09 Aug Guide to Getting Loud About Making Good Things Happen

By Jennifer Vickery, National Strategies Public Relations

We hear so much negativity on the news, social media, or even from the colleague across the way. It can feel like the bad news outweighs the good. I’m here to explore the notion that there is a great amount of positivity, if not, even more than bad news, its just that bad news is louder.

People talk louder when they’re angry. People tune in to the news to see the latest scandal. People slow down to see the car accident on the side of the road. However, people don’t tend to do this with good news. That’s where we need to do something different, even as nonprofit organizations that are doing so much good.

I recently had a mentor of mine say to me, ‘when things are hard, get louder,’ and those words really have stuck with me. We need to be loud. We can take the good things that are happening each and every day. Get louder about them. Share and show them to excite and invigorate others. We are helping spread positivity that way.

Social media. Nonprofit organizations should post every day in order to reach a diverse group of people. Most nonprofit social media posts ask for fundraising, and that’s where we challenge you. Get loud about the stories and people you help. Ask the volunteers on the front lines for these stories. They can even be anonymous. Get loud about sharing the good news!

Media attention. Develop relationships with your local news stations. Get loud about your upcoming events and initiatives. Make sure that your message about helping others is heard from the media as they have access to communicating to the masses.

Newsletter. Your newsletter is a tool to communicate and educate. Have a section that is just about the good things that you’re doing. Get loud by highlighting a photo of someone helping others; or a smile on an individual’s face that supports the team internally.

Content. Developing articles, videos, and other content to tell your organization’s story is key. Interview leadership, volunteers or people being helped. Grab a quick video of the conversation and share it. Content goes a long way!

There are numerous ways to spread the message about doing good; and we challenge you to get louder than the ‘noise’ of the bad news. Make your voice heard and watch your organization flourish.

About Jennifer Vickery: Jennifer is the President and CEO of National Strategies Public Relations, a PR firm that focuses on nonprofits and organizations with corporate social responsibility initiatives. Her background is in national public relations campaigns, where she oversees every aspect of PR strategy utilizing her 16+ years of senior-level experience. She’s worked for hundreds of national clientele through every facet of PR. Jennifer is truly inspired and lives every day knowing she is making an impact on the lives of people in the community by providing expert information and the best-of-the-best in businesses, community involvement and goodwill.