Affiliate Marketing Tips for NonProfits

Affiliate Marketing Tips for NonProfits

Fundraising, Social Media

Affiliate Marketing Tips for NonProfits

This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 308 with Aya Hesham.

Are you constantly looking for new ways to fund your mission? It feels like a never-ending cycle of grant writing, fundraising events, and donor asks. But what if there was another way to create steady revenue streams, one that also helps the community you serve?

You might have heard about affiliate marketing in the for-profit world. A similar strategy exists with nonprofit affiliate marketing. It is a powerful method for passive fundraising that most nonprofit organizations are not using yet.

Table of Contents:

What Exactly Is Nonprofit Affiliate Marketing?

Let’s break it down into simple terms. Your nonprofit organization partners with a company to promote a product or service that you believe in. When someone from your audience buys that product through a special referral link you provide, you’ll earn a commission.

Think about a pet rescue you support. They might recommend a specific brand of durable dog toys on their website. If you click their link and buy those toys, the rescue gets a small portion of that sale at no additional cost to you.

This is not about asking for an online donation. It is about creating a partnership that gives value back to everyone involved. Your supporters get a recommendation for a great product, the company makes a sale, and your nonprofit earns passive income to continue its important work.

Why Your Nonprofit Should Consider This Strategy

Maybe this sounds a bit too commercial for a nonprofit. The idea of “selling” can feel uncomfortable when your focus is on a cause. Many nonprofit professionals feel this way initially.

But think of it as an extension of your nonprofit’s mission. You are already recommending resources to your community. Why not create a system where those recommendations can also financially support your fundraising efforts?

This strategy opens up a new path for funding. Diversifying your revenue is critical for stability, a fact many organizations learned the hard way in recent years. This approach to revenue generation can supplement traditional methods and provide a buffer during lean times.

It also changes the dynamic with corporate partners. A business nonprofit partnership might not start with a large sponsorship. But they might be very happy to set up a referral program with a fair commission rate that benefits you both as it grows.

Finding the Right Affiliate Partners for Your Mission

The success of your affiliate efforts hinges entirely on authenticity. Your audience trusts you. You cannot afford to promote products that are irrelevant or low-quality because that trust is your most valuable asset.

Finding the right partners is about finding brands that align with your values and serve your community’s needs. Here is how you can start your search for the best affiliate programs. This will help you connect nonprofits with socially conscious companies.

Start with What You Already Use and Trust

What tools, products, or services does your own team already use and love? This is the easiest and most genuine place to begin. Your recommendation comes from a place of real experience.

If you run a youth sports league, perhaps you use a specific app for scheduling games. That app developer likely has an affiliate program. Your authentic endorsement carries a lot of weight with other league organizers or parents in your community.

Research Your Audience’s Needs

Who do you serve, and what do they need? Take some time to truly analyze the people who support your cause. What are their interests, challenges, and purchasing habits during their online purchases?

If your cause is environmental conservation, your audience probably cares about sustainable products. You could partner with socially conscious companies like Ivory Ella, which donates a portion of its net profits to elephant conservation. These partnerships make sense because they fit seamlessly with your core mission.

Explore Established Charity Affiliate Programs

Several platforms and programs are built to connect nonprofits with affiliate opportunities. These charity affiliate programs simplify the process of earning from supporters’ everyday shopping. They often function through a browser extension or a dedicated shopping portal.

Platforms like Greater Good and the ShopRaise app allow supporters to generate a small donation for your cause with every purchase from thousands of retailers. This is a form of passive fundraising where supporters contribute without changing their habits. The platform manages the partnerships and payments, making it easy for your nonprofit.

For faith-based organizations, similar platforms exist that cater to their specific community and values. These programs connect supporters with businesses that align with their beliefs. Researching these specific fundraising platform options can open up new opportunities.

Partner with Mission-Aligned Foundations & Companies

Look for organizations working in a similar space. The Linux Foundation affiliate program is an excellent example. If your nonprofit focuses on tech education or open-source advocacy, you can earn commissions by promoting their training courses and certifications.

Major international aid organizations also have robust affiliate programs. The CARE International’s affiliate program and Plan International’s affiliate program are two great examples. These allow you to support the work of a large parent organization while also raising funds for your own local efforts.

Similarly, a foundation affiliate program might be offered by entities like the Charities Aid Foundation America. CAFA helps connect donors and companies with nonprofits. They can be a valuable resource for identifying potential corporate partners for affiliate marketing.

Affiliate Model How It Works Best For Nonprofits That… Example(s)
Direct Partnership You partner directly with a single company and use their referral links. Have a strong relationship with a specific brand their audience loves. Ivory Ella, Local Businesses
Affiliate Network You join a large network to access thousands of brands and track earnings in one place. Want a wide variety of partners and streamlined management. ShareASale, CJ, Impact
Shopping Portal / Browser Extension Supporters install an app or use a specific site that automatically donates a percentage of their purchase. Want an easy, passive fundraising option for their supporters. Greater Good, ShopRaise App
Foundation & Course Affiliate Programs You promote specific educational materials, certifications, or resources from a larger organization. Focus on education, technology, or professional development. Linux Foundation Affiliate, Plan International’s Affiliate

A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Program

Feeling ready to give this a try? A structured approach will save you many headaches. You cannot just throw referral links on your website and hope for the best.

Here is a simple plan to get your nonprofit affiliate marketing program started on the right foot. This thoughtful process helps make sure your new marketing strategy is a success. This is about more than just finding new revenue streams; it’s about building trust.

Step 1: Do Your Homework

Before you reach out to a single brand, double down on research. Deeply understand your audience and what they would find valuable. Make a list of product categories that make sense for your nonprofit’s mission.

Then, vet potential companies carefully. Do they have a good reputation? Research their values and how they conduct business to ensure they align with yours.

Step 2: Join a Network and Apply

Pick one of the affiliate networks mentioned earlier and create a publisher account. You will need to provide information about your nonprofit and your website. Be clear about your mission and how you plan to promote partners.

Once approved, start applying to individual brand programs. Pay attention to the program offers, as the commission structure and terms can vary widely. Some might offer a flat fee, while others have a tiered commission structure that pays more as you drive more sales.

Step 3: Test Everything

Never recommend a product you have not tried yourself. The best promotions come from authentic, firsthand experience. Ask the brand for a sample or a trial of their service.

Use the product. See how it works. This experience becomes the foundation of your review and lets you tell a genuine story.

Step 4: Create Your Content Strategy

How will you share these recommendations? You need a plan. A great content strategy incorporates affiliate links naturally into helpful content your audience already wants, from your email marketing to social media.

Some ideas include:

  • A “Resources” page on your website listing your favorite tools.
  • Writing a detailed blog post reviewing a product you tested.
  • Mentioning a product or gift card in your email newsletter when it makes sense.
  • Creating a gift guide for holidays or special occasions.
  • Partnering with a books affiliate program to recommend literature related to your cause.

Remember to be transparent. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has clear guidelines about disclosures. A simple statement like “(this post contains affiliate links, and we may earn commission)” is usually all you need.

Step 5: Roll It Out Authentically

Avoid being pushy. Instead of a hard sell, spark some curiosity. You could post on social media saying, “We’re testing out this new sustainable cleaning product to see if it really works. We’ll report back next week.”

This approach builds anticipation. When you follow up with your results, it feels like a genuine update. People will appreciate your honesty, whether you loved the product or not.

Step 6: Track and Optimize

Use the dashboards in your affiliate network to see what is working. How many people are clicking your links? Which products generate sales and earn commissions?

This data is gold. It tells you what your audience responds to and what drives revenue generation. You can then focus your efforts on the types of products and content that deliver the best results for your organization.

How Much Time and Effort Does This Really Take?

Let’s be realistic. This is not a “set it and forget it” solution. Building a successful affiliate program requires a dedicated effort, especially at the beginning.

You can expect to spend several hours a week in the initial phase. This time goes into research, vetting partners, applying to programs, and creating your first pieces of content. It is a significant upfront investment of time.

Once the program is running, the time commitment can change. If it proves successful, it might even grow into a part-time role for someone on your team. This person could manage partnerships and content, directly connecting their work to the funds they are raising.

Don’t have the staff for that? This is a perfect opportunity to involve skilled volunteers. A tech-savvy volunteer who believes in your mission could help with research, outreach, and even testing products, all while getting valuable experience.

Conclusion

Adding another task to your team’s plate can seem like a lot. But nonprofit affiliate marketing is not just another task. It is a strategic way to build sustainable revenue and diversify your fundraising platform.

When you focus on authentic recommendations that truly help your community, it stops feeling like selling. It becomes another powerful way to serve your mission and foster a stronger connection with your supporters. With careful planning and a commitment to authenticity, you can make nonprofit affiliate marketing a valuable part of your fundraising future.

Top Nonprofit Podcast Episodes for Effective Leadership

Top Nonprofit Podcast Episodes for Effective Leadership

Content, Email Marketing, Fundraising, Mindset, Organization, Social Media, Sponsors, Website

Top Nonprofit Podcast Episodes for Effective Leadership

This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 300

Are you searching for fantastic nonprofit podcast episodes to boost your organization’s impact? Perhaps you’re feeling stuck, looking for fresh ideas, or just need a little inspiration. You’ve landed in the right spot, as finding truly helpful nonprofit podcast episodes can sometimes feel like a challenge.

Reaching 300 episodes is a significant milestone for this podcast. After years of production, seeing its growth has been incredible. It represents more than sharing resources; it reflects the connections and community built together.

To celebrate, let’s revisit some top-performing episodes that deeply connected with listeners. You might rediscover old favorites or find some gems you missed. These insights can provide actionable strategies for your nonprofit work.

Table of Contents:

Key Wins from 15 Top Nonprofit Podcast Episodes

We’ve explored the archives to bring you insights from a wide variety of topics. These snippets cover everything from marketing your giving programs to using digital tools effectively. Ready to find your next big win?

15. Episode 201: How to Market Your Monthly Giving Program

Monthly giving programs are a game-changer for sustainable funding. But how do you actually get people to join? This solo episode tackles exactly that topic, offering practical advice.

One of the biggest takeaways is the importance of clear messaging. What impact will these regular gifts have? You need to paint a picture for potential donors. Think about creating giving levels that show tangible outcomes, making the donor feel their contribution directly matters.

For example, $10 a month might provide school supplies for one child, while $25 a month could sponsor their entire semester. When donors see how they can easily multiply their impact, they are often motivated to give more. You’ll want to check out resources like Give Lively for more ideas on structuring this effectively.

This core story becomes the bedrock of your marketing. You’ll use it on your website, in emails, on social media, and even in board conversations. Remember, people often need to hear your message multiple times before it truly sinks in and they decide to act.

Beyond initial promotion, consider how you will steward these important donors. Regular updates showing their collective impact can strengthen their commitment. Personal touches, like a handwritten thank-you note after their first few months, can also go a long way in retention.

Segment your email list to send targeted appeals for your monthly giving program. Supporters who have donated smaller, one-time gifts in the past might be good candidates. Highlight the convenience and sustained impact of monthly giving in your communications with them.

14. Episode 194: Seven Ways to Maximize Calls to Action on Your Website

Your website gets visitors, which is excellent. But what do you want them to do once they are there? This episode breaks down seven strategies to make your calls to action (CTAs) work harder for you.

A huge area of opportunity often missed is your blog. Do not just publish a post and call it a day. Include links to other relevant blog posts or pages on your site.

This practice keeps people engaged and is beneficial for SEO. Think of it as guiding them further into what your organization offers. This internal linking strategy helps search engines understand the structure and importance of your content.

Obvious, yet crucial, is a donate button if the content relates to fundraising. Make it easy for supporters to give. For more educational pieces, perhaps an opt-in for your newsletter or a lead magnet, like a downloadable guide, is appropriate.

If your post is long, do not wait until the end for CTAs; place them in the middle too. Also, social share buttons are a simple but effective CTA. They let your readers easily spread the word across their networks, not just the ones you actively use.

Experiment with different CTA phrasing and designs. A/B testing button colors, text, and placement can reveal what resonates most with your audience. Small changes can sometimes lead to significant increases in conversion rates for your nonprofit goals.

13. Episode 132: Mastering Local SEO with Wendell Jordan

Are you trying to reach people in a specific geographic area? Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is your friend. This episode with Wendell Jordan explains how to get in front of your local community.

The core principles of SEO remain, but local SEO has its own specific considerations. It is about showing up when someone searches for services “near me.” Content is very important, even in local SEO; you need to create helpful, informational content.

This content should address the needs of your local audience. For example, if you are a Houston-based nonprofit providing winter coats, your content should speak to what “cold” means in Houston. This is very different from “cold” in, say, Minneapolis. For a deeper understanding of local SEO, Moz offers comprehensive resources.

Think about the search terms people in your area would use. Your website content should reflect this local focus. It is about being relevant to the people right in your backyard who need your services or want to support your cause.

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is a fundamental step for local SEO. Make certain your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and consistent across all online directories. Encourage satisfied clients or volunteers to leave reviews on your profile to build trust.

Building local links, such as from community organizations or local news outlets, can also improve your local search rankings. Consider partnerships or sponsoring local events to gain visibility and relevant backlinks. These activities signal to search engines that your organization is a genuine part of the local fabric.

12. Episode 58: My Dad in Business Part 2 – All About Innovation

This one is a bit personal – an interview with my dad. We talked about the importance of innovation, even when your organization is already successful. Staying creative helps you reach new audiences and keeps your mission fresh and relevant.

It is easy to get stuck in the day-to-day grind. But how do you break free and think differently? Sometimes, it involves turning off the noise.

Step away from the constant barrage of information. Allow yourself to reconnect with your core mission and passion. What are you really trying to achieve for the community you serve?

By creating space for new ideas, you can find different patterns and approaches to your work, your relationships, and your efforts. Innovation does not always mean grand gestures. It can be small shifts that lead to big results in impact or efficiency.

Fostering a culture of innovation within your nonprofit can start with encouraging staff and volunteers to share their ideas without fear of criticism. Regular brainstorming sessions focused on specific challenges can yield creative solutions. Remember that even ideas that are not implemented can spark further, more viable concepts.

Look for inspiration outside the nonprofit sector as well. Businesses, startups, and even other industries might be employing strategies or technologies that could be adapted to fit your mission. Continuous learning and an open mind are vital for ongoing innovation.

11. Episode 76: Taking an In-Person Event Online with United Way

This episode was recorded around the time many events had to pivot online. United Way in Central Oregon shared how they took their Festival of Trees, a traditionally in-person auction, into the virtual space. It is a fantastic listen, even if you are not doing online events, because it is packed with ideas on how to think differently about your events.

One important factor was making participation accessible; people could join virtual watch parties. They also thought about how sponsors could still get visibility. For instance, sponsors had decorated trees in their bank lobbies, blending the physical with the virtual.

The challenge was getting the word out and sourcing enough auction items for a wider online audience. They learned that providing a clear virtual event sponsorship package can be very important. This helps potential sponsors understand the value they will receive in an online format.

A big lesson here is the power of a promo kit. Giving your sponsors, board members, and supporters the graphics and copy they need makes it super easy for them to promote your event. This is not just for online events; it is a smart strategy for any event to maximize reach.

When planning virtual events, consider interactive elements to keep attendees engaged. Polls, Q&A sessions, virtual breakout rooms, and even gamification can enhance the experience. The goal is to make participants feel actively involved rather than passively watching a screen.

Do not forget post-event engagement for online gatherings. Sending out recordings, thank-you messages with impact summaries, and surveys can extend the life of the event. This also helps gather feedback for future virtual or hybrid functions.

10. Episode 24: Sales Funnels with Cody Burch

Sales funnels? For nonprofits? Absolutely. Think about your donor journey – that is a funnel. This episode with Cody Birch explores how to bring people in, nurture them, and ultimately guide them to make that donation, volunteer, or become a board member.

Cody shared a fascinating tactic: the nine-word email. The subject is just the person’s name. The email itself is something like, “Are you still interested in [achieving the result they wanted]? Let me know, [Your Name].” It is surprisingly effective because it is casual and feels personal, like a quick bump-in at a coffee shop.

He also stressed that it is not about the size of your email list, but how well you take care of it. An 18-20% open rate is actually pretty good. Do not get discouraged by numbers that seem low. Consistent, genuine engagement is what matters for list health.

A nonprofit funnel might start with awareness content, like blog posts or social media updates that address a problem your organization solves. The next stage could involve offering a valuable resource, such as an e-book or webinar, in exchange for an email address. This moves a casual observer into a lead that can be nurtured.

Nurturing involves sending targeted communications that build a relationship and demonstrate your impact. Finally, a clear call to action, whether for a donation, volunteer sign-up, or event attendance, completes that particular funnel. Remember to thank and steward supporters after they convert to encourage long-term relationships.

9. Episode 200: How to Increase the Annual Value of a Monthly Donor with Patrick Kirby

Patrick Kirby, a true expert in monthly giving, joined this episode to discuss boosting the annual value of your recurring donors. It is not only about asking them to increase their monthly gift. It is also about inspiring additional, one-time gifts throughout the year.

Patrick emphasizes longevity over the initial gift amount. Someone giving $10 a month for five years is incredibly valuable. He suggests that many donors give the amount you ask for, so if you have not re-approached them, they might have the capacity to give more.

Do not assume they are tapped out because they are already a monthly donor. Many often forget about their recurring donation. A gentle, well-timed ask can be quite effective in increasing their support.

A great tip is to call your long-standing monthly donors. Thank them and ask for their perspective. “What can we do to celebrate you?” or “You’ve seen our organization evolve; what are your thoughts on what we are doing?” This engagement can lead to deeper relationships and even more support, making them feel like true partners.

Consider specific campaigns for monthly donors, such as an appeal to fund a particular project or an invitation to an exclusive briefing. This makes them feel valued and provides opportunities for additional giving. Also, celebrate milestones, like their “donor anniversary,” to show appreciation for their sustained support.

Offering monthly donors options to easily upgrade their gift, perhaps through a dedicated page on your website, can also be effective. Frame the upgrade in terms of increased impact. For instance, show how an extra $5 a month can provide an additional service or resource.

8. Episode 273: Crafting Your Year-End Emails with Vanessa Chase-Lockshin

Email marketing expert Vanessa Chase-Lockshin returned for this gem on year-end email campaigns. She has run campaigns raising millions, so her advice is golden. While focused on year-end, the strategies apply to any campaign you are running.

A critical tip for Giving Tuesday (or any big giving day) is to have a compelling message. “It is Giving Tuesday, donate now” is not enough. Your subject lines need to be emotionally compelling and impact-oriented. Vanessa often sends two to three emails on Giving Tuesday itself, noting that early evening emails sometimes outperform morning ones. Campaign Monitor has great general tips for nonprofit email marketing.

She also advises leading up to big campaigns with cultivation emails. Tell stories. Remind people of the problem your organization solves and the impact of their potential donation.

And do not stop on the big day; consider extending your campaign or following up in the days after. One client raised six times more on the Friday after Giving Tuesday than on the day itself. This was simply because the inbox noise had died down, allowing their message to stand out.

Personalization in year-end emails can significantly lift response rates. Use the donor’s name, reference their past giving history if possible, and tailor the message to their interests. This shows you value them as an individual, not just as a name on a list.

Make your donation process seamless from the email click to the confirmation page. A complicated or slow donation form can lead to abandonment. Test the process thoroughly on both desktop and mobile devices before launching your campaign.

7. Episode 205: Using AI to Create Content with Scott Bywater

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, and yes, it can help nonprofits with content creation. Scott Bywater shared how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate content faster and more authentically. This can be helpful even if you do not have a dedicated writer.

How can AI jumpstart your content? First, ask AI about your target market: their fears, pains, desires, and objections. This helps you understand your audience deeply. Second, use that understanding to get topic ideas for emails, blog posts, or social media.

For more information about using AI, TechSoup provides an introduction to generative AI for nonprofits. Third, AI can help write the initial draft of the copy. Finally, it can even generate subject lines for your communications.

The key is using AI as a partner – “man and machine.” You direct it, refine its output, and use your human understanding to help the content truly resonate. Always review and edit AI-generated content to reflect your nonprofit’s voice and verify accuracy.

AI can be particularly useful for repurposing existing content. For example, you can feed it a long blog post and ask it to generate social media snippets, email summaries, or even a script for a short video. This saves time and helps you get more mileage out of your core content pieces.

While AI offers many benefits, it is important to be mindful of ethical considerations. Be transparent about your use of AI if appropriate, and always prioritize authentic human connection in your communications. AI should augment, not replace, the human element of your nonprofit’s work.

6. Episode 196: Six Ways Your Website May Be Hurting Your Organization with Dani MacGregor

Your website is fundamental. It is where you communicate, connect, and convert. Danni MacGregor shared six common website mistakes that might be undermining your efforts. If your site is not delivering results, this episode is for you.

One crucial point is clearly sharing your impact. Danny recommends an “Our Impact” page. You can also weave impact stories and stats into your program pages and donation forms.

Showing potential donors what their money achieves (e.g., “$50 gives a backpack to a child”) can really encourage them to give. It might even inspire them to give a little more. This transparency builds trust and credibility with your audience.

Make certain this impact information is easy to find. Critical donors and foundations will look for it. Your annual reports should also be readily available online. It is all about building trust and demonstrating effectiveness to your supporters and stakeholders.

Another common issue is a website that is not mobile-friendly. With a majority of web traffic coming from mobile devices, a site that is difficult to use on a smartphone will deter visitors. Test your site’s responsiveness and user experience on various screen sizes.

Slow loading speed is another factor that can hurt your organization. Visitors are impatient and may leave if your pages take too long to load. Optimize images, leverage browser caching, and minimize code to improve your site’s performance and keep users engaged.

5. Episode 63: Time to Jump into LinkedIn

This solo episode from a while back still holds strong. LinkedIn is an incredibly powerful tool for nonprofits if used correctly. The people you want to reach – potential donors, sponsors, board members, service users – they are on LinkedIn.

Why is LinkedIn not a bigger focus for many nonprofits? It is a professional network, perfect for making strategic connections. LinkedIn even rolled out features like Events and LinkedIn Live, which are free to use.

If you are moving an event online or just want to broaden your reach, creating an event on LinkedIn and going live can notify your network. It can also reach their connections. Organizations like LinkedIn for Nonprofits itself offer resources specifically for you.

Think about using LinkedIn Sales Navigator (even a short-term subscription) to target specific CEOs, companies, or industries. This can help you start conversations about support. Your board members can also easily share your organization’s LinkedIn content with their networks, dramatically expanding your visibility.

Regularly posting updates about your nonprofit’s activities, impact stories, and volunteer opportunities on your LinkedIn Page can keep your organization top-of-mind. Encourage your staff and key volunteers to share these updates with their personal networks. This extends your reach organically and authentically.

Use LinkedIn to research potential corporate partners and foundation contacts. Understanding their interests and connections can help you tailor your approach. Building genuine relationships on the platform can lead to significant support for your mission over time.

4. Episode 128: Creating Campaigns and Stories with Vanessa Chase-Lockshin

Vanessa Chase-Lockshin appears again, a testament to how much email expertise resonates. This episode is all about crafting compelling email campaigns by telling powerful stories. How do you connect with readers and encourage them to open, click, and engage?

At a basic level, you need at least one channel you are actively asking on. Choose the one that historically performs best for you. This might be direct mail or email for your specific audience.

Do not abandon what works while trying to build a new channel. Once you have a primary, you can strategically add another. This allows for a focused and effective fundraising approach.

For the campaign itself, you need an initial ask and a follow-up strategy. Great stories are vital. It does not have to be many; sometimes one really strong story, used in different ways, can effectively communicate your message.

This shows how donations make a difference. And remember great follow-up: a simple thank-you letter or phone call can make a huge difference. This helps in building long-term donor loyalty and engagement.

When crafting stories, focus on a single individual or a specific situation to make the narrative more relatable and emotionally engaging. Show, do not just tell, the impact of your work. Use vivid language and imagery to bring the story to life for your readers.

Always obtain informed consent from the people whose stories you share. Protect their dignity and privacy above all. Authentic storytelling builds trust, while exploitative narratives can damage your reputation and relationships.

3. Episode 219: Leveraging Social Media for Better Connections with Amanda Kohal

We know social media can be impactful, but are we just posting and hoping? Amanda Kohal shared how to actually use social media to build real connections. The goal is to take conversations offline and turn followers into supporters.

Amanda pointed out a key difference: platforms like TikTok are fantastic for reach and visibility (about 90% new eyes per post). Instagram, on the other hand, is more for nurturing existing followers (maybe 5% see your post). This insight can change your strategy significantly.

Why spend all your energy on platforms with low organic reach if your goal is primarily new audience acquisition? Understanding platform strengths is crucial. This allows you to allocate resources more effectively across your social media channels.

She suggests bucketing platforms: one for visibility/growth (like TikTok) and another for nurturing/conversion (like Instagram). Create primary content for the growth platform, then repurpose it for others. This approach helps you grow your audience, build community, and then convert those connections, rather than just chasing follower counts. It is about a holistic approach to your online presence and engagement.

Below is a simple way to think about platform focus based on Amanda’s insights:

 

Platform Type Primary Goal Example Platforms Content Focus
Visibility & Growth Reach new audiences TikTok, YouTube Shorts Broad appeal, shareable, educational/entertaining
Nurturing & Conversion Deepen relationships, drive action Instagram, Facebook Groups, Email List Community building, impact stories, calls to action
Networking & Partnerships Connect with professionals, funders LinkedIn Organizational updates, thought leadership, B2B connections

 

Remember to engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly. Ask questions to encourage interaction and build a sense of community. Authentic engagement is more valuable than simply broadcasting messages on any social platform.

2. Episode 251: Coming Up with Content Ideas for Short-Form Video

Short-form video (60-90 seconds) is huge right now. It is quick, engaging, and favored by many platforms. But what do you even create? This solo episode is packed with ideas to get you started.

If you are struggling for inspiration, this episode will give you more ideas than you know what to do with. Think about quick wins, tips, resources, or behind-the-scenes glimpses. Answering frequently asked questions in a video format can also be very effective.

You do not always have to be direct-to-camera; you can use tools like Canva to create engaging video templates. The goal is to share who you are and how you solve problems. This builds trust and helps you connect with your audience across platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts.

For some great examples, check out how other nonprofits use TikTok for engagement, as Hootsuite discusses various approaches. The key is to get started. You will find your rhythm and see what resonates with your audience over time.

Short-form video is a powerful way to stay top-of-mind with your supporters. Consider batch-creating several videos at once to maintain a consistent posting schedule. This can make content creation more efficient for your team.

Make your videos accessible by adding captions. Many viewers watch videos with the sound off, and captions also benefit those with hearing impairments. This small step can greatly expand your video’s reach and inclusivity.

And the Most Popular Episode Is…

Wow, what a journey through these impactful episodes. Before we reveal the number one, remember that the real value comes from taking these insights and applying them. What one thing can you try today from these nonprofit podcast episodes?

Okay, are you ready for our top most popular episode?

Ep 236 Minimizing Your Limiting Beliefs with Tracy Pleschourt

Do you ever wonder why some people find great success and grow faster and you might not be? Sure, it could be budget, staffing, marketing expertise, and on and on. But have you taken a moment to see how your mindset and limiting beliefs might be leading you to self-sabotage? Tracy Pleschourt shares her S E L F framework so you can live the life you want, have joy in your work, and have it all. 

Conclusion

Exploring these top nonprofit podcast episodes offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. From improving local SEO to crafting compelling email campaigns and using the power of LinkedIn, there are countless strategies you can adapt for your organization. The common thread is the importance of clear messaging, genuine connection, and a willingness to try new things.

These nonprofit podcast episodes serve as a reminder that you are not alone in your journey. There is a whole community of passionate professionals out there, sharing what works and learning together. So, pick an episode that resonates, explore its content, and see how you can implement these ideas to further your mission and increase your impact.

Tips for Bringing Your Marketing In-House, and If You Should

Tips for Bringing Your Marketing In-House, and If You Should

Content, Email Marketing, Fundraising, Social Media, Website

Tips for Bringing Your Marketing In-House, and If You Should

This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 298 with Kasper Siervslev.

Growing your nonprofit means reaching more people and making a bigger impact. As your nonprofit grows, a solid marketing plan becomes very important. You might wonder about the best in-house marketing strategies to maintain consistency and effectiveness in your marketing efforts.

It’s a common point many leaders reach. How do you handle marketing as tasks grow, and how can an in-house marketing team contribute to this? This piece will explore practical in-house marketing strategies to help you decide what’s right for your organization and how building in-house capacity can be a game-changer.

Table of Contents:

Why Consistent Marketing Is a Game-Changer for Nonprofits

Think about it. If your message isn’t consistently out there, how will new supporters find you and understand your mission? Consistent marketing efforts are not just about appearing busy; they are fundamental to building and maintaining connections. This consistency keeps your current donors engaged and introduces your vital mission to new eyes and hearts, reaching your target audience effectively.

A steady drumbeat of communication, through channels like email marketing and social media marketing, reinforces your nonprofit’s presence. This continuous engagement builds trust and makes sure your cause stays top-of-mind, which is crucial for long-term support. Many nonprofits see a direct link between consistent outreach from their marketing team and increased support, leading to sustainable business growth.

Moreover, consistency in your message marketing helps solidify your brand identity. When people recognize your visuals, tone, and core messages across various platforms, it lends credibility and professionalism to your organization. This recognition can be a significant competitive edge when appealing for funds or volunteers.

The Big Question: In-House, Contractor, or a Mix?

As your organization grows, so does the marketing workload and the need for a clear marketing strategy. This often leads to an important question: Do we hire someone full-time, use a contractor or marketing agency, or try to build an in-house team? It’s a puzzle many nonprofits try to solve, often with tight budget constraints in mind.

Frequently, marketing tasks land on the development team’s plate, or even with the development director. While fundraising and marketing are related, they need different marketing skills and focus. A fantastic fundraiser might not be a marketing expert, and a great marketer might not excel at direct fundraising asks; this is where having dedicated marketing people can make a difference.

Recognizing this difference is the first step for business owners and nonprofit leaders. You need to figure out how these critical functions will get the focused attention they deserve from your marketing department. This thinking shapes how you approach building your team and managing your business’s marketing effectively.

Learning from an Expert: Kasper Siervslev on Building Marketing Muscle

Kasper is a thought leader focused on transforming in-house marketing and creative teamwork. He has not only theorized but also founded a company that helps brands build strong in-house capabilities, effectively creating powerful in-house teams.

His background includes working with major brand agencies and even managing global campaigns for a huge shipping company. This diverse experience gives him a clear view of how different setups work for marketing in-house. Kasper literally wrote the book on it, called “Moving In-House,” so his ideas about how an in-house marketing team operates are worth considering.

He got into the operational side of marketing almost by accident. Coming from a creative background as an art director, he realized that without good systems, creativity suffers, and marketing efforts in-house become chaotic. People would make changes late in the game, wasting time and money, so his focus on operations came from a desire to protect and enable the creative process for marketing teams.

Where Do You Start? Your First Marketing Hire or Decision

So, you’ve decided you need more dedicated marketing help for your content creation and digital marketing. Where do you begin? What’s the very first role you should consider bringing on board when building an in-house marketing team?

Traditionally, CKsper notes, bringing marketing tasks in-house often started with needing a graphic designer. This was because organizations couldn’t wait for external marketing help for every little design tweak. Then, with the rise of social media marketing, the need for quick, responsive content creators became the next logical step for the marketing team in-house.

More recently, we’ve seen high-level creative talent moving into in-house roles. But if you’re a smaller nonprofit just starting to build your marketing department, Kasper suggests a “small dream team” to kick things off. This ideal starting pair? A copywriter and a digital graphic designer. These two roles can form the core of your initial marketing efforts in-house.

Why these two specific roles for your people in-house? As your mission and programs become more involved, having an in-house copywriter who truly gets what you do is vital; they become a key team member. There’s so much storytelling involved in nonprofit work. Even with advances in AI for writing, you still need a human editor to shape the message marketing and maintain your voice. The digital graphic designer brings your visual identity to life consistently across all platforms, which is critical for all marketing campaigns.

It’s also important that these first hires, your initial team members, are deeply connected to your nonprofit’s mission. Their belief in the cause will fuel their creativity and dedication. Basic knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing principles would also be a significant advantage for these foundational roles in your in-house marketing team.

Pros and Cons: Weighing Your In-House Marketing Strategies

Deciding to build an internal team or stick with external help from a marketing agency involves looking at both sides. Effective in-house marketing strategies consider these carefully. What are the real benefits and potential drawbacks of efforts in-house?

Kasper points out clear advantages to having your marketing team in-house. If your nonprofit has complex programs or serves diverse communities, an internal team gets it deeply. He uses his experience at Maersk, a global shipping company, as an example. Understanding intricate client needs, like those of car manufacturers versus fisheries, would take ages to explain to an outside agency. Plus, agency teams can change, meaning you start that onboarding process all over again. An in-house team provides stability and accumulated knowledge.

Another big plus is direct access to and complete control over your marketing and company data. When your copywriter or designer creates something, your team can see almost immediately if it’s working. You can tweak and adjust on the fly, rather than waiting a week for an agency report to tell you what happened. This agility is a significant competitive edge. Building in-house capacity also means that proprietary knowledge and data stay within the organization.

However, there are potential pitfalls to primarily relying on in-house marketing teams. The most common one Kasper mentions is tunnel vision. He admits his team once invented their own internal terms for a target group, assuming everyone understood, which wasn’t true. An in-house team can also sometimes fall behind on broader industry trends because they’re so focused inward. This is why a purely internal approach might mean the team lack exposure to emerging marketing techniques or the big picture of the industry.

Additionally, hiring full-time employees for your marketing team involves significant costs: salaries, benefits, training, and overhead. For smaller nonprofits with budget constraints, this can be a major hurdle. There’s also the risk of skill gaps if the team is small; one or two people can’t be experts in all specific areas of marketing, from media marketing to intricate search engine optimization. If you’re unhappy with performance, restructuring an internal team can also be more challenging than switching an external marketing firm.

Here’s a comparison to help visualize the options:

 

Aspect In-House Marketing Team External Marketing Agency Hybrid Model
Brand Understanding Deep, intrinsic Learned, can be superficial Good, with internal guidance
Cost Fixed (salaries, overhead), potentially high upfront Variable (retainers, project fees), can be high long-term Flexible, can optimize for budget constraints
Control & Data Access Complete control over strategy and company data Less direct control, data shared via reports Shared control, direct access to some data
Speed & Agility High, quick turnarounds possible Slower, depends on agency process Moderate, faster than pure agency
Skill Breadth Limited by team size and individual marketing skills Access to diverse specialists (SEO, media buying, etc.) Core skills in-house, specialists outsourced
Perspective Risk of tunnel vision Fresh, outside perspective Balances internal knowledge with external insights
Focus Dedicated solely to your organization Divided among multiple clients Internal team focused, external partners project-based

 

Finding Harmony: The “Win-Win House” Model

Kasper isn’t an advocate for 100% in-house marketing all the time. His philosophy, which he calls the “Win-Win House,” is about getting the best of both worlds. It’s about smart integration of your in-house marketing team with external marketing resources, not total isolation.

So how do you get that crucial outside-in perspective if your team is primarily internal? Kasper suggests you can “buy” ideas or creative marketing thinking from marketing agencies without handing over the entire project. The key is collaboration between your internal marketing department and any external marketing firm you engage.

He recommends a transparent approach. Instead of digital marketing agencies going away to their “lab” and coming back with a big reveal, invite them to work alongside your team. “We want you to sit in the meeting room over there next to us,” he explains. This way, your team members are part of the process, can ask questions, and guide the work. If things head in the wrong direction, you can correct course quickly, saving time and resources, and ensuring the external team provide what you need.

This collaborative model means your people in-house, who understand your nonprofit’s nuances and target audience best, can directly inform the strategic marketing direction. The external marketing agency then brings specialized skills or fresh perspectives that your team lack. This synergy ensures your marketing efforts are both authentic and innovative.

Smart Outsourcing: Knowing When to Call in Specialist Help

The hybrid model often makes the most sense for a nonprofit’s marketing strategy. You might have a general marketing person, or a small in-house team, to manage daily tasks and core communications. Then, you bring in specialists from digital marketing agencies or freelance marketing experts for specific, high-stakes projects.

Perhaps you need a professional video produced for your annual gala. Or maybe you’re launching a capital campaign and need someone with deep experience in that specific type of fundraising marketing, including sophisticated media buying or advanced search engine optimization. These are great times to contract with an expert who brings specialized marketing skills to the table.

Kasper advises doing the “really boring math.” How often do you truly need a particular skill? Is it better to hire an expert for one week than to have a full-time specialist who might not have enough to do and feels unchallenged? Conversely, if you find yourself hiring a freelance graphic designer every single week for content creation, it’s probably time to bring that role into your in-house marketing team. Then you can train them on your systems and fully integrate them. An in-house team handles ongoing needs, while external marketing partners tackle specialized or temporary demands.

Other factors come into play when deciding what an in-house team handle versus outsource. Speed to market is one. Kasper worked with car brands where, if a competitor like Tesla dropped prices, they had to react with new marketing campaigns by the end of the day. That’s tough with an external agency that might have other client commitments. Complexity of your services or knowing specific niche markets (like needing a German PR agency for German audiences) also influences the decision. Good project management skills are essential when juggling these various resources and ensuring your strategic marketing goals are met.

Building Your Internal Team: Core Things to Think About

Let’s say you’re moving towards building up your internal marketing capacity. What are some fundamental elements for successful in-house marketing strategies? It starts with a clear plan for your marketing department.

Someone once wisely said, “If you’re doing the same task more than three times, it’s time to automate or systematize.” This applies directly to your marketing efforts in-house. What did your nonprofit actually commit to achieving this year? Your marketing plan should support those organizational goals. What are your ambitions? Do you want to be seen as a thought leader? Are there key events you’re running that require significant marketing support?

Once you have your main goals, identify the supporting marketing activities for your in-house marketing team. Will you do a podcast? Publish regular blog posts as part of your content marketing? Kasper cautions not to spread your team too thin. Pick a few things your marketing team can manage well. Then, map out the time and effort needed for each, and always ask: “How can we reuse this content in different ways to maximize our marketing efforts?”

Then comes what Kasper calls the “real boring stuff” that’s essential to get to the creative fun: processes. What’s the ideal workflow for creating a newsletter for your email marketing or a social media campaign? Where are the decision points, or “gates”? For example, you might decide that an idea needs CEO approval on paper before any significant production work by the marketing team in-house starts. Having playbooks for the year, outlining the types of assets you’ll create and their frequency, helps. It may sound dull, but clear processes free up mental energy for creativity and allow your team to spend time efficiently.

Essential Tools for Your In-house Team

To make your in-house marketing team offers truly effective, equipping them with the right tools is important. Project management software (like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com) helps keep tasks organized and deadlines on track. For content creation, design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite are invaluable, depending on your team’s skill level and needs.

Don’t forget analytics platforms like Google Analytics to track website performance and understand your target audience behavior. Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer) can streamline scheduling and monitoring your media marketing. Access to reliable company data through these tools empowers your team to make informed decisions and refine their marketing strategy. The right technology stack helps your team provide better results and makes it easier for team members to collaborate.

Developing Marketing Skills Within the Team

The digital marketing landscape is constantly developing. To maintain a competitive edge, investing in the continuous development of your in-house marketing team members’ skills is crucial. This could involve online courses, workshops, industry conferences, or even peer-to-peer learning sessions within your marketing department.

Encourage your team to specialize in specific areas that align with your nonprofit’s goals, such as advanced search engine optimization, content marketing, email marketing automation, or video production. A well-rounded marketing team with diverse marketing skills is a powerful asset. This focus on growth helps retain talented marketing people and ensures your efforts in-house remain innovative and effective. A skilled team takes initiative and contributes more meaningfully to business growth.

Batching Work and Managing Campaigns

Batching content creation is another powerful technique for your marketing efforts in-house. Instead of scrambling to create fresh content daily, your team can plan and produce it in larger chunks. For instance, if your email marketing strategy includes weekly newsletters, your people in-house probably have content ideas for the next few weeks. Kasper suggests, “You could actually produce three or four newsletters in a bulk.”

This proactive approach to content marketing helps maintain consistency and is far more efficient than social media marketing teams asking each morning, “What should we post today?” It also allows your marketing team to spend time on other strategic initiatives, ensuring your marketing campaigns are well-thought-out rather than reactive. This system frees up your marketing people to focus on the big picture and deliver impactful message marketing.

Working Well with External Partners

If you embrace the “Win-Win House” model, your in-house marketing team will likely work with external marketing agencies or consultants. These partners will come with their own ways of doing things. How can you make sure it’s a productive and synergistic partnership, whether with a large marketing firm or a solo marketing expert?

Kasper is a big fan of separating the idea generation phase from the production phase, at least initially when working with an external marketing resource. He suggests being upfront about how you want to collaborate. Tell them, “We’d like you to bring ideas at this level. We can be on a retainer, but I don’t need you to do all the fancy production yet.” You’re buying the script or the concept first, ensuring the core strategic marketing direction is sound before committing to full execution.

Open communication is everything. Your in-house marketing lead knows your nonprofit, your programs, and your supporters better than anyone. The marketing agency brings fresh perspectives and experience from other industries or campaigns. Encourage them to share those insights. The goal is for everyone to work together as one unified team, where the team provide valuable input from both sides. Setting clear expectations in a detailed brief is also vital so the external team understands what success looks like. If you’re unhappy with progress, having clear terms makes it easier to address.

It’s important not to fall into the trap of thinking, “Well, they’re the experts, so they must know better.” Yes, an external marketing firm brings expertise, but so does your in-house team, especially regarding your organization’s specific context and target audience. A true partnership values both contributions. Schedule time to work closely together. Kasper suggests even a week in a meeting room, away from daily distractions, can be incredibly productive for hammering out ideas and plans for upcoming marketing campaigns.

Igniting Creativity in Your Marketing Efforts

Throughout all this talk of processes and strategy for your in-house marketing team, let’s not forget the spark: creativity. Kasper emphasizes this repeatedly: “Trust the idea.” He believes that in recent years, with the focus on performance marketing and last-click attribution, the power of a truly great, creative marketing idea sometimes gets overlooked by in-house teams and marketing agencies alike.

“The greater the idea,” he says, “not necessarily expensive or anything, but just a really creative way of doing things that people will notice, is what actually moves the needle.” So, if your daily social media posts from your marketing team in-house are becoming boring, it might be better to cut back and do fewer, more impactful things. This requires space and time for creative thinking and developing innovative marketing campaigns.

This is where strong processes really pay off for your marketing department. When your marketing people are not constantly firefighting or reinventing the wheel for basic tasks, you create the mental bandwidth for innovative thinking. Encouraging creativity should be a core part of your in-house marketing strategies. Allow your team, and any external partners, to explore and propose fresh approaches. The team brings more value when they are empowered to be creative.

Knowing When to Grow or Adjust Your Team

Building your marketing capacity, especially when focusing on building in-house strength, isn’t a one-and-done project. It’s an ongoing process of evaluation and adjustment. Your nonprofit’s needs will change over time, and so will the marketing landscape, influencing your in-house marketing strategies and the structure of your marketing team.

Remember the earlier point: if you’re hiring a freelancer for the same thing week after week, it’s probably time to consider an in-house hire, adding another team member to your full-time employees. Conversely, if an in-house specialist isn’t fully utilized or new strategic marketing priorities emerge, you might shift that work externally for a season. The beauty of the hybrid “Win-Win House” model, where your in-house marketing team offers core support and collaborates with external marketing experts, is its flexibility.

Regularly ask yourselves: Are our current in-house marketing strategies helping us meet our organizational goals and achieve business growth? Where are the bottlenecks in our marketing efforts? Where are the opportunities for our marketing team in-house to make a bigger impact? Don’t be afraid to adapt. Maybe a task you brought in-house last year makes more sense to outsource now, or vice versa. This continuous refinement will keep your marketing agile and effective, helping you save money where possible and invest where it matters most. Assessing if your team lack certain skills is part of this ongoing review.

Conclusion

Developing effective in-house marketing strategies is a journey, not a destination. For nonprofit leaders, it means thoughtfully considering your organization’s specific needs, available resources, and overarching goals. It’s about striking the right balance between the capabilities of your internal marketing team and the specialized knowledge from external marketing partners.

Remember the insights from experts like Kasper Siervslev: build solid processes to free up your team members’ time for creativity and strategic marketing. Don’t shy away from the “boring math” to make smart hiring decisions for your people in-house and to manage budget constraints. Most importantly, foster a collaborative environment where great ideas for your marketing campaigns can flourish, whether they come from your dedicated marketing department or an external marketing agency. By carefully planning your approach to in-house marketing strategies, your nonprofit can amplify its voice and achieve even greater impact.

Boost Your Nonprofit’s Impact with LinkedIn Video Marketing

Boost Your Nonprofit’s Impact with LinkedIn Video Marketing

Content, Social Media

Boost Your Nonprofit’s Impact with LinkedIn Video Marketing

This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 295 with Peter Murphy Lewis.

Are you feeling like you’re shouting into the void on social media? Trying to connect with donors, partners, or collaborators for your nonprofit can feel tough sometimes. If you’re looking for a better way to build real connections and boost your visibility, you might want to give LinkedIn video marketing a serious look.

Maybe you’ve heard about LinkedIn, maybe you’re even using it a bit. But video? On LinkedIn? Absolutely. It’s becoming a really powerful place to share your story, build trust, and reach the right people for effective lead generation.

It’s not about complicated tech or huge budgets; effective video can be simple. It’s about showing up authentically and sharing the incredible work your nonprofit does. Let’s explore how you can make LinkedIn videos work for you on this professional platform.

Table of Contents:

Why Bother with LinkedIn Video? (Hint: It’s More Than Just Views)

Okay, so why add another thing to your already full plate? Because LinkedIn isn’t just another social network. It’s a platform full of professionals, potential donors, corporate partners, board members, and skilled volunteers actively looking for connections and information related to their interests and industries.

LinkedIn works exceptionally well for targeted outreach. You can specifically search for people by their job title, the company they work for, or their industry. This lets you find exactly the right target audience you want to connect with, whether it’s a major donor prospect or a potential corporate sponsor, making it a powerful tool for building brand awareness.

This targeting ability is a huge advantage for nonprofits with limited resources, helping focus your marketing strategy. Plus, video content is incredibly effective at building trust. Letting people see the faces behind your organization, hear your passion, and witness your impact firsthand creates a connection much faster than text or an image post alone.

Think about it – seeing is believing, right? Video helps humanize your mission and build relationships. Effective video makes your message more memorable and impactful, fostering a stronger connection with potential supporters.

LinkedIn itself is also pushing video content more these days, recognizing the growing popularity of this format. They’re adding features, like the dedicated video tab on mobile, showing they want users to share and watch more video posts. This means the LinkedIn algorithm prioritizes video content, often giving native videos a little extra boost in reach engagement compared to other post types.

In a crowded feed, video helps you stand out and capture attention. A moving image is more likely to catch someone’s eye as they scroll, giving you that crucial moment to grab their attention and share your message. It helps cut through the noise and draw viewers into your story.

Getting Started with LinkedIn Video Marketing Without Breaking a Sweat

Feeling a little intimidated by the idea of creating video? Don’t be. Seriously, getting comfortable with posting videos on LinkedIn doesn’t require months of training. You could probably move from feeling lost to feeling confident with just a couple of hours of focused effort.

The most important thing is progress, not perfection. Forget trying to make Hollywood-level productions. People connect with authenticity, not polish; a simple video format can be very effective.

Showing up as your real self, maybe even with a few stumbles, is far more engaging. Your passion for your cause is what will truly resonate. Let your personality shine through when you create content.

Honestly, your smartphone is probably all the equipment you need to get started making videos quick. Today’s phone cameras are fantastic. Focus on good lighting (natural light near a window is often best), a quiet background, and clear audio (even the built-in mic is often fine for short videos), and you’re pretty much set.

What kind of videos can you make? Start simple. Think about sharing a quick behind-the-scenes look or a sneak peek at an event setup, introducing a staff member or volunteer, or briefly talking about a recent success story and its impact. These little moments bring your nonprofit’s work to life and show the human side of your organization.

Consider short “thank you” videos for donors or volunteers, quick updates on a campaign’s progress, or brief explanations of a complex issue your nonprofit addresses. Remember, people give to people. Showing the human element is essential for building brand trust.

Lights, Camera, LinkedIn. Types of Video That Work

LinkedIn offers a few different ways to share video content. Understanding these options helps you choose the right video format for your message and goals. Let’s look at the main types to include in your LinkedIn video strategy.

Native Video Uploads

This means uploading your video file directly to LinkedIn, rather than just sharing a link from YouTube or Vimeo. LinkedIn tends to favor native video in its feed because it keeps users on the platform. These are great for pre-recorded content like interviews, customer testimonials, short explainers, or impact stories.

LinkedIn native videos auto-play in the feed, increasing the chances someone will stop scrolling to watch. Keep these videos relatively short and focused, especially at the beginning; many successful videos are only 60-90 seconds long. The maximum file size is typically 5GB, and supported aspect ratios range widely, but square (1:1) or vertical (9:16 for mobile) often perform well.

Always, always include captions by uploading an SRT file when you post videos. Many LinkedIn users watch videos with the sound off, especially in professional settings, and adding captions makes your content accessible. Check the official LinkedIn help pages for the most current video specifications.

LinkedIn Live Streams

Going live on LinkedIn has huge potential for engagement. When you start a live stream, many of your connections may get a notification, instantly helping you grab attention. This format is amazing for real-time interaction and building community around your cause.

Think about using LinkedIn Live for Q&A sessions with your leadership team, interviews with partners or beneficiaries, covering parts of an event, or even hosting a virtual discussion panel. It feels immediate and allows viewers to interact directly by asking questions in the chat, making them feel more connected. This is a great way to position individuals as a thought leader in your field.

Promote your Live sessions in advance through regular posts. During the stream, acknowledge comments and questions in real-time. Using tools like StreamYard can help manage your live streams, add branding, share your screen, and even broadcast pre-recorded videos as if they were live, combining polish with live engagement.

LinkedIn Video Tab (Mobile Focus)

Have you noticed the dedicated “Video” tab in your LinkedIn mobile app? This is LinkedIn’s space for short-form video content, reflecting the trend across other social platforms but tailored for a professional audience. It’s designed for quick, easily digestible short videos.

Use this feature for sharing quick tips related to your cause, short event highlights, brief personal messages from your team, or bite-sized updates. It primarily features vertical videos (like 9:16 aspect ratio), perfect for mobile viewing habits where attention span can be limited. This format encourages a more informal, spontaneous style, ideal for quick updates or humanizing your brand.

Optimizing Your Videos for the LinkedIn Algorithm

Understanding how the LinkedIn algorithm prioritizes content can help your videos reach more people. While the exact workings are proprietary, certain factors are known to influence visibility. Posting native video is generally favored over sharing external links.

The algorithm prioritizes engagement. Videos that quickly earn likes, comments, shares, and clicks tend to get shown to a wider audience. Encourage interaction in your video description or within the video itself by asking questions or prompting discussion.

The first few seconds of your video are critical to capture attention and stop scrolling. Use compelling visuals, clear opening statements, or intriguing questions right away. LinkedIn also considers dwell time – how long people watch – so making engaging content throughout the video’s duration matters.

Include relevant keywords in your video’s title and description text. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags to help LinkedIn categorize your content and show it to interested users. Posting consistently also signals to the algorithm that you are an active contributor to the platform.

The Magic of Repurposing: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Creating video content takes time and energy, something nonprofits never seem to have enough of. That’s where repurposing comes in. It’s about taking content you’ve already created and adapting it for different formats or social platforms, including LinkedIn video marketing.

You don’t need to constantly invent brand new ideas; leverage your existing assets. Look at what you already have. Got a podcast? Cut out short, impactful audio clips (30-60 seconds) and turn them into simple videos with a static image or audiogram using free tools, perfect for sharing on LinkedIn.

Did you write a detailed blog post or send out an email newsletter? Summarize the key points in a short video. You can talk directly to the camera, use simple animated text over stock footage, or create a short slideshow video. This effective strategy caters to people who prefer watching over reading and expands the reach of your original linkedin content.

If you hosted a webinar or recorded an event session, pull out the best moments or key takeaways. Share these highlight clips (perhaps 1-3 minutes long) on LinkedIn to extend the life of your event content and reach people who couldn’t attend live. Consider creating multiple short videos from one longer recording.

Think creatively like the executive director mentioned in the source content. She takes news and stories from other community organizations and shares them, adding her commentary via video. This positions her (and her foundation) as a helpful hub of information while also repurposing existing content in an engaging video format.

Power Up Your Strategy with LinkedIn Newsletters

Did you know you can publish a newsletter directly on LinkedIn? It’s a fantastic feature, especially for nonprofits wanting to share regular updates and insights. It’s another excellent channel for repurposing existing content and distributing your LinkedIn video posts.

Setting up a newsletter is fairly straightforward once you have LinkedIn Creator Mode turned on. You can essentially copy and paste content from your email newsletter or blog. A huge plus is that LinkedIn automatically notifies your connections and followers when you publish, potentially growing your subscriber base organically faster than your email list.

Make your newsletters more engaging by embedding videos directly within them; you can easily embed LinkedIn videos hosted natively. You can include recordings of recent talks, short interviews, program explainers, or event highlights that complement the text. This adds dynamic content, caters to different learning styles, and keeps readers engaged longer.

One powerful tactic is tagging relevant people or organizations in your newsletter content. Sharing a job opening? Tag the hiring manager or company. Highlighting an upcoming event speaker? Tag them. This increases visibility significantly as their networks may see the content, and it often leads to shares and direct messages (DMs), building valuable connections videos can foster.

Don’t just publish and forget. When someone subscribes, LinkedIn tells you. Use this as a reason to reach out with a personal message. Thank them for subscribing and ask what caught their interest – it’s a perfect, authentic way to start a one-on-one conversation and potentially nurture a lead.

Tools to Make Your Video Journey Smoother

While you don’t need a Hollywood studio, a few tools can make creating and sharing LinkedIn videos easier. Many are free or offer affordable plans. The goal is to streamline your process, not complicate it, making your video marketing efforts more sustainable.

For basic editing on the go, there are tons of great mobile video editing apps. Apps like CapCut, InShot, or Adobe Rush offer simple ways to trim clips, add text or captions, combine footage, and adjust basic settings right on your phone or tablet. Many online resources compare these options to help you choose.

If you’re exploring live streaming, platforms like StreamYard or Restream simplify the process significantly. They help you manage multiple camera inputs, add graphics and logos, share your screen, invite guests remotely, and stream to LinkedIn (and other platforms) smoothly. This can elevate the production quality of your LinkedIn Live sessions.

Feeling stuck on what to say on camera or need script ideas? Consider using AI prompts for inspiration. Tools specifically designed to help structure video content or act as virtual interviewers, like Talkclip.app (mentioned in the source), can make the recording process feel more natural than just staring at a lens by providing questions to respond to.

Generating captions is crucial. While some editing apps offer auto-captioning, dedicated services like Descript or online SRT generators can provide more accuracy. Remember, adding captions makes your content accessible and consumable with the sound off.

Most importantly, pay attention to the analytics LinkedIn provides for your video posts. See which videos get the most views, comments, shares, and click-throughs. These video marketing statistics tell you what resonates with your target audience so you can refine your video strategy and do more of what works.

Considering LinkedIn Video Ads

While organic reach is powerful, LinkedIn also offers paid advertising options, including LinkedIn video ads. These allow you to target your content with even greater precision based on demographics, job titles, industries, company size, and interests. Running a video ad campaign can be an effective strategy for reaching specific segments of your audience quickly.

LinkedIn video ads appear natively in the feed and can be used for various objectives, from building brand awareness to lead generation or driving website traffic. You can promote existing organic videos or create specific video ads tailored to your campaign goals. Keep ad videos concise and ensure the key message is delivered early, even with sound off.

Starting with LinkedIn advertising might involve testing different video creatives, calls to action, and target audiences. Monitor your campaign performance closely through LinkedIn’s ad platform analytics. While it requires a budget, a well-executed LinkedIn video ad can significantly amplify your message and accelerate achieving your marketing objectives.

Thinking Long-Term: A Simple Content Funnel for LinkedIn Video

Okay, let’s get a little strategic. Just posting random videos isn’t as effective as having a basic plan for your LinkedIn content. Think about how your videos can guide someone from simply knowing your nonprofit exists to potentially becoming a supporter or partner. This journey is often visualized as a content funnel.

At the Top of the Funnel (Awareness/Discoverability), your goal is to reach new people and introduce them to your cause and mission. These videos should offer value without asking for much in return. Think educational tips related to your mission, inspiring short stories of impact, sharing helpful resources, highlighting community needs, or giving a friendly behind-the-scenes glimpse of your daily work. Focus on being helpful, building brand awareness, and sparking initial interest.

In the Middle of the Funnel (Consideration), people know who you are and are learning more, evaluating if your cause aligns with their interests or goals. Videos here can dive deeper into your work and impact. Consider sharing short case studies (or impact stories for nonprofits.), hosting webinars or live Q&A sessions addressing specific issues you tackle, offering customer testimonials from people you’ve helped or partnered with, or explaining the specifics of a program. You’re building credibility, showcasing expertise, and nurturing interest.

At the Bottom of the Funnel (Decision/Action), viewers are potentially ready to engage more deeply or take a specific action. These videos have a clearer call to action relevant to your goals. This might be a direct donation appeal tied to a specific campaign, a call for volunteers for an upcoming event, information on how to join a program or apply for services, or promoting ticket sales for a fundraising event. Use these more sparingly; balance is important to avoid looking overly promotional, especially on a professional platform like LinkedIn.

Your video mix should lean heavily towards the top and middle of the funnel content. Focus on building relationships, providing value, and establishing trust first. This approach respects the platform’s professional nature and attracts long-term supporters and potential partners, ultimately supporting your lead generation efforts.

Building Consistency in Your LinkedIn Video Strategy

Consistency is vital for any successful marketing strategy, and LinkedIn video marketing is no exception. Regularly posting videos helps keep your organization top-of-mind with your connections and followers. It also signals to the LinkedIn algorithm that you are an active and valuable contributor to the platform.

Create a simple content calendar outlining your video topics and posting schedule. This doesn’t need to be complex; even planning one or two videos per week or month can make a difference. Consider themes for different weeks or months to streamline idea generation.

Try batch recording several short videos in one session. This can save time on setup and editing. Dedicating a couple of hours to record multiple updates, tips, or introductions can provide content for several weeks, making consistency more manageable for busy nonprofit teams.

Remember that consistency helps in building brand recognition and trust over time. When your audience sees valuable video content from you regularly, they are more likely to engage and remember your organization when opportunities for support or collaboration arise. This sustained effort is key to making LinkedIn videos work effectively for building your brand.

Measuring Success: What Really Matters?

It’s easy to get caught up in vanity metrics like views and likes. But for nonprofits, the real success of LinkedIn video marketing lies deeper. Are your videos actually helping you achieve your organizational goals, such as increasing donations, recruiting volunteers, or finding corporate partners?

Look beyond just the view count. How many meaningful comments are you getting? Are people asking relevant questions or starting discussions? Are people using the share video function to spread your content to their networks? These engagement metrics often indicate that your content is truly resonating and sparking valuable conversations.

Are your videos leading to actual conversations that further your mission? Pay attention to direct messages (DMs) you receive after posting a video. Are potential partners reaching out? Are individuals asking how they can get involved or learn more? This is a strong sign your video strategy is working and contributing to lead generation.

If your video includes a link (maybe to your website’s donation page, volunteer sign-up, or event registration), track clicks through LinkedIn analytics or using UTM parameters in your URLs. Are people taking the next step you hoped they would? This ties your video efforts directly to tangible outcomes and helps demonstrate ROI.

Monitor follower growth and profile views in conjunction with your video posting schedule. Increased visibility can be a direct result of compelling video content. Analyzing these marketing statistics helps you understand the broader impact of your efforts and refine your approach based on what drives results for your specific goals.

Conclusion

LinkedIn video marketing presents a great opportunity for nonprofits to connect with the people who matter most to their mission. It’s a space to build trust, share your impact authentically, and reach potential donors, partners, and skilled volunteers in a highly targeted way. You don’t need a massive budget or professional production skills to make an impact; the growing popularity of simple, authentic video is on your side.

The key is to start simple, focus on providing value through your video content, and let your organization’s passion shine through. Use the platform’s features like native video uploads, LinkedIn Live, and Newsletters, repurpose content you already have across social platforms, and pay close attention to video marketing statistics to understand what resonates with your audience. Experimenting with a consistent LinkedIn video strategy could be a game-changer for building brand awareness, driving engagement, and ultimately advancing your nonprofit’s goals.

How to Conduct a Digital Marketing Strategy Evaluation

How to Conduct a Digital Marketing Strategy Evaluation

Content, Fundraising, Social Media

How to Conduct a Digital Marketing Strategy Evaluation

This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 292 with Corey Morris.

Is your nonprofit’s marketing plan gathering dust? Do you wonder whether your strategies are working? How can you be certain when it is time to switch gears? Many of us struggle with understanding what actions to take and whether we are making an actual impact with our activities related to digital marketing strategy evaluation.

A well-defined, carefully implemented, and periodically reviewed marketing strategy can dramatically enhance an organization’s ability to connect with its audience, raise awareness, and drive fundraising efforts. Yet, how do we decide which actions we should pursue and which steps to stop so our activities in the arena of digital marketing strategy evaluation lead to better results?

Table of Contents:

Why Digital Marketing Strategy Evaluation Matters

It’s tempting for nonprofits to set their marketing plan at the beginning of the year and then forget it. Don’t let it sit idle all year. Life happens, and marketing changes, so you must check up on your digital marketing periodically to achieve organizational renewal.

The digital space never sits still. What works today may not work tomorrow. Changing algorithms, evolving platforms, and new audience behaviors necessitate ongoing digital marketing strategy evaluation to maintain effectiveness. This holds true for nonprofits to maximize resources and drive their missions forward effectively.

Constant Change in the Digital Space

According to Corey Morris, constant change is what makes digital marketing so important. He noticed early on the avenues available to measure activities and gain almost instant feedback.

In his experience, these constant changes create possibilities and the drive to constantly pivot based on consumer behavior. To stay on top of current marketing trends, evaluate data, consumer and organizational behavior to ensure your entrepreneurial marketing is up to date.

The Risk of Static Plans

A static plan carries considerable risk. It is also risky to invest in content without the ability to get enough return, impacting your online presence.

Morris sees documenting your marketing plan as an act of safeguarding an organization against disruption when people leave and views get questioned. Objectivity becomes really important here, especially so you do not need to start over with your activities pertaining to digital marketing strategy evaluation each time something changes. Implementing a disruptive strategy could help mitigate those risks.

When to Evaluate Your Marketing Efforts

Knowing when to evaluate your digital marketing is as crucial as the evaluation itself. Build check-points at intentional times so you stay grounded. Consider business analytics tools to support this process.

Balance becomes essential for keeping perspective. When a solid digital marketing plan exists you get to really measure whether you stuck with it for the length of time you predicted. Alternatively, without scheduled checkpoints to examine if your strategies are still in tune with current events, your marketing efforts could be wasted.

Setting Intentional Touch Points

Establishing touch points helps track your marketing strategy. If things start running astray or off course you might benefit from getting intentional with measurables so your plan can stay grounded. Taking a moment to pause will help your team get a birds eye view over your marketing performance so you can make sure its effective as possible for digital marketing strategy evaluation. You could implement organizational leadership to help with setting those goals.

At the same time, avoid micromanaging as that could do harm to consistency which has a big impact on conversion. Remember there are also outside influencers and no two marketing programs have ever turned out the exact same.

End of Quarter Check-ins

At a minimum, consider doing an evaluation at the close of each quarter. The end of the quarter makes a perfect time to reflect back to your marketing plan and see where you may need to adjust your marketing strategies.

It’s common to think something isn’t performing if you check on it too quickly. At the same time you also don’t want to spend an entire year just hoping. These are two sides of the same coin that relate to how to know you can evaluate what you set out to accomplish with digital marketing, ultimately affecting your positive impact. To properly utilize dynamic teaming can also aid this process.

How to Conduct Effective Digital Marketing Strategy Evaluation

Effective digital marketing services balance qualitative with the quantitative data. Let data lead you, instead of someone’s gut feelings.

Emotions and opinions hold too much sway in nonprofit organizations when making important decisions that greatly impact their initiatives. If your nonprofit bases it’s decision on opinion, make the move toward data and look at Google Analytics to track data. Financial accounting can also give insight into this process.

Consider Both Paid and Organic Strategies

Two very distinct strategies available to your team includes an organic search engine optimization plan along with running a Google Ads plan. The use of sustainable business strategies will greatly increase your efficiency.

In particular the key factor involves the differences in pivoting from search engine optimization as contrasted with an ads marketing plan. Consider some marketing spends take time to show what will come as an investment.

Break Down Silos

Organizations or companies can get siloed into very segmented areas. A great action involves making sure the content produced provides exceptional quality. Ensure you focus on improving the customer experience.

Breaking down these silos facilitates a more cohesive digital marketing plan and improves digital marketing performance, helping achieve better conversion rates.

Simplify Your Content Creation

Morris also says, “Investing in something in one place and being able to use it everywhere” is optimal for maximizing efficiency and strengthening brand presence. He likes shortcuts created by AI that support media marketing.

In line with this logic he also highly values when brands remain aligned throughout their strategies to create and nurture a successful lead or make a potential sale. A key is understanding the customer experience and optimizing for digital platforms.

Adjusting to New Trends and Data Loss

Marketing plans do require reviews, there are times the analysis runs up against technology disruptors like algorithms on social media along with algorithm from the search engines. Adapting to a new digital transformation could be of great help.

Also data on consumers continues getting diminished so reviews will help you adapt when there are big trends so can see who’s responding to changes you are trying so you will know about engagement data and what will attract different demographics you focus at . The idea is that at these check ins what action items were tried during these review events and what changed based data that emerged, so leading change in your marketing strategies will benefit you.

Use Google Ad Grants

When launching an initiative use Google Ad Grants, that can really maximize resources you may already obtain. With the Google Ad Grant your nonprofit may potentially have $10,000 a month.

Corey recommends that an organization max out Google Ad Grants alongside what its paid accounts offer. This enables quick learning of which content resonates with its audience and simplifies discovering what channels do and do not work. It simplifies identifying your target audience.

Go Where Your Audience Is

There exists the concept of be found, Morris says. You can do it on social or do it using the search option to be accessible and even when some participants engage on line get familiar quickly.

For those wanting involvement with you that’s easy and will cause consumers you try connect that those demographics start communicating faster than with a big focus demographic which means your customer persona from demographic on a typical day can become well established in very little amount of time.

Overcoming Challenges in Implementation

So as not put yourself or another teammate into some difficult scenario when growing or building an enterprise, and therefore also the action, its of crucial weight those whom champion campaign can communicate. They communicate the goals the same to make simple as is available to be done what steps and marketing. Keep those activities well communicated among other fellow teammates or employees that there will never a surprise as things are scaling or evolving, which allows for a stronger global business.

Communicate to others well will that allow activities well and in place with ease what you support will always enable your team have data the track therefore conversation between other fellows about activity is consistent this activity to will always that that teammates is well is team that each to from for you that a leader push what in conversation push or from is. Support is super team for can also it team if other teammates also well so about push and what will for also the other in leader fellow be or that for well teammates communication activities is also teammate support super. Digital innovation helps to further scale these improvements.

Document Your Plan

It is super critical do things intentionally by making documenting as easy steps there so no activities turn that’s chaotic also chaos may create bad information for future you can’t create great actions because the first actions be great.

In a documented project actions get done. So use templates that create structure. Keep what goes that actions what be easily may bad or great so may will with that’s easy so keep get actions great keep structure for make can’t there make steps create actions structure keep documented what in also can easy actions keep project easy by by or chaotic action document template great what it with not the chaotic great and chaos team there actions great get templates action the documenting not and what that make what is there get may turn structure.

Budget for Testing

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Why “Sustainability” Message Still Relevant?

The way this stays well as of, how great test sustain may still, there. “There as a you.” those great this great can.

Why Have Clear Defined Roles?

In place so if your a marketing the or those your will what can team actions if there as easy for may may is clear actions not a and champion can or action. Utilize the support portal for questions.

As for that team marketing what sustain the roles of so.” if is will may actions those and “If place can in place marketing actions by those, you or your great sustain may clear be you what there be the so if “Action roles. Or well so in.”.

What To Track During Check-Ins

An, about may during not an not the if actions an not or you if be also with those well track in.” for the. These could be marketing campaigns or email marketing campaigns.

FAQs

How do you evaluate a digital strategy?

Evaluate a digital marketing strategy through key performance indicators (KPIs). They gauge website traffic and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns to better return-on-investment (ROI) analysis. A comprehensive assessment, data and marketing must lead decision-making that gets continually fine-tuned based-on performance analytics.

What is the evaluation of digital marketing?

The evaluation for how effectively organizations communications is done for potential customer base. When properly analyzed your can assess digital channels, click-through rate, and conversion rates. Understanding your audience can assist with this.

What are the 7 C’s of digital marketing?

Although marketing plans come together. Context happens when what actions marketing.

What is the 3-3-3 rule in marketing?

An excellent guideline comes into force using the three as that that great, the team in if marketing.

Conclusion

You now have excellent strategies you can implement in your business about digital marketing strategy evaluation. Morris says when things arise a champion actions and the team may still take over to improve may action what for they take from easy and actions may get may sustain for actions . Remember always and be prepared or willing with will from from to is also to as actions may and with also and implement well be those those easy there actions in take as what sustain what by ,also by if team remember

Creating a Personal Brand on LinkedIn

Creating a Personal Brand on LinkedIn

Social Media

Creating a Personal Brand on LinkedIn

This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 288 with Alex Thoric. 

Are you a nonprofit leader or development professional feeling lost about “LinkedIn personal branding?” Do you wonder how it connects with your organization’s goals? You might have heard it’s vital, but still don’t know why.

Many people find personal branding mysterious, or even a chore. Building connections takes work, but that work pays off.

Table of Contents:

    Why LinkedIn Matters for Nonprofits

    Why is LinkedIn a go-to social media platform, especially for nonprofits interacting with other businesses? Because 80% of B2B sales happen through LinkedIn.

    Think of LinkedIn as your digital business card. LinkedIn profile is how you connect with people professionally.

    Using LinkedIn to Build Relationships

    With a personal branding strategy, LinkedIn helps you connect, start conversations, and build a network. Stay active by liking LinkedIn posts and interacting on pages. This organic engagement can create more reach than just pushing out posts.

    Social media is intended to be social. That’s what sets this form of media apart.

    LinkedIn for B2B Networking

    LinkedIn is used in most B2B sales. The scale for opportunity ranges from high-level sales to smaller scales.

    Big organizations like the INC 500 have staff connecting on the platform. A single deal might net multiple millions of dollars.

    Personal connections and B2B pages can build on this. Having a personal side on the professional LinkedIn network helps a page gain more interactions.

    Creating your Personal Brand for LinkedIn Personal Branding

    Your personal brand is how you present yourself online, but it doesn’t mean sharing every life detail. Share skills, passions, and what makes you…well, you. Share hobbies, interests, and things you enjoy, like favorite books.

    You might find that many business connections share your love of 1960’s Batman. With personal branding, you give other LinkedIn users a way to connect at an emotional level.

    Content that Works on LinkedIn

    On feeds, you usually find image carousels, or standard written text posts. More and more, updates from LinkedIn show video takes priority in their reach. Use your discretion and check back frequently.

    Jump into comment sections of posts by possible connections and sponsors. Thought leaders comment. Having a conversation in these comment sections is free engagement.

    Comment Engagement on LinkedIn

    Commenting itself might become more impactful than just adding and making LinkedIn posts. You need two-way social engagement.

    It creates genuine interaction beyond likes. Make sure you engage with people and don’t just wait for them to come to you.

    Supporting Employees and Company Connections

    A nonprofit leader should make their own “LinkedIn personal branding” a priority. These leaders are much less likely to move to another org.

    They built up this connection network. Even with staff turnover, connections often tie to your brand.

    Bridging Connections to your Nonprofit’s Page

    Create easy invites in a LinkedIn Management platform. Staff can use this to promote engagement.

    Create easier ways to build relationships as staff leaves or joins. Staff using the professional side of LinkedIn can connect easily with the more person friendly profile side of an organization’s employees.

    Keep information organized in your nonprofit’s database.

    Social Media Policies in your LinkedIn strategy

    Have a clear document with steps for social media strategies and policy. You’d want this policy for staff and leaders.

    Strategy Item Follow Up Action
    New LinkedIn Connection is made. Company has guidelines for the approach.
    Message Sent from New Connection Org database keeps a copy of what information staff share, and also shares to others.
    Content Strategy Plan Follow brand voice guidelines and best approaches.

    Making your LinkedIn Content Action Plan

    There’s two choices to make content. Podcasts are a good choice, because it’s easy to make short-form video clips and transcriptions.

    The second way is creating content ahead of time. This bulk creation gives choice on content.

    Have writing match branding in readable steps for connection building. If people feel like they “know you,” it increases conversion odds.

    Bulk Content and Tech Tools for Assistance

    AI is a great tech tool. Many AI software can follow directions and do what your nonprofit wants.

    Be very detailed for better content results. Marketing can reach greater levels with AI.

    This helps get more success than older ways.

    Use Multiple Methods and Platforms

    Try personal branding and strategies with LinkedIn to connect in other areas. Try posting to news feeds or creating blog posts on other channels.

    Google research found that clients need 7 hours of brand engagement, spanning multiple touchpoints. The brand message that helps increase conversion with people, required connecting through at least 4 platforms.

    That study shows why various tools can help. Try things out to see how to best make your personal brand helps get attention.

    Direct Messaging in LinkedIn

    Two ways exist to try LinkedIn Direct Messaging for connection building. The more work-intensive choice is done manually with engagement strategies. Start off connecting without notes unless interacting in another manner.

    If you just make blind connections, leave initial introduction notes empty. After connecting, a more tailored “Thank You” with introduction comes into the gameplan.

    These introductions need custom detailing, with company introduction, for a good experience. You should always make sure you address their pain points when applicable.

    Direct Messaging in LinkedIn With Automation

    Automate direct message reach. There are many methods for engagement staff use.

    They range in techniques and strategy. Using multiple tech platforms in many channels, and connecting it back with people on LinkedIn, better manages relationships and outreach.

    Have multiple methods of reaching connections and followers. Use emails or DMs to give that multi-channel experience for brand and professional recognition.

    FAQs about LinkedIn personal branding

    How to do personal branding on LinkedIn?

    Share information, updates, professional highlights, and details showcasing know-how. This involves creating a summary of career experience and sharing content for professional development.

    Posting and creating dialogue with relatable people gets connections. Your banner image also needs to quickly convey who you are.

    Your profile picture is the first thing people frequently see, make it a good one.

    What are the 5 C’s of personal branding?

    The 5 C’s can stand for many things. Some refer to: Clarity, Content, Consistency, Communication, and Community.

    Others define it in other ways, even adding Connection. You need these 5 to succeed no matter what “C word” links to the plan.

    What are the 4 P’s of personal branding?

    Like the 5 C’s there are many opinions. Some point to these Ps: Plan, Prioritize, Personality, and Position.

    Why use LinkedIn for personal branding?

    LinkedIn has the network power to connect with millions globally, like a B2B method. Creating content is a great place to grow your audience. That ability connects on many paths for building recognition in your field.

    It also opens you up to more career opportunities that may not have found you otherwise.

    Conclusion

    Start looking at your LinkedIn and professional networks in how you approach “LinkedIn personal branding”. Focus on short-form content, like videos, as LinkedIn recommends.

    That aligns with platform priorities. Consider how Sales Navigator plays in, but it’s optional.

    Your outreach through LinkedIn increases engagement. That level of engagement from “LinkedIn personal branding” creates conversion rates your business or nonprofits seeks. Make sure your digital marketing and web strategies consider these points.

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