Brief explanation: One of my clients is a bottle and can redemption center near Syracuse, NY. They work with a lot of non-profits, processing donated units into cash for the organizations. We started a program providing space in front of the facility for the non-profits to set up tables, introduce the orgs to the community, and gather donations. We take photos of the volunteers being presented with a giant check (which I fill in digitally) that the redemption center and the client can use for social media, etc.
Consistently, the orgs that publicize their appearance before it happens receive a lot of visits, and donations of not only units but cash into donation jars.
I’m not talking about spending weeks before hand, touting their table through the media. I’m saying that with an announcement on social media a few days before, they get better results. If they have an email list, the donations grow exponentially. Two of the last non-profits sent volunteers without announcing their visit to anyone and were disappointed to receive less than $30 each for a four hour visit.
No matter what kind of business you run – for profit, non-profit – and you schedule an appearance somewhere, announce that visit beforehand to your fans, clients, and prospects. You’ll get much better turnout and gather in a lot more cash (if that’s one of your aims). Trade show booths, tables at carnivals or festivals, even an appearance at a subway stop to play music – let people know ahead of time that you’ll be there!