How to make your supporters feel like VIPs

Many EMS providers, especially non-urgent ambulance transport providers, know how fickle the market can be when marketing for inter-facility ambulance calls. 

Ethically and legally responding to these facilities’ "What have you done for me lately?" attitude also applies to not-for-profit  9-1-1 providers. 

Working to engage and keep a customer is much like appealing and successfully receiving support from a grantor or community donor.  In both cases, visibility means credibility. Communicating regularly and occasionally, like breaking news, is key to keeping supporters rallied around your bandwagon. 

Your donors would like to believe they can take some credit for the lifesaving work your agencies perform every day. Luckily, with email newsletters, email campaigns and social media, it’s easier than ever to share the credit where it matters most. With very little effort, you can enlist your supporters in what they will consider a very elite and educated group of VIPs.

A monthly email newsletter is a great place to start communicating with those who have granted, supported or given monies to support your organization.  It’s inexpensive and can be reposted as social media communications and website blogs. 

I like to use Constant Contact or Mail Chimp since it’s easy to track engagement. And, there is at least one "breaking news" email blast a month that’s sent out to supporters and keeps them feeling like a VIP. If the stories are good (and HIPAA compliant), your supporters will look forward to your notifications even when they occur five or six times a month.

For the newsletter, set a schedule and stick to it. That way, you show that even with the little things, you keep your promises. It’s a subtle and important message. And, remember, people want to be a part of something when they’re in good company. 

Ask one of your board members to contribute with a message about why they support and serve your organization.  Share a thank you note from a saved patient. Use good photos to illustrate your training initiatives, new equipment and to introduce the new recruits who are joining the ranks. Come up with a slogan that expresses the appreciation you extend to your donors and make sure it’s part of every newsletter and email blast, i.e., "Your generosity makes its mark on our lifesaving care."