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[PODCAST] Making the Most of Google Grants – Sean Littman

Meghan Speer — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:00:32 +0000

Making the Most of Google Grants – Sean Littman

Everyone in the nonprofit space is talking about Google Grants and how to get one for your nonprofit organization. But how do you use a Google Grant to its fullest potential once you’ve been approved for the grant? How can you build an effective search campaign to bring people to your website? How can you convert clicks to donations? Learn about strategies and best practices for getting the most out of your Google Grant. On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Sean Littman to discuss the importance of thinking outside of the box when designing an effective search campaign and the importance of prioritizing campaigns that create an effective funnel to convert clicks to donations.

Sean Littman is a nonprofit marketing strategist that brings a fully holistic approach to an organization’s marketing and digital presence. In the past 10 years, he has started several successful companies and podcasts that grew to thousands of streams per week. However, his real interest is in helping nonprofits maximize their potential on the internet. He helps nonprofits transform their new and existing email lists into profitable campaigns on a monthly basis through visual storytelling, strong content, and email funnels. He focuses on Google for Nonprofits, helping organizations take the $10k/month and turn it into real money. He’s worked with a large range of organizations both big and small to help them achieve their goals.

This episode is sponsored by:

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In-Kind Donations: What They Are and Why They Matter

Jeff Cova — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:00:03 +0000

Diversified revenue streams are essential for all nonprofits. Your organization might rely on a medley of individual donations, grants, events, membership dues, and other revenue streams to keep your mission in motion and create a sustainable funding model.

When it comes to driving value for nonprofits, in-kind donations are another essential type of contribution to add to your collection. In this guide, we’ll review some of the most common FAQs about in-kind donations to give you a solid foundation for boosting this type of giving, including:

What are in-kind donations?
What are the benefits of in-kind donations?
How can you receive more in-kind donations?

For the people who believe in your mission, contributing in-kind gifts can be a remarkably fulfilling and meaningful experience. Make the most of your donors’ generosity by creating a clear in-kind giving strategy with the help of the tips in this guide.

What are in-kind donations?

In-kind donations are non-monetary donations made to nonprofits. This encompasses both tangible donations (goods) and intangible donations (services). Here are a few examples of each type of in-kind gift:

Goods can include gifts of office supplies, equipment, food items, clothing, and other tangible items.
Services usually include donations of pro bono work, such as free financial assistance or graphic design support.

No matter their nature, in-kind donations can help you better serve your community, supplement your internal expertise, and supply your fundraising efforts with the resources and support they need to succeed.

What are the benefits of in-kind donations?

In-kind gifts benefit both nonprofits and donors, making these donations a win-win opportunity to build stronger community relationships. Let’s explore a few specific advantages of these gifts.

For nonprofits

Receive the items you need without having to spend money on them. Let’s say your nonprofit is hosting a silent auction, and you need to gather a variety of items to put up for bidding at the event. By asking your supporters for in-kind donations of auction items, you can get the prizes you need to host an amazing event without spending your event budget to procure these items. Ultimately, this allows you to direct more funding to the mission-critical programs that support your beneficiaries.
Use donations immediately. With monetary donations, your organization must wait until the gifts process before you can buy much-needed items or supplies. However, in-kind contributions can be used immediately. For example, you can start using your newly donated printer right away, or start working with a volunteer graphic designer without having to wait for a payment contract to be finalized.
Fill gaps in your team’s expertise. In-kind donations of services or pro bono work can help you meet internal goals by providing free access to professional expertise. For instance, let’s say you want to create a few website videos with testimonials from beneficiaries. You can work with a videographer who donates their time and services to create high-quality videos because they believe in your mission.

For donors

- Act as a convenient alternative giving option. In-kind donations present an additional giving avenue for donors who don’t want to or can’t provide monetary donations. They will appreciate being able to support your nonprofit’s mission without always having to contribute funds.

Donate items or services they already have. Donors will appreciate the ability to donate items they’re not using to support a good cause and reduce clutter in their lives in an environmentally friendly way. For instance, perhaps a local business accidentally ordered 15 extra office chairs they’re not using. Instead of letting these chairs take up space in their storage room, they can donate them to your nonprofit, where they’ll actually be used.

Form stronger, long-lasting ties to your nonprofit. In-kind gifts can lead to more tangible connections between donors and nonprofits. For example, donors may feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they see that the car they donated is being used to deliver supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition, donors who contribute pro bono work to your organization can form strong personal connections with your staff members as they work together to improve your organization’s operations.

How can you receive more in-kind donations?

After reviewing the benefits of in-kind giving, you might be motivated to add this giving channel to your revenue strategy. However, it’s important to approach in-kind donations strategically to make the most of them. Use these best practices to help spread awareness about and engagement with your in-kind donation opportunities.

Create an informational website page

Design an educational website page to describe your new in-kind giving options. Include the following information:

Types of in-kind donations your organization can accept
Benefits of in-kind donations for both your nonprofit and donors (borrow from the benefits listed above!)
How donors can submit in-kind donations
Tax benefits of in-kind donations

Make your information page user-friendly by using clear language, and demonstrate the impact of in-kind donations through multimedia content. For example, you could create a video showing the art and playroom equipment donated to the children’s play area at your nonprofit’s headquarters. This shows potential donors that their contributions will make a real difference for your organization’s beneficiaries.

Write compelling donation requests

You can also reach out to prospective donors directly to spotlight your new in-kind giving opportunities and ask for their support, especially if you’re asking for a high-value good or a service that requires specific expertise. Connecting with these donors requires creating a compelling donation request that makes it easy to give.

First, use your nonprofit’s CRM to identify donors who may be able and willing to give the items you’re looking for. For example, if you’re looking for donations to your annual auction and gala event, you can start with past auction attendees who have a high giving capacity.

Then, Winspire’s guide to effective donation requests recommends following these best practices to draft your request letter or email:

Brand requests to your nonprofit. Design the message with your nonprofit’s logo, colors, typography, messaging, and other unique brand elements. This helps your request stand out and be more recognizable to supporters.
Demonstrate the impact of in-kind gifts using storytelling. Share stories about how in-kind gifts support your ability to achieve your mission. Show how the gift of gardening equipment helped bring your community garden back to life, or how pro bono construction services helped build the stage for your annual benefit concert.
Include a call to action with a specific ask. Conclude the letter with a specific request for the items or services you’re looking for. For instance, you could say “Would you be willing to contribute a prize to make our upcoming auction the best one yet?” Then, list a few examples of items the donor could contribute that would align with their background and interests. For example, if you’re contacting an electronics store owner, you might ask them to donate a new smartphone, fitness tracker, or video game console to auction off.

Provide specific details for how donors can send in their donated items, whether by mail or by dropping them off at your nonprofit’s facility. Also, offer contact information for a member of your staff that they can reach out to if they have any questions. This will make the giving process as seamless and convenient as possible.

Leverage corporate partnerships

Many companies want to make a positive impact on the world and boost their reputations through corporate social responsibility, so they’re increasingly willing to sponsor nonprofit events and provide in-kind contributions.

Plus, many businesses encourage their employees to donate their time and expertise to nonprofits in their community. For instance, volunteer time off (VTO) is becoming more popular as a way to empower employees to use their paid time off to support worthy causes.

By forming corporate relationships, your nonprofit can benefit from this increased desire to leave a positive impact. Getting Attention’s guide to securing corporate sponsorships offers these four steps for building these partnerships:

Identify potential partners. Companies in your area with similar missions to your nonprofit are a great place to start. For example, an animal rescue nonprofit could partner with a local pet store to benefit from in-kind donations of toys, treats, dog beds, and cat litter. Ask your nonprofit’s staff and volunteers if they have any connections to local businesses looking for charitable giving opportunities.
Initiate a relationship. Invite prospective corporate sponsors to meet with your nonprofit’s staff and leaders in person and tour your facilities. Inquire about their business goals to see how their charitable aspirations align with your giving opportunities. In addition, provide information about your nonprofit’s mission and goals and demonstrate your impact by sharing your annual report and Form 990.
Show the benefits of getting involved. Demonstrate the win-win benefits of starting a partnership with your organization. For example, you might provide free publicity in exchange for support by including your sponsors’ names and logos on event marketing materials such as brochures, flyers, emails, and social media posts.
Make a direct and specific ask. Have a clear idea of the type of in-kind donation you’d like to ask for, whether you need supplies, equipment, auction items, or pro bono services. Plan an in-person meeting to make this request to re-emphasize your personal relationship with the sponsor.

Foster a positive, ongoing relationship with corporate partners by providing follow-up information about how your nonprofit put their donation to good use. Thank your sponsors publicly using your social media and email platforms to bring awareness to their business and promote your partnership. For corporate partners that go above and beyond, consider a significant recognition like a digital donor wall or an appreciation event.

To widen the scope of your corporate sponsor search, explore lists of the top companies that donate to nonprofits. Many major employers have wide-reaching philanthropic programs, and people in your community likely work for these companies. For example, Microsoft sponsors pro bono legal services to support individuals and nonprofits in need.

Know the limits of in-kind donations

While it may be tempting to try to replace all paid services or goods purchases with in-kind donations, these gifts do have their limits. If you need access to consistent, reliable expertise for certain projects or issues, it’s best to bring on a paid professional who can guide you through any challenges.

In addition, you may not want to accept all in-kind donations that come your way. Some well-meaning donors may contribute items that are too worn, defective, or irrelevant to your needs. To reduce the risk of this happening, outline a clear gift acceptance policy to define the types of donations you can and can’t accept. Specify the types of gifts that help your mission the most and the condition that each item must be in.

Lastly, keep in mind that it can be challenging to acquire certain types of in-kind donations, like vacation packages for auctions, from individual donors or corporate sponsors. These big-ticket items might be outside the price range for many donors, or they don’t have the connections needed to procure these prizes. In that case, it can be helpful to work with a consignment provider that specializes in experiential travel packages.

In-kind donations can boost your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, creating a reliable additional revenue stream. With an intentional strategy and clear communication, you can foster more in-kind giving and receive more of the goods and services that are most helpful for your mission.

The post In-Kind Donations: What They Are and Why They Matter appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

[PODCAST] 4 Practices to Improve Your Storytelling – Arielle Bateman

Meghan Speer — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:00:18 +0000

4 Practices to Improve Your Storytelling – Arielle Bateman

Whether it’s an interview about the life of one of the people your organization is helping or a discussion with your donors about the motivations behind their support for your cause, the ability to capture and communicate a story is crucial to the success of your organization. So how do you enhance your storytelling abilities and improve the stories that your organization tells? How can you tell the story of the present while also inviting your audience to play a role in a possible story for the future? On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Arielle Bateman to discuss her 4 practices that she suggests for improving your storytelling: stay hopeful, be curious, focus on the people, and own your story.

Arielle has worked as a nonprofit storyteller for more than 12 years in international relief, human services, and museums. Her work has spanned the donor pipeline from direct response to major gifts. As a dedicated fundraiser and communicator, she enjoys sharing stories of transformation and building relationships in the community. She loves helping people to discover their philanthropic passions and to support the work that’s closest to their heart.

This episode is sponsored by:

Don’t let managing your finances get in the way of doing good. Go to maxisbyfm.com/nonprofit for a complementary consultation today!

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[PODCAST] The Power of Stories: Motivating and Retaining Donors – Matt Hussey

Meghan Speer — Fri, 31 May 2024 06:00:58 +0000

The Power of Stories: Motivating and Retaining Donors – Matt Hussey

What is the best way to convince someone to donate to your organization? How can you maintain relationships with donors to bring in more donations from them in the future? These questions are crucial to the success and long-term growth of organizations, and the answers are not always simple! On this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Matt Hussey to discuss strategies for persuading people to donate and maintaining long-term relationships with donors through the power of storytelling.

Matthew Hussey is the Lead Strategist & Founder. Throughout his career, he has raised millions for charities across North America. He leads a growing team of fundraisers working to grow the direct response fundraising programs to create more “generosity experiences” for donors and organizations alike. Since starting Generosity X, he has been recognized as an award-winning entrepreneur (BC Business 30 under 30). His business has quickly become a recognizable marketing agency for charities looking to grow. Generosity X is on track to double the team in 2024.

Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

This episode is sponsored by:

Go to Hatch.ai today to discover how giving is predictable. Try for free and when you love it, save 20% on a paid account with the code HUB20.

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The post [PODCAST] The Power of Stories: Motivating and Retaining Donors – Matt Hussey appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

How to Turn Your Nonprofit’s Social Followers into Donors

Brooke Currence — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 12:24:48 +0000

Sponsored by Give Lively

Increasingly, donors are turning to social media to find causes to support. According to a recent survey, almost half of millennials say they’re inspired to give to charity by social media. A quarter of Gen-Xers and a fifth of Baby Boomers say the same. Whether your nonprofit already has a devoted following that likes and shares your posts, or you’re still building your presence on social media, here are some tips will help you expand your social audience and, ultimately, your donor base.

Set Up a “Donate” Button on Facebook

When one of Facebook’s billions of users searches for your nonprofit, you want to provide the easiest possible path for them to contribute to your cause. The easiest path is the Facebook “Donate” button. Set up the button by signing in as an administrator to your nonprofit’s account. Click “Add a Button” on the top right of your nonprofit’s page underneath the cover photo. A menu will appear. Select “Make Purchase or Donation” and then click “Donate” in the pop-down menu. Facebook will ask you, “What website would you like to send people to when they click this button?” Enter your Smart Donations URL. You can link your Core Profile or one of your Campaign Pages here. Your new button is up and running!
You can accomplish the same effect on Twitter by pinning a link to Smart Donations with a call-to-action on the top of your page. When visitors come to your Twitter profile, your call-to-action and donation link immediately draw their attention.

Set (and Promote) a Goal

Setting a goal for your Campaign and promoting the goal on social media can be an effective way of driving online donations. Studies show that donors are more likely to give when a nonprofit is working towards a goal, especially if the goal is close. So make sure the goal you set is appropriate. If you’re already close, increase your goal to drive more donations. Promote the deadline and your progress with frequent posts on Facebook and Twitter. Include a call-to-action in those posts to donate and to share your post with friends.

Tell Your Story

Effective storytelling deepens the connection between your organization and your donors, leading to more donations via social. If your nonprofit uses our “Impact Stories” feature, draw attention to those stories in your social post, or incorporate them into your goals (e.g. reaching our goal of $5,000 will help us provide 1,000 meals to the homeless.) Or pick one constituent your organization has served and shine a spotlight on their story on social media.
Setting up a blog on Medium is a great way to start telling your nonprofit’s story (and it’s free). Donors and prospective donors want to know how their contributions will support your cause directly. Imagery can help with this too. Make sure that every time your nonprofit posts on social media, the post is accompanied by a high-quality photo that tells your nonprofit’s story. You can set this photo as your social sharing image in Give Lively’s Nonprofit Member Portal so that it automatically accompanies your link, or you can simply add the photo to your posts and tweets. If you don’t have a good image, search Flickr Creative Commons and free stock photo sites for something that will enhance your story.

Connect Your Cause to Current Events

News stories and current events are driving donations to nonprofits more than ever thanks to social media. Whether your nonprofit has been covered in news stories or not, you can use the news cycle to bring in donations. Share any article you find that’s relevant to your cause, even if it’s about something in another part of the country (or the world), then use social or blog posts to pivot readers towards giving to your nonprofit. You can quote an article and share a link to your donation page alongside it. Better yet, copy and paste moving parts of the article to your blog where you can directly embed Smart Donations and use the news story as a call-to-action to give to your organization.

Consider Boosting Your Posts

Facebook and Twitter give users incredibly powerful tools to target audiences with advertisements. Nonprofits can take advantage of these tools to find new donors and encourage existing donors to give more. You can target people by location, age, income, whether they’ve given to nonprofits before, which types of nonprofits they’ve given to, and much more. For example, you might have the most luck specifically targeting people in your community who are at a certain income level and who have given to a nonprofit like yours before. You can even run a few different ads aimed at different demographics. The best part is that spending just a few dollars can have a big impact on your online fundraising.
Incorporating one or more of these strategies will not only help you reign in more followers, but also make those followers more likely to give again and again to your organization. If you need any help implementing these tips, our team is here to coach you through the entire process.

Give Lively is a tech start-up that builds fundraising tech and gives it away to nonprofits for free. Much like a foundation, Give Lively was founded by philanthropists for the sole purpose of providing free resources to nonprofits. Give Lively stands apart from other fundraising tech companies not only because their tech is available for free to all 501(c)(3)s, but because 100% of product development is based on feedback from nonprofits and donors. Visit Give Lively to learn more at givelively.org.

The post How to Turn Your Nonprofit’s Social Followers into Donors appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

Clever Ways to Boost Publicity Among Key Age Demographics

Meghan Speer — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:32:02 +0000

It’s Time to Take Your Publicity Strategy to the Next Level and Market to Key Age Demographics

You want to drive more traffic to your website, and you have already put the regular best practices to work. You send out newsletters and post regularly on social media. And you engage with your followers. You’re ready to take it to the next level, but how?

Ideally, your digital marketing presence will grow steadily and consistently, even if it is slow. ‘Slow-and-steady-wins-the-race’ is a solid approach to digital marketing for long-term growth. However, you may be asking yourself whether there are any remaining levers or wheels you can maneuver to accelerate growth. There is a world full of voices out there competing for your donors’ attention.

Other organizations may also be using best practices, so how can you get an edge? The resources and strategy ideas shared in this article center on reliable, practical steps you can take now to boost your nonprofit’s visibility and market to key age demographics.

1. Age Bracket: 18-35 — Resource: YouTube Shorts (and TikTok)

Let’s say you have a YouTube channel where you post podcasts, recorded events, or informational content. You need to incorporate YouTube Shorts. Unlike the standard YouTube fair, YouTube Shorts videos are restricted to 60 seconds. Viewers interact with the content by swiping left and right between videos. This means that a significantly higher number of people (who are not even looking for your content) will land on your videos. Try to keep viewers engaged for most of the runtime. Then, the algorithm will automatically show your video to more people.

Getting a few thousand views on a YouTube Shorts video is common. The trick is to first get audiences hooked and then to keep them engaged. A hook can be something as simple as “If you are interested in nonprofit work–you need to know this…”. Keep in mind that even if you get 100,000 views on a video, it is likely to only translate into a handful of new subscribers. Five to 10 on a good day. But if you stay consistent, picking up a few new subscribers here and there — your growth rate will be at light speed compared to what you get with standard YouTube.

So, you’re planning to upload to YouTube Shorts? You should also consider TikTok. TikTok and YouTube Shorts go hand in hand. Both exclusively host 60-second videos with a 9X16 aspect ratio, a swipe function, and similar algorithms. If you post on one, there is little reason not to share that same content on the other and get more views. Using TikTok and YouTube Shorts is a dependable way to boost your digital presence among young adults aged 18-35. Just keep in mind that you must also tailor your content to this age group. Speak about their concerns, interests, and entertainment sensibilities.

2. Age Bracket: 35-60 — Resource: Help A Reporter Out (HARO)

HARO allows you to share your expertise (in this case, around nonprofit issues) by becoming a source that journalists and bloggers can use for their stories. If the benefits of this service are not immediately clear, think of it as a quick and straightforward way to get publicity. Position yourself as a thought leader, and build awareness around your mission. With the free membership, you receive multiple email lists full of journalist queries throughout the week. Simply specify your area of expertise on the site, scan the emails for queries relevant to your knowledge base, and then reach out to the reporters that match. People in this age group frequently visit digital news sites. The younger members also spend time on user-sourced blog sites like Medium, so do not undervalue the smaller publication venues.

3. Age Bracket: 65+ — Resource: Local and Network News

Historically, people in this age group are the most consistent in terms of giving donations. Notably, they are also big consumers of network and local news. Here, you have an opportunity to share your story with members of your community and establish a mutually beneficial relationship with local media. But to get your organization featured, you must first identify the interesting storytelling elements in its mission. Ways to do this include:

Associating Your Story with Current Issues: If they impact your mission, current events can create an updraft that carries your story to greater relevance. So instead of pitching: “Local Clothing Bank Holds Drive for the Underprivileged”, you might instead find the story in: “Increasingly Unpredictable Weather Puts Pressure on Local Nonprofit to Provide Warm Clothing.”
Finding Relatable Stories: Do you want your story shared in the community news? It needs to be community-oriented. If you run a food pantry, get to know your volunteers on a personal level. Understand what drives them. Listen for stories like: “89-year-old Community Matriarch Volunteers Every Friday Regardless of Weather Conditions” or “Two Caretakers of Mentally Challenged Athletes Find Love at the Special Olympics”.

Finding relatable stories within your organization does not mean marketing your mission. Instead, it involves paying attention to the interesting residual effects of your nonprofit that are outside of your control. Because if you find something unexpected and interesting, chances are that others will, too. Learn more by checking out our blog post “Six Ways to Generate More Media Coverage This Year”.

While maintaining a steady and consistent social media presence will always be a reliable foundation strategy, keep an eye out for innovative solutions to get a few more clicks, a few more likes, and a bit of an edge. This way, you can succeed, stand out from the crowd, and keep top-of-mind awareness with your communities and help you market to key age demographics.

The post Clever Ways to Boost Publicity Among Key Age Demographics appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

The Strategic Investment: How to use Google Ads/Grant to Elevate Your Nonprofit Brand

Tasha Van Vlack — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:25:31 +0000

How to use Google Ads/Grant to Elevate Your Nonprofit Brand

A strong brand isn’t just a logo, it’s like the DNA of your nonprofit. It helps people trust you, connect with what you’re doing and in the end support your cause. Think about well-known non-profits like the Red Cross or Unicef – their logos and names probably pop into your mind right? That’s the power of a compelling brand. It’s not just a cool design, it becomes a critical part of your impact and social proof online. So what should you do once you’ve locked down resources from the Google Ads Grant program? Bolster your brand!

The Yeeboo Digital team has been supporting nonprofits as a Google Certified Partner for over a decade and has worked closely with nonprofit teams to make the most of the $10,000/month Google Ads grant. Our Extensive experience empowering nonprofits to harness the full potential of online advertising ensures that every dollar is strategically invested in amplifying brand visibility and impact.

Now let’s connect the dots between crafting a compelling brand and navigating the digital landscape? We’ll unravel the strategies behind using Google Ads and the Google Ad Grants program to not only enhance brand awareness but also amplify your nonprofit’s voice in the online arena. Think of it as unlocking the full potential of your message ensuring it resonates and cuts through the online noise.

Why Invest in Nonprofit Branding?

Again, nonprofit branding is more than just creating a recognizable logo or a catchy tagline; it is about shaping perceptions and forging a lasting connection with your audience. Beyond the visual elements, a strong brand encapsulates the essence of your organization, conveying its values, mission, and the profound impact it aspires to make. Here’s why investing in nonprofit branding is a mission-critical endeavor:

Trust and Credibility:

A well-crafted brand inspires trust and credibility. In the nonprofit sector, where transparency and authenticity are paramount, a strong brand can instill confidence in stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

Differentiation in a Crowded Space:

With countless nonprofits vying for attention, a distinctive brand helps your organization stand out. It clarifies your unique identity, mission, and impact, making it easier for supporters to choose your cause among the multitude of options.

Emotional Connection:

Effective branding goes beyond the rational; it taps into emotions. By telling your nonprofit’s story, values, and aspirations through your brand, you create a deeper emotional connection with your audience, fostering long-term loyalty.

Amplifying Impact:

A strong brand magnifies your impact. It acts as a multiplier for your advocacy efforts, helping you reach more people, garner more support, and extend the influence of your mission.

Establishing a Nonprofit Brand

Embarking on the journey to establish a formidable nonprofit brand is akin to setting sail in uncharted waters, where every decision shapes the identity that will resonate with your audience. So where do we start as a nonprofit? In this journey of brand exploration, thoughtful navigation becomes the compass, and strategic decisions become the wind propelling your non-profit toward a destination of enduring impact and recognition.

Define Your Brand Identity

Before launching any advertising campaigns, clearly define your nonprofit’s brand identity. This includes your mission, values, and unique selling points that set you apart from other organizations. Your brand should be reflected in your messaging, visuals, and overall communication.

Consistent Messaging

Ensure consistency in your messaging across all platforms, including your website, social media, and advertisements. A cohesive and unified message helps build a strong and recognizable brand.

Compelling Visuals

Use visually appealing and emotionally resonant imagery in your ads. Visuals play a crucial role in conveying your nonprofit’s story and evoking a response from your audience.

Navigating the Google landscape: Ads versus Grants for Nonprofit Brand Awareness

In the expansive realm of online advertising, Google offers potent tools for nonprofits: Google Ads and the Google Ad Grants program. While they share a common platform, understanding when and how to deploy each is crucial for an effective brand awareness strategy.

Google Ads: Precision in Purposeful Promotion

Google Ads is a versatile paid advertising platform that allows nonprofits to strategically Target specific audiences based on keywords, demographics, and interests. Here’s where Google Ads shines in the context of non-profit brand awareness campaigns.

Strategic Targeting:

Google Ads enables nonprofits to reach a highly targeted audience. By leveraging keywords relevant to your cause, you can ensure that your brand message reaches those actively searching for related content.

Timely Promotion:

Ideal for promoting specific events, campaigns, or urgent appeals, Google Ads provides the flexibility to tailor messages based on your nonprofit’s current priorities.

Comprehensive Analysis:

With robust analytics, Google Ads allows you to measure the direct impact of your brand awareness campaigns. Track user engagement, refine strategies, and optimize for maximum effectiveness.

Google Ads Grants: Amplifying Impact through Generosity

The Google Ads Grant program offers eligible nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising credits on Google Ads. While the program shares similarities with Google Ads, it serves a distinct purpose in the nonprofit brand awareness toolkit.

Extended Reach on a Budget:

Google Ad Grants provides nonprofits with the means to extend their reach without straining limited budgets. By harnessing the power of free advertising credits, nonprofits can maximize their brand exposure.

Building Long-Term Awareness:

Ideal for long-term brand building, the Google Ads Grant program allows nonprofits to consistently appear in relevant search results, fostering continuous awareness and engagement.

Meeting Grant-Specific Requirements:

Adherence to Google Ads Grant policies is crucial for program eligibility. Nonprofits must actively manage their accounts, maintain a high click-through rate (CTR), and use keywords aligned with their mission.

Integrating Branding into Google Ads

Imagine your nonprofit’s brand as the lead in a compelling narrative, and Google Ads as the stage where this story unfolds. Just as skilled choreography enhances performance, the strategic interplay between your brand’s essence and Google Ads’ dynamic features elevate your nonprofit’s message, ensuring it takes center stage and digital spotlight.

Ad Copy Alignment:

Align your ad copy with your nonprofit’s brand messaging. Use language that reflects your organization’s values and resonates with your target audience. Consistent messaging helps reinforce your brand identity.

Branded Keywords:

Incorporate your nonprofit’s name and key branded keywords in your ad campaigns. This ensures that when users search for your organization specifically, they are more likely to see your ads and engage with your content (Learn more about using SEO with our article on why nonprofits need SEO).

Visual Consistency:

Maintain visual consistency between your ads and other branding materials. Use the same color schemes, fonts, and logo variations to create a cohesive and recognizable visual identity.

Tell Your Story:

Leverage the storytelling power of ads to communicate your nonprofit’s narrative. Use ad extensions to provide additional information about your organization’s history, impact, and ongoing projects.

Building Trust and Credibility

In the realm of nonprofit endeavors, trust forms the bedrock upon which lasting connections are forged. Building trust and credibility is not just a pursuit; it’s a strategic imperative that elevates your nonprofit’s impact. Envision trust as the currency that fuels support, and credibility as the armor that fortifies your organization against skepticism, inviting supporters into a relationship built on transparency and authenticity.

Highlight Achievements:

Showcase your nonprofit’s achievements and impact in your ads. This helps build trust with potential supporters and demonstrates the tangible results of their potential contributions.

Use Testimonials:

Incorporate testimonials from beneficiaries, volunteers, or donors in your ad copy. Personal stories add authenticity and credibility to your brand, fostering a connection with your audience.

Brand Impact

As we navigate the intricate landscape of nonprofit brand awareness, understanding the effectiveness of your efforts becomes paramount. Measuring brand impact is the compass that guides your strategic decisions, providing insights into how well your nonprofit resonates in the digital space. Just as a skilled navigator gauges the direction of the wind, monitoring brand impact allows you to adjust your sails, ensuring that every online endeavor steers your nonprofit toward increased visibility and resonance.

Brand Awareness Metrics:

Beyond traditional performance metrics like CTR and conversion rates, monitor brand-specific metrics such as brand impressions, brand mentions, and brand recall. These indicators provide insights into the impact your ads are having on your nonprofit’s visibility and recognition.

Surveys and Feedback:

Collect feedback from your audience through surveys or social media polls to understand how well your brand message is resonating. Use this feedback to refine your branding and advertising strategies.

Crafting a Cohesive Brand Awareness Strategy

In the intricate dance between Google Ads and the Google Ads Grants program, nonprofit brand awareness campaigns find their rhythm. By strategically deploying Google Ads for a targeted, timely promotion and leveraging the Google Ads Grants program for sustained, budget-friendly visibility, nonprofits can weave a comprehensive brand narrative that captivates resonates and endures. The investment in brand is not just an allocation of resources; it is a strategic navigation through the digital landscape where every click, every impression, contributes to the vibrant tapestry of non-profit success. for non-profits seeking expert guidance and navigating the complexities of Google Ads and the Google Ads Grant program, organizations like Yeeboo Digital stand as valuable allies. Yeeboo Digital specializes in empowering nonprofits through tailored strategies, ensuring that your brand’s story reaches its full potential in the vast and dynamic online space. whether it’s optimizing Google Ads campaigns or maximizing the benefits of the Ad Grants program, their expertise can be the compass guiding your nonprofit toward height and brand visibility and sustained success.

This article is courtesy of Yeeboo.

The post The Strategic Investment: How to use Google Ads/Grant to Elevate Your Nonprofit Brand appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

10 Smart Ways to Keep People on Your Website

Lisa Thompson — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 20:38:06 +0000

Great website design keeps people online!

Driving people to your website is just half the battle; once they’re there, you must ensure that your website design invites them to stay a while. The longer someone is on your site, the better your odds are of converting them from an online visitor to a supporter.

This is what we call a “sticky” website. The longer you can get visitors to browse around, the better on two fronts: One, they’re more likely to take some sort of action (which hopefully leads to a donation), and two, your “average time on page” stats will be better, which tells Google and other search engines that your website is a valuable source of information—and that leads to more traffic.

Creating a sticky site doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor; in fact, several small moves can add up to a big impact. Let’s look at 10 of them you can start implementing right away.

Ten strategies and website design best practices that will improve your bounce rate:

1. Incorporate videos into your website design.

People love them, and if you include a video on your homepage that features people talking about your mission, what you’ve been up to lately, or introducing the people behind your brand, this is a surefire way to get people to stick. Just don’t make it a movie—save that for Netflix. Try to keep it around 1-3 minutes, then give viewers a call to action at the end (sign up for our newsletter, donate now, volunteer, etc.).

2. Have the functionality that your visitors need in order to engage with you.

If they want to make a donation, can they do that right there on your website without having to go to a third-party payment platform? If they want to register for an event, can they complete the whole process without having to leave? Incorporating tools and features that engage and empower your visitors will significantly improve your bounce rate.

3. Make your CTAs (calls to action) clear and easy to find.

“Donate Now.” “Sign Up for Our Newsletter.” “Volunteer for an Event.” “Become a Member.” There’s no question with any of these CTAs what you want a donor to do or how you want them to respond. Sometimes we get shy or nervous about making a straightforward ask, but online visitors are busy and movin’ and groovin’, and you have to be clear and compelling in order to capture their attention. Don’t beat around the bush or make things confusing.

4. Be sure your website design is mobile-friendly.

With so much online traffic coming from mobile users these days, your website design must be adaptable to a smartphone or tablet. If it isn’t, don’t expect people to stick around—the days of clumsy pinching and zooming around an awkward website on a mobile device are over. People will leave if your website doesn’t play nicely with small screens.

5. Keep your content fresh.

If you have a blog, create a content calendar and stick to it, ensuring that your blog is regularly updated with new, valuable content that is useful and original. This signals to both your visitors and search engines that someone is at work delivering value to the people who visit your site. Learn more about creating an effective content plan with our article on editorial calendars.

6. Use clear headlines and short blocks of text to keep your web content scannable.

Long paragraphs of text are a big turn-off; ain’t nobody got time for that. Communicate with smart headlines, short paragraphs (think 2-4 sentences), easy-to-read text boxes and quick blurbs.

Rarely will people read everything on your website word-for-word; most people scan. Break up your content so it’s easy for people to get the gist of who you are and what you do by scanning.

7. Use social proof or testimonials.

This is a great way to up your street cred, because people love to hear from other people about your org. Are you trustworthy with integrity and transparency? Let a current donor tell them. Do you fundraise ethically? Let a loyal supporter say so. Are you accomplishing your mission with the money you raise? Use a testimonial from someone you’ve served. Let others speak about your organization in order to give it credibility and keep people browsing around your website, hoping to learn more about you and the people who support your cause.

8. Keep your navigation simple.

If I have to click around too much in order to get where I want to go, yikes—I’ll just leave before I get there, because like it or not, we’re a nation of short attention spans and low patience. It’s important that your website design is clean, uncluttered, and easy to navigate so that your visitors can get from point A to point B in just a few clicks.

9. Evaluate your website load time.

Does it take a minute for your full website to appear, while your visitor is tapping their fingers impatiently on their desk? You have basically three seconds to convince someone that your website is worth sticking around for. Not only do people expect speed today, but they make lightning-quick decisions, and if your website is taking too long to load, they’re likely to bounce away just as quickly as they landed. There are several tools you can use to evaluate your website’s load time, or you can talk to one of our website experts for a quick eval, as well.

10. With every website design decision, keep your end user in mind.

Too often our website design decisions reflect our personal preferences instead of what appeals to the general public. We highlight our accomplishments and showcase our talents and give ourselves a big ol’ digital pat on the back. It’s wonderful to tell the world about the great things you’re doing—but be sure that you’re touting the good stuff on a website that’s been created and built for the people who are interested in supporting your nonprofit, not for your staff, your board, your leadership, etc.

Here’s the TLDR version:

In the end, you want to captivate and engage potential supporters, volunteers, members, constituents and anyone else who wants to come alongside you to further your cause and accomplish your mission—these are the people who deserve a website that’s built to enable and empower them.

To discover more tips and tricks about website development, storytelling, online fundraising and other marketing topics, check out our weekly webinar schedule here.

This article is courtesy of Firespring.

The post 10 Smart Ways to Keep People on Your Website appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

[PODCAST] The #1 Handbook for Impactful Storytelling

Delaney Mullennix, MPA — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:00:48 +0000

The #1 Handbook for Impactful Storytelling

In this episode of Nonprofit Hub Radio, host Delaney Mullennix interviews Kristin Surkaw, a Nebraska native with a knack for finding and telling nonprofits’ best stories. Kristin uses her interpersonal skills and experience as a professional counselor to master the art of interviewing and has shared her top tips in the #1 Handbook for Impactful Storytelling.

You can find her book, “StoryFind: The Handbook for Finding and Telling Your Nonprofit’s Most Impactful Stories”, online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Whether you’re a founder or employee at a nonprofit, StoryFind will give you the skills to craft your organization’s most compelling narratives to engage donors and drive support.

Delaney and Kristin discuss the art of nonprofit storytelling and that the work is two-fold, an equal amount of work goes into finding the best story before you tell the best story. They also discuss the five steps to impactful storytelling in the handbook, including several chapters dedicated to interviewing.

Kristin Sukraw is a professional storyteller, executive producer at StoryFind Films, licensed mental health practitioner, and national speaker. She has worked with large international nonprofits, small shops, and everything in between to bring their stories to life and help them accomplish their fundraising goals.

Kristin began her career as a mental health counselor but soon found herself immersed in the world of film production for nonprofits. Through her work at StoryFind Films, she has worked with hundreds of individuals to give voice to their stories, all while helping nonprofit organizations raise millions of dollars through storytelling. Kristin’s greatest passion is helping people find their voice and sharing their stories with the world.

When not on the road interviewing or speaking, Kristin lives in the great state of Nebraska with her husband and business partner, Mike, daughter, Izzy, and black fluffy cat, Lily.

The nonprofit sector is an ever-changing landscape of new opportunities, technologies, and best practices. Keep your skills fresh and your resume strong by taking part in one of our online nonprofit courses. Each course includes a one-year subscription to the Cause Network, the membership platform of Nonprofit Hub. Network with peers, access a library of content, and take your education even further.

LEARN MORE

The post [PODCAST] The #1 Handbook for Impactful Storytelling appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

Designing for a Cause: Free Design Tips and Tools for Nonprofits

Meghan Speer — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 23:01:41 +0000

Designing for a Cause: Free Design Tips and Tools for Nonprofits

In today’s digitally driven world, design plays a crucial role in conveying a nonprofit’s mission and engaging its audience. However, investing in professional design services can be challenging for many nonprofit organizations with limited budgets. The good news is that numerous free design tips and tools are available to help nonprofits create compelling visuals and materials without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll explore some valuable design tips and highlight free design tools that can empower nonprofits to make a greater impact.

Before delving into the world of design tools, let’s start with some fundamental design tips to help nonprofits create compelling visuals:

Tell a Compelling Story:

Your nonprofit’s story is the heart of your mission, and your design should be its eloquent storyteller. Effective storytelling goes beyond words. It’s about using visuals to create an emotional connection. Consider using images that evoke empathy and resonate with your audience. A well-designed infographic can tell a story in a visually engaging manner, providing a clear snapshot of your impact. Highlight personal success stories to give a human face to your mission and its outcomes.

Simplicity is Key:

Simplicity in design doesn’t mean compromising on impact. It means delivering your message clearly and concisely. Avoid the temptation to overload your designs with information. Instead, focus on the core message you want to convey. Use clean lines, uncluttered layouts, and whitespace strategically to guide the viewer’s eye to what’s most important. Remember, simplicity can be powerful.

Consistency Matters:

Brand consistency is vital for nonprofits. When supporters encounter your materials, they should instantly recognize your organization’s work. Maintain a consistent color scheme, typography, and logo usage across all your materials to reinforce your brand identity. This cohesion builds trust and helps your audience easily identify your nonprofit in a crowded landscape.

Accessibility and Inclusivity:

Design should be accessible to everyone. This includes people with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies. Use legible fonts with proper contrast, making text easy to read. Add alt text to images so screen readers can describe the visuals to those with visual impairments. Ensure that your website and materials are designed with accessibility in mind to reach a broader audience and adhere to inclusivity principles.

Mobile Optimization:

With the surge in mobile device usage, your designs must be mobile-friendly. A significant portion of your audience may be viewing your content on smartphones and tablets. Ensure your website and digital materials are responsive and adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes. Test your designs on different devices to guarantee a smooth user experience.

Consistent Call-to-Action (CTA):

Your design should guide your audience toward action. Implement a consistent call-to-action (CTA) strategy across your materials. Whether it’s “Donate Now,” “Join Us,” or “Learn More,” ensure that your CTA stands out and has a strategic location to encourage your audience to take the desired action.

Feedback and Testing:

Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from your target audience or fellow team members. Testing different design elements through A/B testing can help refine your materials for maximum impact. Use analytics tools to track the performance of your designs. Analyze what’s working and what’s not. Then, adjust your design strategies accordingly.

User-Centered Design:

Before finalizing any design, put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. What would they want to see and read? What design elements will resonate with them? User-centered design ensures your materials are created with the audience’s preferences and needs in mind. Therefore, this enhances the overall user experience.

Design Tools for Nonprofits

Establish a Strong Brand Identity

A strong brand identity is essential for nonprofits to stand out and convey their mission. The first step is to create a memorable logo, color palette, and typography that reflects the organization’s values. Tools like Canva for Nonprofits, a user-friendly graphic design platform, offer a wide range of free templates for logo creation and branding elements. Canva also provides color palette generators to help nonprofits choose a harmonious set of colors that represent their cause.

High-Quality Images and Textures

Compelling visuals can capture the attention of your audience. Check out platforms like Unsplash and Pexels to access high-quality images for free. They offer a vast library of stock photos, which can be a valuable resource for creating visually appealing content without the cost. In addition, you can take a look at Pixabay for more photos.

Next, you can check out Raw Pixel. It is similar to Pexels. However, they also have a library of free original fonts, which is great because it’s like an all-in-one. While they boast your typical collection of stock photos, they specialize in curating beautiful royalty-free artistic elements that, mixed with text, could make aesthetic and unique content.

Furthermore, Texture Labs is another place to visit for design elements. They take ultra-high-definition photos of textures. You can use these textures and tint them with brand colors. Then, you can make really unique website banner backgrounds and other graphics. It is a free tool as well.

Example of a texture tinted with the NPH brand colors

Get free fonts

Access a wide variety of free, open-source fonts through Google Fonts. Therefore, Integrating these fonts into your designs is simple and can enhance your branding. Another awesome site to check out is Dafont. I love this one as it has a large variety of fonts to incorporate into your designs.

Harness the Power of Infographics

Next on our list, we’ll look at tools for infographics. Infographics are a fantastic way to convey complex information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. Canva and Piktochart provide user-friendly interfaces for creating beautiful infographics, charts, and data visualizations. Nonprofits can use these tools to effectively illustrate their impact, statistics, and key messages. Piktochart has a free option available, and they also offer nonprofits a discount.

Color Pallet Pickers

First, Toptal’s Colourcode offers a unique platform where nonprofit organizations can access a wide range of color palettes, providing inspiration and guidance for creating visually appealing materials at no cost.

ColorHunt, another valuable resource, provides an extensive collection of curated color schemes for free, making it effortless for nonprofits to discover and apply beautiful and harmonious color combinations in their designs.

Finally, MyColor.Space offers a straightforward, user-friendly interface for generating color palettes and gradients based on your preferences, ensuring nonprofits can easily find the perfect color schemes to strengthen their branding and messaging, all without incurring any expenses. These sites are powerful tools that empower nonprofits to enhance their design quality and visual identity without the burden of additional costs.

Learn and Share

In the world of design, there’s always something new to learn. That is to say, you should encourage your team members to explore online tutorials and design resources. Platforms like Skillshare offer free trials, providing access to a wealth of design-related courses.

To Wrap Up Free Design Tips and Tools for Nonprofits…

Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in making the world a better place. However, limited budgets can pose challenges when it comes to design. Fortunately, the array of free or discounted design tools and resources can help nonprofits present their messages professionally and positively.

In conclusion, by implementing design tips and utilizing these free design tools, nonprofits can create visually appealing materials, share their stories effectively, and inspire others to join their cause. So, don’t let budget constraints hold you back. Empower your nonprofit with the right design tools. Then, watch your message reach new heights.

The post Designing for a Cause: Free Design Tips and Tools for Nonprofits appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.