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<\/a>Time for a Nonprofit PR Boost<\/p><\/div>\n
by Michael B. Perini, ABC<\/a> There are currently more than 1.5 million nonprofit and charitable organizations in the United States, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics <\/a><\/p>\n In a world where sharing is more critial than ever, how do nonprofit organizations “tell their story” with so many of them reaching out by-in-large to the same public?  A public , by the way, that is strapped for free time and resources.<\/p>\n Look around you.  We all know folks who are struggling now in the current economic crisis.<\/p>\n Truly all these organizations have the same challenge:  to  reach out in a embracing manner that informs, educates and becomes a call to action whether it be volunteering or those dreaded  two words: F U N D  R A I S I N G.<\/p>\n Many nonprofits, especially at local and state levels, do not have the in-house public relations staff to provide that key advice and counsel in the 24\/7\/365 instant information world in which they must compete for time and attention.<\/p>\n Having experience on several nonprofit boards plus experience starting up a volunteer service organization, I can say  that the road today is a tough one.  HOWEVER!  It can be traveled!!  And, with this post I offer a few necessary tips and tricks to make the public relations aspects of the nonprofit organization work.<\/p>\n W<\/strong>here is da plan?<\/strong> I recently was a guest presenter at PRSA Colorado’s<\/a> annual “PR Boost” for nonprofits. A wonderful opportunity for local nonprofits and an activity that should be repeated elsewhere.  Nearly every nonprofit representative I worked with said, “What plan?”  Having a communications plan is critical as a necessary first step.  It’s your roadmap to success.  A basic plan has the following areas of concentration:\n<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n What really works! <\/strong> Everyone wants to know the answer, right?  Well, it isn’t just having a website. If you have a site  it has to be updated frequently and must communicate effectively.  It isn’t just having your organization page on facebook<\/a><\/em>.<\/a> The “wall” needs to pop and content updated.  It isn’t one event to attract folks to your organization.  A more frequent strategy for special events is often a better course of action.  Remember, all these activities are just “dots” or separate activities.  Isolated likely and without links to the other often I find.  In my view, the key is “connecting the dots”.  Having an integrated approach —  where all public relations practices tie together<\/em> — there is your key to success that will also result in a remarkable return on investment.<\/p>\n
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