Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Non Profits- How to get the word out

I read a Blog post put out by David Oats, who runs a Pay on Performance PR firm.
To read the article, click here: http://payonperformance.ning.com/profiles/blogs/memo-to-nonprofits-pr-is

Basically what he advises is:

1. Become a Speaker
2. Use Social Media
3. Use a Pay on Performance PR Firm, never a retainer firm

Of course all of these are great advise to regular businesses. When you become a speaker for local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, and trade organizations, you build credibility for yourself and your firm. Many groups are in great need of speakers, and if you can get yourself connected with one or two, your speaking engagements will grow.

One OBVIOUS caveat though: I was at a presentation a few weeks ago where the speaker was not well prepared and was wearing very casual clothes. Need I go on? Your goal when doing presentations is to promote your business. Make sure you come across as someone knowledgable in your field. If you need help with presentation skills, most cities have a local chapter of Toastmasters. If your city doesn't, try the local community college. The main thing is to get in front of strangers, do a lot of presentations, and get good quality feedback. Most of your friends won't give you good feedback because they don't want to hurt your feelings.

If you are reading this blog, most likely you are already using social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Most likeley you also have your own blog. Posting comments on other people's blogs and providing a link to your own (as long as it's relevant) is a good way to get increased traffic to your blog. You may even be asked to write a guest column every now and then!
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1 comment:

  1. Alan J Zell, Attitdes for SellingOctober 12, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    The term "not-for-profit" is a misnomer and often those involved in NFPs think that because it is "not for profit" it is different from being a business. (for a NFP Profit is spelled p-o-s-i-t-i-v-e-c-a-s-h-f-l-o-w) It is not different other than most income is not taxable.

    So, yes, the advice in your post are good ones for any NFP to consider But, these are true for any small business that does not have a large advertising budget i.e. it calls for all the other marketing formats any business has to look at in order to get the word out.

    Few cry for a business that does not have the funds to market the business; lots of people cry for NFPs that do not have the funds to market their programs. NFPs rely on this when they need money. (Oh, btw, I'm on the boards of several NFPs)

    Alan
    Alan J. Zell, Ambassador Of Selling, Attitudes for Selling
    azell@aol.com
    Winner of the Murray Award for Marketing Excellence
    Member, PNW Sales & Marketing Group
    Member, Institute of Management Consultants
    Member, US Delegation, 1980 International Olympic Academy
    Member, International Society of Olympic Historians
    Member, Ice Dancers On-Line Forum
    Member, Linkedin.com

    You are invited to suggest to your associates, acquaintances, family, friends, customers/clients to go to www.sellingselling.com to learn why they, like you and I, have something to sell.

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