Targeting your message is as important as crafting it.
We are in the business of building messages, and we love it. But as important as the message is, the audience is equally important. I think that most people understand that at a high level, but let's dig down a little deeper.
Targeting your message equals focus. As I've said 100 times, the great thing about entrepreneurs (commercial or social) is that they love to solve problems. They love to help people. However, the bad thing about entrepreneurs is that they love to solve problems. They love to help people. It's essential that to help the most people in the most meaningful ways, we focus on what we do best and is needed most.
What do we do best? What is needed most? That's where we need to focus our messages. Marry those two, and you have a clearer path to success.
I get it. When I started Spencer Brenneman almost ten years ago, I knew there were innumerable types of organizations we could help. (Wait. What? Ten years ago? How did that happen?) However, I soon realized that just because you can doesn't mean you should. Can you think of any instances in which being all things to all people could work? Imagine a restaurant whose menu offered everything: Italian, French, Chinese, Thai, Ethiopian, vegetarian, southern, kosher, steak, seafood, etc. It's hard to imagine a restaurant like that could be either profitable or achieve a five-star rating.
For 45 years, VinFen has been dedicated to transforming lives. They are a leading provider of community-based services to people with autism, behavioral health challenges, brain injuries, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health conditions. Their staff uses the latest in science-based interventions to support the people they serve in achieving their goals and leading more independent, productive, and valued lives as members of their community.
Through its annual Film Festival, held this year on March 23, 2024, Vinfen uses the power of film to raise awareness, foster important dialogue, and fight against the discrimination and stigma so often faced by people with mental health conditions and disabilities.
“I've been searching for ways to heal myself, and I've found that kindness is the best way.”
—Lady Gaga
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for reinventing her image and showcasing versatility in entertainment, she started performing as a teenager by singing at open mic nights and acting in school plays. In 2012, Gaga launched the Born This Way Foundation (BTWF), a non-profit organization that focuses on youth empowerment.
POINT US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
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