A Cause Marketing Idea Born From YNPN's Blog Out Loud
| Posted in Marketing on Sep 13, 2012 by |
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Last October, I attended an event called Blog Out Loud, put on by the local chapter of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (ynpn). Now I am a member of this group and have enjoyed the educational and networking opportunities they provide, but this event was different than most. This event was similar to TED talks or Pecha Kucha nights in that people get up to share their ideas. But there was something interesting about young nonprofit professionals "blogging out loud" that caught my ear in particular and it involves a new way to think about cause marketing.
One speaker brought up co-working centers and how their model is that people who don't want to work at home or in coffeeshops can go to a community space where there are office resources to share (for a fee). He then brought up the issue of attracting and retaining young talent in the St. Louis region. Even when the economy is booming and there are tons of jobs, young people want to feel part of a community and St. Louis has to be prepared to offer them a life outside of work. Without insinuating that STL wasn't cutting it, this speaker brought up a fascinating idea that has stuck with me for this entire last year. What if we had co-playing centers?
Think about it: kids have playgroups and school, seniors have community centers and retirement villages. What do normal adults do to get together and play? Where does a 20-something go to practice their guitar that doesn't bother their roommates? How does a young professional find a group of people to critique their writing or show them a new knitting stitch or play legos with them? Being the legomaniac that I am, I was hooked on this concept. But then, the kicker.
Shouldn't companies looking to find and retain the best and brightest talent have a vested interest in cultivating a community in the St. Louis region that allows them to get and keep those folks? Shouldn't a center like this be bursting with sponsors?
This is a different way to think about companies doing good. Any of the larger (or smaller) employers in our region are or should be invested in making the region a livable place. And supporting a local community center would be a unique way to show their love for the area as well as protect their own interests and ensure success of their own goals. This is not donating to a local event. This is not putting a ribbon on the window. This is a win-win type of situation where companies ensure for themselves a happy workforce and in turn look like the local heroes that they are, providing a valuable service and a great space for genuine collaboration and community.
Has that blogged-out-loud idea come to fruition? Not yet. Has it given food for thought to me and plenty of others? Yes. And isn't that what a blog is supposed to do?
You can catch this year's Blog Out Loud event October 11th at the Regional Arts Commission. If you have an idea you'd like to share about the nonprofit scene, you can still submit through Friday, September 14th.
Emma Klues is a Project Manager and Account Executive at Elasticity, specializing in helping brands launch effective cause marketing campaigns and nonprofits execute cost-effective marketing efforts. Emma brings a unique blend of five years of nonprofit sector experience and marketing expertise to her work at Elasticity. Find out more at goelastic.com.
Tags:
Cause Marketing Nonprofit Community Building Young Nonprofit Professionals Network YNPN Blog Out Loud
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