Kivi Miller, mastermind behind the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants, asked for input on some of nonprofits’ most commonly missed or overlooked opportunities to share success stories, good deeds, accomplishments. What should nonprofits be bragging about, but aren’t? What tools can you use to help your organization shine more brightly?
I anticipate an incredibly useful conversation among the experts who participate in the Carnival. Here are a few of my ideas:
- Comment – Every time you read about another nonprofit’s accomplishment, innovation, success or new program, you have an opportunity to talk about your organization’s related accomplishment etc.
- Blog comments, list servs and MySpace pages are all great venues for doing so.
- Speak and share — Toot your own horn while you share your expertise and the experience with colleagues in nonprofit communications, via Webinar, conference, workshop:
- I just finished participating in a Webinar (web-based conference call) with players in the powerful communications success enjoyed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists when it moved its doomsday clock closer to midnight.
- Participation is a benefit of my membership in The Communications Network, an association of communications specialists working for and with foundations.
- Speakers included the Bulletin’s ED and the various communications experts who shaped the very innovative campaign.
- The result was a great learning experience for me, and a wonderful opportunity for the Bulletin to spread the word on the hows, whys and results of its innovative campaign.I’m going to write about it, and I’m sure others will spread the word too.
- Also, a great way for a professional association to offer a benefit for its members — a win-win for The Communications Network and the Bulletin.
- Quit Thinking so Much, and Make it Quick and Easy — Sometimes I think we all overthink. One of the most effective communications I absorbed recently was a simple letter-size flyer I picked off the circulation desk at the local library. Titled Facts and Figures for 2006, it cites number of patrons served, books checked out, volumes purchased and other stats that say a lot, without any comment from library staff. Less is more in action.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Nancy:
May I add a few of my own ideas?
–As a publicity expert, I see far too many nonprofits trying to get media attention for boring topics like creating mission statements, strategic planning, or “dialoging” about a particular topic. Instead, call the media’s attention to the interesting people in your organization: your employees, volunteers, donors, clients, etc. Many of them have fascinating stories to tell about how they became involved with your agency.
–Piggyback onto breaking news events. When news breaks, and you have an expert within your organization who can offer commentary or background, let the media know. List your expert sources on your website, preferably in an area called “Media Room” which reporters can access from your homepage.
–Write and distribute press releases online regularly, to be found not only by journalists but by anyone who is searching for information. This is a great way to bring traffic to your website.
–This week, in my free newsletter “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” I urged people to start capturing email addresses at their website. Offer a free report, or White Paper, or a list of tips which poeople can download. Use that email list to send items of interest regularly.
Carnival of the NonprofitConsultants
Im a day or so getting around to this because well, just because. Anyway, here we are at the picnic table, kiddies, with another round of goodies from the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants, this week brought to you by
Im going to l…