There are so many channels and tools for nonprofit fundraising, but it’s all about one cohesive strategy: Push people to action, now. Your Rally Point podcasts hosts James Martin and Jack Bobin talk about the evolving digital world, where it takes serious discipline to be productive. They talk about what the big tech companies are so good at optimizing—that hit of dopamine that keeps people on their sites. So how can nonprofits make that work for good? They talk about QR codes, near field communication (NFC) tags, text, email, and more. But no matter the channel, it’s about a cohesive strategy and taking action now.

What You’ll Learn

• Digital discipline is essential for productivity.
• Keeping phones away can help maintain focus.
• Big tech knows dopamine boosts engagement—how do nonprofits make that work for good?
• QR codes can create curiosity and interaction.
• Capturing attention is the first step in engagement. Immediate tactile feedback is crucial for donor engagement.
• Email communication is often passive and less effective.
• It’s not about a new channel or tool, it’s about a strategy that brings everything you do together.
• Immediate action can lead to quick results for nonprofits.

Resources

• Tap to Go: Rally’s NFC Tag

Quotables

• “People are going to take out their phone and do something during your gala, whether you like it or not. The question is are they consuming your content? Are they interacting with your material?”
• “Can you imagine one of the big semi trucks with a four foot by four foot QR code on the back door and nothing else?”
• “The key here is not one modality or one method—it’s to tie it into this broader strategy of what you are attempting to do.”
• “The biggest thing is people are being ignored. They feel like they spin their wheels.”
• “Tie in all the pieces together, because some people prefer email. So give them email. And some people prefer text, give them text. And some people prefer a phone call. You drop a voicemail. Don't make it hard.”
• “What happens to your nonprofit if nothing changes?”
• “It's not the mechanics of the deal that gets them hung up. It's ‘Do I have the capacity tomorrow to do this thing?’”
• “Let’s build on action.”
• “When they're looking at technology, they don't need more tools. [Instead, it’s] how do we bring these channels into one cohesive strategy?”

Skip to What You Want to Hear

• 00:00 - Introduction and Digital Discipline
• 02:53 - The Impact of Mobile Communication
• 06:03 - The Psychology of Engagement and Dopamine
• 09:01 - Innovative Uses of Technology in Nonprofits
• 11:59 - QR Codes and Community Engagement
• 14:59 - Engaging Donors with Immediate Feedback
• 17:07 - The Passive Nature of Email Communication
• 19:52 - Multi-Channel Engagement Strategies
• 22:11 - The Importance of Immediate Action
• 25:34 - Creating Tangible Results for Nonprofits
• 28:57 - Building Trust and Reducing Barriers
• 31:34 - Embracing Action and Flexibility

Subscribe

Ready to mobilize better and grow smarter? Subscribe to Your Rally Point and listen wherever you enjoy podcasts. We’re here to help.

For more tips and insights, text COACH to 24365 or learn more about our weekly coaching tips delivered via text message.