NetWits

DECEMBER 6, 2010

Nonprofits work hard to bring volunteers in and train them, but all too often the training and retaining ends there. As an example, I volunteered for years at an local organization working in one specific area on a weekly basis. But as a volunteer I was left wondering what I would do now to help this organization.

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Websites Donor Tips Retention 152

NetWits

JULY 18, 2011

For example: Did you know kids get Arthritis too? For example, announce in your event newsletter and on social media that the first team to add 10 new members wins a free pizza party. What types of contest have you seen work effectively? And for good measure give them a sample update. Encourage a timely action.

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Contest Fundraising Support Ideas 167

NetWits

APRIL 23, 2012

A parent visiting a school site may, for example, want to access information on their student’s classes, grades, and assignments while a volunteer will want to quickly access new volunteer opportunities. Now you’re working with a solid understanding of the way your constituents use your website. Organize Tasks by Significance.

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Websites Analysis Audience Design 253

NetWits

JUNE 30, 2011

We work with local farmers to distribute excess produce to families in need. For example, if I’ve indicated an interest in cancer research, failing to customize my appeal communications around an urgent need for cancer research funding.” – Mike Snusz. “ You don’t relate your work back to the life of your supporter.

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email Chad Cancer Hunger 256

NetWits

JUNE 29, 2012

… Thanks to Tomchummery for their work! Check out the full-size infographic and download Understanding the Value of Your Nonprofit Social Media Influencers !

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Social Media Media Influence Social 264

NetWits

APRIL 26, 2012

The Nomensa report offers a great example from Cancer Research UK : 2) Offer the opportunity to “join the club”. Here’s one example I like: 4) Providing (unbiased) proof you’re legit. Those of someone or something looking into the camera work well. Instead of just offering what you want (annual fund, matching gifts, etc.),

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Websites Online Donor Cancer 207

NetWits

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Sometimes seeing the work of others helps get our creative juices flowing so we brought together a few industry experts to share their thoughts and a few examples of incredibly successful end-of-year campaigns. All great fundraisers are asking themselves these things. Inspiration from Industry Experts.

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Campaign Fundraising PDF Blackbaud 230

NetWits

MARCH 11, 2012

Knowing that it can be tough to execute on we thought we’d give you a few examples of nonprofits effectively using content marketing as a key part of their online strategy. Here are 5 nonprofit content marketing examples. Big Brothers Big Sisters – Leverage video to tell your story.

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Content Story Marketing YouTube 213

NetWits

MAY 19, 2011

Examples include best time or days to communicate with friends, how often to cummunicate, tone of voice and simply the need to ask and ask often, as well as thank and thank often! Also consider a bi-weekly or monthly newsletter that includes quick tips, examples from other fundraisers, and links to available resources. 3) Involve.

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Relationship Raise Tips Fundraising 208

NetWits

JULY 27, 2011

That said … here’s 4 parts to an effective email marketing strategy that will work in any industry. Will it be for a regular newsletter about the work your doing to create a better world? Greater engagement from you list and, in the end, a better feeling on your part about the work you’re doing. Know the purpose of your list.

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email Marketing Strategy Track 182

NetWits

APRIL 13, 2013

Does social media work as a direct response fundraising channel? Do you have examples of nonprofits doing exceptionally well using social to raise money? What have you seen work well? How is social data or intelligence making your organization, or those you work with better at fundraising? During the 1.5 Why, why not?

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Social Media Media Social Fundraising 101

NetWits

JUNE 24, 2011

billion dollars in revenue, shows that website giving and direct mail giving are both still alive and well while encouraging nonprofits to pay special attention to how online and offline work as complimentary, versus competing, channels. The report, which covers 15.6 million donors and more than $1.16

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Offline Channel Fundraising Mail 153

NetWits

MAY 8, 2012

Nor could I see how the nonprofits I work with would have time for yet another social network to their already hard enough social media struggle. That’s just one example. I just couldn’t see the business application. Really, Pinterest for Nonprofits ? Yet, where there is a will, there is a way. Dance anyone?

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Money Raise Picture Tips 249

NetWits

JUNE 7, 2012

For example, June serves as the annual benchmark for educational sectors, as it denotes the academic year’s end. There is no magic bullet – Keep in mind that creating a “new” Online Giving revenue spike out of thin air is pretty tough work. Make use of every channel you’ve got available.

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Online Fundraising Benchmark Report 221

NetWits

MAY 25, 2011

For example, The Ride For Roswell event has seen an increase from $330,000 to $2.8 Recommend focusing on events that raise the most money for the least amount of work. For example, happy hours generally outperform bake sales. Let them know the outcome of their hard work. Here’s a cool example by Lustgarten.

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Support Fundraising Sample Raise 270

NetWits

JUNE 5, 2012

In 2011, we wanted to evaluate our BFKS website to see what was working and what might need to be updated. For example, our event takes place at a bowling center and for a significant number of our agencies, there’s only one bowling center in town. Jennifer’s going to share her 6 Survey Best Practices on Thursday. Sign up today!

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Survey Fundraising Advice Social Media 127

NetWits

NOVEMBER 16, 2010

As you explore, start looking at ways to make the tool work for you and check out how others (non-profits and for-profits) are getting creative with the capabilities Facebook gives them. As I was looking for an example to share with you I ran across Ford Motorcars. I’ve been doing just that. And it’s the key to the conversion.

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Facebook Profit Social Media Info 211

NetWits

SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

However, there are many instances where the program can also unintentionally work against the user experience. How does CAPTCHA work? For example, have you suffered fighting against spam, bots, or hacker attacks? Will CAPTCHA be a barrier of hassles between you and your online community?

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Question Spam Registration Images 145

NetWits

JUNE 6, 2011

For example, maybe everyone can see a certain resource or sample quiz, but you must login in order to also download the white paper or answer guide. For example, a museum could ask constituents for their preferred exhibits or topics, and the Return User Landing Page can be personalized to show content based on those very interests.

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Websites Offline Doc Newsletter 165

NetWits

JULY 13, 2011

One of the first things you may notice on Twitter is the number of individuals who work in technology and/or nonprofits–likely due to Twitter’s early adoption at SXSW, PDF, NTEN and other nonprofit conferences. Consider how you can use Twitter to network with other professionals in your line of work. Remote Participation.

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Twitter Press Nonprofit Social Media 256

NetWits

NOVEMBER 5, 2010

As Blackbaud’s 2010 Conference for Non-Profits approaches this October 21-22, 2010 in Washington, DC, I’m working with colleagues to put the finishing touches on my sessions, and one in particular — one of my favorite topics — is simply too much fun to not share here: Targeted Content*. What is Targeted Content? The possibilities are endless.

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Relationship Personal Build Time 108

NetWits

NOVEMBER 17, 2010

Before I show you some easy ways to generate QR codes, here are some examples of how nonprofits are using them: Be Rare Contest, South Carolina Aquarium. There are a lot of QR generators out there, and using any of them will probably work for you. Kaywa is a well-respected non-commercial service, and delivr and QR stuff also work well.

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South Carolina Contest Netherlands Nonprofit 212

NetWits

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

Their doing work that’s making positive things happen in this world. For those of you out there who work in the non-profit world (a large portion of the readers here) … I’d encourage you to examine how Epic Change is running this campaign. And their using social media in very creative ways to pull it all off.

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Social Media Canada Lesson Profit 164

NetWits

JULY 28, 2011

Or, do you work for a nonprofit and need to find ways to equip those who fundraise on your behalf? Put together a list of friends, family, co-workers, work out buddies, etc… (i.e. Consider creating simple “fundraising cards&# that have your personal fundraising page URL (for example: [link] on them. Register Now !

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Tips Effective Fundraising Personal 250

NetWits

AUGUST 11, 2011

With email that valuable, it makes sense to do some of the leg work for participants. Immediately following an event is one of the best times to engage participants and work toward building donor retention. Historically, the average event participant sends about 22 emails, with approximately 25% resulting in a donation.

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Technique Fundraising Registration Template 218

NetWits

NOVEMBER 5, 2010

Take a second to read through a few examples and you’ll get an idea of how I’m thinking of non-profit ecosystems. Ecosystem thinking may change the way you approach your work. If you bring the ecosystem mindset in you’ll start thinking about things like: Working with local hotels to accommodate those traveling from out of town.

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San Diego Conservancy Cancer Profit 100

NetWits

MAY 31, 2012

This approach works well if you’re really strapped for time. I saw several examples where the Progress update was combined with the Deadline alert to provide value and urgency. They added this as a brief note above their original email. The note reiterated why action was needed and included a call to action link. 4) Deadline Alert.

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Rate Technique email Open 172

NetWits

DECEMBER 1, 2010

Using Movember.com as a home base, participants are encouraged to use their email contacts, work colleagues, social networks, and any other means to promote the cause and raise money. These examples really helped get the ball rolling in early November, and I was very thankful they were there. People Give for Different Reasons.

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Online Learning Fundraising Tips 201

NetWits

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

Join us and we’ll show you real world examples of “gamified” fundraising initiatives, simple gaming tactics that have been proven to work, and how to take advantage of gamification at your organization. But did you know that nonprofits have been using gaming tactics for years? –> Vote Now !

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Social Media Case Study Chad Nonprofit 148

NetWits

AUGUST 2, 2012

They don’t work. When you put together the standard corporate sponsorship proposal, you begin by listing your website, newsletter – just like our example. In this example, we are using information from San Diego County, considered medium market by ad agency standards. Then match to the right companies and get to work.

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Social Media San Diego Donor Media 209

NetWits

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

They work because we know that very successful peer to peer participants exhibit behavior that correlates to higher fundraising. Why Does Task-Based Fundraising Work? … Find Out Which Contests Work Best with Your Public. They: Register early. Send emails to as many people as possible, multiple times.

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Contest Mind Fundraising Ipod 183

NetWits

DECEMBER 10, 2010

If your goal is to get people to take the action you desire, making a donation for example, then getting as many people as possible to do it matters. Here’s an example of a great image from the Darkness to Light website. Testimonials about how the money or work is making a difference. Why’s this important? Get rid of clutter.

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Action Online Giving Profit 214

NetWits

MAY 10, 2012

For example, which would better share the amazing impact Habitat for Humanity has on the community – an image of 5 volunteers building a Habitat Home with their backs to the camera? Or the eyes of the man for whom the house was built? Do you have more examples to share? Share Your Mission. Use Compelling Imagery.

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Websites Effective Photography Camera 189

NetWits

OCTOBER 18, 2011

Hat tip to Allyson Kapin and the folks at www.radcampaign.com for their work on it! I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, examples, case studies, etc. Facebook is Great, but Does it Really Work for Fundraising? My one question for you … Does social media improve fundraising online or offline in any way?

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Social Media Media Social Case Study 274

NetWits

MAY 9, 2012

Here’s a suggestion from Frogloop.com on how Arts and Cultural Organizations (museums, zoos or aquariums) could use Pinterest: Create a shared Board for visitors to pin their favorite works of art or to share shots of themselves feeding their favorite animals (In exhibits and galleries where photography is permitted, of course!).

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Arts Culture Organization Museum 206