Over centuries, storytelling has followed a similar pattern. Once you’ve cracked the code to the pattern, you’ll find that telling compelling nonprofit stories becomes less overwhelming and more manageable. You can apply the same blueprint again and again and know the stories will be well received by your audience. Below [...]
This online appeals post is part two in a six-part series. You can read part one here. In part 1 of this series, I outlined my top six fundraising strategies for 2021: Investing in digital-first fundraising and marketing communications Mastering online appeals, user experience and messaging Mastering relevant content marketing [...]
This is part 4 in a 4-part series. Read part 1 and part 2 and part 3. By now we know that your communication efforts will be much more effective when there is a clear plan in place. It’s important to determine goals and objectives, understand your audience, and develop [...]
This is part 3 in a 4-part series. Read part 1 and part 2. Communications plans help offer structure and strategy that can save you time and energy in the long run, while getting your desired objectives accomplished. Having a coherent communications plan where you package your message will help [...]
Nothing comes from nothing. Your organization needs a nonprofit content marketing strategy. Replete with, dare I say it, content. Your fundraising needs fuel. Why? The No-Content Problem What if you shared this on your website, blog or e-newsletter? Even if you slapped a “Donate” button on top, would anyone click [...]
This is part 2 in a 4-part series. Read part 1 here. Any experienced marketer would tell you that understanding one’s audience is key to success in communication. When creating a strategic communications plan, it's important to identify your goals for each particular communications effort. After you identify the goals [...]
This is part 1 in a 4-part series. Read part 2 and part 3. Part 4 is coming soon. Does it ever feel like you’re throwing emails, newsletters, and social media posts at anyone who will listen–but aren’t really sure if your efforts are working or not? This method is sometimes [...]
Your donors are the ones who make your organization’s mission possible. They fund your programs and ensure you’re able to continue the amazing work that you do on a daily basis. With all they do for your organization, are you thanking them thoroughly enough? Nonprofits that don’t adequately show appreciation [...]
Imagine a story where someone was born, everything went perfectly from beginning to end, and then the story was over. Where is the intrigue? Where is the interest? Where is the excitement? Where is the lesson learned? Where is the transformation? When it comes to a good nonprofit story, struggle [...]
Once you and your team have worked together to fine-tune your internal nonprofit strategic communication initiatives by constructing a mission statement, vision statement, and identifying your core values, you can now start to strategize your external nonprofit communication efforts. There are several forms of external nonprofit communication which include: Website [...]
I leafed through my stack of mail the other day, and there it was: another colorful, overfull packet from Treesavers International (not the nonprofit’s real name). I opened the thick envelope and pulled out a stack of stat sheets, membership forms, and return address labels I’ll never use (seriously, nobody [...]
If you are working to master the messaging of your mission to share with the public, start by looking within. Sounds very spiritual doesn’t it? But really, good nonprofit strategic communication begins within an organization before ever setting out to share with everyone else. Before you communicate with an audience, [...]