internship
Volunteer to Get a Job
Unpaid internships are a form of volunteerism, and whether you have a degree in business, biology, or engineering, there are often volunteer or intern roles that allow volunteers or interns to gain transferable, resume-building skills.
Volunteer in Alberta
Alberta Gives Back
Whether you come from Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Wood Buffalo, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, or Fort McMurray, there are hundreds of ways you can connect to your community and make a difference.
Getinvolved! Volunteer Series on TVO
Season 4 on TVO
How does volunteerism change you? That was the question we set out to answer this season as we traveled across Ontario, talking to volunteers from all walks of life about how doing good for others can do good for you too.
Volunteer awareness and fundraising
Youth Engagement
When volunteers raise awareness, what does it look like? Is it a tangible outcome that you can see? For most of us, no. Learn how to better engage youth in awareness and fundraising, by showing them the impact they make.

How To Use Podcasts To Build Your Brand & Expand Your Audience

June 27th, 2011

By Guest Blogger: Phoebe Powell, Volunteer Canada

Non-profit organizations are always hunting for new, innovative ways to share their stories and interact with their networks. Podcasts can serve as an effective brand-building tool for non-profits. In the non-profit sector, where money is often tight, podcasts can help organizations extend their reach and build new audiences without investing a great deal of cash.

Orange podcast icon with headphones on itBuilding your brand with podcasts

Podcasts can help organizations forge relationships and reach new audiences. Inviting expert guests to participate in your podcast not only brings an added layer of credibility to the show, it also exposes your guests’ networks to the work of your organization, and can bring them into your own circle.

By focusing on your organization’s area of work, your podcast can help establish your organization as a leader in its field. By maintaining focus on its mission, a non-profit can effectively build its brand across a new platform.iPod with orange podcast icon next to it

The Dos and Don’ts of podcasting

Do focus on what you know. The key to producing a captivating podcast is having a clear focus; you must know why you’re recording your show. Stick to subjects that relate to your organization’s work. Keep your intended audience in mind when developing an episode – will they be interested?

Do cross promote. Use your podcast to promote your organization’s work. While the focus should be broadcasting engaging content, there’s no reason it can’t tie to your organization’s campaigns and projects. Don’t forget to promote your podcast through your networks – social media, newsletters and your organization’s websites are great platforms for spreading the word about your podcast.

Don’t get too heavy. While differing views and respectful debate can make podcasts interesting, avoid direct confrontation with guests. They’re on the show to share their expertise, and it’s your role to stimulate conversation, not to provoke.

Volunteer Canada launched its new eVOLution podcast series at the 2011 Canadian Business and Community Partnership Forum. The series explores topics and trends affecting the voluntary sector, and it features live-to-tape interviews with experts from the non-profit and corporate sectors.

Click here to download eVOLution episodes for free from the iTunes store.

 
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