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The Importance of Good PR

12 July 2011 By Leave a Comment

The closure of the News of the World newspaper after 168 years of  publication demonstrates the power of media and the impact that public relations (PR) – good and bad - can have. 

PR can be used to protect the reputation of your non-profit organisation, its message and what it stands for.  PR can help to inform the public about your cause, create a positive attitude but most importantly build a reservoir of goodwill.

Therefore it is important that you understand which audiences you are trying to target and the different people or organisations that will be interested in the work you do.  Once you know this, you can target your public relations activity to these groups and use different techniques and types of media to get your message across. 

Apart from promote your services to the community within which you work you should also engage with employees and/or volunteers about up and coming events, project and fundraising activities.  ’Internal Public Relations’ as a great tool to inspire staff about your cause.

The next question is which type of media can you use to connect with your target audience? 

  • Traditional media – newspapers, radio, TV & magazines.
  • New/Digital media - the internet, blogs, websites and emails.
  • Social media – Facebook, Twitter, Utube, Flickr etc.
  • Ambient media – non intrusive advertising e.g. on the back of bus tickets, in public toilets or on the back of receipts. 

Here are some examples of low-costtools that can be used:

  • Your website.
  • Word of mouth / recommendations. 
  • Email newsletters or printed direct mail to people on your database who may have previously donated.
  • Press releases to local media about your events and fundraising activites. 
  • Presentations to stakeholders including staff and volunteers about your organisation’s vision for the future.
  • Annual reports to show that your non-profit organisation is transparent.

 The Making Connections Project is running a workshop which will include Public Relations in the near future.  For more details contact Lydia Edwards at lydia@peckhamforum.org.uk or have a look at the Making Connections workshop information.

Filed Under: Marketing & Communications, Marketing Tips

Honeywell Building Solutions (HBS) – Advance Apprentices Vacancies

4 July 2011 By Leave a Comment

HBS provides building automation, security and safety solutions in thousands of public and private sector facilities.  We are currently taking applications for Apprentices in a number of locations with a view to successful candidates starting in Sept 2011.

  • You will undertake the necessary training and qualifications to prepare you for a  Field Service or Projects Engineer within a 4 year period.
  • You will work in a team environment providing basic engineering services for a wide range of customers, under supervision.
  • You will attend college locally on day release, studying ‘Building Management Services Engineering up to Foundation Degree Level.
  • You will work 37.5 hours p/w, the salary is dependent on age, in the range of £8,500 per annum (16/17 years old.
  • You will need a minimum of 4 GCSE’s (grade A-C).

Closing Date:  30 June 2011

For further information, please email: evelyn.lingard@honeywell.com or write to Evelyn Lingard, Human resources, Honeywell Building Solutions, Honeywell House, 856 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 2HY.

Filed Under: Training

Big Lottery – Improving Financial Confidence Grant

4 July 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Improving Financial Confidence Grant is available to organisations helping people lacking access to basic financial services to develop their financial capabilities.  This scheme is open to partnerships of organisations delivering housing and financial services. Partnerships must be led by a voluntary sector organisation and must include at least one non-profit housing association.

This scheme will target residents in social housing and has three objectives which projects must achieve at least one of:

  • Social housing residents have greater access to affordable financial services and products.
  • Social housing residents develop their skills and confidence is using financial services and products.
  • Social housing providers engage with residents most in need and help them understand financial inclusion

Closing Date:   16 Sept 2011 (midday)

For further information on how to access this grant locally, please telephone: 0845 410 2030 or email:
general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk

Filed Under: Funding

What’s in a Photograph?

27 June 2011 By Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Marketing Tips, Recent News