One of the hats I wear on Whidbey is as a Board member of the Whidbey Children’s Theater. I have been able to use my facilitation skills to conduct two Board Retreats, and recently I used some of my marketing skills to encourage local businesses to donate products or services to our fund-raising auction.
Besides asking for the donations, I provided suggestions and ideas for ways in which the donations would also be marketing tools for the donors. For example, a local winery – Spoiled Dog Winery, in Langley - not only donated a bottle of their award-winning Pinot Noir, but I suggested they provide a tour of their vineyards (where they grow most of the grapes used in their wines) and the winery. This item was used in the live auction and people were very enthusiastic with their bids. While the owners had suggested the value of their donation was $125, the winning bid was $300, and many of those at the auction learned about Spoiled Dog Wines.
The first rule of marketing is that people have to know who you are and what you’re selling. Donating to a local non-profit can be an excellent way to help in your community while building awareness of your business.