Now that you've come up with an idea for your fundraiser and have sorted out the details, you need to let the world know about your event. Here are some suggestions to ensure that people lend you their support.
General publicity
- Tell your colleagues, friends, suppliers and clients what you are doing and why, and let them know how they can support you. Use the telephone, e-mail, post and personal visits.
- Create your own online fundraising page. This page will describe your event and solicit donations. Send the link to your Web page to everyone you know.
- Submit a short article on your fundraiser to your employee newsletter at work, your church bulletin or any other publication produced by a group with which you are involved.
- Create your own, personal website and tell everyone you know about it.
- Place fliers inside your local pubs, clubs or shops or on your work notice board giving details of what you are doing plus the date, time, location and contact information.
News media
A news release serves two purposes. You want the media to announce the event in advance, so people can support you. You also want the media to cover your event, which generates publicity for ORBIS and encourages people to donate even after the event.
Here are some tips on preparing your news release and maximizing your news coverage.
- Prepare a contact list of your local print, radio and television reporters.
- Send a news release at least one week in advance. Make the release short and snappy with an eye catching title. Don't write an article. Just write the bare facts. Make sure you include who, what, when, where and why, and include your phone number and e-mail address, if you have one. Include the ORBIS Ireland web address, www.orbisireland.ie.
- Include a photo with your press release, if you can. Follow up with a phone call inquiring whether the news release was received and if they have any questions.
- Remind reporters to come to your event two days prior to the activity.
- Look after any journalist or photographer who makes the effort to come to your event.
For further information on planning your event, see:
