Getting Good Vibes from small charities

Just three weeks ago I started Charities in Focus, as a project to support small charities with free marketing / management advice & photography. It's been a whirlwind and I'm having a blast. I'd like to share what I've learned so far.

Since then, I have been overwhelmed by the positivity and warmth that's greeted me. It's the feel-good factor of doing something just to help others. So addictive!

Let me recap what's happened so far....

Following my light bulb moment to give birth to this project, and a couple of glasses of wine - I created my logo, opened up Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts & profiles, set up a YouTube channel, learned how to use Ripl, got to grips with HootSuite, created my website, wrote a couple of blogs, learned how to use video-editing software, held a photo-shoot and shot & edited a promotional video. With a few more glasses of wine along the way.

So I've started offering free support to small charities based in Cambridgeshire. Six charities have gotten in touch - sadly one was in London, which is just a bit too far away for me to help. That's been the only painful bit. I made the decision that I didn't want to charge charities for my work or pass on any expenses, such as traveling costs. So I knew I may have to say "no" to some charities. That hasn't been easy, but I do hope that London charity understands.

What's been so fascinating is that all the charities want something different. I guess that's what makes working with small charities so exciting! One wanted PR and promotional advice, another needs advice about strategic planning, a further charity is considering merging (and therefore re-branding), whereas another one wants help with improving their social media.

I've also been approached to give marketing training to small charities... I'm mulling that one over. But I'm having so much fun and getting a genuine buzz; the people are wonderful and the causes are greatly needed.

Can you help me please by spreading the word? I'd love to help many more small charities in Cambridgeshire. Please share, tweet, re-post so that I can reach more charities.

To find out about the project and some of the charities I'm helping, check out:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charitiesinfocus

Twitter: www.twitter.com/focusoncharity

Instagram: www.instagram.com/charitiesinfocus

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading about my journey. I hope to keep blogging about the project and the lovely charities and people I meet along the way.

Madeleine Cassidy

4/2/2018