Marketing, Nonprofit, Social Enterprise, Strong Foundation, Websites
Kristi Porter
Why Your Social Impact Mission Isn't Enough
Why Your Social Impact Mission Isn't Enough
Marketing, Nonprofit, Social Enterprise, Strong Foundation
Kristi Porter
The Ultimate Guide to Social Impact Websites
The Ultimate Guide to Social Impact Websites
Small Business, Philanthropy
Kristi Porter
5 Reasons Why Giving Back is Good For Business
5 Reasons Why Giving Back is Good For Business
Events, Launches, Marketing
Kristi Porter
8 Launch Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
8 Launch Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Social Enterprise

, , ,

COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits and Social Impact Companies

, , ,

There’s no question about it: Our world has changed. As we grapple with the reality of COVID-19, we are all struggling to keep up—not just as individuals, but as nonprofit leaders and business owners.

Fear and anxiety are high. Supplies feel scarce. Distraction is in overdrive.

And yet, our world needs your work more than ever.

You are the best of us.
You are the inspirers, the problem-solvers, the helpers.
You may be small, but you are mighty.

According to the Small Business Administration, 99% of businesses in the United States are small businesses, and this includes nonprofits. Of those, 88% have less than 20 employees. In fact, small businesses employ almost half of the private US workforce.

This means that nonprofits, social enterprises, and social impact companies are vital, not only to our lives, but our culture. So, during this challenging time, how can you succeed when on some days, the odds may feel stacked against you?

Here is my curated list of funding options, marketing and communications resources, current discounts and opportunities, as well as tips for running your business online in this brave, new coronavirus world. I hope this serves as a life preserver during this unprecedented season. And take heart, friends, it is just a season.

By the way, in case someone hasn’t told you today: Thank you for what you do. It matters.

COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits, Social Enterprises, and Social Impact Companies

Financial Resources for Nonprofits, Social Impact Companies, and Small Businesses

Many of us will take a financial hit during COVID-19, so if you need financial assistance, here are some resources to help keep the proverbial doors open and lights on.

Tips on Working From Home and Running Your Business Online

New to working from home? Or working from home with a house full of kids, partners, spouses, and pets? Here are some ideas to keep you productive.

  • Besides toilet paper, I should’ve bought stock in Zoom. If you’re just getting familiar with the platform, they’re hosting a few webinars to get you up to speed.

  • Here’s a great, to-the-point guide from The Skimm. I especially like that they included tips for staying on the same page as your boss.

  • Hypepotamus put together this list for startups, but the advice is applicable to just about any business.

  • Here’s some advice for hiring employees and running meetings online.

  • The Management Team has provided input for how to manage a team remotely.

  • Is your motivation waning during this extended time at home? We have some advice.

  • If you have the time and ability, this might be a fantastic opportunity for a business retreat. (I take them quarterly.) There’s no time to plan like the present, right?

  • Harvard Business Reviewe answered 15 popular work from home questions. Is one of them yours?

  • Trying to decide between Google Hangouts and Zoom for your online meetings? Click the link for a breakdown.

  • This Fast Company article has some stellar advice from the perspective of a CEO, including how to reinforce your mission, vision, and values.

  • Here are some good tips from NPR, including addressing managing expectations and knowing your own limitations, both of which are super important.

  • Share the joy. Have you been enjoying all the free-flowing memes online lately? Even though many of you work on serious issues, take a moment to share a laugh with your team. Having fun together matters, too.

  • Still trying to figure out what your response should be from a business perspective? Silver Lining has a “Business Unusual” workbook to walk you through possible answers.

  • Once co-working spaces open back up, should you move your team there? Here are some pros and cons.

  • CocoFax put together a list of over 500 remote working tools to help you be more productive and efficient.

  • CreditCards.com put together a guide specifically for disabled entrepreneurs who want to start a business.

  • This work from home guide explains how to set up your office space for both productivity and comfort.

  • OutwitTrade asked dozens of individuals for their work from home trips, and there are some great pieces of advice that I haven’t seen mentioned in other spots, such as: “Start working when you’d normally start your commute, not when you’d normally get to the office. Then you’ll have extra time for interruptions.”

  • Novoresume has not just tips for working from home, but how to find a remote job, and expected salaries for some remote jobs.

  • Need tech support for your Mac while working from home? One of these 17 tips might just be the support ticket you need . . . without the wait.

  • Obviously, I’m a big fan of communication, but it doesn’t always work the same with remote teams. Here are six tips for effective remote communication.

Marketing Resources

While many small businesses and nonprofits have had to shutter their doors during the coronavirus, sadly, there are still a lot of us who are working. That means, you still need to let people know about your products and services—hello, marketing! Here’s how to get the word out.

  • With everyone at home and online, this is an excellent time to improve your website!

  • Crisis or not, here are my tips for how to make time for marketing.

  • This is amazing advice from Hootsuite’s Vice President of Corporate Marketing on how to pivot your social strategy. I also love this quote by him, “Employees will remember leaders who led. Customers will remember who showed up, what we said, and how we helped them.”

  • Here’s an awesome resource list for event planners, complete with examples to follow, if you need to cancel an event or move it online.

  • My friend, Meg Casebolt, wants to make sure you get found online while everyone is at home, so she’s hosting free SEO workshops during March and April.

  • The Adobe Digital Summit will be held for free on March 31st!

  • If your cause is particularly relevant to the coronavirus conversation, this might be a great time to engage an influencer or get some good press. (Pro tip: If you’ve been previously featured in the media, reach back out to the journalist to see if you can help them again. Everyone is scrambling for relevant and helpful content!)

  • Since you’re home (and everyone else is, too), this might be a good time to start a YouTube Channel.

  • Improve your social media strategy with the use of hashtags. There are certainly lots of new ones popping up these days!

  • Here’s my Marketing Q&A: Coronavirus Edition held on Facebook Live, where I answered some of the questions I’ve been getting over the last couple of weeks.

  • The Social Enterprise Alliance gives you four steps for navigating COVID-19 as a social enterprise.

  • Vincit will create a free e-commerce roadmap that includes a strategy, tech resource recommendations, UX recommendations, and a consultation.

  • Here are 10 things you can do right now for your marketing and communications, including diagnosing whether your organization is candy, a vitamin, or a painkiller.

  • Don’t forget all the marketing and communications resources readily available on this site! We want to equip and empower nonprofits, social enterprises, and social impact companies everywhere. :)

Crisis Communications

How do you communicate with donors, customers, partners, and sponsors during tragedy or uncertain times?

  • My favorite COVID-19 email (is that okay to say?) came from Tiff’s Treats, and it came in the first wave of businesses talking about their response. I loved it because it took a positive stance. It doesn’t downplay the seriousness of the issue, but it does also talk about the good stuff coming out of a bad situation. I think more people should take their lead, and I think cause-focused organizations are in a unique position to follow suit. (Oh, and if you haven’t had their cookies yet, their chocolate chip variety is my favorite on the planet.)

  • Are you a Wikipedia devotee like me? If so, check out their insanely proactive response back at the beginning of March. I also love how it’s written, like a letter to friends.

  • 3BL is offering free press releases services for social impact organizations communicating about COVID-19

  • Here are some strategies for communicating the coronavirus internally and externally, as well as examples you can follow.

  • I thought Lyft had a great response to model. It’s heartfelt, informative, action-oriented, and easy to read.

  • This post on the Public Relations Society of America blog gives a quick overview to get you up to speed quickly on talking about the pandemic.

  • Here are seven ways to build trust with your customers and donors during the outbreak.

  • The CDC has provided communications resources for us all to use, including print resources, videos, and images.

  • SCORE has created a handy checklist for creating a crisis communications plan.

  • Smarterqueue, the software I use for social scheduling (read my review here), has some tips on how to adjust your social strategy.

  • Honeybook will walk you through 18 steps to create a business continuity plan.

  • This is a good example from L.L.Bean, which speaks to the values of their company.

  • TalkWalker has laid out a very in-depth view of PR for you, including several crisis communication templates.

  • Engage for Good has a roundup of stats and studies for social impact organizations, which can help provide data for your response.

  • Be sensitive, understanding, and responsive. Here’s how Hershey’s pivoted quickly, which is a good example. However, I’ve seen people shaming brands for social posts, commercials, emails, and more, which frankly, I think is overreacting at times. Why? Because these things were probably scheduled weeks, days, or even months in advance. So, let’s all do what we can, and also show some grace while we all try and figure this out, especially as news is changing day-by-day. You may need someone to show you grace down the line.

  • Pathos Labs has created a playbook of 19 tips for influencers, explaining how they can talk with their audience about the crisis.

Software Discounts and Resources

Lots of companies are offering longer free trials and discounts. Be sure to check in with all of your favorites, or those you’ve been wanting to try.

  • First, here’s a list of resources, software, and more that I use and recommend.

  • Conscious Capitalism has moved their April conference online—and is giving it away for free!

  • My friend Christina at The Contract Shop is offering 20% off of her legal contracts and templates through April 10th.

  • Hootsuite is offering their Professional plan for free to small businesses and nonprofits until July 1st.

  • Calendly is offering free Zoom and GoToMeeting integrations through June. And let me take a moment to say, if you are not using a scheduling software like Calendly or Acuity yet, please do yourself a favor and create an account! Minimize those back-and-forth emails about scheduling meetings.

  • Loom, which is what I use for screen and video recording, is cutting prices, extending trials, and even offering free accounts for educators and students.

  • Many cell phone carriers are opening up free Wifi hotspot access at this time. Get the full scoop on what telephone and internet providers are doing here.

  • Take a look at all the ways Shopify is helping its customers with their online and in-person storefronts.

  • A few female-founded brands are doing a big giveaway for Women’s History Month, including Edgar, a social media scheduling service.

  • 1Password, the software I use to generate and store my passwords, is offering six free months of 1Password Business.

  • Google (G Suite) is making some features that are normally reserved for Enterprise customers available to all accounts through July 1st.

  • Forbes put together this fantastic list of free software you can use during the crisis. Some of these are already my favs!

  • Mailchimp is offering free services to those with paid accounts. Your application must be submitted by April 30th.

  • Google is providing free ad credits for select small and medium business accounts.

  • Hypepotamus has a list of discounts, resources, leadership advice, and financial links for Southern startups.

  • Don’t have a graphic designer on staff? You can get a bevy of free poster templates, social media images, graphics, and more from Canva, Unsplash, and PosterMyWall.

  • Sparkhouse is offering to make a free video for local small businesses, in order to help them get the word out.

  • Need to build a new website or improve the one you’ve got? Jottful will provide you with a free, online roadmap.

  • With all of your employees working remotely, you may need to increase employee engagement and retention. Clarity Wave is giving you a free, three-month trial of their software to do just that.

  • If you’re hiring right now, ShareAble for Hires is offering free pre-employment background checks to small businesses through July 31st. Get great people back to work!

Resources Specifically for Nonprofits

Hooray—lots of places already offer nonprofit discounts. But, now more than ever, you might be able to find freebies and offers that work in your favor.

Additional Resources

Looking for personal resources? I’ve got you covered over at my personal blog. Here are my ideas for making the best of the coronavirus at home. Why not stay positive, right?

And my friend who contracted COVID-19 has been sharing her advice and tips for getting through the coronavirus with friends informally on Facebook, so I took them and created a blog post on my personal blog (with her permission). It’s helpful to hear her first-hand perspective, as well as some things we aren’t regularly hearing in the media.

Did I miss something important? I’ll be updating it as we get through this situation. Leave it in the comments, or email me at: kristi@signify.solutions

And since we’re all in this together, would you mind sharing this post with someone who may need this information?

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

Nonprofits, social enterprises, and social impact companies are vital, not only to our lives, but our culture. So, during this challenging time, how can you succeed when the odds may feel stacked against you? Here is my curated list of resources, in…
Kristi Porter, founder of Signify

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

, , , ,

Why Your Social Impact Mission Isn't Enough

, , , ,

  • Have you ever read an entire nonprofit or social enterprise website, only to find yourself still wondering what they actually do?

  • Have you ever had a fantastic conversation with someone about their mission, only to find that their website lacked the same passion?

  • Have you ever seen an organization use different styles and tones across their social media, website, blog, and even when they speak in person?

If you’ve seen any of these issues in action, you’re witnessing a lack of clarity and consistency in the nonprofit or social enterprise’s brand message or brand voice.

They probably know internally what they do, but it may not be translating well outside of their walls. And, as you can imagine, that’s a big problem, especially when trying to find new customers, donors, and partners.

For your mission to not only engage the right people, but compel them to act, you need a clearly defined brand message and brand voice. You may think of your “brand” as only part of your marketing, but your brand informs what you say, how you say it, and what your mission looks like visually. It’s essential to every aspect of your organization.

With a strong brand message and brand voice, people will know what you do, why it matters, and how they can be a part of it. Without it, people could be left confused or even apathetic to the incredible work that you’re trying to do.

Let’s talk about how you can make your effort more effective.

Why Your Social Impact Mission Isn't Enough

Why Is knowing your brand message Important to Your Nonprofit or Social Enterprise?

I’ve already mentioned how having a strong brand message and brand voice contributes to your bottom line, but before we move on, I want give you a couple of other reasons why this subject should be on your radar.

Do you ever write about your nonprofit or social enterprise? Do you have employees, board members, volunteers, or other key stakeholders that talk about your mission? Have you ever hired a third-party contractor, freelancer, or intern that communicates on your behalf in person or online? If any of these situations apply to you, so does this topic.

Having a clear and consistent brand message and brand voice ensures that everyone (including you) is talking about your organization in the same way.

It helps everyone communicate the right message in the right way. To put it simply, it gives every person a common language to use, and a template to work from. One of my clients even called it her compass because it guides her in the right direction, and steers her back when she gets off track.

Wouldn’t it be great if everybody used the same playbook?

Even if your nonprofit or social impact company is just you right now (hi, fellow solopreneur!), a solid brand voice allows you to talk about your work in a way that resonates with the people you want to reach. Meaning, people get excited when you talk about your mission! No more difficulty trying to explain what you do, watching someone’s eyes glaze over as you struggle to reach your point, or your message falling flat when you simply recite your mission statement.

What Do People Say About You?

Jeff Bezos is often quoted as saying, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” And while I think there is a lot of truth to that, I also like how my friend, Jaci Lund of Treebird Branding, states it, “A brand is an expectation.”

No matter how you look at it, though, a brand isn’t just a logo, an elevator pitch, a mission statement, a color palette, or even a website. Your brand is the culmination of all of these things and more.

If your organization were a person, your brand would be all the little characteristics that make that person who they are.

It’s a lot, I know.

For now, we’re going to talk about your brand message and brand voice, which are two of my favorite characteristics. And, without clearly defining these two pieces, your brand’s puzzle is incomplete. Without them, it could mean that donors and customers don’t connect with your mission, resulting in stagnant sales or donations. It’s that important.


Brand Message and Brand Voice Defined

Think about the companies or nonprofits that you love most. One of the reasons you probably love them is because you know some of their background, what they stand for, what problems they solve for you, and where they’re headed in the future. You know their story, and you know how you fit into it. In that way, they’re a little like a friend you’ve gotten to know over time. 

You’ve had these ongoing conversations with them internally and externally via their brand voice. Whatever they said, and however they said it, made you a fan out of you. And we want that same thing for your audience.

Your brand message is what you want people to understand about your organization.

Your brand voice is how you communicate your organization’s message to others. 

Essentially, your brand message is your mission, and your brand voice is your mission in motion. You can’t have a clear and compelling brand voice without first defining a strong brand message.

Your brand voice is the specific mix of words and tone that you use—not just what you say and do, but how you say it. A great brand voice is easy-to-understand, consistent, repetitive, and uniform no matter where it shows up. And it always reflects your organization’s core message.

That means the words on your website, your social media posts, the conversations you have with people, anything you say from a stage, emails, printed materials, packaging, advertising, and more should all be using the same language and emotion to describe your work, mission, and vision. Think of it like your unique vocabulary and personality rolled into one.

You want people to hear your “voice” and know it’s you, with or without your logo or photo present. Like your own distinct personality, your brand message and voice is what will help authentically attract others to you.

Having a firm grasp of how to communicate your story, mission, and vision in all your marketing and communications will help you attract the right (and more) donors, customers, sponsors, and partners.

A Brand Message in Action

Not long ago, I was out with my friend, Katrell, who owns Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party here in Atlanta, and also founded the charity project, The Learning Tea. While I was waiting for her at the tea shop, a guy sat near me at the community table. He was looking around wide-eyed like it was his first time there. In fact, when he caught my eye, he gushed, “This place is awesome! I’ve never been here before.”

We chatted for a minute, and I told him that the proceeds from the tea shop put girls through college in India. Turns out, he was at the tea shop waiting for an event to start just a few blocks away. It was a social impact arts show, so he was thrilled to know of the store’s greater purpose.

After Katrell and I left the tea shop, we went to a nearby restaurant and sat at the bar. While chatting with the bartender, we found out even though he’d been in the Atlanta area for a while, he was only recently taking the time to discover the local haunts. And he actually mentioned going to Dr. Bombay’s recently. As the unofficial brand ambassador, I mentioned that Katrell was the owner. He got so excited, threw his head back and his arms up, and said, “That place is like a warm hug!” He loved the unique, but cozy vibe.

A couple of hours later, Katrell and I were about a block away from Dr. Bombay’s, peeking in the glass windows of a store that was yet to open, trying to figure out who her new neighbor would be. A man rode by on his bike and struck up a conversation with us. We all noted that the architecture of this building looked very out of place on that street, so we were curious about it. The guy said, “I wonder what Dr. Bombay will think about this building?” To which I replied, “This is Dr. Bombay!” while pointing at Katrell. He laughed, smiled, and said, “I love your shop! It’s one of the only places I let my kids ride their bikes to in the neighborhood.” (And then proceeded to tell her which ice cream flavors she should swap out, ha!)

True story—all three of those conversations happened in a matter of hours. It was a marketer’s dream come true!

So, out of these three men, which one nailed the brand message?

The answer: All of them. Each of them found something about Katrell’s tea shop that resonated with them. And, for that reason, each of them was going to come back.

How to Define Your Brand Message and Brand Voice

Okay, so now that we’ve talked about how utterly important it is to have a clear and consistent brand message and voice, as well as who it benefits, let’s talk about how to get you there.

Here are a few questions to think about regarding your brand message:

  • What are the two or three top things someone should know about your work?

  • Why does your work matter?

  • What makes you different from your competitors?

  • What problem do people have that you solve?

  • What is the transformation you provide?

Here are a few questions to think about regarding your brand voice:

  • How do you want people to feel when they think about your organization?

  • How does your audience describe themselves?

  • What words and phrases do you find yourself repeating over and over again?

  • What words or phrases would you never use to describe your organization or work?

  • What tone should your organization communicate in? (ex: serious, playful, authoritative, compassionate, etc?)

Hopefully, these questions will get you started, but if you get stuck or need help, I’m here.

I can guide you through my own five-part framework for defining your brand message and brand voice.

I’d love to help you communicate more effectively, so that your work gets the attention it deserves.

Here’s what one of my clients said:

Jaycina Almond, The Tender Foundation

Kristi’s Brand Message Consultation serves as a "compass" for everything from communications to fundraising to partnerships and more. It really lays out the language you can use in your website, newsletters, presentations, and social media to stay true to the organization’s mission and values. You can reflect on anything that you are working on, and quickly see if it aligns with the current narrative.

During the consult, we really dug deep into who we are, why we do what we do, what makes us different, and more. Afterward, it's spelled out in a document right in front of you that you can always refer back to! It’s so helpful.

The Brand Message and narrative that we worked on really boosted my confidence in being able to explain what we do and what makes us different. And I think having that solid foundation really helped me to secure early grants.

- Jaycina Almond, The Tender Foundation

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

For your mission to not only engage the right people, but compel them to act, you need to ensure that you have a clearly defined brand message and brand voice. You may think of your “brand” as only part of your marketing, but your brand informs what…
Kristi Porter, founder of Signify

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

, , , ,

Should You Invest in a Copywriter For Your Nonprofit Website?

, , , ,

Do you actually need a copywriter for your nonprofit website? If you’re creating your first site, or relaunching a new one, this question may have already popped into your head. And just because I’m a copywriter that specializes in nonprofits, social enterprises, and social impact companies, my answer is not going to be an automatic, “Yes.”

I’m here to serve my clients, and that means doing what is best for them. So, I’m going to lay out the benefits as I see them, and you can decide for yourself. And if the answer is, “No,” or “Not right now,” I’m also going to give you some options for writing your website on a budget without a copywriter. Sound good?

Should You Invest in a Copywriter For Your Nonprofit Website?

7 Reasons Why Hiring a Copywriter for Your Website Is a Good Idea

If you’re on the fence about hiring a website copywriter for your nonprofit, here are a few reasons it might be the right move.

1) You have lost perspective.

When you’re in the weeds of your mission each day, it’s easy to lose perspective. This could mean that you forget to include much-needed website content, use jargon that others don’t understand, or can’t see your work as a perspective donor or partner would.

Additionally, many nonprofit websites I read are written for “insiders,” or the people who already understand what you’re up to and have supported you for years. You want people to find your website and become engaged, but your site isn’t written for those who aren’t familiar with you and your work.

Sometimes it takes an “outsider” to spot this issue, and then write it in such a way that will draw in website visitors.

2) You aren’t a good writer.

Let’s face it: Not everyone is a good writer. And not everyone enjoys writing.

If this is you, that’s okay. (I probably can’t do what you do either!) However, when people are in this position, I find that they’re continually trying to force a square peg in a round hole—and it’s exhausting.

You’ll also likely keep putting off writing your website because it’s not something you enjoy. At that point, you find yourself frantic and desperate, trying to cobble together a site that you don’t love and aren’t happy with. And that’s probably not the outcome you’re looking for.

These are also issues that website visitors could pick up on, which doesn’t serve your mission at all.

3) It takes you a long time to write.

One of my amazing clients, Anne Kerr, once told me that she hired me to write for her because it’s a task that simply takes a long time. She’s actually a really good writer, and can communicate her mission very well, but it might take her days to write something that I can knock out in a fraction of the time.

With what feels like a hundred other items on your To Do List, you have to assess where you should spend your time.

4) You don’t know how to write a website.

Just because you write well, doesn’t mean you can (or should) write your website. Your website is a powerful marketing, sales, and fundraising tool, which means the copy (<— the words) should not just be informative, but persuasive.

It might take a different skill set to tell your story and talk about your work in way that pulls the reader in, and makes them want to take action.

5) Your team is maxed out.

Even if you have a team of people that you work alongside, it’s likely that they’re all at capacity. It’s hard to find anyone anywhere that doesn’t have a full plate of tasks to complete each day. So, you have to ask yourself if one or more people really need to juggle this one as well.

By hiring someone to write your nonprofit website, you are freeing up your team to do what they do best.

At many small nonprofits, employees are already wearing multiple hats, so adding something large and substantial like writing a website could easily overwhelm them. Do your team a favor, and bring in a professional who can guide them through the process, and get it done quickly and efficiently.

6) YouR time is better spent elsewhere.

I spoke a little about this in #3, but it’s quite possible that you may have other items on your agenda that need your attention more. As a founder or key leader, you probably have responsibilities that need your personal attention, and if that’s the case, you should leave the copywriting to someone else.

For example, let’s say it’s a busy season for your nonprofit (I know, when isn’t it!), and you really need to be getting in front of large donors. Well, you can’t show up to meetings, schedule coffees, or attend high-profile events if you also need to sit down and write a website.

There are some things only you can do. Is writing your website one of them?

7) Words Matter.

You may also be wondering about the role of design when it comes to your nonprofit’s website. The truth is that it’s important. How your website looks is the first thing people will see, so I definitely believe your website should look good.

However, you have to back up your visual brand identity with compelling words. The copy informs and enhances the photos, heightens the way colors make you feel, and encourages people to take action. They complement each other—and when they work together, you have a fantastic online experience for donors and partners.

Can’t Afford to Hire a Copywriter For Your Nonprofit Website?

I get it. You can’t squeeze blood from a stone, as they say. If this is your first website, or you’re still in startup mode, you may not yet be able to invest in a copywriter. I don’t fault you for that, since I know the DIY feeling.

However, I do have some suggestions if you need to bootstrap the words on your website.

  • Get an audit.

    Before you dive head-long into creating your new site, hire someone to audit your current one. For example, my friends at New American Pathways are about to redesign and rewrite their current site, which they’ve had for five years. But before they begin, they hired me to assess what works and doesn’t work from a marketing perspective.

    I went through the website as a visitor would, and took note of everything that could be improved, from photos and colors to the writing and brand messaging. This allowed them to have a more informed direction as they approached a website designer, and for the team member who will handle most of the writing in-house.

  • Hire an editor.

    Even if you’re a good writer, I suggest hiring someone to edit your website. That person can not only look at grammar and punctuation errors, but sentence structure and continuity. He or she might even be able to help you cut any clutter and make suggestions for improvement.

  • Barter.

    Bartering isn’t talked about much, but I’m a big fan. If you’ve got something someone else needs or wants, it’s possible you can swap. For example, one of my friends does some copywriting for her accountant, and gets her taxes done for free in exchange. Get creative!

  • Get more opinions.

    Remember when we talked about perspective above? Well, you only have one. Whether you’re the only employee at your nonprofit, or you have a whole team, it’s good to get the opinions of others. Putting your heads together can lead to significant improvements all-around, especially if you need to rewrite your website quickly.

  • Invest in a copywriting Course or coach.

    Want to improve your skills? Maybe a copywriting course or writing coach is the best move for you. However, the investment may not be all that different than hiring a copywriter, and it will also require more of your time. So, take a hard look and see if this is something you should pursue. If so, it can also serve you well in the long-run.

  • Find a mentor.

    I’m a big fan of finding a mentor, and it’s advice I give out often. Of course, having a mentor can be a huge benefit in many ways, and this is certainly one of them.

    The downside of simply getting outside opinions, as I talked about earlier, is that they still may not know any more about writing for websites than you do. However, a mentor may have an expert opinion, if you’ve sought one out that has that skill set.

  • HIRE AN Intern.

    Though they don’t have years of experience under their belt yet, students and interns who are majoring in marketing or journalism do have a lot of value. And, obviously, you can be a terrific resource for them, too. The first project I give any new intern is to audit my website, and tell me what doesn’t make sense, what links are broken, and what could be made better. I get complements on my site all the time, and I know that is in part due to my interns’ contributions.

One Thing You ABSOLUTELY Must Consider

Have you thought about the ROI of hiring a copywriter for your nonprofit website? If not, the return on investment may help you make a decision.

It’s not just the cost of investing in a copywriter, it’s what could happen as a result:

  • Copy that makes you look and sound more professional to your potential partners and donors

  • Copy that’s more engaging than what you could write yourself, which results in more donations and sponsorships

  • An experience that teaches you how to think about your overall marketing strategy

Additionally, they cost less than you might think because it’s a short-term cost with long-term benefits.

  • You likely won’t rewrite your website but every few years.

  • You don’t have to pay for their taxes or other benefits like insurance.

  • You don’t even have to buy them pizza at the next office party.

YOUR NEXT NONPROFIT WEBSITE

You may not be able to hire a nonprofit copywriter for your current project, but I suggest adding them into your budget for the next one (or your Phase 2 upgrades). You’ve seen the benefits above, and they aren’t to be overlooked.

You’ve no doubt spent years getting better at your job, and copywriters like me have as well. So, when it comes to something as important as your website, make sure it’s in the best possible hands.

Having someone else handle the writing can bring new perspective, streamline your process, and free you up for what you do best. Plus, having their expertise can help you create a website that is more compelling, more engaging, and brings in more dollars.

Isn’t that worth the investment?

 
Elizabeth Walker of Habitat for Humanity
Mark Northcutt of Atlanta Dream Center

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

Do you actually need a copywriter for your nonprofit website? I’m going to lay out the benefits for you, and also give you some options for writing your website on a budget without a copywriter.
Kristi Porter, founder of Signify

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

, , ,

The Ultimate Guide to Social Impact Websites

, , ,

Outside of your people, your website is your nonprofit or social enterprise’s greatest marketing asset. It’s also one of the most important tools you have to help you make a bigger social impact. In fact, it’s so important that we’re going to look at it from just about every angle.

From what you should do before you create or update your website, to writing and designing it, to how to promote it after going live, this is your ultimate guide to social impact websites.

It’s time to build and engage a larger audience, increase your sales or donations, and do more good. This is one tool to help you do just that.

Programming note: Because this is such an important topic, we’ll be talking about social enterprise and nonprofit websites for the next couple of months. As the blog gets updated, this post will be expanded as well.

The Ultimate Guide to Social Impact Websites

Below you’ll find some of our favorite topics to think about when it comes to social impact websites. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating your site, this information will help you take the next, right step.

Before You Begin Working on Your Social Impact Website

Why Your Social Impact Mission Isn't Enough

For your mission to not only engage the right people, but compel them to act, you need to ensure that you have a clearly defined brand message and brand voice. You may think of your “brand” as only part of your marketing, but your brand informs what you say, how you say it, and what your mission looks like visually. It’s essential to every aspect of your organization.

Read the post . . .

Benefits of a Nonprofit Brand Voice Guide

Wouldn’t it be great if your donors gave you more money? And new donors were easier to attract and engage? There will certainly be times when donors change their giving priorities, don’t connect with the mission, or the timing is just off, but there are other times when it’s possible that we confuse them with our message or don’t give them a clear plan to act. So, what’s the best way to help donors understand and respond to your needs?

Read the post . . .

Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience determines how you communicate your message. Whether you’re talking about your website overall, or individual pages, it’s important to think about the reader first. Consider both the “who” and the “how”.

Read the post . . .

3 Exercises for Evaluating Your Brand Story

Your brand story is the narrative that you use to describe your organization and how it came to be, who you serve and how you serve them, goals for the future, what you stand for, and even the emotions that your mission makes people feel. Your brand story is what helps people decide if they want to take the next step with you.

Read the post . . .

WEBSITE PLATFORM ADVICE

Squarespace: The Pros and Cons

No website platform is perfect, but I’ve been very happy with Squarespace. Madison Beaulieu, half of the dynamic duo that created Signify’s website, breaks down the most important things you need to know about this option.

Read the post . . .

WordPress: The Pros and Cons

Alison Chandler is one of my go-to designers. In this post, she highlights why about 30% of the websites in world are hosted on Wordpress, and why it may be a good option for you.

Read the post . . .

OVERALL TWEAKS For Your Nonprofit website

The Small Nonprofit Podcast: 10 Steps to Upgrading Your Website

Listen to my friend, Cindy Wagman, and I discuss the importance of nonprofit websites, how they contribute to your nonprofit’s marketing, and some tweaks you can make to improve your site quickly and efficiently.

Listen in . . .

DESIGN AND VISUAL BRANDING

Ask the Experts: Design and Branding for Social Impact Organizations

As a copywriter, I love talking words. But, in order to serve you well, I can’t ignore the visual side of your marketing and communications. So, when it comes to design and branding for social impact organizations, I can dish out some pretty good advice, but my secret weapon is the company I keep—including Jaci Lund of Treebird Branding.

Read the post . . .

Ask the Experts: Branding and Design for Nonprofits and Social Enterprises

I get complements on my website and visual branding all the time, and that’s thanks to Madison and Dusty Beaulieu. Madison wrote this post, and I love how she breaks down some important design topics that often trip people up.

Read the post . . .

Want Your Social Impact Website to Look Good? Start Here.

Does your nonprofit or social enterprise website look like it’s worthy of the dollars you’re asking people for, or does it look like you’re still trying to get your act together? Let’s talk about a simple tool that will help you look like a million bucks (even if you aren’t). Without it, your organization can unknowingly communicate that you’re an amateur.

Read the post . . .

Copywriting FOR NONPROFITS AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

4 Tips for How to Become a Better Writer

As a copywriter with almost two decades of experience, one of the questions I get asked a lot is how to become a better writer. From grant proposals to product descriptions to blog posts to websites and more, you have a lot to say, and it needs to be said well in order to gain more support for your nonprofit or social enterprise. Learning how to convince and compel with the written word is not just an essential skill, but one that stands the test of time.

Read the post . . .

Advice From The Editors: Avoid These Writing Mistakes

I asked a few of my favorite editors to explain some common writing mistakes, which will allow you to spot any weaknesses you may have, and improve them. (Basically, here's how you can up your writing game in just a few minutes!) Any corrections you can catch now may cause you to not only improve your marketing, but retain customers and donors in the future.

Read the post . . .

7 Tips You Need to Know to Write a Better Website

Designing and writing content for your website can seem challenging, but my former intern, Megan Westbrook, is going to walk you through the most important, and sometimes overlooked, aspects that will make your website effective, navigable, and memorable.

Read the post . . .

How to Rewrite Your Website in One Week

In this guest post for Candid (formerly Foundation Center and Grantspace), I outlined a simple process for rewriting your website in one week. Though written to nonprofits, anyone can make good use of this process. It’s an audacious goal, I know, but if you’re short on time and highly determined, you can make it happen!

Read the post . . .

Why The Words On Your Site Matter As Much As the Design

In this guest post, I emphasize why you should not only consider the look of your website, but what it says. I also give you a few tips on how to make the copy (<— the words on your site) even better. And, yes, there are some budget-friendly options!

Read the post . . .

Marketing Must-Haves

8 Creative Ways to Gain More Email Subscribers

Between all the blogs, online shops, and websites, all of our inboxes are already crowded with marketing emails asking for sales and donations, and the old classic “Sign up for my newsletter!” call to action just isn’t cutting it anymore. Here are eight creative alternative ways to get new email subscribers and not get sent to spam.

Read the post . . .

NONPROFIT CONTENT MUST-HAVES

5 Donor Communication Essentials

No matter what type of donor you are talking to, nonprofits need to consistently communicate with donors, while at the same time targeting the specific message that prompted the donor to initially become engaged. Keeping everyone informed may very well graduate them from one level of supporter to another. Thanks to Amy Crowell for this post!

Read the post . . .

BLOGGING FOR SOCIAL IMPACT ORGANIZATIONS

4 Ways to Help Donors and Customers Find Your Social Impact Mission on Google

Now that the initial excitement of your nonprofit or social enterprise launch has worn off, your website isn't getting as many clicks as you’d like and it seems that all your marketing efforts are falling flat. You know that you have the power to change lives, but people just aren’t finding you. What if I told you there’s a way to help more people find your amazing cause online?

Read the post . . .

5+ Reasons Why No One is Reading Your Blog

Does this sound familiar: Someone lands on your little labor of love, maybe skims a little, and then promptly leaves. Here you find yourself with a blog post that took precious time and energy, but didn't actually get the job done. It's finished, but it's not effective. Here are a few blog writing tips that will help ensure your post gets read, and better yet, acted on. 

Read the post . . .

How to Generate and Organize Content for Your Blog

Blogging is the “meat and potatoes” of the internet right now and, if it’s not already, it should be an important tool in your content marketing tool belt. Blogging builds your audience, brand image, and increases your visibility on the internet. It’s also a very easy and practical way to show off your expertise. Check out this advice from former intern, Michael Banks, on how to revamp your organization’s blog, and make it a regular part of your social enterprise or nonprofit marketing strategy.

Read the post . . .

Should Your Nonprofit Have a Blog?

Blogs seem to be a particular pain point for nonprofits. There is either pressure to create the content (and resentment when it doesn’t happen), or so much overwhelm with regular responsibilities that a blog never gets off the ground. So, what are you to do?

Read the post . . .

12 Questions That Inspire Content Creation

You know you should be reaching out to your audience on a regular basis, but you’re just not sure what to say. It’s a common problem, and one I get asked about a lot. Coming up with a constant stream of topics can be daunting, especially with everything else on your plate. So, where can you find inspiration at any given moment—especially when you’re not feeling it?

Read the post . . .

Outsourcing Your Website COPYWRITING OR DESIGN

Should You Invest in a Copywriter For Your Nonprofit Website?

Do you actually need a copywriter for your nonprofit website? If you’re creating your first site, or relaunching a new one, this question may have already popped into your head. And just because I’m a copywriter that specializes in nonprofits, social enterprises, and social impact companies, my answer is not going to be an automatic, “Yes.”

Read the post . . .

Why Free Help Isn't Always the Best Option

Just because someone offers to help you write or design your website for free doesn’t mean you should take them up on the offer. Let me explain why.

Read the post . . .

Want to Grow Your Nonprofit or Social Enterprise? You Need Help.

It's not easy to decide to spend the money, allocate your resources differently, or bring someone new into your process. But I believe this one decision can make all the difference. And guess what? It may not even require hiring more staff.

Read the post . . .

Legal Considerations For Your Website

2 Simple Ways to Keep Your Website and Work Protected

While this may not be the most exciting topic to discuss, it’s super important! You need to protect the time, money, and effort you’ve put into your website. Besides, you have your mission to think about, not to mention the secret sauce of the way you work. There’s also any proprietary photography and other assets. It’s all those details that add up to your beautiful and unique brand. Let attorney Christina Scalera explain why you shouldn’t leave your website unprotected.

Read the post . . .

Promoting Your New Social Impact Website

Signify’s Launch Marketing Checklist

Having a beautiful, new website isn’t the final step. At the end of the process, you should promote the gorgeous thing to your donors, customers, and key stakeholders. This checklist has pages of marketing ideas for exactly how you can share your big news.

Get the checklist . . .

How to Make Time for Marketing

Need to promote your new website, but always find that something else takes priority? Here are four of my favorite ways to make your marketing actually happen.

Read the post . . .

Get Found on Google

My friend, Meg Casebolt, can teach your nonprofit or social impact company how to get found on Google through SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Though SEO can get pretty complicated, Meg is a patient and caring teacher, and shows beginners how to become pros through simple and strategic steps. I want you to have a terrific website, but I also want your website to get found by the right customers and donors.

Learn about Attract & Activate . . .


We’ll be posting a lot more about nonprofit, social enterprise, and social impact websites over the next few months, and will update this post along the way. Stay tuned!

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

Updating or creating a new social enterprise or nonprofit website? Here are oodles of resources to not only help you design a gorgeous site, but have a bigger social impact.
Kristi Porter, founder of Signify

I’m Kristi Porter, and I help cause-focused organizations understand and execute effective marketing campaigns so they can move from stressed to strategic. Your resources may be limited, but your potential isn’t. Whether you’re a nonprofit, social enterprise, or small business who wants to give back, I’ll show you how to have a bigger impact.

Feeling Social? Let's connect!