Even in a year hampered by restrictions on in-person events, the nonprofit sector continued to thrive in 2021, ranking as the fourth most profitable market in the promotional products industry in Counselor’s State of the Industry report.

Nonprofit has already proven to be a resilient and reliable market, and with the number of events increasing throughout the year and restrictions lifted or loosening throughout the country, the need for promo in this sector expects to grow even larger in the future – especially when you consider 1 in 5 Americans attend an event to support a cause every year.

We know there’s an appetite for charity events and community outreach, but what’s the best way for your clients to capture their audience’s attention? Consider these tips when pitching promo options in this sector:

• Pick the Right Products
  Not all promo products are treated equally when it comes to nonprofit events. A reusable water bottle is a more practical choice than a ceramic mug for an outdoor event, for example. Put yourself in the mindset of clients’ attendees … if you were attending this event, what would you like to go home with? Include those products in your pitch! If clients can connect their event to the giveaways, they’ll more easily build a bond with their audience.

• Create Buzz on Social Media
  Using digital spaces to promote in-person events is a must, as it’s one of the quickest and most efficient ways to express a message to a large audience. Even users outside of your clients’ typical audience are looking for charities to donate to, so implementing widely used nonprofit hashtags (#dogood, #volunteer, #donate) is a great way to expand their reach. Be sure you offer to include these hashtags on product imprints to build even more awareness.

• Go Beyond Giveaways
  Promo giveaways have become standard at nearly every charity event, and while they are effective, there’s room to make an even bigger promotional impression. Don’t leave these products out of your pitch: logoed tents, canopies and table covers. Ask clients if they’ve considered raffling off more desirable or higher end promotional items. Check out the Idea Center in ESP to see what’s trending for events.
• Offer Help!
  The bedrock of nonprofit work is an inherent desire to give back to the community, and your clients’ audience feels just as passionate about this mission as they do. Whether it’s developing an eye-catching custom website, creating a detailed presentation or using Local SEO to find relevant clients in your area, your brand can help with ASI’s suite of advertising options.

 

Tell us about your charity experience. What ideas worked best? If there anything you wish you had done differently? Let us know!