10 Reasons Your Nonprofit Needs to Be Texting
From time to time, I host guest posts from professionals with niche expertise. There are just some things others know a lot more about than do I, especially when it comes to technology. Today’s article is one of those, from someone who really understands the ins and outs of text messaging and fundraising. Here’s what he has to say.
Nonprofits today face many challenges.
You do too! You’re busy and overworked, and the prospect of adding a new channel to your plate is daunting. But what if texting is a strategy that can help your nonprofit overcome some of the problems causing you stress?
- Are people not paying attention to your messaging? People read texts.
- Are your email numbers declining? Text messaging stats are rising.
- Do you need to make things simpler? Texting is as basic as it gets.
You can future-proof your nonprofit by embracing text messaging. Everything is going mobile, and putting a strong texting strategy in place puts you at the center of the action.
Here are 10 reasons why your nonprofit should use text messaging:
1. It’s Where People Are
Watches, phones, tablets, and more—so many people have them, and not only do they have them, they take them everywhere. These little devices have invaded our lives.
- 97% of American professionals are within 3 feet of their mobile devices 24 hours a day.
- 89% check their phones within the first 10 minutes of waking up.
- 75% take their devices to the bathroom, sometimes even falling asleep with them.
- 69% have texted someone in the same room as them.
- People look at their phone 144 times a day.
- 35% said if they could only have one, they’d rather keep their cell phone than their car!
People are on devices, so reach them on a device. After all, a classic marketing mantra is “if you want to reach people, go where they are.” And texting is the best way to do that:
Just look at the open rates: 90-95% for texting vs. 30-35% for email.
To do: Generally, more than half of web traffic is from mobile devices. In a mobile world, you need a mobile-first strategy. To persuade yourself and your leadership you should really prioritize this, take a look at your website’s analytics and compare mobile to desktop traffic. It’s time to reach people where they’re at.
I’m a huge Seth Godin fan, always in awe of the plethora of wisdom he manages to pack into one pithy post. I save them up, building a collection I can draw upon for inspiration as life, personal and professional, pushes in.
You are if your modus operandi is fire fighter.
If you’ve never read management and marketing guru 
Have you been struggling with whether – and how – to incorporate generative artificial intelligence (AI; ChatGPT) into your work? Or perhaps you’ve been worrying your job will soon be obsolete?
Early in my career I received a piece of fundraising advice that has stuck with me to this day:
Have you ever received confoundingly terrible customer service? Maybe at a restaurant, hotel, fast food restaurant or retail outlet? It happens all the time and, likely, you’ve thought to yourself: “Why on earth are they treating me like this? It’s so stupid! Don’t they realize I’ll never come here again?”
Today a friend, who serves on the board of a struggling local arts organization, asked me what they can do to increase their fundraising. I asked her a few questions; then answered simply: “Have more conversations with people; make more friends.”
Did you ever wonder if there is a foolproof way to communicate with donors?
Annual reports don’t have to be dry as dust. In fact, the most effective ones are not financial reports; they’re a story with the donor at the center. And they inspire action.
For many nonprofits, the yearly annual report is often just another task on a very long to-do list. Most charities are juggling a lot—development, program maintenance, fundraising, and more—and the annual report can feel like yet another mandatory routine project. One that often gets handled at the last minute without much intentional care and effort.
Okay, I recently let folks know I’d “finagled” a discount for them. After one reader told me the word “finagle” means “to obtain something by devious or dishonest means,” I sent an apologetic “Ruh Roh” email. I received a lot of forgiving feedback. Thank you! Many of you kindly supported my initial use of the word “finagle.” Apparently, there is more than one definition.
This Thursday folks in the United States will celebrate what I consider to be the social benefit sector holiday of the year.
In 2018, WSJ columnist Christopher Mims observed:
Have you started working on your annual appeal and year-end fundraising plan?
This year Giving Tuesday is November 29th. So, soon.
In 
You’ve got one month before fall fundraising season begins in earnest.
Babies can teach you the same thing.
You bet!
I had a fundraising post all ready to launch today, but I just couldn’t do it.
Here’s the deal: When you match people to environments or roles congruent with their skills, knowledge and strengths, they’ll do better.
What I have for you is something you can do this week (or you can pick another week on your calendar that isn’t already overfilled with appointments, assignments, meetings and what-not). It’s really simple and really powerful. There’s one catch: you have to put aside 45 minutes/day for five days. If you’re resistant to change, read no further. This post isn’t for you. If, however, you have a hunch you might be able to move from good to great, then… read on (oh, and there’s a little bonus ‘gift’ at the end).
I’m excited to share three easy tips with you, and the results are measurable. Do these things and you’ll be able to tell if they impact your bottom line!
For this year’s appeal, are you shooting from the hip?
TRUTH BOMB:
I know you’re working on calendar year-end fundraising right now.
Whatever side of the political spectrum you’re on, the photo below is triggering.