Behind every great volunteer programme is someone who connects people with purpose: your volunteer manager.
Most of us focus on giving them the essentials: scheduling tools, onboarding processes, compliance knowledge, safeguarding training. But what about the skills that aren’t in the job description, yet make a huge difference?
One that often gets overlooked: marketing.
Why marketing skills matter for volunteer managers
Whether they realise it or not, volunteer managers are already doing marketing every day. They’re promoting events, telling stories that inspire action, creating content for social media, and engaging communities. They’re not just coordinating , they’re persuading, inspiring, and mobilising.
Yet we often expect them to take on these responsibilities without any professional marketing training. They end up learning on the job, which can work, but it can also mean missed opportunities to reach more people, keep them engaged, and even raise more funds.
When volunteer managers get access to training outside the traditional scope of their role, the impact can be tangible:
- British Heart Foundation saved £200,000 annually through automation using Rosterfy, while halving the number of steps needed for someone to start volunteering – without compromising training or screening.
- WaterAid raises £24,000 a year from volunteer donations thanks to strategic engagement, mission clarity, and expert marketing – backed by Rosterfy’s Stripe integration.
- London Youth Games increased corporate partner involvement by 48% by crafting an engaging volunteer experience with content marketing and dedicated portals.
These examples aren’t just about technology. They show what happens when skilled people have the right tools.
A simple first step: marketing for non-marketers
One practical way to strengthen your volunteer programme is to give your managers dedicated marketing training.
A good starting point is the upcoming Rosterfy webinar Marketing for Volunteer Managers: A Practical Guide for Non-Marketeers (3 September, 10am).
You’ll hear from experts at Guide Dogs UK, Formula E, and Rosterfy’s head of marketing, Martin O’Neill, sharing tips on promoting events, creating content that connects, and inspiring action.
You can also find recordings of past sessions and details of future events at: www.rosterfy.com/webinars-events
An invitation to your team
If your volunteer managers feel more confident telling your organisation’s story, they’ll be better equipped to inspire action — whether that’s turning up for an event, donating, or sharing your message with others. This webinar is a simple step towards that confidence.
Rosterfy provides volunteer management software that supports organisations to run efficient, engaging programmes. The technology works best in the hands of skilled, confident teams.
Why not give your team the chance to learn something new and see what ideas they bring back?