Are you someone that loves to plan, but the execution feels overwhelming? Let's break it down into manageable chunks. We don't have to think about EVERYTHING all the time. It's putting it together to that you know where to focus and get the most important things done. 

What you'll learn:

→ tying things back to your goals. → how to break up goals quarterly. → planning you big three for the week. → breaking down your daily tasks.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[2:06] Ensure you have goals lined out. When you have SMART goals you can easily track and identify what's working and what's not. Starting with specific goals will help you understand how to prioritize tasks. [3:30] Tak your annual goals and break them down into quarterly tasks. What needs to happen in each quarter to hit your annual goals? From there- break it into 6-week goals. [6:00] Weekly, break your tasks into the big three you need to accomplish. This won't be everything you need to get done, but are the three things that will make the biggest impact on where you're going.

Resources

Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions Full Focus Planner Amber McCue

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

When you think about sales how does it make you feel? For most people they feel icky and greasy. Sales doesn't have to be that way. You can implement a sales strategy into your fundraising approach so that you have a constant stream of people coming into your network for you to build stronger relationships with.

What you'll learn:

→ why having a sales strategy doesn't mean you have to be salesy. → why a sales mindset works for nonprofits. → ways to motivate your team to keep pushing forward. → ways to keep things simple. → when it's time to expand.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[5:40] To have an effective sales strategy doesn't mean throwing everything in people's faces. Think about servers at a restaurant. Great servers know the menu, what recommendations to make, ask you if you want desert. You don't feel like you're being sold to but you are.  Plus, that restaurant is paying attention to ticket totals and tips to help determine who gets the best sections. [10:53] It starts with building relationships and making connection. If you just keep coming back to people to ask for money and not learning about what their motivations are and who they are then you'll eventually run that well dry. [15:17] Create a better breakdown of your fundraising goal to know who to target. If you're looking for a certain amount of donors at a certain average gift then you can track where you're at and which audience you should be targeting.   [23:02] Keep reviewing goals and ensure the team is motivated. Figure out how members of your team like to be appreciated. Ensure that the goals that you're setting have a why attached so people feel excited to help get there. Don't forget to celebrate. [26:13] Encourage listening and providing value to your audience. Avoid going in to a meeting expecting to close. Go in ready to get to know someone and excited to learn. Come into the converation ready to provide value and knowing some things about the person you're talking with.

Resources

One-on-One Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions [book] Selling with Dignity by Harry Spaight

Harry Spaight Founder, Selling with Dignity Harry Spaight, a renowned sales consultant, author and Founder of Selling With Dignity, and keynote speaker, prioritizes service over pushy tactics in his unique approach to sales. Drawing on his mission background and extensive experience in competitive sales, he offers valuable insights to improve sales performance and drive substantial revenue growth and performance. Learn more: https://sellingwithdignity.com   Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

Do you plan your marketing first or your fundraising first? For me, the answer is always your sales or fundraising goal. Marketing is meant to support your organizational goals. Don't get lost in the trap of working in silos where one isn't supporting the other!

What you'll learn:

→ why your fundraising plan comes first. → how data can help drive decisions. → pay attention to audiences. → creating a culture of communication.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[2:09] Build your fundraising plan first. When they know the goals that are laid out it makes it easier for marketers to put their plan together. This also helps to ensure that priority is giving to the activities that are going to support the revenue streams the organization is prioritizing. [2:39] Ask for the right data to support the financial goals. Building your goals around true data will also help you create financial goals that are attainable. This data can come from your donor data in your CRM as well as your marketing data sources like social media or your website analytics. [4:46] Create your plan based around your target audience. For example, are you focusing on corporate sponsors, increasing grant dollars, bring in new monthly donors, etc. This is again about prioritizing the activities you do. [12:40] Maintain open lines of communication. As the plan starts moving forward, make sure both sides are communication what's working and what's not. As funds come in it's important to strategize on areas you might need to pivot or what areas you need to double down on.

Resources

One-on-One Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

The biggest reason that people don't give to an organization is that they don't trust the way they use the funds. Transparency is critical in growing your base, especially as the number of donors is trending down. There are several ways you can build trust, and it also includes the additional platforms you use to raise money.

What you'll learn:

→ why its harder for nonprofits to build trust. → how impact builds trust. → power of keeping impact manageable. → what to think about with third-party partnerships and platforms. → find ways to engage with people before they're ready to give. → why consistency matters.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[3:59] There are too many stories of organizations that haven't used the donations as they were intended. Even if you are fiscally transparent, these experiences still cloud donors, especially new ones. Building trust needs to happen consistently. You do this through sharing impact. [7:01] When the goal is TOO big, people have a hard time understanding how their money will make impact. What is the problem you're solving and how will their donation help – keep it simple and clear. [8:52] Ensure the platform can show where the money is going. Make sure the language is trusted and that you follow up with how the money is being utilized. Give people reports that share where the money went. Better yet, find a platform, like Wishes, that does it in real-time. [19:04] Allow people to support your campaign publicy with prayers and messages of goodwill. By allowing people to show support of a campaign, even if they can't donate, you're building your network and showing more support for the cause. [25:51] Being out on multiple platforms helps build trust through consistency. Showing up where your audience is will give them constant reminders of who you are t you are and the impact you are creating.

Resources

[quiz] Should You DIY Your Website?

Chase Harmer

President, Wishes

Chase Harmer spent 25+ years as a payments entrepreneur, he is a pioneer in virtual credit card technology with 7 patents since 2013. Founder of ProfitPay, acquired by PayCertify in 2021 with a valuation > $500M. Chase knows how to build enterprise value and process for scale. Chase uses his experience as a Lecturer and Mentor at the Founders Institute.

Now, as the Founder of Wishes, Inc, he and his team have built proprietary technology to revolutionize fundraising. Wishes delivers the resources and financial support needed quicker than any other platform in the market. Learn more at https://wishes.inc 

 

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

Your year end giving campaign is a big part of your overall annual fundraising. But what all goes into a successful campaign? It starts with messaging and then spreading it out amongst all the different channels your donors exist on.

What you'll learn:

→ the importance of a year end giving campaign. → show up in multiple channels → direct mail is critical. → making it easy to give.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[5:07] 30% of all giving happens in the month of December. Historically it was because of marketing efforts and year end tax break reminders. Now, a part of it is that people want to feel good at this time of year and give back. ‘Tis the season! There are also last minute donations because they haven't given yet this year even though they intended to. [8:41] Create a multi-channel approach. Direct mail pieces convert well, even with online giving on the rise. You'll also want to include multiple emails. If you can add in text messaging, do it! Personal phone calls can also make a huge impact. [11:45] Start by creating your mailer. This is the largest piece and will help you craft the rest of your materials. Make the problem manageable so people feel the impact they're making. Pick a singular problem. You can highlight other parts of your organization in future campaigns throughout the year. [28:15] Make it easy to give. Check your links and make sure everything is working. Don't make people work too hard. They should be able to get directly to your giving page and donate quickly. Ensure their is a monthly giving option. They give more over time that a first time individual gift.

Resources

[quiz] Should You DIY Your Website?

  Janet Cobb

Founder, Janet Cobb Consulting

Janet Cobb has worked in the nonprofit arena her entire career. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and Certified Nonprofit Professional who is committed to creating positive change through helping grassroots organizations bring their vision to reality. Janet offers strategic planning and coaching around communications and fundraising. She has supported more than 650 nonprofits since 2014, and is affectionately known as “the small nonprofit whisperer” by many she's worked with. Learn more at: https://www.jcobbconsulting.com   

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours 

Email is a big part of your year end giving campaign. But what do you actually put in those emails? This episode gives you a glimpse into what to put in them to get more people to engage and donation to your organization.

What you'll learn:

→ importance of storytelling. → how to make impact levels that convert.  → where to start with your emails → planning and scheduling to save yourself time. → establishing a clear call-to-action (CTA). → power of the P.S.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[3:08] Get specific on your storytelling. Make sure you are connecting on a personal level with your audience. Stories connect more than stats. Tie direct impact to dollar amounts.  [5:46] Start with your longest email first. That way you can break down that email into smaller sections for social media and shorter emails. [14:42] Make it easy for people to donate. Ensure there are several places that people can click to get to your donation page. You a combination of buttons and text that is hyperlinked. [17:33] Send from a person and focus on subject lines. If people don't open your email then they can't see the greatness inside. Send it from your Executive Director or Development Director and make sure the subject lines are interesting.

Resources

Digital Marketing Therapy Sessions

Community is something that is critical when it comes to returning donors. When they feel connected to you they are more likely to come back for more. So how do you build that community? There are many different ways you can create the feel of community – no matter what the size of the organization is. Also – regardless of if you are building a virtual or in person.

What you'll learn:

→ being social on social media. → what we can learn from Swifties. → creating personal connections. → how to engage with different generations. → why community makes it easier to fundraise.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[5:30] A Facebook group is a great way to build a virtual community. You'll be able to communicate and share what's going on as well as allow people to connect with each other over their common love for your cause. [6:49] Community doesn't look like any one thing. Looking to Taylor Swift for inspiration, you can see how even at a large scale, you can still build a tight knit community. Each person engages in their own way but once you get them all in the same stadium they all share the same experience. [9:29] Think about your communication as one-on-one, even if it isn't. When writing your communications, pretend you're writing it to one person. That will ensure that it feels special and more personal. [16:36] Different generations engage differently, just like different platforms lend themselves to community differently. It's about meeting people where they are and utilizing the platforms as they're intended. Setting goals for your growth based off how platforms work makes a big difference. [26:13] When you build a real connection they show up when you ask. It makes it easier for you to make that year end ask because they know who you are and the impact you've been creating for the past year. Consistency matters!

Resources

Digital Marketing Therapy sessions

Paul Gowder

Owner and Founder, PowWows.com

Paul Gowder is the owner and founder of PowWows.com which has been the leading online community celebrating Native American arts and culture for the past 25 years. Paul’s techniques and skills have enabled him to build one of the largest and most engaged online communities in the World. Paul helps other entrepreneurs navigate the successes and pitfalls of building an online business through his public speaking and consulting services. Learn more about Paul by visiting PaulGowder.com.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours