When getting an “E” on your report card is a good thing!
Many civic organizations that focus on community services, rely on funding from other entities. How do you entice these parties to provide you with what you need for your organization? Whether it is funding, in-kind services or simply advocating to others on your behalf, organizations must work on engaging outside sources. That’s it! Entice and Engage! That is what marketing your organization is all about. Strategically planning outreach efforts will not only get you in front of your target audience but keep you there. Take a moment to think about who you want to entice by asking yourself…
- How old are they?
- Are they male or female?
- How much do they make?
- Where do they live?
- Where do they work?
- What do they look like?
- What do they like to do or what are their hobbies?
The answers to these questions will help you engage. By asking these simple questions you can start to develop a profile that will allow you to focus your time and money to specific areas where your target funder, volunteer, or advocate may be. Only then can you develop a successful plan that will allow you to entice these groups through innovative activities. Only then, you can ensure that you aren’t just throwing your time and money into areas that come up with little to no traction. By knowing who you are targeting and where they are, you can learn more about their interest and attempt to reach them via channels and in the places where you now know that you can find them.
Don’t know where to start? Well…start with your current connections and ask yourself a few of the questions above. You will be surprised at the commonalities that come up. Besides, who doesn’t want to be enticing and engaging? Those are a couple of E’s we would love to see on our report card.