When species like Sunda tigers, Sumatran elephants and hawksbill turtles are critically endangered, each individual life is precious and must be protected. For organizations like yours that work tirelessly to save animals like these through wildlife rehabilitation programs, it’s critical to maintain adequate funding to avoid interruptions from lack of resources and labor. But how are you sharing the news and results of your good work to attract donations? Are you leaning on communications with your existing supporters alone, or are you engaging in ample outbound marketing efforts? Regardless of your level of marketing sophistication, finding an expert to help with a wildlife rehabilitation public relations strategy can expand your reach, maximize your fundraising and reassure supporters that their donations are going to a worthy cause.
At Orange Orchard, we understand that PR for a wildlife rehab organization needs to be specialized, and we recommend finding a partner (like us!) that shares your values and passion for animals. Let’s look at a couple ways working with an experienced agency can help your efforts.
Leveraging PR for Awareness and Credibility
Increase awareness – and credibility – by sharing success stories: There is nothing more compelling about a wildlife rehabilitation center’s mission than stories of the work itself. Whether the need stems from natural disasters like hurricanes or human-influenced events like oil spills, sharing the stories of the animals you save can move supporters. These can easily be shared on your blog or social media platforms; however, a team experienced with wildlife rehabilitation public relations efforts can help pitch these stories to publications like One Green Planet, Earth, and even People Magazine and USA Today to help increase national awareness. Having your news in respected outlets also adds a layer of credibility to your organization that you can’t get with advertising and paid media.
Establish thought leadership for your founders and spokespeople: Any business or organization can benefit from a respected spokesperson or a team of experts that can speak to the press equally well. That said, even the most seasoned expert in wildlife rehab isn’t always prepared to serve as a mouthpiece for their organization. Through media training, a carefully planned strategy and targeted media placements that position your spokespeople as thought leaders, you can further enhance your credibility and create real trust among existing supporters and potential new donors as well.
If you’d like to elevate your organization’s visibility, expand your reach and grow – and maintain – your supporters, contact us at Orange Orchard to learn more about adding a wildlife rehabilitation public relations strategy to your marketing plan. You can reach us here or by calling (865) 977-1973.