Ever dream of creating a brand that people love… and trust?
Alignment with military charity organizations is one of the easiest ways to accomplish just that. But here’s the thing…
Most brands ignore this branding goldmine completely. Charity partnerships can be your secret weapon for building brand reputation, gaining consumer trust and earning loyalty that no ad campaign ever could.
Here’s the deal..
Traditional “brand awareness” type charities can feel… impersonal. That’s why most brands struggle to find charity partnerships that align with their brand identity. Or, they try to force one and end up disappointed with their results.
Boring brands make boring partnerships.
Except when they don’t.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Unique Benefits of Charity Partnerships
- Benefits of Military Charity Organizations
- How to Create a Strategic Charity Partnership
- Maximizing the Partnership Results
Unique Benefits of Charity Partnerships
Imagine if you could get millions of people to endorse your brand…for free.
When a brand authentically aligns itself with a cause their audience cares about… Magic happens. Those millions of people suddenly view your brand in a different light. They trust you more. And become more loyal customers.
It’s true. According to one survey, almost half of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that donate a percentage of sales to charity. Only 5% said they would be less likely.
Millions of people willing to throw their endorsement and hard earned cash your way.
If that’s not an incredible opportunity for your brand, I don’t know what is.
Now don’t get me wrong… Not all charities are created equal.
There’s one particular sector that tops them all when it comes to gaining consumer trust and loyalty.
They’re loved by the public.
They’re respected.
And they make your brand look pretty darn good just by association.
Sound familiar?
Yep, I’m talking about military charity organizations.
Allow me to explain…
Benefits of Military Charity Organizations
Pick any military charity organization out there and I’ll show you why they’re a perfect partnership candidate for your brand.
What’s the catch?
There is not one.
There are some of the best veterans charities out there that have positioned themselves perfectly for brand partnerships. And there are literally hundreds of other military charity organizations that would love to partner with your brand.
Here’s a few reasons why:
Supporting a vet charity = Surefire brand trust.
When you partner with a military charity you know your brand is going to resonate with your audience. Veterans are patriotic. They support our troops. People love our troops.
It’s not cool or trendy to support military charities. It’s expected of brands that want to gain consumer trust.
Military charities transcend politics.
While Hollywood leftists jump ship at the first sign of conflict, our troops handle it with grace, courage, and extreme sacrifice.
Appealing to veteran causes will reach every single demographic your brand could ever want. Conservatives, liberals, everyone in between. Military charities make you look good.
And they know it.
That’s why sponsorships with military charities consistently perform better than other charities.
Partner with a vet charity. Gain customer trust.
Brands that partner with military charities get immediate respect.
They know what makes consumers tick.
As a bonus, cause marketing sponsorships have seen record numbers in growth over the last year. So chances are your competitors are looking into this stuff… you should too.
How to Create a Strategic Charity Partnership
But how do you turn a simple partnership into sale boosting magic?
Simple.
You follow some best practices.
There is a formula for success, and while each brand will execute differently, it all comes down to these principles.
Your brand must stand for something.
And that something needs to matter to your audience.
It’s that simple.
If “supporting veterans” doesn’t align with your brands core values, then pick a cause that does. Authenticity is everything.
Once you’ve found the perfect cause, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is.
Here’s how to build a strategic partnership that puts your brand in a great light.
- Stop just donating. Get creative. There are hundreds of ways to support a charity besides just throwing them money.
- Support a charity that aligns with YOUR brand. Not your customers. Sorry guys, most of those TikTok “challenge” type campaigns just won’t cut it. You need to genuinely care about the cause you partner with.
- Involve your team. Employee participation in your chosen charity is a huge bonus. First, it creates authentic content for your brand. Second, your employees become powerful brand ambassadors for your chosen charity.
- Be transparent. Let the audience know where their money goes. Hold your partnership up to the light. Make sure they can prove how every dollar you give them will be spent.
And that’s it! Pat yourself on the back for making such a positive impact on the world. Humble brag to the media about how great your brand is.
Kidding.
Although that’s not a bad idea either.
Maximizing the Partnership Results
“Alright, I partnered with a great charity. How do I tell everyone?”
Brilliant question.
See, starting a charity partnership is half the battle. Getting the word out is where your real work begins.
This is how you tell the world:
Did you do a press release? Good. Pro tip: Don’t just send it to one journalist. Send it to every media contact you can find.
Are you talking about your charity partnership on social media? Great. Make sure you’re talking about it everywhere.
Website? Crazy car wrap advertising? Can I get coupons through my local vets association? You bet.
Obsess over promoting this partnership.
Become so linked with your cause that someone could find your brand by simply searching for that charity.
Oh, and one more thing…
Track your efforts. See what works and what doesn’t. Numbers don’t lie and measuring the partnership will help you earn more trust (and profit) in the future.
When done correctly, your charity partnership can become the heart and soul of your brand.
Liked this post? Check out this blog about empowering veterans through employment.
Make Your Brand Unforgettable With Charity Partnerships
Are you tired of your brand being just another face in the crowd?
Guess what?
You’re audience feels the same way too.
Believe it or not, your brand isn’t supposed to be boring at all.
In fact, your brand needs to stand for something more. Sure, selling those widgets is important. But your real goal should be to leave a positive impact on the world.
Whether that’s humanitarian efforts, protecting the environment, or something else. People support brands that care.
One of the easiest ways for your brand to show they care is by supporting a military charity.
To sum up:
- Charity partnerships allow your brand to earn endorsements from millions of people.
- Military charities give your brand access to an audience that loves supporting veteran causes
- Authenticity is crucial to your brands charitable partnerships
- Sell more by plastering your brand all over your chosen charity
- Monitor the partnership and use the data to grow
