A well-written and compelling volunteer I-VOL ad will make all the difference in attracting the right volunteer for the role. Here are some tips to get you started:
PICTURE YOUR IDEAL VOLUNTEER
You’ll attract more interest- and more suitable applications- if you are clear on the qualities and skills that the volunteer will need to succeed in the role.
If you have written a volunteer role description, this should help you hone in on what to highlight in your ad.
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD WITH YOUR ROLE TITLE
This is your chance to grab the attention of potential volunteers, who are looking at a variety of roles. Put some thought into it and avoid single generic terms like ‘Volunteer’ or ‘Fundraiser’. There are two ways you can go:
Be Descriptive – tell us what’s involved in the role, here are some examples:
• Office Receptionist & Administration Support Volunteer
• Graphic Designer for Information Leaflet
• Charity Shop Sales Assistant (Bray)
• Plate Pal Mealtime Companion – St Coleman’s Residential Care Centre
• Children’s Bereavement Service Helpline Volunteer
Be Creative – incorporate a catchy campaign name, link with an event, or the time of year. Use humour or language that would appeal to your target audience. Here are some examples to get you thinking:
• Engineers Week Coordinator – Inspire future engineers!
• ‘Buckets for Barnardos’ Fundraising Team Leader
• French Speaking Befriender – Parlez vous Francais?
• Social Media Genius and Live Tweeter
• “Give If You Dare” Halloween Bag Packer
• Chatterbox @ The Volunteer Fair
ELEVATOR PITCH
The first few lines of your I-VOL ad are key. Think of this as your Elevator Pitch- the chance to turn interest into a desire to read on and learn more:
• Keep your introduction short and engaging.
• Why do you need this volunteer?
• How they will be helping to make a difference in your organisation?
• List a couple of specific things that they will do.
At this stage, your potential volunteer should be starting to imagine themselves in the role.
DON’T LEAVE OUT KEY INFORMATION
Are there specific skills, qualities, or knowledge the volunteer will need for the role? Make sure to include them! Including important info will save time, as volunteers will have the knowledge they need to know if the role is suitable before they apply.
• What skills does the volunteer need to have before they start? Ensure that you are clear about what you require from the volunteer, otherwise, you may end up with lots of unsuitable applications – this can be frustrating for both you and the volunteer.
• What qualities or characteristics suit this role? Is the role best for someone who has great people skills? Or will the volunteer need to be happy to work on their own?
• What hours do you need the volunteer to be there? Are these times flexible or fixed? Volunteers
like to know when they will be required as they may have to fit volunteering around other commitments.
LANGUAGE
Speak directly to the volunteer: Use ‘You’ and ‘We’ to appear more personal and friendly, rather than “The volunteer will …”.
Pitch the role using language that will attract your target volunteer. A Website Designer, for example, will expect technical information about your website software, while a potential Board member is more likely to apply for an organisation that comes across as credible and dynamic.
You can also use language to show the personality of your organisation, which might be focused and committed or fun-loving and a bit playful, depending on the type of activities that your organisation does.
Be inclusive in your language. Think about how you can be open and attractive to volunteers who may suit the role, but might need to hear that they are welcome in your organisation.
Include relevant links to your website and social media for further information, and an online application form if you have one.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH YOU?
We know how passionate you are about your cause, so make sure this comes across in your role advert. People want to be part of positive change and feel they are making a difference in their community.
Volunteers will be very interested in the support you can offer, particularly if training is available. Highlight the many potential benefits of volunteering with your organisation. Remember that some potentially great volunteers may not have a fluent level of English so one benefit for them will be having the chance to improve their language skills.
FEEDBACK
Reading back over your role advert, ask yourself: Would I apply for this opportunity? If possible, ask one of your current volunteers to give feedback on the role- are you missing a key selling point that one of your volunteers might be able to add?