Direct Marketing - How to Get Volunteers for a Charity Website
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Recruiting volunteers can be one of the most frustrating aspects of running a service organization such as a charity website. However, once you have mastered the art of attracting volunteers to your cause, working with them and watching your project grow can become one of the most fulfilling aspects of your work. Diligence, follow-through and excellent interpersonal skills are helpful techniques in obtaining volunteers even for struggling organizations.
1
Create fliers that explain what your charity website attempts to accomplish, why it is important to the local or global community and how interested individuals can get involved. Print hundreds of copies and keep them on hand to pass out whenever an opportunity for recruitment arises.
2
Make your organization known. Many people may be interested in volunteering for your charity website, but may not know that it exists. Attend local events such as town meetings and farmers markets and hand out fliers to raise awareness within your community.
3
Give presentations at local establishments, such as high schools and service clubs like Rotary International. Many high schools require students to complete community service hours before graduating. An engaging presentation could result in dozens of interested high school students or adult volunteers.
4
Follow up with volunteers as soon as they contact you and maintain communication. If you wait even a few days to respond to e-mail from an interested person, he may have already given up on your organization and found alternative activities to fill his time. Demonstrating that the staff of your charity website are responsible and well-organized will improve your volunteer retention.
5
Develop a rapport with your volunteers. Get to know them personally and establish the dynamics of a friendship. If potential volunteers like you and your coworkers, they will be more likely to want to donate their time to your cause.
6
Host events to attract new volunteers and give them a sense of belonging. For example, offering a social with snacks and an opportunity to mingle will help establish a sense of community amongst volunteers, increasing their likelihood of returning to assist your charity website.
Tags:
Direct Marketing, Marketing
1
Create fliers that explain what your charity website attempts to accomplish, why it is important to the local or global community and how interested individuals can get involved. Print hundreds of copies and keep them on hand to pass out whenever an opportunity for recruitment arises.
2
Make your organization known. Many people may be interested in volunteering for your charity website, but may not know that it exists. Attend local events such as town meetings and farmers markets and hand out fliers to raise awareness within your community.
3
Give presentations at local establishments, such as high schools and service clubs like Rotary International. Many high schools require students to complete community service hours before graduating. An engaging presentation could result in dozens of interested high school students or adult volunteers.
4
Follow up with volunteers as soon as they contact you and maintain communication. If you wait even a few days to respond to e-mail from an interested person, he may have already given up on your organization and found alternative activities to fill his time. Demonstrating that the staff of your charity website are responsible and well-organized will improve your volunteer retention.
5
Develop a rapport with your volunteers. Get to know them personally and establish the dynamics of a friendship. If potential volunteers like you and your coworkers, they will be more likely to want to donate their time to your cause.
6
Host events to attract new volunteers and give them a sense of belonging. For example, offering a social with snacks and an opportunity to mingle will help establish a sense of community amongst volunteers, increasing their likelihood of returning to assist your charity website.
