Let Charity Contribute To Your BrandCollaborate with charity to help your brand be recognized Katie Marcus
February 03, 2009
Many companies use charity
to both do something good while simultaneously enhancing their brand.
The prototypical large effort in this arena was by American Express
over 20 years ago in its effort to save the Statue of Liberty.
These
partnerships between the nonprofit and for profit sector can be
mutually beneficial. There are some simple tips to heed in order to
make your charitable marketing effort a success.
Most
importantly is to select a cause, which goes well with your brand and
operation. If you were a real estate developer then you probably would
not desire to collaborate or partner up with a nonprofit one who is
seeking to ban development. You desire to seek similar constituencies.
A developer very well may seek to collaborate with a city's
beautification program. Adding to the attractiveness of the area
increases property values, helps the residents and serves to benefit
the developer. It becomes a win-win arrangement.
It is crucial
that there exists true affinity with the cause within your company. If
your staff's heart is not into it, then it will not be a success.
Continuously soliciting and asking input from your staff is the key.
Find out which causes most inspire them to action. Motivated employees
who truly care in the cause will see to it the effort is successful.
Causes with which they do not identify will not fare so well if foisted
upon them.
Once you have picked your cause and initiated your
effort, it then becomes important to publicize your efforts. Do not be
shy about this phase. There is nothing wrong with patting yourself on
the shoulder for a job well done. A positive impact or reaction upon
your brand is well deserved. Color printing often provides a great way
to display your efforts. Posters or mailers can now be created
economically, at minimal costs with today's color printing technology.
Do not be afraid to trumpet your own horn.
Like any endeavor, a
charitable one should have measurable targets. Make sure that you have
set objective goals to the things that you feel should be accomplished
by your color posters. This can be measured by the monetary yield you
get to the charitable cause or more intangible results like a cleaner
more beautiful city in the above example. When your team cares, the
results will eventually show.
Make sure you include your
charitable associations in all of the applicable communications that
you use. When using color printing for brochures or posters, it is
often a good idea to include a small section that would highlight your
involvement in the aforementioned charity associations. Getting the
word out can help the charity as well as your business.
Charitable
endeavors are helpful no matter what the motivation. Many might feel
cynical using a charitable activity as a component of corporate
marketing. However, the recipients of your efforts are pleased either
way. A good deed is a good deed. Make it a win-win solution by doing
well and helping your brand get wider and better recognition.
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