And yet I am troubled by the trend of organizations to steer all conversation towards data. No data bashing here, we go to work in organizations because love, embrace, and breathe our missions. We need to show success, we need to show an impact to stay relevant but sometimes I feel that data is over-kill. When an economy is strong and fewer people are accessing a food pantry I don’t need a data set to tell me that economically people are better off.
When a museum installs a new learning exhibit that appeals to all age groups, the sound of cash registers ringing in the gift shop can tell me what the data report will tell me faster and with a lot less extraneous material.
And yet we have some how come to believe that we should embrace as much of the corporate practices as possible but to what end?
Organizations do have an obligation to be fiscally prudent and provide an annual statement and comply with all tax laws. Moreover an organization must always remember that once public trust is lost reclaiming it is an epic uphill battle that will leave a dark stain.
Organizations should also remember that even though we are not for profit it is ALWAYS in our best interest to respond to all feedback and criticism in a positive manner and learn a lesson.
Organizations should be proactive: DIVERSIFY, DIVERSIFY, DIVERSIFY, never count on one funding stream no matter how popular or how long you have been funded by any one source.
Times change. I have lost track of the number of organizations that have become dependent on one funding source, and when the well dries up they go into crisis mode hiring a director of development who will allegedly be able to make it rain Money. Be proactive, hope for the best, but always plan for the worse.
Your organization should make a point of inviting other organization with similar missions to planning meetings so you can pool resources! THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION WE ARE NOT CORPORATIONS.
More and more I am hearing funders at foundation who are impressed with organizations who are joining resources to tackle tough areas be a leader and stand out.
Remember at the end of the day we chose this line of work because we wanted to make a positive difference in the world.
Facebook isn’t just for your friends, friends of friends, your mother and posting pictures of your cat and adorable kids.
Facebook has rolled out Facebook Pages. https://www.facebook.com/about/pages
Facebook Page allows you to create a page for your organization on Facebook, why bother you are asking?
1. Over 500 million people and growing are on Facebook that means that your future donors, supporters, members etc are on Facebook.
2. You have a personal Facebook page you know how easy it is to set up, update, and manage.
3. Want some instant feedback well the “like” button speaks volume.
4. People spend an average of 8 hour per month on Facebook, what better way to reach your audience as per http://mashable.com/2011/09/30/wasting-time-on-facebook/
5. People share and re-post on Facebook, imagine that you send your message to one person and that person then sends it out 300 new people that is the power of Facebook
6. Facebook has an extensive service and help support.
Set up your Facebook Page for your organization right now!
Well the summer has officially come to a close Autumn is upon us, and I started to think of how the changing seasons affect fundraising cycles.
Most organizations spent August not on vacation but crafting holiday, that would resonate with their audience.
If your organization is working on a direct mail appeal now is the time to supplement/enhance with an online campaign.
1. Ask for testimonials from individuals who have received services from your organizations
2. Start a count down and invite teams to compete to race the clock
3. PICTURES. I have said it before I will say it again and again. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Imagine the following two scenarios on your website: a) A heartfelt appeal to your community because your food bank is running low on canned goods b) a picture of your food pantry with empty shelves. Which would move you? if you picked (b) you realize that “less can be more”
4. Engagement on Twitter. You have been diligently tweeting but remember Twitter is a two way street you should be responding, answering questions, inviting questions etc.
If you want to see a great video on all the great changes that iOS6 is releasing to the iPhone check out this video courtesy of http://www.cnet.com
Your mobile smart phone is one of the most important tools in your social media campaigns.
Need to capture a quick picture of your luncheon attendees to post up on your website and you forgot your digital camera? Time to take out your mobile phone; want to make the experience truly fun and collaborative have the attendees also take pictures of the event and share them the with the special events coordinator. You never know who is going to capture the one shot that embodies the fun and spirit of your event.
But your smart phone isn’t just for picture-taking.
Here are just a tasks that with the tap of an app you can head out for a cup of coffee and still keep track of what is going on in the office
1. Set up and manage a guest list for your event
2. Post updates to your website
3. track the number of visitors to your website
4. Set-up, manage and update your calendar of events
5. Collaborate with your internal and external teams on projects
6. Track the progress of your projects.
I can think of another 15 things but would love to hear from all of you, how are you using your smartphones to manage your social media campaigns?
Some people watch cat videos, others like to shop online. I like to view nonprofit organization websites. I have a top 10 list of favorite out of thousands that I have viewed.
One of the things I have noticed is the “fundraising” page/section/blurb/pop-up etc.
fundraising face to face is challenging, one on one you can make a compelling case tailored to the specific person pick up on visual, social and verbal feedback to help you request your gift.
99% of online fundraising appeals are generic do not make a personal appeal, do not follow-up by asking why the person did or did not make a donation and more importantly what brought the person to the organization’s web page.
Most people view this as a lost opportunity, I disagree I actually see this at minimum of 12 lost opportunities with the count only escalating for each person who visits your site and leaves.
Stalking and tracking people is a no-no. What is important is that you allow and give people an opportunity to share with you why they are visiting your website, what they hope to find (did they find it) and with their permission would it be possible to send them more information about your organization.
Fundraising online also is an opportunity for your organization to show its great work, lean operation, and most important TRANSPARENCY
Sticking up a page asking for contributions without any of the above shows that your organization does not care to engage future donors.
For those of us who like to learn while we are our daily metro commute. I invite you to pick up a book on social media.
Trying to pull all the social media resources from the web can be an overwhelming if not impossible.. If you have read the book and would like to offer some feed back please feel free to drop a comment below. If you would like to share a social media tool that has helped you or your organization I would also like to hear from you.
Grab your letter head, logo, look at your website?
Do you see a natural evolution of your brand? Most organizations do not think of themselves as brand but your services and product are your brand and when consumers, community members, donors and funders research and discuss you it is your brand that is doing the talking when you are not in the room.
So look at your letter head, logo and your website? Will they be able to capture the eye of the overworked program manager at the foundation who has to decided between your organization and your competition?
Google organizations similar to yours? Do you feel they have better captured the work you are collectively doing? What about their website resonates with you?
Now is the time to create feel good networking. So pick up the phone or send an email and ask your counterpart at organization Y how they managed to pull off such a great social media campaign. I have learned in over 10 years that in the non-profit sector even if we are “competitors” we are never in “competition” I have made truly wonderful friends just by picking up the phone and asking for help. I encourage you to do the same when you find a website that you love that you feel will help you with your own social media campaign.
I just realized the Social Good Summit is starting Sept. 22 -24, 2012. I am going to post the link below for those of you who are on the East Coast or are interested in learning more information about the Social Good Summit. It is a great opportunity to see how technology is having a positive impact in the non-profit sector. For more information visit:
socialmediatoolsfornonprofits
socialmediatoolsfornonprofits 