Bike Savior, Essay Example

Bike Saviour’s – A Non-Profit Organization

Bike Saviour’s is a non-profit organization that depends only on volunteers and not a large budget. This does not allow for them to get the word out, like if they had a large marketing budget. Flyers have been passed out to recruit volunteers, which were handed out to people in the community and placed around the local school campus. This does spread the word that the organization is in need of more volunteers, but it may not really tell people what the organization is all about. Talking to the numerous resources and other agencies in the community will help get the word out and also help find volunteers. Many community resources such as Boy and Girl Scouts, Lions Club and even local churches have a great deal of members. These organizations commonly look for volunteer opportunities and even something to promote that will help people in the community. Since the organization is not affiliated with any particular religion or specialized group they would be more likely to receive help from a larger portion of community resources. While Bike Saviour is actually looking for volunteers, it might be helpful if they were to volunteer their services at local events. This could especially be helpful if they were to assist with local bicycle races or charity events.

Another way to get the word out and advertisement would be to place magnetic signs on vehicles. A moving advertisement has been found to be quite an effective advertising technique. Since Bike Saviour fixes bikes for free and is a resource that anyone can use, they may be able to ask participants’ to place magnetic signs on their cars, which would be a good and inexpensive way to advertise. Volunteers and even others within the community may be willing to place signs either at their place of business or have a magnetic sign added to their vehicle. Any time that a banner or sign can advertise their logo, it helps spread the word. Also using vehicles marked with the Bike Saviours logo to do volunteer work would assist with promotion within the community. Events to showcase the marked vehicles may be children’s fairs, bicycle safety classes or learning workshops and other child driven events within the community. Taking the time to research the various events or obtaining a community calendar could give the organization a good way to find new people and potential volunteers as well as customers.

The collaborative design team is best suited with a group of individuals that have a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Someone that has experience in marketing would be the most beneficial as they would be able to set up a plan. They may also be able to provide direction to the appropriate steps for obtaining some funding. Many communities have what is known as a Small Business Association that will oftentimes help small businesses or nonprofit organizations find grants or other monies to promote their cause. Not only would a person that was experienced in the marketing field know how to advertise and promote, but they would also benefit the organization through their financial experiences. This individual would also know what type of advertising works best and even the laws that goes along with the different types of advertising. Adding an individual that is an advertising specialist would allow for specializing and creating advertisement pointed at a target market.

The use of social media is very effective at spreading the word and getting information out to the public. Engaging social media outlets such as Facebook creates a vast audience that can not only spread the word through a small community, but vast groups of individuals. Facebook and Twitter alike allow for non-profits to set up a free page and post events, pictures and even request other organizations. An advertising individual that is skilled with Twitter can also use blogging to update followers about events or even specials that the organization is having. This promotes attendance and greatly creates presence online and locally. A person that is highly efficient in advertising, primarily online would be able to create a presence online and reach millions of viewers/potential customer or volunteers.

An artist would be a good person to add to the collaborative design team as well. Banners and signs can greatly help promote events and the business itself. Letting the public know what the organization does and what they need, can be created through well designed advertising materials. An artist could not only help Bike Saviours create a good logo, but also design the many types of advertisements or other marketing materials that would benefit them. Other materials that could be designed by the artist would be brochures, business cards and flyers that could be handed out to potential customer, volunteers and others that are interested in the business. Colors, presence and the overall look are important in the advertising of any business, especially one that is new and not yet well known.