.
Make the Best of Your Existing Supporters
Your existing supporters are a potential source of extra support in the way of referrals and getting the word out about what you do.
From merchandise bearing your message to offering a discount or other incentive for introducing someone new to you, your existing supporters can help you get your message out.
Don't forget to find ways to make it worth their while - after all, you're asking them to do you a favor.
Balancing the budget isn't always easy for non-profits, but marketing deserves a share of the budget so your non-profit can benefit from the investment you make into marketing.
Careful planning and an eye for free or low cost resources can help you to get your message out for less money.