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Recruitment Campaigns: Strategic Approach to Attracting Volunteers

Volunteers are the moving force behind any movement or organization. But making sure the right people learn about your organization and then actually want to join it might not be easy. That is why it’s essential to invest in a comprehensive recruitment campaign!


In Qela, we pride ourselves on helping organizations deepen their relationships with supporters and increase volunteer retention. To achieve this organizations need to approach their recruitment campaigns strategically. Here are the steps any movement should take to make sure its recruitment efforts bring desired results. 


Creating a Grassroot Recruitment Strategy

Scouting people in your local community one by one can be time-consuming and, frankly, exhausting. That’s why you need to create a recruitment campaign that will help you reach out to as many people as possible and convince them that they need to volunteer for your organization. 


Analyze the Previous Campaigns’ Wins and Missteps

If you’ve been running your organization for some time, chances are you already have experience with recruiting supporters for various programs and campaigns. Analyze the tactics and channels used in the previous recruitment campaigns. Which channels was your movement using for the outreach, and what was your key messaging? Assess metrics like response rates, conversion rates, and volunteer retention to identify what’s working and where there’s room for improvement. 


Qela allows you to see the data-driven results of all your campaigns in real time with easy-to-read infographics and feedback from your community. Having regular data updates helps our clients adjust their strategy and change it in real-time if there is a need for that. Sign up for a free 30-day trial here: https://www.qela.app/register 


Define Your Objectives for the Campaign


It’s always easier to recruit people as volunteers for a specific cause. Therefore, launching your recruitment campaign at the same time or right after your grassroots campaign is the best way to do it. 


We have covered all the steps of running a successful campaign here: 



The issue you are working with in your campaign — be it a social justice cause or a local problem — should be one of the main reasons why people should join your movement. Make sure to crystalize it into a SMART goal — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objective. Communicate it consistently throughout your campaign to make sure your supporters know what they are signing up for.


Define your objective for a recruitment campaign in the same manner. Establish the desired number and demographic indicators of volunteers you want to attract and the skill sets needed for your campaign. This involves understanding the specific needs you have in your organization at the moment. Is there an event in a specific area that you’re trying to get volunteers for? 


Identify Who You’re Looking For


Besides focusing on defining the demographics you need to engage in your organization, ask yourself what are the skills, interests, and talents you might need for your campaign. Including this metric in a recruitment campaign strategy helps to ensure a more personalized approach and consistent volunteer retention.


In Qela, we allow our clients to see specific interests that your volunteers have—from talents they already have to skills they want to develop through engaging with your organization. Studying the skills and talents of your existing volunteers through Qela’s software can help you identify what type of people to attract to your community in the future.  Learn more about FREEDOMS talents here. 


Invest in Your Campaign Messaging


The main objective of your campaign should be at the core of your campaign messaging. Communicate the issue you are trying to solve and the goals you hope to achieve. Besides that, incorporate key elements such as the challenges faced, the actions taken, and the positive outcomes achieved through volunteer support. 


Additionally, include your current volunteers' stories or pictures in the communication campaign. This will help make your movement seem more relatable and attractive for potential volunteers.


Ensure Your Application Process is Easy


Have you ever given up in the middle of the application process just because it was too complicated or long? This is a problem for many organizations. The attention span of an average person nowadays is incredibly short and it’s essential to make sure your application process is both effortless and engaging. Utilize such digital tools as online forms or volunteer management software to make this journey a pleasant one for your supporters.


Crafting a smart recruitment campaign is essential if you’re hoping to attract the right people to your organization and make sure they stay with you for the long run. Learn more about how Qela can help you with your recruitment efforts here: https://www.qela.app/ 

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