There are two types of recruiting techniques that nonprofits practice: General and Focused. A general recruitment campaign is basically a call for any volunteer, no matter what skills they possess.  While this has its uses, a focused campaign can be more effective.

In “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Recruiting and Managing Volunteers,” John L. Lipp wrote that too many nonprofits rely on general recruiting when they should be developing a more focused campaign. Focused recruiting is all about identifying the specific types of individuals you need and reaching out to them in a strategic way.

In other words, it’s a lot more than putting up a sign that says “Volunteers wanted” and waiting for the applicants to arrive.

Lipp presented six questions you should ask yourself to help enhance your focused recruitment.  The questions are based on the who, what, where, when, why, and how method:

• Who are the types of people that would want to volunteer for our cause?
• What are their hobbies, interests, and passions?
• Where do they live, work, eat, go to school, attend services, travel, and play?
• When is the best time to reach them?
• Why would they want to volunteer for us instead of another organization?
• How do I reach these people?