By Heather Mansfield, founder and editor-in-chief of Nonprofit Tech for Good
AI, Shorts-Reels-and-TikToks, Threads, and extra AI are the highest rising traits for nonprofits in 2024, however an overfocus on what’s new and subsequent can typically be on the expense of using digital advertising and marketing and fundraising traits which can be simpler to implement and have a extra rapid return on funding – particularly for small nonprofits.
During the last yr, Nonprofit Tech for Good has noticed that many old skool a.okay.a. retro digital advertising and marketing and fundraising methods are making a comeback as evidenced by excessive engagement on social media and in e-mail. In 2024, what’s previous is new once more.
1) Infographics [re-designed]
Within the 2010s, infographics created by nonprofits had been persistently essentially the most engaged, posted, shared, and retweeted content material on social media, however round 2018, the infographic craze got here to an abrupt halt. Maybe nonprofits shifted their inventive focus and time to creating TikToks and Reels?
In 2024, infographics are primed to make a comeback. Up to now, nonprofit infographics had been lengthy and dense with knowledge, however shifting ahead mini-infographics designed for social media and short-form video format may present a much-needed increase in natural attain and engagement on social media.
2017 Inhabitants Issues Infographics Collection
2) Postcards [with QR codes]
Gen Z hardly ever receives print mail, so it makes an affect when it arrives. Millennials and Gen X recognize snail mail that isn’t a invoice or a discover of a invoice to return. And Boomers, if they’re lucky, are within the peak of their retirement years and truly have the time to open and skim mail from nonprofits.
The issue is that the majority print mail from nonprofits is boring. In 2024, postcards with QR codes designed to make an affect (LOL humorous, highly effective quotes, lovely artwork, images, and so on.) may break by the muddle of tri-fold fundraising appeals and dense print newsletters.
That mentioned, earlier than mailing out that postcard marketing campaign, ask your self: Would folks like or share this on social media? Dangle it on their fridge? In case your first intuition is no, then don’t ship it! The purpose of postcards in 2024 is to do one thing totally different with the design and QR codes—not all QR codes must hyperlink to a donation web page! QR codes can hyperlink to an consciousness marketing campaign, generate a cellphone name to an elected official, hyperlink to a web based petition, an e-mail opt-in kind, an Instagram account, a RSVP web page, and so on.!
3) Content material advertising and marketing [rediscovered]
For the final decade, nonprofit advertising and marketing and fundraising has positioned a heavy deal with securing leads and fundraising income by using social media adverts, however with the approaching demise of third-party cookies in Google Search, it’ll turn into far more tough to attribute web site site visitors and on-line donations to social media adverts. Social media began as a neighborhood constructing and storytelling instrument, then developed into hyper-focused advertising and marketing and promoting instrument, and can now will revolve again to its roots.
2024 is an effective time to resurrect dormant blogs and prioritize picture essays, long-form video, and infographics for social media content material advertising and marketing. The dying of third-party cookies signifies that social media will carry out the perfect for nonprofits that persistently share instructional and significant content material that evokes their followers to get extra concerned somewhat than merely triggering them to click on on a fundraising advert.
4) Being variety on social media [and human]
Individuals on Threads are good. There are nearly no trolls (block them!) and the feedback are sane, pleasant, and helpful. It’s like Twitter in 2010! For people who use Threads, the dearth of toxicity has been a startling reminder of the humanity we now have misplaced on social media.
2024 is an election yr and social media goes to get much more ugly. Stand out, be totally different, be variety, and share excellent news.
And be human🎵. Get again to your roots and discover your voice on social media. Your donors and supporters wish to know their is a dedicated and caring human being working your social media profiles. That’s the lesson of Threads in 2023.
5) Tribute giving [for birthdays and holidays]
Nonprofits started to supply tribute presents within the early 2000s—for birthdays, weddings, commencement presents, holidays, and memorials. On the time, tribute donors would ship a verify and the contact data of their tribute reward recipients, and the nonprofit would then snail mail the tribute reward recipients an acknowledgement letter or card.
As we speak, tribute giving has morphed right into a passive tick field on a donation web page that sends an automatic e-mail for “In Memoriam and “In Honor” presents. Boring, and a missed alternative. Fb Birthday Fundraisers have accustomed supporters of nonprofits to creating donations as presents and 2024 is a superb time to develop and re-launch tribute giving applications. For these nonprofits that use WordPress, the Tributes plugin empowers your nonprofit to simply provide tribute presents with e-cards. Yehp. E-cards circa 2005!
In 2024, along with the usual memorial and honor presents, provide Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice and Equinox, Ramadan, Lunar New Yr, Diwali, birthday, new child, marriage ceremony, and commencement presents. Obtain our free, ungated information The best way to Launch & Develop a Tribute Giving Program: A How-To for Nonprofits, to get began.
6) Meetups [as FUNraisers]
Individuals are lonely and longing to attach in particular person, and native nonprofits may help. Utilizing a service like Meetup, nonprofits can create MeetUp teams to assist folks join to one another and your nonprofit. Concepts: Meetups for strolling, mountain climbing, stretching or yoga within the park, guide golf equipment, guide readings, dialogue teams, assist teams, social hours at native pubs and low retailers, motion pictures, museums visits, canine parks, and so on.! Meetups are low-key and require little or no planning, and utilizing MeetUp Professional ($30 a month), your nonprofit can develop your model in your area people and construct your e-mail record.
Our Certificates in Social Media Advertising & Fundraising program covers the basics of social media advertising and marketing and fundraising in your nonprofit. Members will discover ways to create a social media technique, craft a content material advertising and marketing plan, and present greatest practices for utilizing social media for neighborhood engagement and fundraising.
This system requires the completion of three webinars and prices $100 USD. To earn the 2024 certificates, you possibly can attend the webinars reside or view the recordings – or a mix of each. Study extra & register!
