Blogging with a Purpose

As a blogger, you have the unique position of being able to promote whatever you want on your site. This could be anything from your personal company to the fundraiser your friend’s niece is running in order to go to camp.

However, what if you have a major organization that you really love and enjoy supporting? How do you bring your readers on board so they support that same group through your blog?

The idea behind any kind of fundraising or awareness campaign is not to “kill” the subject.

Your readers will need enough information to understand the cause, see how your efforts are supporting that agency and then choose the way they would like to be involved.

Crystal clear transparency

One instance is when you are selling items or services online and want to donate a portion of each sale to the cause. Be very clear to which cause this money is going and exactly what benefits that agency is going to see because of it.

Then, your customers can make an informed choice, and after reading your introduction to that cause, hopefully jump on board with you. It’s very important that you value each sale, not just those who choose to participate in your fundraising efforts.

Alienating those who choose to support other groups, or in fact don’t support that cause at all will only negate all of your hard work. Let your visitors, shoppers and readers know that you appreciate them no matter what they choose to do.

Avoid TMI

The sad truth is that people tend to avoid sites where the writers are overzealous in their cause.

Yes, each cause is important and there are extreme cases that really increase the amount of money you can raise. However, be sensitive to the likes/dislikes of your readers and don’t overwhelm them with something they can’t handle.

It might be more appropriate and effective to take a “middle of the road” approach showing why the agency’s hard work is so important without using the extreme examples. This does not diminish your belief or your support for the cause; it just makes it a topic that more people are willing to consider and discuss.

Your main objective is to bring about more awareness and support, not push people away. Their first introduction should not be the grisliest, ugliest side of it perhaps, but instead a gentle approach that welcomes them with open arms at any level of support.

Maintain your original identity

This is your blog/site/webpage and it’s your business to support any other agencies you like. However, don’t let these efforts take away from or take over your main objective.

For example, if you have readers coming to your site to get book recommendations and find out what’s new on the market, don’t suddenly change over to spouting the information of the cause full-time. Make sure you continue to deliver great content and information but also let them know this is something you care about as well.

Your readers will find that more endearing and they will be more supportive if you stay on track. It will also give your site more credibility because you’re not becoming a money pit for donations only.

Rather, your visitors will recognize your posts as being about something that affects their world too and they may start looking for more opportunities to help. The family or community atmosphere you create on your blog with these efforts will continue to grow then.

It’s possible to successfully promote many causes on your blog or site as long as you do so wisely. Maintain a healthy level of balance and your efforts will see fruit for a long period of time.

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

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