Selfish Giving

AUGUST 13, 2009

Powerful presentations are the backbone of most successful cause marketing pitches. Whether you’re talking to one person or a hundred, the ability to speak compellingly, sincerely and briefly can be a deciding factors in earning a company’s cause business. I have no doubt that speaking well has made a huge difference in my success. Representing a small, relatively unknown hospital in Boston requires not only better ideas than our competition, but also the eloquence to make them glow

Marketing 211

Marketing Marketing Energy Communication 211

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

AUGUST 7, 2009

As you may know, I am in the middle of writing the full-length, printed book version of Nonprofit Marketing Guide, to be published in Spring 2010 by Jossey-Bass. As I was writing various chapters on both strategy and tactics, I realized that I was making choices about what to include and what to leave out based on my own set of assumptions about the world that nonprofit communicators are working in.

Public and Social Policy 87

Public and Social Policy Marketing Marketing Public and Nonprofit Management 87

Get Fully Funded

AUGUST 11, 2009

This just in from the world of the weird and unbelievable - -. Development Director for a small nonprofit providing housing to families in need speaks to donor who has been supporting annual golf tournament for the past several years. Man wants to give extra money this year, but wants it ALL spent on the tournament , to promote his business, and openly admits this. “Don’t spend any of the money on ‘those’ people.

Nonprofits 85

Nonprofits 85

Fundraising Coach

AUGUST 31, 2009

Recently, I’ve been asked how to use Twitter. I’ve already written on Twitter for Fundraising and Twitter for nonprofits. But these questions were much more “tactical,&# how-to type questions so I thought I’d share with you what I’ve been telling folks. The questions work into 3 basic categories: What do you use to tweet?

Fundraising 83

Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits 83

The Agitator

AUGUST 31, 2009

Back in July, Mark Dolliver wrote this terrifically insightful article in Adweek regarding marketing to today’s age 65+ consumer. [Sorry, I'm just catching up to this, thanks to a mention by the Boomer Project.]. Dolliver refers to this group as the Silent Generation (born 1925-42), sandwiched between a group whose life-shaping — and well-told story — involves the Depression, and the Boomers, who have never lacked a voice in pop culture (and all matters!).

Marketing 72

Marketing Marketing Advertising Universities 72

Sea Change Strategies

AUGUST 6, 2009

As long as I have been doing fundraising the “is direct mail dead” question has arisen with great regularity. Interestingly, the question is always raised by direct mail fundraising consultants — and the answer is always unsurprisingly “no.”. Clouding the situation from the other side are the over-optimistic claims from the Internet world that it’ll all be online in a matter of a few years.

Non-Profits 61

Non-Profits Communication Fundraising Fundraising 61

Selfish Giving

AUGUST 27, 2009

I really don’t unplug on vacation. I don’t like to disconnect from my gadgets or my work. I like to have my two sidearms, my iPhone and cause marketing, on at all times, thank you very much. So it’s not surprising that after spending time in Hyannis on Cape Cod last week I came home with a few cause marketing lessons–captured on my iPhone no less!

Marketing 188

Marketing Marketing Advertising Associations 188

Get Fully Funded

AUGUST 20, 2009

Thanks to my friend Sherry Truhler at Red Apple Auctions , I found out about a cool contest for nonprofits this morning. 3banana is sponsoring the contest. Basically, you try out their online product then ask people to comment on Twitter on why your cause should win. The contest is called Share to Win. Grand prize is $5,000! “Share to Win is a fun contest we put together to help health, environment and education-related non-profit causes who want to push the boundaries of the social inte

Non-Profits 75

Non-Profits Health Education Education 75

Fundraising Coach

AUGUST 23, 2009

Have you heard about Twestival ? In one day last February, people all over the globe used Twitter to organize fundraising events that raised $250,000 for charity:water. Well it’s back! This time it’s Twestival Local. Hundreds of teams around the world will be raising money for hundreds of local charities. Even if you’re not one of these fortunate charities, I’d encourage you to get involved.

Fundraising 69

Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits 69

The Agitator

AUGUST 12, 2009

No, says e-marketer Loren McDonald. Here’s an abridged list of what Loren says the successful email marketer really needs to know [with my comments from the peanut gallery]: 1. Email strategy — know how to create an email marketing plan and program that maximize the channel’s capabilities. [Always happy to see strategy at the top of a list like this.]. 2.

Activism 72

Activism Marketing Marketing Communication 72

Getting Attention

AUGUST 12, 2009

Dog-days-of-summer reminder ==> Effective communications has shifted radically from the megaphone model. These few weeks, when the work world is far quieter than normal, is a great time to begin shifting your org's communications model (if you haven't already). Do it now, so your org isn't left behind. Here are three strategies to ensure your organization works this all-voices-have-equal-weight conversation to its advantage.

Leadership 58

Leadership Activism Communication Nonprofits 58

Selfish Giving

AUGUST 4, 2009

Last week I was part of a group of Boston cause marketers David Hessekiel from Cause Marketing Forum pulled together to discuss the field. It was a lot of fun, and I think we all learned something from each other. In addition to my own organization, there were reps from The Jimmy Fund , Oxfam , Pine Street Inn , Children’s Hospital , Project Bread and The Home for Little Wanderers.

Marketing 133

Marketing Marketing Children Food 133

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

AUGUST 17, 2009

I read “ Trust Agents &# by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith this weekend. It’s about, as the subtitle says, “Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust.&#. I’m talking about these concepts in the book I’m writing on nonprofit marketing, so I wanted to see how what Chris and Julien advocate for the business community might translate to the nonprofit world.

Nonprofits 74

Nonprofits Marketing Marketing Values 74

Get Fully Funded

AUGUST 12, 2009

Video is the rage these days. It’s fairly easy to produce and distribute (through YouTube). With a Flip camera or an iPhone you can capture video quickly and have it available on your website or blog in no time. Think about the implications! We’ve known a picture is worth a thousand words. So, what is a video worth? As you ponder that, check out this great (and short) video about Suzanne Falter-Barnes who recently lost her Twitter account.

Fundraising 75

Fundraising Fundraising 75

Fundraising Coach

AUGUST 25, 2009

As fundraisers, we know we are most effective at our job when we’re talking to prospects one-on-one. Isn’t it amazing how seldom we do it? I’ve been doing this for years but I’m still amazed at how easily we get caught up in writing case statements, designing fundraising letters, refining development strategies…all things we can do from our desk.

Fundraising 67

Fundraising Fundraising Public and Nonprofit Management Management 67

The Agitator

AUGUST 17, 2009

Writer and occasional fundraising consultant Ken Burnett has been struggling lately with Twitter. In this blog post , reproduced below with permission, he vents his frustrations and offers a solution. I thought you might enjoy his tribulations. Or as Ken asks: Is it time for Twitter Elite? Or is Twitter suicide the only option? I took some persuading to even try Twitter.

Children 71

Children Universities Communication Activism 71

Care2

AUGUST 17, 2009

We love watching organizations take video into their own hands. The beauty of online video is that people are more interested in compelling content and stories than fancy camerawork. Pretty pictures can go a long way, but they’re not always necessary. For those organizations jumping into video on their own, we’ve provided 5 ways to save money and do it right. 1.

Energy 64

Energy Marketing Marketing Nonprofits 64

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

AUGUST 13, 2009

Today I had the privilege of presenting to communications, marketing and development staff of Children’s National Medical Center. While I was preparing for my talk last week, I visited their website. And I was blown away. I’m always being asked, what is an example of a great nonprofit website? Theirs is certainly one of them. Check out their give page here.

Medical 47

Medical Children Communication Marketing 47

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

AUGUST 11, 2009

Print newsletters have been the default communications tactic for nonprofits forever. Even though I now believe the default should be an e-newsletter, and we are seeing more and more nonprofits drop their print newsletters in favor of email , print still remains an important tactic for many organizations. If you decide that sending a print newsletter or other print communications really is the best approach for your audience and for your organization, consider these five steps to reduce your c

Marketing 68

Marketing Marketing Public and Nonprofit Management Communication 68

Get Fully Funded

AUGUST 11, 2009

This just in from the world of the weird and unbelievable – -. Development Director for a small nonprofit providing housing to families in need speaks to donor who has been supporting annual golf tournament for the past several years. Man wants to give extra money this year, but wants it ALL spent on the tournament , to promote his business, and openly admits this. “Don’t spend any of the money on ‘those’ people.

Nonprofits 70

Nonprofits 70

Getting Attention

AUGUST 17, 2009

I'll be back September 1st to launch voting for the 2009 Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards, and share more nonprofit marketing guidance with you! Looking forward to seeing you then! All the best, Nancy. Tags: Nonprofit Communications.

Communication 45

Communication Marketing Marketing Nonprofits 45

The Agitator

AUGUST 20, 2009

Earlier this week we featured a somewhat grumpy "take" on Twitter from Ken Burnett of SOFII. Ken diplomatically pointed out to me that one Laurie Pringle, senior manager of philanthropy at ALS Canada, has commented on his original article, presenting a passionately contrary point of view. He graciously urged me to give her equal time. Laurie, a fervent believer in Twitter, says: "Sometimes you find the most precious gems amidst a pile of rubble.

Philanthropy 69

Philanthropy Activism Management Communication 69

Care2

AUGUST 18, 2009

If you’ve ever made an online video before, you know the level of work that goes into it. But creating a compelling video is just the beginning of the process. Getting your video seen—and by the right people—takes just as much work, if not more. Crossing your fingers that your video will “go viral&# is a bad idea for a number of reasons , not the least of which is that you learn absolutely nothing about what works and what doesn’t.

63

63

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

AUGUST 10, 2009

Maybe I’m missing something, but I really dislike this campaign, called Tappening (sounds like a straight-to-video horror movie). More like a nonprofit marketing horror. Even though I’m a fan of the creative people behind it, I’m giving it two thumbs down. Here’s the idea : Spread lies about where bottled water comes from to show that bottled water marketing is a lie.

Psychology 42

Psychology Environmental Marketing Marketing 42

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

AUGUST 10, 2009

I’m devoting a chapter in the upcoming “Nonprofit Marketing Guide&# book (available Spring 2010) to time. One of my 10 realities of nonprofit marketing is that it takes more time than money to do it well. This particular chapter is only about half-written, so please help me finish it! What are some of your favorite ways to save time, manage your time, or otherwise work more efficiently on nonprofit marketing?

Communication 58

Communication Public and Nonprofit Management Nonprofits Management 58

Get Fully Funded

AUGUST 17, 2009

I’ve coached several Executive Directors lately about staff changes they need to make. Each of them have someone who needs to be let go and they know it. They just can’t bring themselves to do it. Firing someone isn’t easy, I know. I hated doing it both times I had to let someone go, but I focused on the best interest of the organization, and things worked out.

Energy 56

Energy Leadership Management Fundraising 56

Fundraising Coach

AUGUST 31, 2009

Recently, I’ve been asked how to use Twitter. I’ve already written on Twitter for Fundraising and Twitter for nonprofits. But these questions were much more “tactical,&# how-to type questions so I thought I’d share with you what I’ve been telling folks. The questions work into 3 basic categories: What do you use to tweet?

Fundraising 40

Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits 40

The Agitator

AUGUST 13, 2009

To a communications or fundraising professional, "what is relevant" to my target audience or prospect is — or should be — the threshold question. Relevance to the receiver — not you the sender — is what determines whether your message or appeal has the remotest chance of penetrating the media clutter, as well as all the conscious and unconscious "screens" that the receiver has installed to manage their limited attention span.

Values 67

Values Marketing Marketing Communication 67

Care2

AUGUST 21, 2009

This year, YouTube has really increased its offerings, giving the producer more control and opening possibilities for more interactive video. If you want to get the most out of your YouTube videos, look into the following tools and functionality. 1. Insight. You wouldn’t judge your website’s performance by traffic alone, so why judge your video just by views?

62

62

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

AUGUST 14, 2009

I like ANYTHING about social media that puts the emphasis on listening. Because that’s often the web’s greatest value to nonprofit marketers - a way to listen to our community, a way to learn what they want and need, and a way to deepen our level of engagement by using that knowledge to build relationships. It’s not about your mouth, it’s about your ears.

Marketing 41

Marketing Marketing Nonprofits Values 41

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

AUGUST 31, 2009

Jason Dick at A Small Change is the host of this month’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival , a monthly roundup of goodness from the nonprofit blogosphere, where this month’s topic is A Day in the Life of a Nonprofit Fundraiser. Check it out and add to the discussion by leaving a comment about what your days look like. Thanks for hosting, Jason! Next month the Carnival travels to Getting Attention with Nancy Schwartz.

Fundraising 56

Fundraising Fundraising Marketing Marketing 56

Get Fully Funded

AUGUST 14, 2009

I met with the staff of the Asheville Humane Society briefly on Thursday to see if I could give them some ideas to enhance their fundraising activities. One thing I suggested they do is get a Flip camera and start taking video to share online. After all, they have puppies and kittens to showcase! Well, they took the ball and RAN with it!! Take a look at what they’ve done: Way to go Brandi for putting this great video together so quickly!

Activism 53

Activism Fundraising Fundraising 53

Fundraising Coach

AUGUST 25, 2009

As fundraisers, we know we are most effective at our job when we’re talking to prospects one-on-one. Isn’t it amazing how seldom we do it? I’ve been doing this for years but I’m still amazed at how easily we get caught up in writing case statements, designing fundraising letters, refining development strategies…all things we can do from our desk.

Fundraising 40

Fundraising Fundraising Public and Nonprofit Management Philanthropy 40

The Agitator

AUGUST 16, 2009

Here’s a great story from the Washington Post about young people — ages like 11, 12, and 13 — and their fundraising activities. Zach Bonner set out to help homeless kids in his area of Florida. Now his Little Red Wagon Foundation has generated 27 trailer trucks of aid, received a $25,000 check from Elton John, and is the focus of a $5 million film.

Philanthropy 61

Philanthropy Altruism and Helping Volunteerism Volunteerism 61

Care2

AUGUST 18, 2009

I used to be quite the curmudgeon about online video back in the day—ask anyone I worked with in the late nineties at AppNet’s Nonprofit practices or later in the early 2000s as the head of the Internet group at Easter Seals. My reasons were simple. the technology just wasn’t ready yet. Too much could potentially go wrong, and I’m very careful (some might say paranoid!

Technology 61

Technology Nonprofits 61

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

AUGUST 14, 2009

Today my soon-to-be-husband received a direct mail piece with the following message on the envelope: “Warning: The penalty for obstructing or interfering with the delivery of this letter is a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment.&# It also said: “Postmaster: please deliver between 8/10 and 8/12.&#. Today being the 14th and all, I guess the postmaster is behind.

Marketing 41

Marketing Marketing Fundraising Fundraising 41

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

AUGUST 4, 2009

I need your advice on a question about this blog, which I’ve posted at the end, but first the good stuff. Heather Carpenter at Nonprofit Leadership 601 has posted the current edition of the Nonprofit Blog Carnival on nonprofit leadership issues. Check it out for posts on how nonprofit organizations are dealing with change, turning around their organizations, and more.

Nonprofit Leadership 56

Nonprofit Leadership Leadership Philanthropy Nonprofits 56