How do you promote a nonprofit?
When it comes to marketing your nonprofit organization, you have tons of options. Keep in mind that some tactics may work for other organizations but not work as well for your nonprofit. Fortunately, I’ve created a list of must-dos and tactics that we typically use and have been proven to be successful!
Brand identity and tagline
Just like with any business or organization, establishing your brand, logo, and tagline should be one of the first things you do. Whatever you choose, it has to be recognizable and memorable. People should look at your logo and immediately know what it is and what organization is attached to it.
All of this includes personality, protocols, design, the organization’s backstory—and more. Your brand is literally the foundation of your organization.
Website creation and design
Websites are often the first impression on your donors, volunteers, supporters, and clients. And if not, they’re often the second impression. Regardless, your website is an essential source of information pertaining to your cause, purpose, story, and more. This means that you should definitely have a website, and it should be designed well. If you would like to know some mistakes to avoid when creating your website, read our previous blog, Common website design mistakes. Bottom line, your nonprofit needs a website.
Social media
Most businesses can benefit from social media, and that includes nonprofit organizations. It’s a great place to connect with people, promote your nonprofit, and more. Depending on the purpose of your nonprofit and its goals, you may not need to be on every social media platform out there.
As a rule of thumb, Facebook and Instagram are often great platforms to start promoting your nonprofit.
Creative and informational content
There are many different tactics when it comes to content. It can include many types: social media posts, blogs, newsletters, and even videos. To achieve successful content, you will have to focus on your target audience. For nonprofits, multiple types would be ideal, but it’s not required.
Instead, you could start slow with social media and email newsletters, then work your way up. Email newsletters are great for updating your donors and stakeholders on what your nonprofit has been doing. People like to know what their money is being used for and what their favorite nonprofit is up to.
These are only the basics! Naturally, your nonprofit has its own unique needs, so you may benefit from a custom marketing plan. That’s a great way to get all of your marketing ducks in a row. If that’s worth talking about, we would love to have a conversation with you about how to better promote your nonprofit.