Smart Marketing for Small Nonprofits

Don't Lose 25% of Your Subscribers in 2022

March 31, 2022 15:59 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MB

Keeping your email subscribers engaged is always a challenge for nonprofits. Your supporters are dealing with inboxes that are not only full; they’re bursting. It’s estimated that over time, you’ll lose 1-in-4 subscribers to churn. These aren’t people who unsubscribe; they just ignore your emails. Before cutting them loose and eliminating them from your email list, however, try one more campaign to win them back: a re-engagement campaign.

Email: 6 Reasons Why & 7 Ways How

March 10, 2022 17:00 - 16 minutes - 10.5 MB

Email campaigns continue to be one of the most cost effective methods of getting support for your nonprofit. In fact, on average they show a return on investment of $42, far outstripping social media and direct mail. In this podcast, we talk about what makes email marketing campaigns so successful, how to leverage them for all your content needs and tips on maximizing their success for your nonprofit.

Someone You Should Know

February 24, 2022 17:00 - 17 minutes - 11.2 MB

One of the reasons I’ve always highlighted what I call "Women on a Mission" is to inspire you with the stories of nonprofit leaders who are tackling the big issues fearlessly. Today I want to update you about the work of Debbie DiCarlo, who is not only working to make sure that no-one has to face cancer alone, she's also working hard to make sure that her organization is reaching everyone who needs it by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.

5 Ways to Grow Your Email List

February 03, 2022 17:00 - 22 minutes - 16.3 MB

Nonprofits spend a lot of time thinking about how to attract new supporters. Worried about donor churn or dwindling ranks or volunteers, they are on the lookout for new people who share their passion and are willing to commit their time, talent and treasure for a cause. One of the best methods to pave the way for these new supporters is to first get them to subscribe to your nonprofit’s emails. Here’s five ways to grow your email list and nurture new subscribers today so they can become tom...

Time Is Not Your Enemy

January 27, 2022 17:00 - 16 minutes - 11.8 MB

Is time your enemy or your asset? It’s all about how you choose to use it. Today’s episode asks a hard question: Are you spending your time wisely? Listen to suggestions on how to re-evaluate what you spend your time on, the duties you might want to delegate to others, and strategies to use so that you are managing your day (instead of having your day manage you).

Why Video Is Important to Your Emails

January 20, 2022 17:00 - 22 minutes - 16.5 MB

When there’s an opportunity to make our nonprofit emails more exciting, more likely to be opened and more clickable, we should take full advantage of it. And the thing that is accomplishing all of the above (and making our emails messages way more memorable) is video. It’s what people want and they’ll reward you when you include a video link in your campaigns with better open and conversion rates. Plus, creating a video is now easier than ever. In this episode, Cindy takes a deep dive into t...

Reset Your Marketing Mindset for 2022

January 13, 2022 17:00 - 17 minutes - 12.8 MB

How do you stay motivated? What makes you able to be the superhero of your nonprofit? What enables you to combat the negative self-talk and turn “we can’t” into “we must.” In this podcast, Cindy explores ways for nonprofit leaders to reset their mindset and stay inspired in 2022.

9 Tips to Get Your Emails Opened

January 06, 2022 17:00 - 16 minutes - 12.2 MB

Every year we hear that email for nonprofits is dead. Old fashioned, not working, can’t do the job. And then every year we get the numbers and - surprise! - email is still one of the best ways to connect with your audiences. That doesn’t mean that email is easy - changes to spam algorithms, operating systems and more can be a challenge. In this podcast, we talk about the latest changes and detail nine ways to improve the chances that your nonprofit’s emails will not only be opened but drive ...

A New Year Story to Inspire You

December 30, 2021 17:00 - 20 minutes - 12.5 MB

For the new year, I’d like to tell you a story. It’s got high points and low valleys, a few plot twists, and - fortunately - a happy ending. Hopefully, it will inspire you, because it’s all about why nonprofits like yours are so important to me and the entire team at Cindy May Marketing.

Make 2022 Your Data-Driven Year

December 16, 2021 17:00 - 21 minutes - 15.3 MB

Data can be dull. That’s why I counsel my nonprofit clients to steer clear of numbers when discussing their mission; stories of impact are just so much more engaging. But one set of numbers nonprofits should be concerned with is their marketing numbers. From the reach of your Facebook posts to the number of people who clicked on the call to action in your latest e-newsletter, those numbers will help you become more effective in your outreach - and that will get you more of the support you ne...

3 Tips to Build on Your Giving Tuesday Success

December 09, 2021 17:00 - 12 minutes - 9.47 MB

#GivingTuesday is just around the corner. In this podcast, Cindy talks about how to maximize your fundraising success with emails before, during and after the event, and 21 of her favorite #GivingTuesday subject lines for 2021.

Get To Know Your Donors

December 02, 2021 17:00 - 13 minutes - 10.1 MB

Get to know your donors! Reaching out through surveys, tours, coffee get-togethers, phone calls and more will increase the likelihood that they’ll give again, plus they will give you new insights and appreciation about your organization.

Your 2021 Giving Tuesday Subject Line Recipe

November 18, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 7.07 MB

#GivingTuesday is just around the corner. In this podcast, Cindy talks about how to maximize your fundraising success with emails before, during and after the event, and 21 of her favorite #GivingTuesday subject lines for 2021.

Seeking Out New Partnerships for Your Nonprofit

November 11, 2021 17:00 - 15 minutes - 11.5 MB

Here’s a resolution for 2022 that you can start working on now. Identify the fellow nonprofits and corporations that would be good allies for your nonprofit and start building those partnerships. Too many of the problems that nonprofits are trying to solve are too complex to rest on one organization’s shoulders. Partnerships can help broaden your reach, have more impact, and - if the marketing is done strategically and smart - make everyone feel appreciated for the good work they are doing.

Getting Real with IG Reels

November 04, 2021 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.8 MB

If you are looking to connect with a younger audience, there’s no better place to go than Instagram. More than 60% of Instagram’s 1.3 billion users are between the ages of 18 and 34 and if you are looking to be discovered on the app, there’s no better tool than Instagram reels. But what do you need to do to make these “micro-content” videos? Podcast guest Breece May dives into how to create Instagram reels and why it’s important for your nonprofit.

What To Do When Marketing Gets Hard

October 28, 2021 16:00 - 14 minutes - 10.5 MB

Want to get recharged and renew your excitement about how you market your mission? This episode is about how to address those times when marketing feels more like a grind. Do you need to change up your message? Or do you need to create some processes that will make marketing easier? Learn how to get your marketing mojo back in this podcast.

12 Tips to Better Nonprofit Emails

October 21, 2021 16:57 - 18 minutes - 14 MB

Today it’s all about the tips that make your email communications more successful. Things that will keep you from winding up in the spam folder; ways to make your subject lines more compelling and best practices to make your email campaigns easier to build and more likely to get results.

Start Dreaming About What Your Nonprofit Can Do in 2022

October 14, 2021 18:13 - 15 minutes - 9.75 MB

This is a busy time of year for nonprofits, but don’t let a big to-do list from now to the end of the year prevent you from doing a little planning - and a little dreaming. Before ringing in the New Year, give yourself a chance to imagine what 2022 could be for your organization. What new things are on the horizon? What changes do you want to implement? And how will you generate the support you need to grow your mission?

7 Tips to Tell Your Nonprofit's Story

October 07, 2021 16:00 - 12 minutes - 9.56 MB

Nonprofits are eager to share the stories of the people, groups and causes they help and it’s easy to understand why - these are some of the most compelling ways to illustrate their impact. But those aren’t the only stories you should tell. Sharing your organization’s story is also important to building feelings of trust that engender support for your cause. Learn how here.

Why You Must Embrace Marketing

September 30, 2021 16:00 - 9 minutes - 7.25 MB

There’s a lot of strong, negative feelings about marketing for nonprofits out there. It ranges from thinking of it as a “necessary evil” to viewing all marketing as, for lack of a better word, “icky” - sleazy, inauthentic or chock-full of hype. But marketing isn't a dirty word. It’s not a punishment. It’s just a tool and - when you embrace the best aspects of it - it might very well be the most important job you are doing for your organization.

9 Things to Do Now for #GivingTuesday Success

September 23, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 11.5 MB

#GivingTuesday is now the biggest day in philanthropy. Last year it broke records with $2.47 billion donated (in US alone!) and 35 million people taking part. But its sheer size sometimes makes small and medium-size nonprofits wonder if #GivingTuesday is worth the work. How can you be heard if you aren’t a huge organization? This episode explores the benefits and some strategic tips to make #GivingTuesday work for your nonprofit, regardless of its size.

What Your Nonprofit Loses When You Ignore Marketing

September 16, 2021 16:00 - 13 minutes - 9.89 MB

Often, nonprofit leaders play down the importance of marketing to a nonprofit’s success. Relying on the myth that every dime should go strictly to program costs, they ignore the role that an effective marketing and communications strategy have in making sure nonprofit’s get the support they need and reach the clients they want to serve. In this episode, Cindy dives into what not marketing costs your nonprofit.

Quick Nonprofit Marketing and Communications Pro-Tip: 4 Tips to Make Your Emails Easy to Read

September 13, 2021 16:00 - 4 minutes - 3.21 MB

Coming up with good content is only half the story when you are trying to create an email that generates awareness, engagement and support. You also need to make sure that your email is designed to be impactful and easy-to-read. Cindy shares 4 simple tips that will help.

Should You Avoid Marketing on These Days?

September 09, 2021 16:00 - 16 minutes - 12.3 MB

Are you ever tempted to skip posting or emailing on a day that is fraught with significance? Maybe it’s a holiday or the anniversary of a tragic event or something that would drag you into a current controversy. There certainly is a temptation to skip marketing on certain difficult days, but if you’re too cautious, you might rob your nonprofit of a chance to engage with your supporters on a deeper and more meaningful level.

Quick Nonprofit Marketing and Communications Pro-Tip: Simple Ways To Tell Your Nonprofit's Stories

September 07, 2021 13:00 - 6 minutes - 5.15 MB

No one doubts that sharing clients stories is a powerful way to illustrate the good work your nonprofit does. So why do some organizations avoid it? One big reason is concerns that capturing those stories and writing them is a long, involved process. It doesn’t have to be.

Quick Nonprofit Marketing and Communications Pro-Tip: What Types of Emails To Use When

September 01, 2021 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.29 MB

Broadcasts. Automations. Targeted messaging. Are you using the right type of email for the message you need to get out? Learn more about the 4 distinct types of emails nonprofits can (and should) be using to build support and engagement.

The 3 Ways Your Nonprofit Communicates

August 28, 2021 07:00 - 15 minutes - 11.2 MB

Each nonprofit has at least three distinct ways in which they communicate with the public. Each type of communication deepens your relationship with the outside world, and all of them are essential to your organization. Which is why you need to be transparent and consistent in each and every level. This episode covers each of these levels of communication and how to approach them to make sure you are maximizing their communication power.

Quick Nonprofit Marketing and Communications Pro-Tip: How To Re-engage Email Subscribers

August 27, 2021 16:00 - 5 minutes - 3.85 MB

If you are seeing the open and click-through rates drop for your nonprofit’s emails, it might be time to identify subscribers who haven’t engaged recently and win them over with a re-engagement campaign. Here’s how.

Quick Nonprofit Marketing and Communications Pro-Tip: How To Make Your Call To Action Buttons More Clickable

August 17, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutes - 2.9 MB

Call to Action buttons only take up a tiny piece of real estate on your email communications or website, but they can be key to getting your audiences to donate, volunteer, or otherwise support your cause. Here’s how to make yours better.

Quick Nonprofit Marketing and Communications Pro-Tip: How To Leverage Content

August 10, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutes - 2.72 MB

Just like a little black dress or flattering jeans, the power of great content is that - with some tweaks - it can be repurposed for all occasions and platforms. In this bonus podcast, Cindy discusses the power of leveraging quality content and why it’s not only smart marketing but also an excellent use of your nonprofit’s resources.

5 Ways To Draw People To Your Cause

August 07, 2021 16:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MB

Engagement is the marketing version of the Holy Grail for nonprofits. It’s goal: to get people to notice you, interact with you and, ultimately, support you. But with more than 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. alone, there’s a lot of competition out there. How can you stand out from the crowd? In this episode, I cover tips that can make your content and design more compelling and more likely to get engagement.

5 Reasons Why Your Nonprofit Needs Marketing Help

July 17, 2021 11:00 - 23 minutes - 19 MB

Even if they have no problem hiring certain types of outside experts, many nonprofits resist getting help with their marketing efforts. But having some help with communications can result in nonprofits getting more support so they can thrive. Cindy goes over the most common reason nonprofit leaders say “no” to marketing help and the many reasons the right answer might be “yes” - including the fact that it might ultimately be more cost-effective than doing it in-house.

Should You Keep It Virtual in 2021?

June 26, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 21.9 MB

Events manager Danielle Snelson says that 2020 gave nonprofits permission to hold their events virtually. The question is, now that the pandemic is receding and in-person gatherings are more common, should we keep it virtual in 2021? The answer will depend on what your organization's goals are. In this podcast, Cindy and Danielle talk about when virtual and hybrid in-person/online events will further the goals of your organization and how to do it effectively.

The Good Email News in This Year’s M+R Benchmark Report

May 28, 2021 15:20 - 16 minutes - 15 MB

2020 was a bear of a year, but here’s the silver lining: Confronted by fear, uncertainty, loss and lockdowns, we didn’t hide in a bunker until it was all over. We found new ways to connect and gave what we could to support others, and did it in record numbers. Cindy takes a deep dive into the 2020 M+R Benchmark report.

How Nonprofits Can Weather a PR Crisis

April 29, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MB

Joe McLeod has been helping companies and nonprofits weather PR crises for more than 15 years. He talks with Cindy about how to prepare a crisis communications plan and how to handle PR concerns so that they don’t damage your nonprofit’s reputation or impact negatively on your mission.

Build Your Writing Confidence and Skill With These Expert Tips and Techniques

April 01, 2021 22:08 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MB

Kathy Widenhouse, a highly experienced nonprofit content writer, talks with Cindy about how to master the art of persuasive communication, whether it’s a fundraising appeal, e-newsletter or blog post. The tips and tactics she shares will make your own writing process easier and far more effective.

VidMob Gives and the Power of (Short) Nonprofit Videos

March 04, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 34.1 MB

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, how much is a video - even a short one - worth? 10,000 words? 100,000? A million? Video is the ultimate storytelling device, says Burr Purnell, this month’s Marketer on a Mission and using it gives nonprofits an easy, fast, and affordable way to amplify their message to the world.

2021 Advice from the 'Nonprofit Nerd'

January 24, 2021 17:00 - 35 minutes - 28.1 MB

When you think about retaining donors, trade in ROI for ROR or “return on relationship.” That’s the advice of Cindy’s guest, Jarrett Ransom of The Rayvan Group. An expert on nonprofit marketing and a self-described “Nonprofit Nerd,” Jarrett shares the five building blocks of donor relationships in this special Marketer on a Mission podcast.

4 Steps to Donor Retention This Year

January 17, 2021 23:05 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

Many things have changed in the last year, but not the importance of marketing to support donor retention efforts. In this episode, Cindy explores the statistics to keep in mind as you develop your retention strategy and a four-step process to make sure first-time donors continue to support your organization after their initial gift.

New Digital Strategies for 2021

January 10, 2021 17:00 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MB

Ever worry about getting stuck in a rut in your marketing efforts? It’s a new year, which makes it a great time to experiment and try some new digital strategies for promoting your nonprofit. This episode has suggestions on ways you might want to stretch those marketing muscles, but it also includes the one thing that is tried and true no matter what marketing strategies you employ.

Your 2021 Marketing Plan: The Great Reset

January 03, 2021 17:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

As we begin our journey into 2021, have you thought about what success for your nonprofit would look like this year? We are in the middle of the Great Reset, which makes it the perfect time to create your marketing plan. It doesn’t have to be a beast; in fact it can be both an inspirational and useful document, a roadmap to a successful year for your nonprofit.

Greeting 2021 With New Optimism

December 20, 2020 17:00 - 19 minutes - 17.2 MB

We all know that 2020 was rough and that despite awesome news about vaccines this month, it’s going to take a lot of work to get back on track in 2021. But that shouldn’t sap you of the optimism that a new year typically brings. In today’s episode, we explore why (realistic) optimism is essential for the strategic marketing of your nonprofit and how to keep hope and resilience front and center as we greet 2021.

Your Low Cost Marketing Options for 2021

December 13, 2020 17:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MB

Your nonprofit’s marketing budget is important; it’s the connective tissue between your organization and the many audiences you are trying to reach: clients, donors, volunteers and the public at large. But the reality is that after the double whammy of COVID-19 and the resulting economic downturn, the money just might not be there in 2021. This episode focuses on low- and no-cost marketing strategies that can allow you to continue to make an impact no matter the size of your budget.

2020 Marketing Lessons Your Nonprofit Can Benefit From Next Year

December 06, 2020 17:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB

If you could take your nonprofit back to our pre-COVID “normal” world, would you? Or did you discover things about yourself and your organization in 2020 that you want to shape your nonprofit’s future. In this episode, Cindy reviews the top marketing lessons nonprofits learned in 2020 and how they can be used to improve marketing in 2021 and beyond.

7 Words That Inspire Giving This Year

November 22, 2020 17:00 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MB

Some words are just better than others when it comes to compelling copy, and in the world of marketing and fundraising, there are a handful of words that can inspire people to give to your cause. In this episode, we talk about seven words and phrases that are proven to have an impact getting support for your nonprofit.

Marketer on a Mission: Anne Stefanyk of Kanopi Studios - Top 10 Performance Tips for Your Nonprofit’s Website

November 15, 2020 17:00 - 52 minutes - 38.5 MB

Today we talk with Anne Stefanyk of Kanopi Studios, a website designer and developer. Anne shares her top 10 tips on how to maintain your website so you maximize its ability to raise awareness of your nonprofit, win support for your cause and turn your audiences’ intentions into action.

#GivingTuesday: How to Make It Happen When Time is Running Out

November 08, 2020 17:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

Yes it’s an international event and yes, there’s only three weeks left, but with a little time and effort, there’s still time to have an effective #GivingTuesday campaign. It doesn’t have to be a stand-alone event; instead, why not make #GivingTuesday the launch of your whole end-of-year campaign.

Why Your 'ASK' Must Be Different This Year

November 01, 2020 17:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MB

In spite of the chaos and confusion caused by 2020, this year has provided you with a unique opportunity as you are making your end-of-year ask. It’s a chance to share the challenges of running a nonprofit during a year marked by a pandemic and unrest with your supporters, and then boldly ask your supporters to share your optimism for the future.

Where Did Your Donor Go?

October 25, 2020 16:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MB

Call it the case of the disappearing donor. Someone who you can see is responding to your message and even getting to your donation platform, only to leave without a trace. And the clues lead you right up to the culprit - your donation page.

Marketer on a Mission: Gabe Cooper of Virtuous Software

October 18, 2020 16:00 - 26 minutes - 20.2 MB

Amazon knows how to make it personal for consumers. So does Netflix and Patagonia. How can nonprofits bridge the gap with their donors just like for-profit businesses? In our latest “Marketer on a Mission” interview, Gabe Cooper of Virtuous Software explains the power of CRM programs and how they streamline communications for small nonprofits while helping them forge better relationships with their supporters.

Smart Marketing for Small Nonprofits

Episodes