To Blog, or Not to Blog? Only if You Do it Right. Do You?

Is this what your readers get from your blog posts? A big sucking sound? You may think it’s cute, but… think again. You really don’t want your blog to SUCK!

Do you have a mature social media operation, or are you just a baby? Or a teen? Babies babble. Teens make it all about themselves. Are you simply using Twitter to babble? Facebook to say “look at me?”  Or have you embraced a more full-grown strategy?  The best place to start, and the fastest way to get there, is with a blog.

Next to email, blogs are the most mature form of social media.

They’ve been around the longest, and they’re pretty tried-and-true. As nonprofit leaders Allison Fine and Britt Bravo remind us in Building Better Nonprofit Blogs, they’re an awesome place for ongoing, substantive conversation that builds sustained relationships.  And they’re a great place to get started with social media writing.

Think of your blog as a mini website, with a personal rather than professional (aka “corporate”) flair, and the heart of what you do.  It’s not “extra” or in any way “frivolous.” IMHO what used to be (1) newsletter; (2) press release/ads and (3) remit envelope is evolving into (1) blog; (2) social media and (3) customized landing pages.

More and more people communicate online. And inbound marketing that gives folks an opportunity to interact and be heard is increasingly the way to success.

But there’s a right way and a wrong way to blog. Just putting stuff up there mindlessly, and erratically, is the opposite of donor-centered. It won’t build relationships, win friends or influence people. See my full article on Maximize Social Business: Is Your Nonprofit Blog Donor-Friendly? 8-Point Checklist.

Blogging should be the hub of your marketing communications strategy.

And it’s no longer enough to have a “good” blog or even a consistent blog. Nope. Instead, your ultimate goal as a nonprofit blogger is to create a blog that is someone’s favorite nonprofit blog on earth! Seriously. That’s what you should strive for.

That’s what will get donors coming back for more. That’s what will attract folks you’ve never heard of (and vice-versa) to find you and learn about all the remarkable things you’re doing. And if you don’t do it, someone else will.

It’s really not that hard. You just have to be intentional. You need to make some decisions. What kind of blog are you going after? Funny? Thought-provoking? Useful? Emotionally inspiring? Think this through first.

Then… you’ll find there are a number of basics you’ll want to pay attention to before you’re ready to publish a post. These are simple, truly. You’ve just got to be aware of them and do them.

1. Title
2. Key Phrase
3. Formatting
4. Links
5. Images
6. Mentions
7. Call to Actions
8. Author Box

Pin this next to your computer: Is Your Blog Donor-Friendly – downloadable PDF checklist. Then, before you hit “publish” – whether it is a blog post, e-newsletter, online appeal or even a tweet or Facebook post –make sure you’ve (1) included everything you intended to include, and (2) done everything correctly.

Why? Because otherwise your content gets lost. People don’t find it. They don’t read it. They don’t act on it. It’s just sad.

Get Your Blogging Playbook

Want to bring potential supporters on an engaging journey towards deeper and deeper involvement (and ultimately investment!) with your cause?  A great blog can help you get there lickety split. Learn how with one or more guides from this 4-volume set that will teach you (1) blog fundamentals; (2) content folks will want to read; (3) how to use your content to engage folks, and (4) how to promote your blog so it builds momentum and drives more potential supporters to your website. Tons of information in an easy-to-digest format with worksheets, tip sheets, checklists. templates and exercises. Plus, I stand by all my Clairification products.  If you’re not happy, there’s a no questions asked full refund policy. The only way to lose is by doing nothing. Don’t be a loser!