A mixed bag of great links from around the web. I leave them to you to enjoy!
Fundraising is Fun
Click-it: Why Fundraising is Fun. This opinion piece by Arthur C. Brooks in the New York Times echoes something I’ve taught for years. Fundraising is a way you facilitate philanthropy.
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Philanthropy, Not Fundraising
For too many nonprofits something isn’t working. Change is happening at a rapid pace while people try to employ yesterday’s ‘best practices,’ seeming to work harder and harder to make do with less — while needing to serve more.
Before the digital revolution, an information imbalance existed. This facilitated a one-way ‘push’ model of marketing/fundraising. We could define our own brand and sell it. Guess what?
DetailsFirst comes love… then comes marriage…
Are your supporters showing you they love you? Are you showing your supporters you love them? And finally — do you love your supporters?
It’s a long way from “I like you” to the altar.
Too many nonprofits forget this. And frankly, it’s hard to fall in love with someone you’ve barely met. So if all you have are solitary transactions with folks
DetailsThis week is all about building relationships using online media – with tips from some of my favorite nonprofit and for profit fundraising, marketing and social media gurus.
With donor retention rates hovering around 30 – 40% — yes, that means you’re LOSING 7 out of 10 new donors and 6 out of 10 repeat donors – it’s more important than ever to use every tool at your disposal to truly engage with your constituents. The majority of them are online, either a lot or a little. So read these articles and put your best foot forward!
DetailsStop counting likes and follows. If your work plan has “increase FB likes from X to Y or increase Twitter follows from Y to Z” as an objective, delete, delete, delete! Your objective must relate to your “why;” it can’t just be a “what.”
Who cares how many “friends” you have if none of them are engaging with you? Liking is passive. Engaging is active. What do you want folks to feel/think/do? You simply won’t get there by wishing and hoping. You get there by inspiring.
DetailsIf you’re not using social media to get and retain more donors, be afraid. Be very afraid.
Social media has ceased to be a nice little “toy.” An “add on thing.” It’s the thing. If you’re not hanging out where the majority of your constituents are getting their information, you may as well fold up your tent and go home. David Letterman didn’t “do social media.” ( See “Do you use the Twitter device?” ). He’s going home.
Letterman may be ready to go off into the sunset. But you shouldn’t be. You can learn new tricks!
DetailsWhile most non-profits realize the benefits of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, far fewer organizations fully realize the inherent power of LinkedIn.
As one of the original social networking platforms geared primarily toward professionals and businesspeople, LinkedIn can provide your organization with networking and marketing benefits, no matter the size of your non-profit. Here’s how to effectively use the LinkedIn platform to increase your organization’s reach and profile:
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If you’re like most nonprofits, you’re still trying to figure out how social media can help you sustain and grow your mission. Most of you are getting it wrong.
Sorry to be so blunt.
Here’s how you’re going astray: (1) your posts are too promotional; (2) your content isn’t relevant to your readers, and (3) you’re too repetitive and boring, without adding value. If you’re simply counting up your numbers of “likes” and “follows” and patting yourself on the back for how you’re growing your lists, you’re totally missing the point.
DetailsHere are some gems – practical to thought proving — from some of my favorite nonprofit fundraising and marketing gurus. I leave them to you to enjoy! Marketing Click-it: Are You Making These 3 Mistakes in Your Marketing? Are you trying to build your e list or supporter base? Betsy Baker suggests three…
DetailsYes, it turned to spring at 12:57 p.m. early this morning. It’s a good time to do a little spring cleaning. Clear out the mistakes and the old stuff that’s no longer working for you. Keep the basics. Freshen up with some new stuff, or just tweak things a little. This week’s links for nonprofit fundraisers and marketers includes some of all of this. Happy spring!
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