With so many marketing strategies for nonprofits available, it can be difficult deciding which ones to use. As the world is now engulfed in technology and more and more people are using the internet, it is wise for any organization to adapt their marketing strategies to the World Wide Web.
According to Business Wire, internet advertising rose to a record $14.9 billion in the first quarter of 2011, an approximate 23 percent increase. This shows that companies are going where the people are and nonprofits should make sure that they do to. The following are some online marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations that you should strongly consider if you want to capitalize on the online market.
Website Marketing
If you do not already have a website for your organization, then you are missing out on one of the most common online marketing strategies for nonprofits. You must have a website as it will be the cornerstone of your online marketing campaigns. When you use the different online marketing methods available, the goal will be to drive people to your website to learn more about your cause and/or donate money. If your website does not exist, then online marketing strategies for nonprofits will be useless to your organization.
Social Media Marketing
One of the keys to marketing is to go where the people are. For any business, nonprofit or otherwise, there must be concentration on social media marketing as that is where people have migrated to in the 20th Century. Social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Social media is used by millions to share photos, comments, and communicate with each other. It is used on a daily basis by anyone with a smartphone or access to a computer as the new way of communication. Social media has also become a major form of marketing as so many people are now using it.
Marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations should be cost effective. Social media marketing is free monetarily and will only cost you the time of someone maintaining your presence. Seventy-one percent of the United States population uses Facebook which means that you have an audience just thirsting for information about your organization.
Blogging
Blogging is one of the most effective marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations available online. With blogging, all you need to do is go to forums and blogs about nonprofits. Join a conversation and maintain your presence. You will not only gain valuable ideas for additional marketing strategies for nonprofits, but you will also be exposing yourself to a world of other nonprofits and potential donors. Finally, people will visit your website as a result of your presence and your cause could go viral throughout the entire world.
Cashback Marketing
Marketing strategies for nonprofits often involve partnering with for profit companies. One such company is Nanoosa.com. Nanoosa.com is a cash back website whose purpose is to help charities and nonprofits make money for their organization. They will promote your cause for free and everyone who makes a purchase through their site will receive a percentage of their profit. Also, members of your charity can also donate any cash back that they earn through their personal account to any charity that they choose. This is similar to the concept started by Upromise for school loans except it is more tailored toward marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations.
Online Donations
Online donations should be on the top of your list of marketing strategies for nonprofits once you have your website completed. Online donations allow you to accept donations from people online as opposed to having them come to your organization in person. As people are always on the go and do not have time to just “drop by”, online donations are an effective way to collect money from donors. You can use a service such a PayPal who will create donation icons for your website and actually collect the donations on your behalf (for a small fee). Use online donation buttons on your website, blog posts, and emails as it is one of the more effective marketing strategies for nonprofits that you will ever use.
