Photographic images can help tell a story of an organisation and what their true values are. In non-profit organisations it can be used for so much more, for example:
- To gain more supporters.
- To aid fundraising activities.
- To raise an organisation’s profile in their arena.
- To help support a branding message and develop your story.
Your organisation is your brand; one which you need to develop and market for the following reasons:
- To encourage volunteer participation.
- To develop partnerships with other organisations.
- To ensure your community is aware of what you do and how you can help them.
The community will want to see your work in action. Include photographs of open days, community projects or just yourselves at work! Part of marketing is striving to make a connection with all your stakeholders. A powerful image can last for just as long as a verbal conversation. As the saying goes ‘A picture tells a thousand words’. If you use photos that you’ve taken, remember to gain the consent of any living individuals included.
Images stay in the memory for a long period. Relate your photos to the message of your organisation. Set your digital camera to a high resolution so that images can be reproduced at their best. At least 300 dpi (dots per inch) is necessary to get a decent print quality.
Remember to log dates of when and where they’ve been taken so you can also produce a photographic folder on your computer and keep an actual photograph album. The first can be used for PR purposes; the other to show interested parties what you’re about. And guess what? In the future you’ll be able to look back – history as the name suggests cannot be reproduced.
The Making Connections Project is running a a series of workshops to help you with your marketing communications. For more details contact Lydia Edwards, Marketing & Communications Project Officer at lydia@peckhamforum.org.uk or find more details here.
