Spokes Makes Marketing Easier

Raising the visibility of your nonprofit organization can be a challenge, especially in San Luis Obispo County where there is plenty of competition from other nonprofits also looking to stand out. That’s why Spokes wants to find a few ways to make marketing easier for member nonprofits.

To be effective in promoting your organization, you need to establish a strategic purpose for each marketing tool you develop. For example, social media is extremely popular these days. Just like Spokes, many of our member nonprofits are using Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to get in front of their target market. But just having a presence on these sites isn’t enough; you have to ask yourself “What’s my intended outcome” every time you take a marketing action.

For instance, how will posting on social media bring more attention to your organization? What action do you want to inspire any reader to take after reading your posting?  How can you make what you post relevant to the reader, so they can identify with something happening to your mission that is in the news or that will motivate the reader to support you through a donation? And how might this post relate to other articles that have already been posted on a particular site?

Breaking through the “busyness” of daily life to attain visibility in a crowded marketing world is an ongoing challenge.  There’s always another event to attend and only so many days and dollars for you and your supporters to expend. Focus on determining exactly who your supporters are, what they like, what moves them to give their money to your cause, and why they want to see you flourish. That means being clear and consistent in all of your messaging and making sure that your mission stays front and center. A nonprofit’s mission is the heart of what they do, so be very specific about your message and keep it in front of as many people as possible. Whether you engage in public speaking, write articles, or post on social media, make sure that your mission is distinctive and well-defined. 

Spokes is working on ways to benefit member organizations by helping them to increase their visibility. Here are some ideas for you to consider:

Nonprofit Opportunities Page: Many of our nonprofit organization members have asked Spokes to help get the word out about an opening on their Board of Directors, a job offer or an upcoming event. Check out our website’s new Nonprofit Opportunities page under the “Services” area. If you are a member of Spokes and have an announcement you would like to share, follow the directions on the page to send us the information to post. The information will be available to anyone browsing our website. Click here to view Spokes’ Opportunities Page on our website.

Organization Member Highlights: Is your nonprofit in the news? Are you making some dynamic changes or updates to your activities? Starting this week, Spokes will be highlighting exciting and important news about members in our bi-weekly newsletter.   

2019 Business Expo at the Expo Booth: Spokes will have a booth at the 2019 Business Expo at the Expo trade show on Wednesday, May 15, from 4-7 p.m., which is being held at the at the Alex Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. If you have spent time at this event in the past, then you know it can be an outstanding marketing opportunity for your nonprofit organization. With more than 120 exhibitors and thousands of members of the local business community in attendance, we want to offer Spokes members a chance to boost their visibility by joining us as a part of our booth. This will be Spokes’ first time as an exhibitor, and we are offering Spokes member organizations the opportunity to have one promotional piece, brochure, or event announcement displayed at our booth to be handed out to attendees. A contribution of $25 is asked for this opportunity and there will only be 20 available spots. Please contact Consuelo or Howard at the Spokes office (805-547-2244) if you are interested.

Here are a few resources for even more ideas for marketing your nonprofit:

5 Ways to Market Your Nonprofit: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-let-the-world-know-about-your-nonprofit-2502367

10 Marketing Lessons for All Nonprofits: https://www.classy.org/blog/10-marketing-lessons-for-all-nonprofits/