Top Tips for Marketing Your Branch

Top tips for marketing your activities:

1. Use various local forums to publicise branch events e.g. websites, local papers (‘what's on' listings), local radio and Council news sheets.

2. Sponsorship

• It never hurts to ask for sponsorship for an event.  The worse they can say is ‘no'.  Don't just expect money, there are many other sponsorship benefits that could be useful to you.  Ask for use of a venue (schools and colleges are often happy to help charities) or for something in kind e.g. if you display our programme we will give out your leaflets at the event.

3. Involve schools

• Build links with schools, head teachers, heads of department and send information to them about forthcoming events (especially if they are not members).

4. Build your contacts

• Use places like bookshops and libraries to distribute your leaflets and posters, they might want something in return (e.g. to have the author's books on display or come and sign copies at the event) - check out the possibilities.

• Link up with other societies, e.g. local history societies (ensuring you don't duplicate speakers' presentations).

5. Make links with your neighbouring branch

• Your nearest branch's members may be on the border of your branch.  Promote your events to each others members and/or have joint events.

6. Direct mail

• Send out regular mailings and always include a letter (make it personal)

7. Use the HA templates and examples

• A Postcard with details of your Branch and programme can be produced by the Kennington offices

8. Collect contact details about non members at any activity you host. You can use this to mail to them at a later date.

9. Get feedback

• Evaluate events.  This can be done by means of a short evaluation form after every event and will let you know what members and visitors like and disliked about the event giving valuable information about how to improve what you offer to attendees.  If it's too much to evaluate every event, make sure you get verbal feedback and produce an annual evaluation.

10. Use the HA to publicise events through:

a. E-newsletters

b. HA News

c. The Website

d. Magazines

11. At Events

• Meet and greet visitors, be welcoming and ensure they don't think the Branch is a closed clique.  Some Branches encourage people to sign in and give an address so they can contact visitors about future events.
• Invite people - both to the Branch and as speakers.
• If you are running an event, e.g. a debate, look for outsider adjudicators who may also be useful to the Branch in other ways.

12. Attract volunteers:

• Don't forget volunteer bureaux, who will have lists of people looking for voluntary work. There maybe a person who wants to develop skills or gain experience in an area of work where you need help.
• Think outside the box on how people can help e.g. can anyone accommodate speakers' overnight?
• Ensure people feel they are participating and have a sense of ownership.
• Talk with people like the NCVO if you are looking for volunteers
• Remember, volunteers don't need to be members

13. Ask for Help!

Contact: anne-marie.stephenson@history.org.uk