subject: Non-profits & Internet Marketing Creating, Engaging, And Expanding Your Online Brand. [print this page] Does your non-profit update donors with costly printed newsletters sent by snail mail? Instead, consider updating your supporters via the web. A website offers tremendous flexibility, considerably lower costs, and instantaneous updates. Invigorate your site with pictures, news, testimonials, and other information that keeps volunteers involved and lets backers know the neat ways your charity puts their money to use . For light weight updates start an email newsletter that integrates links to your site a great way to bring email marketing into your advertising mix .
Speaking of which, is your charitys tight budget limiting your current advertising mix to cold calling, cheap ad space, and other low-reward methods? Then its time to enter a web community teeming with sites, forums, and portals dedicated to non-profit advocacy , many of them cheap or even free to join. Use these internet marketing resources to promote your non-profit and its goals, while sharing ideas with other like-minded groups. Make public relations fun again.
Do you try to connect with potential volunteers by flagging down pedestrians with a clipboard? Well stop looking down the street and start looking around social media networks. Social media sites offer fantastic new ways of finding and connecting with individuals interested in your cause . While these sites have not quite yet developed into reliable fundraising venues , they do offer the chance to build a real and motivated volunteer community around your charitys goals.
An internet marketing approach incorporating engaging website content, online community interaction, and social media networking will simplify your public relations and advertising, while dramatically improving the process of attracting and retaining valued contributors. For example, Rohit Barman, Internet Marketing Specialist, and owner of DPS America, Inc. consults with top non-profits for FREE in the NYC tri-state area to discuss options for expanding their brand on the Internet. His plan development cycle allows businesses to frequently review past marketing campaigns, and adjust subsequent promotions on both a micro (campaign or promotional conflict, mediocre consumer response, etc.) and macro (target audience shifts, competitor analysis, advent of new internet marketing tools, etc.) levels. When asked for the biggest tip for non-profits, Rohit says, Its probably the only business sector I would encourage to dive into social media. Its not hard to get followers for a charitable need, specially when its free! Who would say no? I just dont think non-profits are thinking social media as much as they should be. Social media is simply a template-style marketing strategy that every single charitable group can reap benefits.
