Your nonprofit is unique. It has a mission, a vision, and a brand that sets it apart from other organizations. But how do you make sure your organization stands out among the crowd? The answer is simple: marketing. From creating a memorable logo to developing an online presence, here are five aspects to consider when marketing for non-profit organizations without breaking the bank.
Make a Mark Through Branding
Branding is important for all businesses, but it’s especially important for nonprofits. A strong brand can help you build trust with donors and volunteers while also creating an emotional connection with the people you serve. It’s more than just the look and feel of your organization—it’s what makes you unique in the eyes of your audience.
In fact, branding is more than just having a logo or slogan. It’s using those elements to create a clear message about who you are and why people should support your mission. As such, it involves developing not only visual assets like logos and websites but also language that aligns with your mission statement, as well as values like honesty, transparency, inclusion, and collaboration (to name just a few).
Update (or Create) Your Website
A website is the first impression most people have of your organization. You need one, and it needs to look good – but it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.
- When marketing for non-profit organizations, invest in content that engages potential donors, volunteers, and those seeking more information about your mission.
- Include an online donation platform.
- Use web analytics software to track traffic and conversions on your site.
- Incorporate key phrases that people may search when looking for solutions such as your organization.
- Consider using social media plugins such as Facebook Connect or Twitter widgets on every page of your website. This way, visitors can easily “like” or follow you from within the website without having to leave.
- Maintain an active blog with regular updates about upcoming events, campaigns and volunteer opportunities. You can also include sponsored content from other bloggers or brands who are passionate about what you represent, and anything that keeps readers engaged!
Set a Social Media Strategy
Social media is a great way to increase exposure when marketing a non-profit organization. It’s not just for fun; it’s an essential part of marketing. Social media allows you to directly interact with people who care about your cause and communicate information about upcoming events and fundraising campaigns. Here are some tips for making the most of your social media strategy:
- Set a Strategy – Decide what kind of content you want to post on each channel, whether photos, videos, or links to other sites. Also, decide who will post the different types of content on those channels and when they’ll do it (for example, in the morning or at lunchtime). This will help keep things organized and allow everyone involved in running the accounts to stay focused on their tasks while contributing as much value as possible.
- Interact with People – Don’t just broadcast information—also respond when someone comments on one of your posts. This shows that you’re listening closely to what people have shared with you (and makes them feel more appreciated). It also encourages them to continue interacting and share again next time!
- Professional Help as Needed – If your team simply doesn’t have the time to keep up with a variety of social media channels throughout the week, working with an outside agency to help can alleviate the tasks involved with this marketing tactic. At Three29 we not only publish content on social media, we are quick to respond to comments and pick up on trends that influence our client’s audience.
Media Relations Still Matter
Though it’s true that media relations are no longer as effective as they once were at building brand awareness, they still have value. Media relationships can be used to reach new audiences and help you get the word out about your cause or organization.
So, how can you do this without spending a fortune? Here are five tips:
- Develop a media list and plan your outreach priorities.
- Identify the best way to reach each outlet and find an angle that will interest them.
- Pitch your story to the right person, not just “Joe in PR” or “Editor” at the publication.
- Ask how you can help the publication with their needs; don’t just send them your story and expect them to run it.
- Be consistent in your messaging and tone.
Work with Non-Profit Marketing Experts
Working with non-profit marketing experts is a great way to increase your donations, volunteers, and members. Experienced marketers will help you reach your goals by getting your message out there in the right way.
- Marketing professionals can help you get more donations, volunteers, and members.
- Non-profit marketing experts know how to market effectively without spending too much money.
- They know what works best for nonprofits, so you won’t waste time on things that won’t work for your organization.
Conclusion
We hope this post has given you some ideas about marketing for non-profit organizations. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our other blog posts on how to best market your organization. Contact us at Three29 if you are interested in partnering with our team to increase the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.
