Gabrielle and I are in San Francisco at the Social Enterprise Summit. I've just come from my first session - Building Buzz for Your Social Enterprise: Low-cost, High-impact Marketing. They are speaking my language!

As we've done several events in Portland these last few months, my mantra has been low-cost, high impact. And it's worked. My experience is that it's too easy to find oneself on that slippery slope of planning events and marketing strategies that become resource drains. 

Here are the six success factors that were shared during the session:

1. Create a message that people want to buzz about.

Before you do this, though, first identify what communities you want to talk to. Second, determine which tools are most effective for talking to that community. 

2. Focus on benefits and results relevant to listeners.

3. Share your mission when you talk about products/services and mentioning products/services when you talk about your mission.

4. Build a buzz team: staff, board, volunteers, supporters

We all need a network of angel advocates who are evangelizing our cause. We cannot do it alone and, frankly, it's not much fun either! These are people who have an interest in getting your message out. Be sure to identify and provide tools they will need to buzz about you such as talking points, collateral and/or videos. 

5. Make personal connections with people who can help create buzz. 

6. Create a imple plan and work it consistently.

I love this one!