In the last 10 years, I have worked with hundreds of non-profits. From executive directors to development directors, volunteer, and staff. I love what I do. We have seen fads come in (Thank You LiveStrong) and others go out (remember when we thought selling gift wrap was a good idea for a fundraiser?). However, some things remain. By working together, we get more done. We are all passionate about our cause. We accomplish our mission one moment at a time but because we all care so much we often wonder, “How can we do more?”. Here are the top five ways, I have seen non-profits are turning their cause into a movement to create more impact

Top Five Tips for Non-profits

1. Your marketing is more effective when it focuses on your mission, not just getting people to an event, or the always popular self description. Marketing is the tool. Your message has to explain WHY you exist, not just that you exist. Think about LiveStrong. That campaign was about overcoming cancer, not a general description about the foundation and what activities it has.
2. Make it easy for people to talk about your mission. Notice I said mission not just your name–whether it is through social media or everyday reminders like charm bracelets. Non-profits that have realized the power of engaging with their donors, volunteers and even clients, start by identifying simple values or talking points. Then put that message out there where people live and make it something that people can relate to.  For example, people rarely find the opportunity to give a speech in front of a group on ending animal cruelty but they will talk about their adopted pet on Facebook… if you ask.
3. Use marketing tools creatively. Generic flyers with information about your organizations are becoming less and less valuable. A business card can quickly go into the garbage but a postcard with an inspirational message or a GivingBand card (notice a trend here) does more than “get their attention”; it makes the values of your organization three-dimensional.
4. It is a team effort. Marketing is no longer the job of one person. Current donors, volunteers, and your entire staff exemplify your mission. Using today’s marketing tools to engage them in your marketing efforts is critical. This means your mission has to be front and center in everyone’s day.
5. Make it simple. I know this is a point of debate in our community, but there’s a reason the Pink Ribbon campaign had such a large reach. It was easy for people to go pink. Now, I am not encouraging “slacker-ism” but I think the lesson is still poignant. A lot of creative campaigns that non-profits do fail simply because they make it too complicated.

GivingBands & Your Nonprofit

Clearly, I believe that GivingBands are a perfect marketing tool to put all of these best practices into action. But that is because I believe in what I do. Whether you choose to use GivingBands to achieve your goals is up to you. However, I hope that you still take the lessons and help them to further your mission. Because I know that as we play a B.I.G.ger game everyone will benefit.