Walt Shiel of Lake Linden, Michigan writes: “Our publishing company has just started working with a local nonprofit foundation that operates an outstanding nature park with miles of beautiful trails and three miles of waterfront land—all of which will soon be connected to the local university’s cross-country ski trails. “We are casting about for ideas… Read More
Non-profit Marketing
Help promote ‘donations instead of gifts’ campaign
Harry Hoover of Charlotte, North Carolina writes: “I’d like to tap into the collective brains of Publicity Hounds. Since 2002, I have promoted a project each holiday season called Holiday For Charity. It encourages people to ask for charitable donations in their name in lieu of gifts. I’ve gotten solid local coverage of this program,… Read More
Nonprofit bios: Keep ’em short and credible
Nancy Schwartz, one of the foremost experts in marketing for nonpofits, passes along handy reminders for nonprofit execs and others on how to write a bio. She recommends: —No more than two paragraphs. Make note of any professional designations, associations and awards. These show you have deep connections in the field. —Write bios for program, communications, fundraising and… Read More
GoodSearch.com raises money for charities, schools
If you’re a charity or a school, or there’s a particular charity or school you support, this tip is for you. Use the GoodSearch search engine whenever you’re looking for information online. After a charity or school adds its name to the website, GoodSearch will pay the group one cent every time someone designates it as the recipient and… Read More
This ribbon-cutting worth publicizing
If you want to know why I hate ribbon-cutting ceremonies, Google “ribbon-cutting” and then click on “Images” and you’ll see why. They all look the same. Some people try to come up with clever or cutesy ribbon-cuttings, and those usually bomb, too. But here’s one that’s so unusual, it’s worth mentioning. I found it over at Alan Sharpe’s… Read More
Grant recipients: Tell the rest of the story
Thanks to Publicity Hound Beth Bilderback, public relations specialist for Nauticus, a marine science center in Norfolk, Virginia, for this tip that can be used by anyone who receives grant money: “This summer, we received a hefty grant to fund two oceanography camps for two separate groups of 10th-graders. One requirement was that the students… Read More
Public service announcements wanted by radio show
If you’re a nonprofit or charity operating on a shoestring budget, take advantage of an Internet radio show that wants your public service announcements. “That Marketing Show,” hosted by Rodger Roeser, needs 30-second and 60-second audio public service announcements to air during the show. Your organization can get in front of lots of marketing industry executives who decide which… Read More
Library Uses Human U-Hauls
When the Mount Kisco Public Library in Mount Kisco, New York needed to move its entire collection of books to a temporary location, it didn’t call in a professional moving company. What fun is that? Instead, it created “The Great Mount Kisco Book Race,” in which 17 teams of volunteers competed against each other on… Read More
YouTube: Perfect place to sponsor a contest
Sponsor a contest on whatever it is you’re promoting, and let the amateur videographers over at YouTube participate. That’s what the nonprofit SmartPower has done. Its national non-profit marketing campaign, which promotes the use of clean renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and water, is sponsoring a contest at YouTube.com for the most creative… Read More
Optimist International wants tips for distributing PSAs
This week’s “Help This Hound” question is from Carrollyn Cox of Virginia Beach: “I need help with distribution of video/TV public service announcements I just produced for Optimist International (at very little cost, I might add). “I know how to personally approach local media, the public access channels and the local cable company. But we… Read More