9 marketing channels to share your message and drive your mission
June 23, 2025
Marketing is one of the most useful tools you have for reaching people, building relationships, and promoting your cause. From websites and social media to print materials and in-person events, there are lots of ways to get the word out — you just have to find the right mix for your goals and audience. This guide walks through some of the most common marketing types and channels to help you get a clearer picture of what’s possible and where to focus your efforts.
Whether you’re new to marketing or looking to refresh your approach, understanding the basics can make a big difference. Each marketing channel offers something unique, so focus on the ones that play to your strengths and support the way you work.
Build a marketing strategy around what you do best
1. Web design
Your website is your digital home and the foundation of your marketing strategy. It welcomes visitors and gives them everything they need to know about your organization, including ways to take action.
Use it for:
Showcasing your services
Highlighting your impact
Promoting your programs
Sharing your mission, vision, and values
Collecting donations and posting volunteer opportunities
Pro tips:
Build a well-designed site that’s easy to navigate and mobile friendly. The user experience should be intuitive and effortless.
Use consistent branding and styles to establish your organization as trustworthy and professional.
Create visual interest that encourages visitors to explore and engage with your site.
Clearly articulate your purpose, mission, and vision so visitors know exactly what you stand for.
2. Social media marketing
Social media platforms are a great way to build your community and connect with your audience. You can easily and effectively raise awareness about your cause — and promote your work for free.
Use it for:
Sharing impact stories
Promoting events or services
Offering educational or informational content
Engaging with your audience in real time
Encouraging calls to action
Pro tips:
Post content that your customers will find useful, interesting, or entertaining.
Use a social media calendar to stagger your posts and align them with your initiatives and events.
Engage with your followers and encourage them to post about your efforts and share your content.
3. Email marketing
Email marketing has been a useful tool for businesses for decades. Tried and true, it’s an effective way to motivate your subscribers, as well as build ongoing relationships with your supporters and donors.
Use it for:
Newsletters
Success stories
Company updates
Event invitations
Important announcements
Pro tips:
Create emails that speak directly to your audience and include a clear call to action.
Personalize your messages and use email templates to produce clean, professional designs.
Be judicious with the number of emails you send — don’t overwhelm your subscribers.
4. Content marketing
Content marketing allows you to tell your story by educating your audience and showing what you’re doing to create impact. When you share knowledge that genuinely benefits people, it helps build trust and inspire action.
Use it for:
Blog posts, podcasts, eBooks, tutorials, and webinars
Case studies, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes stories
Research and important data findings
Pro tips:
Create content that’s fresh, compelling, and helps your target audience solve problems.
Offer informational resources — like downloads and how-to guides — to increase interaction from readers and visitors.
Repurpose your content by offering it in multiple ways — turn a podcast interview into a blog post or create an eBook from a tutorial video.
5. Video marketing
Videos are a widely popular and effective way to grab the attention of your audience at minimal cost. Video content elicits an emotional response, leading to more interest, engagement, and advocacy.
Use it for:
Highlighting community impacts and positive change
Sharing testimonials from people your organization has helped
Showing ways your organization addresses challenges
Interviews and Q&As
Animations and graphics
Pro tips:
Make it relatable to your audience by focusing on things they care about.
Grab viewers’ attention within the first few seconds and get to the main point of your video as soon as possible.
Produce clean, well-lit videos and make sure the audio is crisp and clear.
6. Search engine optimization (SEO)
By using relevant keywords, search engine optimization helps move your website and content to the top of the search for potential supporters interested in causes like yours. SEO works behind the scenes to make it easier for people to find you.
Use it for:
Better visibility on Google
Answering questions your target audience is asking
Increasing visibility and driving organic traffic to your site
Pro tips:
Add new content to your site regularly to help boost ratings.
Research top keywords in your industry and use them throughout your site.
Include content that answers a question your potential supporters, donors, and volunteers might have.
7. Online advertising
If you need fast results, paid ads can help get your message in front of the right people at the right time. Online advertising can quickly expand your reach, improve search rankings, and drive traffic to your website.
Use it for:
Sponsored posts and banners
Pay-per-click campaigns
Collaborations with influencers or content creators
Pro tips:
Find out where your target audience is spending time online and focus your efforts there.
Paid advertising can be costly. Set your advertising budget early and monitor your campaigns regularly.
Collaborate with other content creators, influencers, and media outlets on sponsored posts and videos.
8. Print marketing
Traditional print media gives people a tangible, enduring way to connect with your organization. Though digital marketing is more widespread, printed media is still an effective promotional tool and is widely seen as more credible.
Use it for:
Business cards and letterhead
Brochures and catalogs
Annual reports
Newsletters and direct mail
Pro tips:
Integrate your print materials into your overall marketing strategy for the highest impact.
Create striking materials that wow your audience and are consistent with your brand.
Invest in high-quality design and printing.
9. Events and networking
Whether online or in person, hosting and attending events helps increase awareness and provides valuable opportunities for professional development and networking. It also increases your connections with peers, your community, and industry leaders.
Use it for:
Facilitating workshops, open houses, and pop-ups
Participating in community gatherings
Hosting fundraisers
Attending conferences
Pro tips:
Do your research to make sure the event aligns with your goals and initiatives.
Collaborate or co-host events with other businesses to combine resources and share costs.
Practice your marketing pitch to quickly describe what you do and how it benefits people.
Actively engage with participants and discussion groups by asking open-ended questions and learning from others’ perspectives.
Choose your channels and get started
There’s no single “right” way to make these marketing channels work. Your approach can be as unique as your organization, so build on your individual strengths and interests. Love to write and tell stories? Make blogging and content creation the heart of your strategy. Prefer being behind the camera and letting the work speak for itself? Focus on photography and make a visual impact. Whatever your style, the goal is the same: connect with your audience in a way that feels natural to you.
You don’t need to use every marketing tool out there — but knowing your options can help you make smarter choices and get better results. Start with what feels doable, stay consistent, and pay attention to what resonates with your audience. As you continue to share your message, your marketing can build trust, reach more people, and ultimately drive your mission.