How You Can Use Earth Day In Your Marketing

You've probably heard of Earth Day - it's been around since 1970 after all - but do you know what, exactly, it is?

Earth Day is an annual celebration to honor the achievements of environmental movements and to raise awareness surrounding the importance of protecting the Earth and its resources now and for future generations.

Earth Day is an important day for environmental and conservation groups, but nonprofits of all kinds can show their support for Earth Day. Read on for a few ideas of how your nonprofit might participate in Earth Day and use it to your marketing advantage, even if your mission is not directly related to environmental issues.

Partner with an Environmental Organization

Partnering with another organization can not only help you create a unique marketing campaign but will also increase your organization's reach. There are many ways you can partner with another organization in celebration of Earth Day.

You might consider running a joint giving campaign where a certain percentage of donations are directed to the partner group. Maybe your organization could partner with a local environmental group to host an Earth Day event.

If you don't have the budget or manpower to co-host an event, perhaps your staff can volunteer with an environmental group through an event they have already planned - many groups host various "clean-up" days (think clearing beaches or creeks of trash) or events such as planting trees or pollinator friendly flora. These opportunities not only help support the Earth but also provide great marketing and social media stories.

Get Creative with your Messaging

Your organization may not fit directly into the realm of predominant Earth Day issues. However, I'm sure we can all agree there are many environmental concerns which affect us all and some of those may connect with your mission.

If your organization sends children with disabilities to camps, consider showing how the natural world provides the outdoor activities for the kids. Faith-based organizations might use the Earth Day message to give thanks for the world we live in and offer thoughts on the need to care for God's creation. Even sports and health related organizations can incorporate Earth Day messaging into their marketing - after all, we all need clean air to breathe!

Show Your Solidarity

There are many ways your organization can use marketing, particularly social media, to show your solidarity with Earth Day ideals, even if your mission has nothing at all to do with them directly.

Make a post demonstrating the ways your office recycles or reuses. Consider hosting an internal blanket drive to donate to your local animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center. Even something as simple as showing how your organization or staff members have made environmentally friendly changes - cutting back plastics, growing food at home, switching to reusable bags, etc.

You could even make a fun event out of it - run a contest to find the best ways to reduce waste, plant flowers in your office courtyard, host a meatless lunch. There are plenty of fun things you can do to show your solidarity with the Earth Day movement - and every one of them would make for a wonderful blurb in your marketing materials, newsletters, and social media.

While your organization may not seem to fall directly in line with Earth Day, with a little creative thinking, there are many ways you can incorporate the importance of this day in your own marketing strategies, grow your base, and help support our home - Earth - at the same time!

For more creative ways to celebrate Earth Day or to find Earth Day resources, visit earthday.org.