Marketing Matters – Social Connections Beyond
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Turn Your Club Into a Content-Creating Machine
When our clubs build a ramp, conduct a vision screening, or run the pool concession stand, those moments matter. Yet many neighbors still say, “I didn’t know the Lions did that!” Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk (folks call him Gary Vee) offers an easy idea we can borrow:
Record one good story, then share it in several small ways.
You don’t need fancy gear: just a phone with a camera, a willing volunteer, and the steps below.
1. Capture the Big Story
- Pick one project. Maybe your club’s next food-box packing.
- Hold the phone. Film ten minutes: Lions at work, the committee chair explaining why it matters, and a quick “thank-you” from the recipient.
- Keep it steady. Rest the phone on a table or ask a younger Lion to hold it. Good sound and clear faces are more important than Hollywood quality.
2. Share the Whole Thing
- Post the full video on your club’s Facebook page and/or YouTube channel.
- Send the link in an email to members who missed the project or to local newspapers looking for stories.
3. Create Smaller Pieces…One at a Time
You can turn that single video into several short items without touching complicated software:
- Audio-only version. Most phones let you “save audio.” Email the file to members who like to listen while driving.
- Written recap. On YouTube, click the three dots under your video and choose “Show Transcript.” Copy and paste the words into a club newsletter or the District 37 website.
- Short clips (under 1 minute). Use the free “Clip” button on YouTube or ask a tech-savvy Lion to trim a powerful moment, perhaps a homeowner’s smile when the ramp is finished. Post that snippet as a Facebook Reel, Instagram Reel, or TikTok.
- Photo stills and quotes. Pause the video, take screenshots of the best scenes, and add a caption like “Service from the heart: Choteau Lions, July 2025.” Share one picture every few days.
4. Stretch It Out
- Schedule posts ahead of time using Facebook’s built-in “Schedule” option.
- One Saturday project can fill your club’s news feed for the next two or three weeks.
5. Ask for Help
- Grandkids, college students, Leos, or newer Lions love this kind of thing; give them the job of “Media Lion.”
- If there’s enough interest, I’ll host a monthly “Office Hours” for clubs to check-in about their digital marketing question. Leave a comment below on this blog post.
Why Bother?
- Visibility. The more our communities see Lions in action, the easier it is to recruit new members.
- History. Videos and written recaps create an archive future Lions can look back on.
- Pride. Sharing good work reminds us, and each other, why we serve.
- Best-kept secret. Lions Club members and the service we provide to our communities are our best-kept secrets. Telling these stories lets our neighbors discover all the ways we give back.
Montana Lions have never hidden from hard work; let’s stop hiding our stories. Pull out that phone, press record, and let the world watch the good we do.
Written By Lion Steve Dogiakos
Steve has been the Cabinet Treasurer for District 37 since July 2024. Steve is also the Treasurer for the Choteau Lions Club, the Choteau Lions Club Foundation and is the President of The Montana Dinosaur Center in Bynum.
