Marketing 101: Be a Volunteer

Be available and be a volunteer only have one thing in common. Both require a bit 'of your time. You need to look at every request for your time to determine how we can best help. If you are too booked, you will not be able to use any outside consultants. The schedule should include small fragments of time that may be available, this will give you the flexibility to move some things around to accommodate the customer. Personally, I always left open Friday afternoon. If a customer needs me on Thursday afternoon and the site is unexpected, I can move my work to the Thursday time slot. If not present during the week, I just get a bit 'of my workload for the next week and get it done soon. Invariably, your time will be filled even if there is nothing planned.

Volunteering to help a client can not lead to help them with their projects. It may be that they are putting on an event that will bring more potential customers. These events may be such things as seminars, symposia, or training programs. If they want your help, just ask what they would like you to do. It may be that you want as one of the speakers for the event or to put them in touch with an organizer of events has been used in the past. Always ask first and then make your decision.

The biggest problem with being a volunteer is the balancing act you must perform to keep all your projects on time and on schedule. Do not spread too thin, keep on top of your calendar at any time .......