One of the biggest issues that a charity fund raiser faces is 'selling a challenge'. We repeatedly hear people saying 'I'm worried there isn't going to be enough support' or asking 'how do I get more people on this challenge'. Well, we thought that sharing a few tips with you might offer some answers to some of these dilemmas.

Find a local media partner

1

Making the most of your local media is important. Building a positive and strong relationship with your local media is therefore important – and this won't happen just by sending in the occasional press release. Getting your local newspaper or radio station to 'adopt' the challenge and become the challenge's official 'media partner' is a great way of securing low-cost (or even free) publicity. Sell the benefits to the media partner of being associated with your charity – positive PR for them and access to lots of great human interest news stories. Why not offer one of the journalists a free place on the challenge, and build the cost of their place into the overall cost of the challenge? Different Challenge would be delighted to help you find a local media partner and to attend meetings with them.

Evening presentations to potential supporters

2

Why not organise an evening to which you can invite groups of supporters and potential supporters. This would be an opportunity to do make a presentation about your challenge, sign up people for the event, and to raise awareness of the challenge amongst the media. Why not advertise the evening in the local newspaper – and ask them to put some editorial coverage in ahead of the meeting to make as many people aware of it as possible.

Linking-up with a local corporate or major employer

3

Do you have a good relationship with a major local corporate or large employer? Why not approach them and ask if they would be willing to promote your challenge to their staff (if they have a staff newsletter or intranet, use these). Point out the many positive PR benefits of being seen to be supportive of a local charity. Why not approach your professional service providers (bank, solicitor and accountant) and ask them to support the challenge by promoting it to their staff. Why not approach the corporates in your area and see if they have a corporate charity.

Promotional tables in local shopping malls

4

Have you considered having a promotional table in a local shopping mall – it's a great way of promoting both your charity and your challenge.

Linking up with a local gym/leisure centre

5

Local gyms and health clubs are full of people who enjoy the kind of event that you are organising. What about speaking to the managers of some local gyms and see if they would be prepared to support the challenge, advertise it to their members and get behind it.

Linking up with a local sports team

6

Do any of your staff play football, hockey, rugby or cricket? Why not get them to encourage their team mates to come on the challenge? We would always be delighted to arrange a game for them in the destination country to add appeal to the event.

Use local authority publications to advertise the challenge

7

Local authorities appreciate the work that the voluntary sector does – and are usually keen to assist where possible. Why not speak to your local authority and see if you can get them to advertise the challenge in their publications or on their website? Why not encourage them to promote it amongst their staff as well. Likewise, why not use the local services directories and publications sent out by parish councils.

Celebrity endorsement

8

Do you have any friendly celebs? If not, why not approach a few and ask them to support your challenge (be brave – approach agents and explain what you are trying to achieve – celebs will often support a charity because it builds their PR profile). Consider offering a free place on the challenge to the celeb, and get them supporting the marketing and PR work in promoting the challenge to others.

Use your local University

9

What about promoting your challenge to and through a local university (both staff and students). Getting the support of a university could see you signing up plenty of young people keen to do something to help you and an overseas community. Don't forget alumni groups as well.

Use your electronic marketing platform to the full

10

Does your website carry details of your challenge (and are they easy to find)? Do your email signatures mention the challenge and carry a link to the relevant web page? Do you send out regular email newsletters? If not, you are missing a great marketing opportunity through electronic media.