Low Budget Marketing Ideas for Non-Profits

by CJ Gordon

As a non-profit you have to strike a balance between expanding your outreach to your target while putting as much of your donations to the cause you support. This can make marketing a challenge because you may not have or may not be able to invest the financial resources you desire toward your budget for your marketing campaigns. The good news is that there are several creative and effective low budget marketing ideas that you can implement within your organization. Below are a few ideas for you to consider.

Network

Finding ways to personally connect with your target audience is a good way to create awareness and put a name and face to your brand. You could network at community events, Chamber of Commerce, professional organizations, and even while going about your daily life. While you don’t want to come on too strong when the networking event you are going to is centered around another objective, you will still become a larger presence within your community. Make sure that you extend equal amounts of energy into creating awareness for the individuals and businesses you come into contact with at your networking business as it will encourage more of your contacts to refer people to you too.

Social Media

Social media is an entirely free way to expand your reach by investing nothing other than your time.  If you have a website you can add direct links to your primary social media sites and if your social media is your main page, you can keep your fans and followers up-to-date on your most recent accomplishments. By posting compelling information and learning social media marketing tips, you increase your odds of your fans and followers sharing and reposting your information.

Donate

While donating to other non-profits may not be your first inkling, it is the ideal way to expand your reach. Donations do not have to come in the form of money and can instead be accomplished by donating time, services, or products. Also keep your eye open for opportunities to collaborate with other non-profits. When donating or collaborating, select causes that are not your direct competitors yet are somehow connected to your cause. Oftentimes this type of donation comes with free advertising.

Donor Appreciation

Some of your donors will be sporadic while some will be ongoing. Whether large or small, you want to reach out and personally thank each of your donors when possible. This could be by a thank you card, holiday emails, birthday card, or free tickets to your events. While you don’t want to become a nuisance, you want your donors to know that they are part of your community and that their good will has not gone unnoticed.

Build Your Online Links

Whether you have a website or only social media platforms, you want to build external web-based links that will bring customers back to your primary online profile. You can achieve this by writing and posting online press releases, articles in online publications, and by providing guest blog posts—all that have direct links back to your primary online profile.

For all of the methods you use for low-budget marketing, find ways to track their success. Some will be more difficult to track, such as donor appreciation, but it is valuable to know what is working and what isn’t.

About the Author

This article was provided by CJ Gordon, recent college graduate and marketing guru. If you’re a business or individual looking for help managing life with debt, CJ encourages you to consider a debt restructure.