Marketing involves spreading a message to an audience through various media. Promotions are the events you use to spread the message and the way in which you spread it (for example, newsletters, flyers, television, radio, email or advertising).
Any project that needs public interaction and participation needs a way to present and deliver its message. Marketing and promotion will draw people to your event and help ensure its success.
Know your target audience - Who will this event appeal to? If you are having a "Beef on a Bun" fundraiser, for example, don't put up posters outside a vegetarian restaurant.
Grab people's attention - Be creative, clear and concise. If your target audience is involved in a lot of athletic activities, put sports-themed posters up in the gym.
Develop a good PR scheme - Positive public relations are critical to maintaining relationships. If your community is putting on a "Walk for Life" event to raise money for cancer research, sign your team up. It shows you support other community causes and it's free publicity for your group.
Keep it simple - Marketing is usually most effective when it is creative but not over the top. Catch people's attention, then fill in just the information they need to know without overdoing it.
Use every resource you have - Leave a positive impression everywhere! Send articles to your school and community newspapers, have a guest speaker on the announcements, or even talk to your school's yearbook editor about a profile.
Keep people up to date - Never lose track of your "customers". Keep your school and community updated regularly on your activities.
