Weekly Clairity Click-it: Content Creation, Storytelling, Practical Social Media, Asking, Thanking

Click-it!

This week’s Clairity Click-it – your eclectic array of easy to-“click-it” links to posts I’ve found thought provoking. With, of course, a few comments of my own.

Content Creation

Click-it: 25 Brain Lubricants to Generate Content Ideas. This guest post on the Convince and Convert blog comes from creative director Barry Feldman. If you feel like you don’t have enough content to fill a blog (and if you read me at all you know I believe every nonprofit should have a blog!) check out these great ideas for combating writer’s block.  Here’s one I like: Got a bookcase full of dusty old classics? Crack one open. Try poetry. Hit Pinterest for inspirational quotes. There’s something about great thinkers that makes you think.

Storytelling

Click-it: Using Stories to Foster Online Communities. Vanessa Chase talks about one of the best ways to capture attention and engagement online. And if you’re thinking, easier said than done, check out her post on what you might consider doing differently and how to find great stories.

Social Media: Practical Stuff

Click-it: Can I Register a Hashtag? From Kivi’s Nonprofit Communication’s Blog comes everything you always wanted to know about hashtags but were afraid to ask. They’re not dead. In fact, they’re taking off.  If you haven’t been using them, now you’ve got no more excuse. This makes it easy!

Click-it: Just One Thing – Better Blog Ranking with Category Pages. This is a great “how to” from Stanford Smith of Pushing Social. Stan is my ‘go to guy’ for blogging advice, and I’d encourage you to poke around his blog and subscribe to his posts. He also has free videos to help you grow your readership, and lots of goodies on finding and creating great content.

Click-it: Tweet This, Not That: Simple Swaps That’ll Make Your Twitter Posts More Appealing. This eye-opening post offers easy-to-implement strategies to get more of your twitter posts opened and shared. Thanks to the great folks at HubSpot and to guest blogger Liz O’Neill! And at the end of the post you can also download a free introductory guide on how to use twitter for business. Such a deal.

Asking

Click-it: 4 Reasons You Should Love Hearing ‘No’ .This is a quintessential post from the folks at Inc.com, reflecting a mantra that all fundraisers should hold close.  It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes attributed to hockey great, Wayne Gretzky: “I miss 100% of the shots I don’t take.” There comes a point where you’ve got to stop cultivating and start soliciting.

Thanking and Donor Retention

Click-it: Change Your Life With The Power of Gratitude. Never forget that after you ask, and after the gift comes in, you’ve got to thank your donor if you want them to continue their support.  This sounds obvious, but we’re clearly not doing it all that well.  Because a shocking study conducted by Charity Dynamics and NTEN shows that 21% of donors say they were never thanked for their support.  Gratitude is powerful, and there’s science behind this. This article quotes Prof. Robert Emmons (the world’s leading expert on the psychology of gratitude), who in turn quotes Ben Stein, actor and economist: “I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you how to be rich. But I can tell you how to feel rich, which is far better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich. Be grateful… It is the only totally reliable get-rich-scheme.”

PS: STOP!  Speaking of the power of gratitude… Here’s a way to assure your nonprofit gets rich. Before you plan your year-end fundraising campaign ask yourself: “What’s my follow-up plan?” Don’t miss your opportunity to get a spectacular 4-week, self-paced e-course on The Power of Thank You for mere pennies. It’s being taught by me and the fabulous Pamela Grow.  You can check out the full syllabus here . The Early Bird Price is outrageously low, and you get lots and lots of practical tips, templates and checklists PLUS bonuses galore – a teleseminar, webinar, eBook and script, video tutorial and more! Reserve your spot now. Early bird pricing ends August 21^st.

Photo: Flickr, Isaac Torronterra