It's a common goal of many nonprofits (and small businesses too!): raising awareness. But it has some issues when it is a goal. This video breaks it down. Stop raising awareness and change behaviors instead.
Want a challenge? Write down a strategy. Go ahead. I'll wait. It's not as easy as you might think. For one, a strategy doesn't exist on its own. It has to be tied to a desired result — a goal. And therein lies the problem with most uses of the word. When it comes to … Continue reading The thing about strategy is that it’s too often not a strategy
Most people think of public relations as getting your name in the New York Times, booking you on a podcast, or scoring a guest blog on an influential website. In other words, gaining "earned media" — free coverage versus a paid advertisement. Many nonprofits might look to PR to conduct a campaign to raise money … Continue reading Public Relations Services You Need That Aren’t Media Relations
Fess up. You wrote those frequently asked questions yourself, didn't you? There is a better way to find out what questions your customers really have. Plus, there is a much better way to answer them. https://videopress.com/v/7G5T9nih?controls=false&preloadContent=metadata
Soon, your business pages in Facebook will have the option to change to the New Pages Experience. This new format has some good features, but it gets rid of "Likes" to your page. Up to now, Facebook allowed a person to "Like" and/or "Follow" your page. This is why you will sometimes see that your … Continue reading Facebook Changes and Steps to Take for Your Business Pages
We don't have enough money. There isn't enough time. We don't have enough resources. There is too much need. We can't. Sadly, each of these refrains plagues nonprofit leaders and boards. Even more tragic is that this pervasive perception of scarcity drives the messaging and calls to action these same nonprofits churn out. The truth … Continue reading Changing Nonprofit Mindset from ‘Scarcity’ to ‘Plentiful’
"What do you do?" "I own a coffee shop." "Oh, that's cool." The small talk continued for a few minutes as we both sat at the airport bar waiting for connecting flights. Then this little gem came about when my bar mate said: "I'm on my way to Guatemala. I source my coffee beans from … Continue reading So, what do you do? Your answer will define your business’ future.
It is a treasured feature of strategic planning: the SWOT analysis. The exercise is supposed to enable you to assess your business' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to create goals that are attainable and that minimize risk and inefficiency. I'll concede, it can be useful when used properly but most of the time it is … Continue reading Swatting Away the S.W.O.T.
"Where did I come from?" The question causes you to look up from your phone to see your son's dead-serious face. Your stomach does a backflip. There it was, cold and naked, not caring whether you were ready or not: the sex talk. Deep inside, you knew this question was coming sooner or later. Of … Continue reading The Birds and the Bees and Your Messaging
