The Send

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary Building relationships is one of the most important skills that you, as a non-profit, should learn. It is the precursor to being able to build communities, and every seasoned fundraiser will always emphasize the importance of having a supportive non-profit community. In this episode, we are joined by Rachel Pedersen who shares some wisdom on community building by using different types of technology, relationship-funnels, and impact-driven storytelling. And this concept is exactly what you'd find in our book, "Brick by Brick" where we let our readers in on a few secrets on how you can create new relationships and strengthen them through storytelling. Our book briefly takes you to a foster care scenario and the challenges that a family encounters when trying to build a relationship with their foster child and how these challenges can be overcome by something so simple as a story. Rachel has been taking the online marketing industry by storm and is one of the most influential and sought-after social media strategists to work with. She is also the founder of Social Media United, where she has grown an amazing community of students, friends, and teammates. This social media queen just spoke at Funnel Hacking Live this past week in Orlando and today, she joins us to tell us the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships, as well as focusing on creating real, tangible, impact and how these things effectively propelled her marketing. Rachel also shares many of the major epiphanies she had when it came to community-building. Non-profit communities rely heavily on relationship-building. So, Rachel gives us the real deal on the ins-and-outs of her relationship-based funnels, and breaks them down to explain what these funnels are and how they can be used by non-profits to build communities. Then, she gives her recommendations on what non-profits can do to improve the way they build relationships online. We also get into the technicalities of email marketing through lead-nurturing emails and why it's so important in your fundraising campaign. If you're wondering about technologies and marketing strategies that are on the horizon and are especially intriguing or exciting to try, you'll definitely be glad you listened in on this podcast as we discuss these with Rachel. Rachel has brought together a very tight-knit community and she speaks from her experience on how non-profits can also create strong communities; the kind that truly comes together to share and show their support for a common cause that they genuinely believe in. Listen in and find out how you too, can grow your communities and create massive engagement. About Rachel Pedersen Rachel Pedersen is a Social Media Strategist recognized by Content Marketing Institute as one of the Most Influential Online Marketers. Rachel has been featured on top publications such as Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, The Daily Mail and more, as well as on top podcasts such as Entrepreneur On Fire. Rachel is the founder of Social Media United, a leading online university for those aspiring to become successful social media managers and strategists. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary One thing that every organization encounters during the course of any campaign is stagnation. You can find success so often that this success becomes a habit in itself. This isn't a bad thing per se, but the moment that you become complacent in your duties, even if you maintain your success, is the same moment that you stagnate. And stagnation, even if you're successful, is a sign to your followers that you are no longer putting as much effort as you used to. In the world of non-profit fundraising, this can mean to your followers that you aren't as interested in your cause as you were when you were just starting out. Sometimes, it really isn't your fault that your organization's success has reached its peak and there isn't much that you can do to surpass the high bar of standards that you've established. - That's often not the case, at least according to Albert Bandura, who believed that people are people are self organizing, proactive, self-regulating, and self-reflecting. This is based on Bandura's Social Cognitive and Self-Efficacy Theories which propose that people do not merely respond to their environmental stimuli. Rather, people are capable of seeking information themselves and as a result, individuals are not merely a product of their circumstance. They are in fact, contributors to their situation. An individual (or organization, in this case) is more likely to improve the more that this individual (or organization) is aware of his surroundings and himself. Whatever might be holding you back as an individual has a tendency of seeping into how you feel as an organization. We've recently had a podcast episode where Beth Kanter, author of The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact Without Burnout, talks about the importance of maintaining the proper mindset and adapting effective strategies to help you meet your goals while avoiding burnout. This isn't an easy venture. Everybody stagnates eventually. It will always be up to you if you decide whether this is where you peak. However, you need to realize that this limitation is just something that you put on yourself. You can go as far as what you put your mind to. That is the beauty of the human mind and the power of mental toughness and dedication. In this podcast episode, Ellie Burscough takes us on the adventure of her life as she tells us her personal experience in working in a call center, writing scripts, and making calls to donors on behalf of large, well-known charities and nonprofits. Then, Ellie talks about how she uses the sales knowledge that she acquired throughout her career to help businesses break past their own stumbling blocks and limitations so they can take on larger goals and create a greater impact in their chosen ventures. We also talk about the similarities and differences between businesses & nonprofits, fundraising & sales, and how fundraisers can master their mindset to achieve more for others, by taking care of themselves. Ellie even shares some habits that can improve our ability to be creative and relatable to others. We learn about some of the biggest lessons she's learned when it comes to mastering her own mindset. Her valuable advice and actionable takeaways will leave you motivated and ready to take on your day, every day. About Ellie Burscough Ellie is a business and mindset coach with experience working with the not-for-profit sector. She has worked at call centers writing scripts and making calls to donors on behalf of large, well known charities and nonprofits. She teaches the psychology behind scaling your goals. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary It's not just about mindset that determines the success of your fundraising. We all have things that we want to do. We all want to make an impact wherever we can and we all want to feel good about the work that we do. A successful fundraising campaign isn't just about mindset. It's about much more than that. Successful fundraising is about figuring out how to make the pieces of your puzzle work. It's about synchronicity and timing. It's about building relationships and giving people the power to influence change. Figuring out who you are and surrounding yourself with people who understand your mission as much as you do is an integral part of successfully championing a cause. You need to learn to love what you do, regardless of the difficulty that the tasks may bring. This dogged determination and utmost willingness to make a sacrifice is paramount to the success of your campaign. But this isn't all that you need. You may have all the fuel you could ever need, but without knowing how to actually drive a car, you aren't going anywhere. And all that fuel, all that passion and determination, won't amount to much without the proper strategies. Somewhere along the road, you're going to encounter a few bumps. Some will be bigger than the others but you should perceive all of them in the same manner - as a learning experience. And with each learning experience, you need to be able to create a strategy that coincides with the lesson that you've learned. Our book, "Brick by Brick", discusses a few ways on how you can polish your strategies so that you are able to produce more results while also minimizing the wastage of resources. You may have all the things you need for a fundraising campaign, but for you to fully realize your goals, you need to analyze your processes and optimize them to prevent the unnecessary expenditure of resources; because one way to slow your progress is by exerting effort that really isn't necessary, to achieve results that aren't truly up to your standards. In this episode, Beth Kanter, author of The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact Without Burnout shares to us the strategies that keep her energized and focused on her mission everyday, as well as a narrative on how she began her nonprofit fundraising journey. In this podcast episode, we're going to talk about maintaining perspective and being able to work with a clear mind, and how this can help you avoid getting burnt out. We discuss some of the characteristics of a healthy organization, board, and community along with some of the best leadership strategies for young adults to help prepare themselves as future leaders. We'll also be talking about making connections, measuring your audience's reactions, and using data (qualitative and quantitative) to help you build your own community. We're also going to discuss the challenges that you may encounter as you progress with your fundraising campaign and how you can overcome them. Best of all, Beth gives listeners her #1 suggestion for what you should take action on for your organization if you're looking to find that special balance. About Beth Kanter Beth Kanter is the author of Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media, one of the longest running and most popular blogs for nonprofits. Beth has over 30 years working in the nonprofit sector in technology, training, capacity building, evaluation, fundraising, and marketing. She is an internationally recognized trainer who has developed and implemented effective sector capacity building programs that help organizations integrate social media, network building, and relationship marketing best practices. Beth is an expert in facilitating online and offline peer learning, curriculum development based on traditional adult learning theory, and other instructional approaches. She has trained thousands of nonprofits around the world. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary You can create an authentic fundraising experience that is as interesting as it is strategic. All you need to do is to know your story and find leverage in what distinguishes you from the rest. Marketing trends are great to watch because they give you a sense of what's out there and what people are responding to. However, just because a trend works for one organization doesn't mean it will work for yours. Each organization has its own purpose, views, and mission. Your organization's mission will become the backbone of your story. Staying true to your mission and being creative in the process will help you find your story and share it with passionate people who can intimately relate with your story. Find your tribe and share your story. Package your story into your marketing campaign and see how storytelling can easily help others understand your mission. All brands and organizations (whether they're nonprofits or not) have stories that ensure that they both gain new supporters and retain loyal supporters. Your story and your brand go hand-in-hand. Although design is very important, establishing your brand goes far beyond creating a logo and a style guide. Branding is the combination of your story, personality, and values. What words, feelings, and visuals come to mind when you think about your organization? What about when others think about your organization? Branding even goes beyond showing your audience who you are and what you're like. It's also a matter of creating real estate in your audience's minds. Your audience may know you, like you, and trust you - but will they remember you? Branding is an exploration in trust. A chapter in our book, "Brick By Brick", delves deeply into the importance of having a great backstory. A prime example wherein this concept is so properly and commonly executed is in the way that superheroes are so successfully marketed. Superheroes and brands have more things in common than what you might think. You can read our book to find out what these commonalities are and how they can greatly affect your fundraising campaign. In this episode, Drew Neisser, of Renegade, shares some moments of storytelling in action. Listen in as he explains why it's important to think for yourself and to reflect on how to market effectively with a genuine story. About Drew Neisser Drew Neisser, founder and CEO of Renegade, is a recognized authority on cutting-edge marketing techniques having won enumerable awards for creativity and campaign effectiveness. Part strategist, part ideator and part therapist, Drew is well known to numerous CMO's as their secret weapon. Recognized among "50 Thought Leaders over 50" in 2014 & 2015 by Brand Quarterly, Drew is a prolific blogger for a long list of online publications including Forbes, FastCompany, SocialMediaToday, MediaPost, TheCMOclub, CMO.com and SmartBrief. A frequent speaker at a wide range of events, Drew's been a featured expert on ABC's Nightline and CNBC as well as The New York Times, Adweek and Digiday, among others. Through a long-time partnership with The CMO Club, Drew has met and interviewed well over 100 CMOs in the last five years for his articles and for his first book, The CMO's Periodic Table: A Renegade's Guide to Marketing. Drew is a trusted advisor to many of these CMOs and authors the highly praised CMO of the Week column for Social Media Today and TheCut, his coveted monthly newsletter. He regularly consults on digital and social media trends via the GLG network and currently sits on the boards of the Urban Green Council and Duke NY. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary A chapter in our book, "Brick by Brick", explains the importance of having a proper organizational framework. This framework can include marketing, production, management, and everything in between. We follow the story of Aeneas and the survivors of Troy and how they were able to overcome the worst of odds after having lost everything (which, in a way, is the same as "starting with nothing"). In a way, they were like nonprofits. They didn't exist to attain wealth. They bonded together because they wanted to ensure the survival of their people. (In the same way that many nonprofits work to ensure the survival of anything they believe in.) A common misconception about nonprofits is that these organizations do not make any money other than the donations that are given by their supporters. This couldn't be further from the truth. There are many non-profit organizations that have built-in strategies that allow them to generate their own income while fulfilling their organizational mission. By assessing the needs of your community, you can determine ways in which you can serve them. But the means by which you're earning revenue must always stay in alignment with the mission of your organization. This is called "Related Income". (*Speak to your Accountant about what income can be classified as Related.) Bringing in Related Income also has a lot of positive effects. Organizations can achieve greater impact through using a wide variety of programs and allocating their earner revenue towards providing necessary resources. Alexandra describes several examples in detail about how organizations are not only creating income streams, but are also creating potential opportunities that you, too, can use. In order for your organization to create sustainable revenue streams, you'll need to look at some of the different ways you can provide services and resources. In this episode, Alexandra Black Paulick, from Positive Impact Media and NonprofitsfortheFuture.com, explains how you can get your gears spinning smoothly when it comes to money-making strategies and how to create earned revenue for your organization. About Alexandra Black Paulick Alexandra Black-Paulick is a business junkie at heart. After finishing college she went on to service in AmeriCorps as a team leader through Campus Compact in Bozeman, MT. She helped 8 team members grow the capacity of different nonprofits in the region. Moving to San Diego she worked with a nonprofit empowering local businesses. Following her nonprofit work, she transitioned to a career in marketing. Still feeling the pull of the nonprofit mentality, she stumbled into the world of social entrepreneurs. Inspired by individuals creating meaningful change in the world, she started the Positive Impact Podcast. This was the perfect blend of her nonprofit background, love for business and marketing outlets. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary One way that you can take your fundraising further is by using data. The main premise here is that data is invaluable. The proper collection and analysis of data yields very important pieces of information that will undoubtedly help you make the best possible decisions by allowing you to allocate your resources where they are needed most and where they have the greatest impact. And an added bonus of this is that you are able to save your resources for ventures that give you the best results. A chapter in our book, "Brick by Brick", delves into the importance of data gathering and the dangers of working with faulty data by using history as a prime example. The book contains some accolades of espionage and deception during World War II and how information (and misinformation) allowed the Allies to mitigate their losses as the free men of the world united to overthrow the tyranny of the Third Reich. When it comes to data, organization is absolutely necessary. The more data that you can analyze, the deeper you can segment, and the closer you can get to reaching each donor's specific needs. You are then able to create a very personalized experience for your case where you can speak directly to your donor's interests. The power of segmentation is incredible. It keeps your content relevant. It keeps your emails from being marked as spam because they're so relevant. Your metrics skyrocket because you're reaching the specific audience for whom the call to action is intended. And it builds loyalty. Your audience is able to self-identify because they can see that the information is truly meant for them. They can relate to the information because it matches their donor profile and because from their perspective, the information is something that is of relevance to them. When using a donor management system, you'll be able to collect and centralize your data. This data includes email addresses, seating preferences, interests, split-testing results, and content reactions. This data is invaluable to your organization because you can use it for segmentation. Within your donor management system, you'll find that you're able to collect an immense amount of information regarding your community members and their preferences. This data helps you when it comes to making decisions that create better relationships with your community, optimize the work that you do, and save you time and money. Tune in as Zach Shefska speaks about how to dig deep into your data in order to improve your fundraising and decisions. About Zach Shefska Zach Shefska is part of the team at MarketSmart, which develops scalable, profitable and valuable solutions for nonprofit organizations, like the Human Rights Watch, The Smithsonian Institute, and the University of California Los Angeles. In addition to providing services directly to nonprofits he oversees the Fundraising Report Card, a division of MarketSmart. The Fundraising Report Card is a free tool that empowers fundraisers to make data-driven fundraising decisions. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary What's a new way that you can connect with your community in a manner that's welcoming and delightful? ChatBots are new to the marketing scene and relatively untouched by non-profits; but, businesses are finding great success with them in order to provide stellar customer service and invite their audience into their brand to find out more. Chatbots can be used to guide your community to find out about programs and services, sign up for and participate in volunteer opportunities, and donate to your cause. They can help you create a unique experience and build the personal level of attention your audience is looking for. When we talk about building a chatbot, we're referring to creating an ongoing dialogue with visitors (something you can control). And by connecting with your ideal users, you're able to open up so many new possibilities – like a whole new way to build your mailing list, for instance. Contrary to popular belief, chatbots do not simply send automated messages. They are so much more than that! Chatbots are tailored according to the type of audience they are intended for. These are not simply bots that react to visitors. We have to remember that these bots are built by real people so, they actually have the "human touch" that helps build your relationship with your audience. Our book, "Brick by Brick" makes a mention of the importance of automating aspects of your process. This not only frees up valuable resources but also minimizes the duplication of processes. I mean, we advocate the use of personalized messages per donor, but to manually craft these messages is both resource-consuming and utterly impractical. In this podcast episode, we are joined by Ashley Buffa who has several years of experience in working with businesses, public figures, and bloggers reach their target market, connect with them, and convert them into loyal, return customers. With Ashley, we delve into how to we can use chatbots effectively; whether it's to keep interest-levels high before your event, to pique interest through broadcasts, to promote featured stories, or even for something as simple as reminding members of important events. Chatbots are easily one of the most untapped resources that nonprofits could benefit from greatly. Chatbots are progressive. They are already being used on Facebook and many other websites. They can create casual conversations where community members are more likely to engage. Plus, you can segment and tie it right in with your email marketing. If you're interested in learning more and finding out how chatbots can help your organization, listen in as Ashley Buffa gives us the lowdown on chatbots and how to use them well. About Ashley Buffa Ashley has several years of experience helping multiple businesses, public figures, and bloggers target their ideal market, connect with them, and ultimately… convert them into loyal, repeat customers. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary In this episode, Marc A. Pitman explains the 4 Quadrants of leadership and speaks about how leaders and fundraisers overcome their personal hurdles to become more confident and impactful in their roles. Then, we talk about how to take it a step further and improve relationships with your donors and community members. Successful leadership stems from your relationship with yourself. As a leader, you need to be credible, confident, and capable of foresight. An honest self-assessment paves the way that helps you fix any flaws. One of the most important aspects of relationships is to be true to yourself. In the case of fundraising, this is represented by your organization's mission. This not only builds genuine trust, but this awareness and understanding creates alignment throughout your fundraising system and enables you to understand and interact with your prospects much better. If your audience clearly understands and identifies with your organization's mission and vision, interacts with you, and trusts you, you'll find that it's much easier to develop ways to strengthen your relationship with your community members and create more interest in your campaigns by building up your donor relationships. Strong leadership skills develop through self-awareness and honesty. In every problem or situation, the first step toward the solution is "awareness". An honest assessment of yourself as a leader goes hand-in-hand with successful fundraising. Successful fundraising grows from your relationship with others. As a leader. You represent your organization when you're dealing with potential donors. You want to be able to present your cause and ask for help in a persistent but pleasant manner. Fundraising is not the same as marketing. There is a different approach to both. Do your donors know who you are? Are you speaking about your organization or are you speaking to an actual person in your content? What's the difference and why does this matter? Listen in and find out just how important the difference is. About Marc A. Pitman Marc A. Pitman is the author of "Ask Without Fear!" and founder of FundraisingCoach.com and the executive director of TheNonprofitAcademy.com. Marc's expertise and enthusiasm engages audiences around the world and has caught the attention of media organizations as diverse as Al Jazeera, SUCCESS Magazine, and Fox News. Marc's experience also includes pastoring a Vineyard church, managing a gubernatorial campaign, and teaching internet marketing and fundraising at colleges and universities. He is the husband to his best friend and the father of three amazing kids. And if you drive by him on the road, he'll be singing 80's tunes loud enough to embarrass his family! [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary In this episode, we hear from Robyn Blakeman, an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee. She discusses Guerrilla Marketing and alternative ways to help your organization be noticed, recognized and remembered. Marketing has changed, but the principles remain the same. In this episode, we talk about the fundamentals of marketing and how to create integrated marketing campaigns. Key takeaway: start with a strong idea that resonates with your community and maximize its reach through your media. A chapter in our book, "Brick by Brick" talks about the importance of creating a good marketing strategy by relating it to a Psychological principle known as "Brain Priming". By using alternative marketing techniques, you are actually presenting your organization as different as well as unique. Every organization, whether for-profit or non-profit, needs a good marketing strategy. It's almost the same as the courtship process in humans. In a saturated scenario, almost every organization makes use of the same marketing methods. Now, how can you stand out in an ocean of the same thing? - Be different! Robyn shows us how traditional marketing methods are transferable to technology and how trust is still the number one factor when it comes to developing connection, engagement, and relationships. Listen in to find out what these aforementioned marketing methods are and how you can put them to good use. About Robyn Blakeman Robyn Blakeman received her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1980 and her master's from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in 1996. Upon graduation in 1980, she moved to Texas, where she began her career as a designer for an architectural magazine. She next took a position as mechanical director for one of the top advertising agencies in Dallas before eventually leaving to work as a freelance designer. Professor Blakeman began teaching advertising and graphic design in 1987, first with the Art Institutes and then as an Assistant Professor of Advertising teaching both graphic and computer design at Southern Methodist University. As an Assistant Professor of Advertising at West Virginia University she developed the creative track in layout and design. She was also responsible for designing and developing the first Online Integrated Marketing Communications Graduate Certificate and Online Integrated Marketing Communications Graduate programs in the country. She has published two texts, The Bare Bones of Advertising Print Design, and Creative Strategy for Integrated Marketing Communications. Professor Blakeman currently teaches design at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]

[av_social_share title='Share this entry' style='' buttons='' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Episode Summary Let's get real in this episode on data and understanding what works for you. Geoff Livingston provides knowledge based on his many experiences working with nonprofits that took years to learn. Data is full of surprises and if you watch carefully, you can find trends that help you better connect with your audience and actually get your message in front of your donors in way that catches and holds their attention. Knowing your audience not only allows you to tailor your communication to your target market's preferences, but it also allows your organization to come across as one that is familiar with its supporters. "Repetition builds familiarity" after all. Best practices and benchmarks are a great way to see what's happening on a larger scale and they can certainly help guide you in your marketing, but there is a lot to be said for studying your own data and finding what works for you; because, what works for someone else may not necessarily be what works for you and what works for you may not be accurately represented by these industry trends. Know your people. Know yourself. And to thine own self, be true. (William Shakespeare) How? Data. Lots of it. Listen in to learn how to use your data to help you create effective communication tactics and to ultimately help you strengthen your relationships with your members. About Geoff Livingston Geoff Livingston is the CMO of Legends of Learning, an edtech start up in Washington, DC. Before joining Legends of Learning, he start and sold Livingston Communications, a social media boutique, as well as communications firms Zoetica, and Tenacity5 Media. Professionally, Geoff has advised more than 10 members of the Fortune 500, including AT&T, Cox, eBay, Ford, General Dynamics, Google, PayPal, Pepsi Co., Procter and Gamble, SAIC, Verizon and Yum! Brands. He has also advised numerous start-ups, mid-cap companies, and nonprofits, including United Way of America, Live Earth, The Case Foundation, Razoo, Environmental Defense Fund, the Philanthropy 2.0 Project, Tekelec, Network Solutions, Vocus, the Washington Nationals, and Sully Erna (Godsmack lead singer). [av_button_big label='Join the Grow Your Non-Profit Facebook Group!' description_pos='above' link='manually,https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyournonprofit/' link_target='' icon_select='yes-left-icon' icon='ue8f5' font='entypo-fontello' custom_font='#ffffff' color='theme-color' custom_bg='#444444' color_hover='theme-color-subtle' custom_bg_hover='#444444' custom_font_hover='#421c52!important' custom_class='' admin_preview_bg=''] Click here to join a community of non-profit professionals leveraging digital marketing and technology to grow their communities and improve their fundraising systems. [/av_button_big]