Some of my favorite clients are nonprofits. It’s not just because they set out to make the world a better place. I also find them to be some of the most driven people out there, never afraid to try new approaches or volunteer to be one of my “marketing guinea pigs”. Just like for-profit businesses, nonprofits come in all shapes and sizes. While I’m fortunate to work with some that have a designated marketing budget (or access to marketing funds), I’ve encountered many more that simply don’t have thousands of dollars to put toward branding, advertising, web design, PR, or whatever else they may need to get their word out.
Last fall, I had a conversation with a friend who works for a nonprofit in upstate New York. She had just returned home for a national conference — one she enjoyed, but admitted that she would never have the time to implement any of the “new ideas” that she was exposed to as an audience member in a thousand-person auditorium. Shortly after that, I met with my friend and fellow marketing partner-in-crime, Michelle James, to explore how we could help nonprofits with limited budgets. We realized that by pooling nonprofits together, we could offer a sustainable marketing program that delivers something that conferences and other professional development programs can’t: immediate content development and implementation.
Over the past few months, Michelle and I have been working to develop Resolve: Marketing Bootcamp for Nonprofits. Resolve is designed to be a day-long, hands-on workshop for those who work in nonprofit organizations but may not have an extensive background in marketing. Throughout the day, we’ll work hands on with each Resolve group to develop and fine tune their marketing strategies, as well as begin to develop content that can be used in multiple platforms, especially digital outlets.
We also will provide extensive training in the Google AdWords for Nonprofits program, which gives eligible nonprofits up to $10,000 in free online advertising each month. Yes. $10,000 each month. Many nonprofits are unaware of the Google AdWords for Nonprofits program; others are already signed up but not using it as an effective marketing tool.
When participants leave their day at Resolve, they’ll have a “go-to” marketing toolkit that can be put to use immediately. For more information about Resolve, visit our website or read our official news release. We’re now enrolling for the first session in State College, PA on March 21. A session in Altoona, PA is planned for April, with additional East Coast sessions in the works for the future. Those who sign up for one of the first two sessions will receive a 20% discount.
I’m looking forward to Resolve becoming a core staple that we can offer to any nonprofit seeking to use branding and marketing to reinvent itself and tell its story to new audiences. Please help us spread the word to any nonprofit organizations in your personal or professional networks.
