“Cause marketing” is the marketing of a for-profit product or business which benefits a nonprofit charity or supports a social cause in some way. As with most things, there are bad cause marketing campaigns and there are great ones. Some continue on for decades and some fall flat. So what’s the difference? What makes one campaign more successful than the other? Experience shows us there are key components to the cause marketing campaigns that are successful. Without those components, most campaigns will crash and burn.
Below, we've outlined the pieces you need to consider when planning a cause marketing campaign. But first, a refresher on cause marketing and why it's worth your time and investment...
More than just a "campaign", 97% of marketing executives believe cause marketing is a valid business strategy. Click here to read why brands invest in cause marketing in the first place.
Key Components of a Cause Marketing Campaign
A cause campaign needs a specific goal and a specific plan to achieve that goal. Your goal can be whatever you need it to be. No matter what the goal is, be sure to incorporate a measurement system so that you know if your campaign was successful. Some examples of goals for cause campaigns are:
- Brand awareness
- Consumer engagement
- Generate sales
- Raising awareness about a community need
- Money raised for a great cause
Include the Non-Profit in the Campaign
Above all else, be sure to involve the non-profit you plan to benefit with your campaign. You can't just run a campaign without their knowledge. Not only would that hurt your campaign, it might also have legal ramifications for using the non-profit's intellectual property without permission.
The first step is to find a cause that fits with your company's values. If you choose an unrelated cause, your consumers will feel the disconnect and your campaign may suffer.
Find the Right Time
Timing is key. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer for determining the proper timing for a cause campaign. You have to find what works best for your company and consumers. Starbucks' (RED) campaign worked well over Christmas because of their holiday cups, but that doesn't mean Christmas is the best time for every company to launch a campaign.
Keep in mind that the right launch time is just as important as the length of your campaign. Garnering excitement about a campaign is vital in the short term, but over too much time, the excitement can fall apart and wreck the campaign.
Engage Your Consumers
If your campaign is not engaging your consumers, you're doing it wrong. Cause marketing is meant for doing good with your consumers. Here is one way to entice your consumers to participate in the campaign:
- Invite people to join the conversation by including a branded hashtag on their photos and posts. Be careful though! Many companies just throw a hashtag on something and expect people to start using it. Spend some time in figuring out the right hashtag and use it to your advantage.
Always Have a Clear Call to Action
Make sure consumers know what they are supporting and what they have to do to participate. If your campaign lacks clarity, it will not succeed. Communicate the "Why"
Consumers always want to know why. One study shows that when asked what types of campaigns people remember, sixty-nine percent of consumers say they are most likely to remember a public service announcement that presents the facts in either a surprising or a straightforward way.
Get Your Team on Board
Without the support of your team members, the likelihood of your campaign succeeding is slim. Your employees are the voice of your company. If they aren't excited about the campaign, consumers won't be either.
If you're a franchise, be especially careful of "forcing" your franchisees to participate in a cause campaign they don't believe in. You might consider getting "buy-in" from your team members or franchisees before launching the campaign.
Provide Transparent Results AFTER The Campaign
Finally, the most important piece. Share your impact. People will get excited about your campaign when you launch, but if you don't share the results of their support, that excitement will fade. This is a great way to ensure authenticity. Try to think about the results of one campaign as prep work for your next campaign. If people are fulfilled from the first one they will be more likely to support your next effort.
However you choose to share results with your consumers, be sure to thank them. Your company might be running the campaign, but your consumers make it possible.
Keep in Mind That Cause Campaigns Are Part of Your Business
Remember, don’t just do a cause marketing campaign because everyone else is doing it. Be authentic. Choose a cause that you and your entire company can get behind.
Today's blog is by the Causely/Sweat Angels team. He has worked hard to help gyms and martial arts schools do more within the community while serving their need to give back.
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