Marketing and publicity can seem expensive, you want to tell everybody about your project and organisation but you don’t have a huge budget. The good news is it can be done cheaply or even free!

Content (text, pictures, videos)

Your content is one of the most important parts. Take time to plan, involve other people including those not connected to the organisation. What is it you want people to know? What do they need to know to be able to access your services?

Be specific! Where can they find you and when? What activities do you offer? How much do your activities cost? How can they contact you?

Design

Design doesn’t need a degree or any fancy tools! Canva is a great online programme, it can be accessed anywhere, it’s free and has hundreds of templates. From posters, flyers, social media graphics, there’s a template for everything. Did you know? There is an optional free Canva upgrade for non-profits.

Websites like Unsplash have photos and graphics you can download for free to use in your designs.

Website and social media

Less is more! Digital content can go out of date very quickly so try to limit the amount of webpages or social media accounts you have to update.

Websites can be built and hosted for free or low-cost using websites such as WordPress, Wix and Weebly.

Don’t get stuck on the content, add images and some specific text about your project that people might want to know.

Other online publicity

Consider setting up a Google My Business profile, this will help people searching on Google to find your location, opening hours, contact details etc.

You can also get your group or service listed on local directories (Community Action does not run these directories, please contact them directly for more information):

• Bradford Connect to Support includes social care services and support.
• Bradford Local Offer is a directory of special education needs and disabilities (SEND) services.  
• FYI Bradford lists services for children, young people and families.
• Healthy Minds promotes mental health information, advice and support.
• Treacle is a social prescribing website that includes local and national support.

Marketing top tips

• Utilise common search terms on your website: e.g. if somebody is looking for an animal rescue charity, try to include words like “animal rescue charity Bradford”. This makes you easier to find.
• Be consistent. Use the same words and core message across all your communications.
• Use what works for you – if your key audience don’t use social media then it may not be worth you using it either. Don’t feel pressured to use a channel just because it’s there.

How Community Action can help

Need to talk through your options? If the community organisation is in Bradford district UK (including Shipley, Ilkley, Bingley and Keighley), Community Action can help.

Make an appointment to talk to one of our development officers or book a place on the next marketing training course. For organisations with an annual income under £100,000 advice and getting started training courses are free of charge.

Briefing Bradford is Community Action’s newsletter for Bradford District community groups. If you would like to include something in the newsletter, please send a short paragraph of text to briefingbradford@cabad.org.uk – please don’t send pictures or posters, just the text.

Want to start a for-profit business or be a sole trader? Sorry, Community Action doesn’t provide advice to those groups.

Marketing training courses – next dates