Take a moment to think about the last product you bought. I’m sure the product’s advertisement told you exactly what the product does, how it does it and why you need it, all in a clear, concise way. If you are nodding your head in agreement with this, then clearly the way the product was marketed sold you. This is because companies know that it’s not about what you say, it’s how you say it. By focusing on the key points of the product, companies are able to catch your attention and draw you into the product, because you as the consumer, see the need for the product and the return on investment. This same logic can be used when posting your organization’s volunteer opportunity.

In order to capture the attention of potential volunteers, it’s important to highlight the key points of your volunteer opportunity (the who, what, where) in a clear concise way. Bullet points can be a good way to emphasis these points in an organized fashion. Carefully selecting keywords and filters can also help direct potential volunteers to your opportunity.

While it’s important to cover the details, it’s also important to focus on why the opportunity is impactful. Let the potential volunteer know what they will be working towards, and why your opportunity is the one they should choose. Although, always remember to be honest with your post. Make sure the volunteer knows exactly what the opportunity entails. You want your volunteers to have a positive experience so they return and encourage their friends to do the same.

Now that we’ve covered what to say, let’s talk about how to say it. Make sure you keep your post clean and professional. Try to use photos and words to describe your opportunity, not clip art and different, colored fonts:

 

Ready to post your opportunity? Before you click submit, take a moment to look at our post checklist:

  • Focus on the important information
  • Be clear and concise
  • Select the best keywords and filters
  • Emphasis the ROI (return on investment)
  • Set realistic expectations of your opportunity
  • Keep your post professional; avoid clip art and loud colors and fonts

View our Volunteer Recruitment: Posting Engaging Opportunities webinar here.