We’re well into the second decade of the 21st century, yet many nonprofits still operate like it’s 1999. There’s a pervasive anti-technology bias that’s causing well-meaning organizations to shoot themselves in the foot. Why? The reasons I’ve heard from nonprofits include: Technology is expensive. Our current staff doesn’t have technological expertise. We don’t have the…
About Claire Axelrad
21st Century Nonprofit Content Marketing & Social Media
By now, whatever your business – for- or non-profit — you shouldn’t have to be persuaded that content marketing and social media are essential strategies to survive and thrive in the current zeitgeist. The digital revolution won. Digital communications are a part of our daily lives. It’s fundamentally changed how people find you and communicate…
The 9 Signs of a Successful Social Media Strategy for Nonprofits
If you think social media strategy for nonprofits is a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing, think again. Or read Why Schrewd Nonprofit Fundraisers Need to Own Social Media. Ever hear the old advertising adage that folks need to see/hear something at least 7 times before they notice it? Our airspace is so congested…
10 Reasons Nonprofits Should Blog
Does your nonprofit have a blog? If not, why not? A recent 2016 Global NGO Online Technology Report reveals that 45% of North American NGOs have one. Why should you care? Because they’re competing for donors with you — and they’ve got a weapon you don’t have! Actually, I take that back. Let’s not think…
11 Ways Small Nonprofits Can Stand Out Using Social Media
When you’re a small or medium-sized nonprofit, keeping up with all the latest developments on social media can seem daunting. Fear not! You don’t have to do it all. You simply have to do what you do well. So if your social media experience has evolved into something of a runaway train – a little…
Why Nonprofit Fundraisers Need to Own Social Media
The majority of nonprofits are not paying enough attention to social media. This may have been understandable five years ago. Today, it’s just plain dumb. If You’re Absent No one Can See You Nonprofits constantly talk about their need to “build awareness.” In our digital world, it should be patently obvious that if you want…
10 Killer Ways to Get Your Nonprofit Shared on Social Media
What do you do when the majority of your audience utters one of these phrases — “I’m swamped… “I’m way behind”… “I’m overloaded”… “My email is out of control…” a half dozen times each day? You have to work around it! Because there’s no stopping it. You receive five times as much information daily as…
Nonprofit Social Media Without a Content Marketing Strategy Sucks
I still see too many nonprofits muddling through social media without any real sense of direction. A Facebook post here. A random tweet there. And not a whole lot else. And if they do use other than the most “normal” sites, their purpose appears decidedly unclear. Very few have given much thought to, let alone…
24 Ways to Use Pinterest Trends to Drive Fundraising and Cause Awareness
Years ago, while working for a human services agency, I stumbled upon the fact that the most clicked-on item in our e-newsletter was the ‘Recipe of the Month.’ It really had very little to do with our mission, but we wanted to offer something ‘tasty’ that would assure folks opened our emails. The recipes were…
10 Truths about Social Media’s Impact on Nonprofit Fundraising and Marketing
Nonprofits wanting gifts should give them. Relationships work that way. And relationships count for everything. Getting and retaining donors (and, really, any type of constituent) is all about building and stewarding relationships. Satisfying, long-term relationships; not quick transactions. And lasting relationships are measured by the mutually sustaining benefits experienced by all parties over time. Give…