Expert insights. Personalized for you.
We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about the good things you can do to improve your marketing and communications for your nonprofit. But sometimes, it’s also good to frame the conversation around mistakes to avoid. Here are five that quickly come to mind. Not choosing and prioritizing. MORE
Do we sound like a broken record yakking on and on about email marketing? Do we care? We are fired up right now about making sure nonprofits are following email marketing best practices. We’ve pretty much dedicated the entire month of February to email marketing training. MORE
Welcome back to another look into the new hobbies you have picked up over the last year. We’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. And today we are looking a couple of people who took up exercising. MORE
Flickr Creative Commons photo. When I advise nonprofits on how to build effective media relations strategies on a modest budget, I preach the importance of being focused. MORE
No idea what you will talk about on social media next month? Unsure what to include in your newsletter? This post is for you! These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*. MORE
Will 2021 be better than 2020? That remains to be seen, but that felt like a very long first week. I still have the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising though. MORE
Auburn, AL. Welcome to April! Let’s celebrate new beginnings and check out the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. This week we have newsjacking tips, how to run effective ads on social media, headline formulas and more. MORE
Happy Holidays! Toward the end of every year, we spread some good cheer with some free stuff for our awesome readers like you! We have some new freebies for you, but let’s kick of the week with something tried and true… The 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report. MORE
Much of the success in communications and marketing work is creating smooth workflows and eliminating bottlenecks in those flows. Marketing and communications bottlenecks can look like. People missing deadlines or otherwise not doing what they said they would do. MORE
We’re wrapping up our look into the new adventures you got into during the past year with a few of you taking on the challenge of continuing your education. Other pandemic hobbies we’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. Exercise. Gardening. Podcasts. MORE
Lindsey Williams. Here is the latest submission for our Day in the Life of a Nonprofit Communicator series. This series lets you describe your workday in your own words. MORE
In days following the murder of George Floyd. I had no words. This is unusual for me as a journalist, speaker, leadership team member of an advocacy-based nonprofit, and downright talkative person. . Image: Unsplash by munshots. My nonprofit wanted to put out a statement. MORE
It’s here! Today we are excited to release the 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report! MORE
We are continuing our look into how to apply the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging today with a focus on being realistic. Let’s review: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic. MORE
TL;DR: Getting called in and called out comes with the territory of being a thought leader. You need to learn to manage that, regardless of how uncomfortable it is, or find another line of work. . MORE
Anna Mullen and her colleagues at the National Farm to School Network have always worked remotely. She shared some great advice on doing so successfully with others in her cohort of the Communications Director Mentoring Program last year. MORE
I am back with another peek into the new activities nonprofit communicators have picked up during the pandemic. Last week we saw some new pets , and this week we look at a few people who took up a new musical instrument. From Sally Hartman: My new pandemic hobby is playing the piano. MORE
Last week, we shared that we found in the 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report that a majority of nonprofits said they did more communications planning (63%) and that the level of internal collaboration on the communications workload went up (57%) as a result of the pandemic. MORE
Looking to fill your editorial calendar next month? We have ideas for newsletter articles, blog posts, social media updates, and more. These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*. MORE
This is it! We have made to the last R of the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging : refreshing. Let’s review the first five: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic. MORE
Bow & Arrow, Auburn, AL. Are you ready for the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising? This week we have donor retention emails, how to write like Hemingway, a guide to Google Grants, and more. MORE
Another Friday the 13th? Let’s just all keep our heads down and read the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. This week we have eye-tracking studies, sexy nonprofits, media coverage tips for the holiday season and more. MORE
Here’s what’s happening this month at Nonprofit Marketing Guide…. Online Training: The All-Access Training Pass. MORE
Every year Kivi and I celebrate our birthdays by inviting more people to join our All-Access Pass Holder Community and offering them a discount of $200. Her birthday is Wednesday, March 31st so it’s time for a FLASH SALE! Now through March 31st, you can get your All-Access Pass for only $599. MORE
We are super excited that pre-ordering for the newly revised second edition of The Nonprofit Marketing Guide is now open! The first edition came out 11 years ago, and this new edition is fully updated with all that we’ve learned in the last decade. MORE
If you need ideas for your newsletter articles or social media posts next month, then this post is for you! These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*. MORE
I recently chatted with Anthony Wilson, the founder and host of the Groupfinity Podcast. Anthony interviews nonprofit leaders primarily from small volunteer-led organizations and others like me who have advice for them. MORE
Much of nonprofit marketing and communications success is about finding and maintaining your balance. Think of it as walking a fine line. If you venture too far to the left or the right away from that line, you’ll end up struggling in several different ways. MORE
I don’t know if there is less pressure to fake it then there used to be or if it’s just more socially acceptable, but I definitely know more self-professed introverts now that I used to (myself included). MORE
I used to serve on a nonprofit board whose mantra was “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid” ( Basil King ). One of my personal mantras is “Live your life in draft.” ” (I’m not sure where I got that one.) . MORE
Let’s get back to our series on the new hobbies you picked up during quarantine. We’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. Exercise. Today let’s check out gardening projects. From Katrina VanHuss: I have taken an interest in “winter sowing.” MORE
If you’ve been playing with our Nonprofit Communications Strategic Planning Card Deck, you might be wondering how many cards are too many for one person to handle. Sticking with the card deck metaphor, I’m referring to the cards you are using as “your hand.” MORE
Last week I accidentally published Mixed Links with a 2022 date and just now I typed 2020 for the date. Needless to say, TGIF! Let’s finish up the week with the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. MORE
I don’t know if you feel it or not, but I certainly do: There’s a shift happening right now in the role of communications and marketing at nonprofits. MORE
Today, let’s take a look at podcasts nonprofit communicators got into during the last year. Other pandemic hobbies we’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. Exercise. Gardening. From Denise MacDonald: I started working on a podcast using some old family cassette tape letters. MORE
The amount of email sent each year is in the billions and is only going up. See this projection : Source: [link]. So how will you make your way through the clutter in everyone’s inbox and stand out? By answering the question: So What? MORE
In doing research for next week’s webinar Email Marketing Trends for Nonprofits webinar series, I came across the 2020 Email Deliverability Benchmark Study done by Validity. MORE
The amount of email sent each year is in the billions and is only going up. See this projection : Source: [link]. So how will you make your way through the clutter in everyone’s inbox and stand out? By answering the question: So What? MORE
We’re halfway through our look into the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging. Today, we look at how to be responsive. But first, a quick review in case you need to catch up: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic. MORE
I’m often asked by the communications directors I coach about the relationship they should have with their nonprofit’s board of directors. Should they attend meetings? What marketing metrics should go in a board report? MORE
Our ability to produce our annual Nonprofit Communications Trends Report depends entirely on YOUR participation in the annual survey. The Trends Report is our most popular download of the year and is the “go to” source for what’s REALLY happening in the world of nonprofit communications. MORE
In the survey for the upcoming 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report, we asked three questions about the impact of the pandemic on your communications work. MORE
A couple of weeks ago I shared our 6 R’s of Relevant Messaging checklist in So What? Making Your Messaging More Relevant. Over the next few weeks, I will share some ideas for each one of the 6 Rs. Let’s review those first: Rewarding. MORE
We’re making our way through the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging. Today, we look at how to be real time. Let’s review what we’ve talked about so far: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic. MORE
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 22, 2021
TL;DR: Getting called in and called out comes with the territory of being a thought leader. You need to learn to manage that, regardless of how uncomfortable it is, or find another line of work. .
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 25, 2021
Looking to fill your editorial calendar next month? We have ideas for newsletter articles, blog posts, social media updates, and more. These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*.
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Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 10, 2021
We are continuing our look into how to apply the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging today with a focus on being realistic. Let’s review: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 24, 2021
We’re halfway through our look into the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging. Today, we look at how to be responsive. But first, a quick review in case you need to catch up: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 9, 2021
Last week I accidentally published Mixed Links with a 2022 date and just now I typed 2020 for the date. Needless to say, TGIF! Let’s finish up the week with the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 18, 2021
Much of the success in communications and marketing work is creating smooth workflows and eliminating bottlenecks in those flows. Marketing and communications bottlenecks can look like. People missing deadlines or otherwise not doing what they said they would do.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 12, 2021
We’re wrapping up our look into the new adventures you got into during the past year with a few of you taking on the challenge of continuing your education. Other pandemic hobbies we’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. Exercise. Gardening. Podcasts.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 11, 2021
I don’t know if you feel it or not, but I certainly do: There’s a shift happening right now in the role of communications and marketing at nonprofits.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 1, 2021
I am back with another peek into the new activities nonprofit communicators have picked up during the pandemic. Last week we saw some new pets , and this week we look at a few people who took up a new musical instrument. From Sally Hartman: My new pandemic hobby is playing the piano.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 7, 2021
This is it! We have made to the last R of the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging : refreshing. Let’s review the first five: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
In doing research for next week’s webinar Email Marketing Trends for Nonprofits webinar series, I came across the 2020 Email Deliverability Benchmark Study done by Validity.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 8, 2021
I recently chatted with Anthony Wilson, the founder and host of the Groupfinity Podcast. Anthony interviews nonprofit leaders primarily from small volunteer-led organizations and others like me who have advice for them.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 13, 2021
I’m often asked by the communications directors I coach about the relationship they should have with their nonprofit’s board of directors. Should they attend meetings? What marketing metrics should go in a board report?
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 2, 2021
Auburn, AL. Welcome to April! Let’s celebrate new beginnings and check out the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. This week we have newsjacking tips, how to run effective ads on social media, headline formulas and more.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 29, 2021
Let’s get back to our series on the new hobbies you picked up during quarantine. We’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. Exercise. Today let’s check out gardening projects. From Katrina VanHuss: I have taken an interest in “winter sowing.”
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 1, 2021
Here’s what’s happening this month at Nonprofit Marketing Guide…. Online Training: The All-Access Training Pass.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 5, 2021
Today, let’s take a look at podcasts nonprofit communicators got into during the last year. Other pandemic hobbies we’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. Exercise. Gardening. From Denise MacDonald: I started working on a podcast using some old family cassette tape letters.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 8, 2021
Lindsey Williams. Here is the latest submission for our Day in the Life of a Nonprofit Communicator series. This series lets you describe your workday in your own words.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 3, 2021
A couple of weeks ago I shared our 6 R’s of Relevant Messaging checklist in So What? Making Your Messaging More Relevant. Over the next few weeks, I will share some ideas for each one of the 6 Rs. Let’s review those first: Rewarding.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Do we sound like a broken record yakking on and on about email marketing? Do we care? We are fired up right now about making sure nonprofits are following email marketing best practices. We’ve pretty much dedicated the entire month of February to email marketing training.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 26, 2021
No idea what you will talk about on social media next month? Unsure what to include in your newsletter? This post is for you! These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
DECEMBER 28, 2020
Happy Holidays! Toward the end of every year, we spread some good cheer with some free stuff for our awesome readers like you! We have some new freebies for you, but let’s kick of the week with something tried and true… The 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 19, 2021
In the survey for the upcoming 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report, we asked three questions about the impact of the pandemic on your communications work.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 16, 2021
Anna Mullen and her colleagues at the National Farm to School Network have always worked remotely. She shared some great advice on doing so successfully with others in her cohort of the Communications Director Mentoring Program last year.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 16, 2021
I used to serve on a nonprofit board whose mantra was “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid” ( Basil King ). One of my personal mantras is “Live your life in draft.” ” (I’m not sure where I got that one.) .
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 12, 2021
Bow & Arrow, Auburn, AL. Are you ready for the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising? This week we have donor retention emails, how to write like Hemingway, a guide to Google Grants, and more.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 30, 2021
Every year Kivi and I celebrate our birthdays by inviting more people to join our All-Access Pass Holder Community and offering them a discount of $200. Her birthday is Wednesday, March 31st so it’s time for a FLASH SALE! Now through March 31st, you can get your All-Access Pass for only $599.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 11, 2021
I don’t know if there is less pressure to fake it then there used to be or if it’s just more socially acceptable, but I definitely know more self-professed introverts now that I used to (myself included).
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 27, 2021
Last week, we shared that we found in the 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report that a majority of nonprofits said they did more communications planning (63%) and that the level of internal collaboration on the communications workload went up (57%) as a result of the pandemic.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
The amount of email sent each year is in the billions and is only going up. See this projection : Source: [link]. So how will you make your way through the clutter in everyone’s inbox and stand out? By answering the question: So What?
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 17, 2021
We’re making our way through the 6 Rs of Relevant Messaging. Today, we look at how to be real time. Let’s review what we’ve talked about so far: Rewarding. The benefits of following through on the call to action in the message are clear. Realistic.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JUNE 4, 2020
In days following the murder of George Floyd. I had no words. This is unusual for me as a journalist, speaker, leadership team member of an advocacy-based nonprofit, and downright talkative person. . Image: Unsplash by munshots. My nonprofit wanted to put out a statement.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 28, 2021
It’s here! Today we are excited to release the 2021 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report!
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JANUARY 8, 2021
Will 2021 be better than 2020? That remains to be seen, but that felt like a very long first week. I still have the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising though.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 9, 2021
If you’ve been playing with our Nonprofit Communications Strategic Planning Card Deck, you might be wondering how many cards are too many for one person to handle. Sticking with the card deck metaphor, I’m referring to the cards you are using as “your hand.”
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 24, 2021
If you need ideas for your newsletter articles or social media posts next month, then this post is for you! These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
NOVEMBER 16, 2020
Our ability to produce our annual Nonprofit Communications Trends Report depends entirely on YOUR participation in the annual survey. The Trends Report is our most popular download of the year and is the “go to” source for what’s REALLY happening in the world of nonprofit communications.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
Flickr Creative Commons photo. When I advise nonprofits on how to build effective media relations strategies on a modest budget, I preach the importance of being focused.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
The amount of email sent each year is in the billions and is only going up. See this projection : Source: [link]. So how will you make your way through the clutter in everyone’s inbox and stand out? By answering the question: So What?
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 4, 2021
We are super excited that pre-ordering for the newly revised second edition of The Nonprofit Marketing Guide is now open! The first edition came out 11 years ago, and this new edition is fully updated with all that we’ve learned in the last decade.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
MARCH 15, 2021
Welcome back to another look into the new hobbies you have picked up over the last year. We’ve looked at: Pets. Music. Arts and Crafts. And today we are looking a couple of people who took up exercising.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
NOVEMBER 13, 2020
Another Friday the 13th? Let’s just all keep our heads down and read the most helpful articles, posts, tips, and more from around the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. This week we have eye-tracking studies, sexy nonprofits, media coverage tips for the holiday season and more.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
DECEMBER 2, 2020
Much of nonprofit marketing and communications success is about finding and maintaining your balance. Think of it as walking a fine line. If you venture too far to the left or the right away from that line, you’ll end up struggling in several different ways.
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