I need some suggestions - please help.

[Entity]

I'm new to this, so please help if you've done it before, or have any ideas.

I'm a type-one diabetic (as many of you know by now) and am starting a non-profit organization called the Hike for Diabetes. Unfortunately, I'm having very little luck getting any attention to either my website (www.hikefordiabetes.org) or the cause itself.

Are there any good, free methods of publicity that I'm missing? I know it's not an easy cause, but I'm hoping for more than we're getting so far...one month into operation and a little over $50 in individual sponsors. We're having some luck with commercial sponsors (got our first one, Montrail, the other day) but the bulk of the meaning of this hike is in spreading awareness to individuals, and so far, I don't feel like I'm succeeding in that.

Suggestions?

thanks,
Rob

 

[thelanx]

Have you tried submiting your site to search engines?

That way, diabetics who are interested can search and find your site.

 

[Fireman]

Hit your local TV stations and newspapers. Be organized and informative when you go and have some ideas in mind. They want it to be as easy as possible for them so if you do the ground work you are more likely to get a response. Hope this helps.

 

[Entity]

I'm submitted to several, actually. I do come up on google, but unfortunately only when searching for hike + diabetes; if you search for diabetes, I come up, but not for several pages.

Rob

 

[vi edit]

I really don't know what orgs are out there, but here are some things to try -

Stop in at your local hospital and check in with the diabetes group/doctors there. See if they know of any newsletters that are published weekly/monthly/ect that are mailed out to diabetics. If their is such a thing, see if you can get a small blurb in a column.

Also, why you are there, see if you can put a pamplet or flyer in some of the waiting rooms and actually in the rooms themselves. If I have to go in for a physical or whatever, I'm usually stuck in the room for about 10 minutes or so before the doctor shows up, and I usually grab whatever pamplets are in the room to read to keep me occupied.

Also, maybe check with the doctors and see if they would mind handing out pamplets specifically to diabetes patients when they come in.

I'd check both at the hospital level, as well at the first response buildings, and the family practicianers.

 

[Entity]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I'm also hoping to get more support on the commercial/industrial level.

It's looking like we have a good shot of getting fund-matching by Microsoft and Boeing. I'll keep you updated.

Rob

 

[Namuna]

No real suggestions, just wanted to wish you luck!