Outreach to African Americans

Outreach to African Americans

Conducting outreach to African American and other ethnic communities can be challenging if it's a new experience for you and/or your organization. One of the most important lessons to be learned is to know as much as you can about your target audience. It will help you to devise a strategic plan.

It's always wise to follow these steps in reaching the African American audience:

• Plan your approach
• Develop a list of goals and objectives
• Conduct a needs assessment with your audience
• Understanding attitudes and culture
• Ways to reach your audience
• Develop a marketing or communications plan for your event or project
• Plan your media relations efforts or earned media
• Evaluate your outreach efforts
• Identify key strategies and tactics

When preparing your outreach efforts, public awareness campaign or event, remember that every campaign is designed to:

• Create awareness
• Educate and inform
• Remind the audience of your message
• Call to think
• Call to act

It's also important to involve the target audience in your research and campaign. It's helps the target audience to feel invested in your outreach activities. Ascertain the challenges and barriers that may prevent your audience from participating in your outreach and engagement activities.

For more information on outreach activities, please download a free copy of our e-book at entitled, Outreach to African Americans at http://promotionswest.com/Welcome.html.