Ever wonder where your organization is going wrong? You might be unaware that you’re making simple mistakes that can be detrimental to your goals. These are some of the top mistakes we see nonprofit and advocacy organizations make: no clear mission or purpose, asking too little or too much from donors, inconsistent branding, incorrect social media usage, and avoiding professional help.
No clear mission or purpose
We get it, you’re passionate about a lot of things — but it’s important to have a central focus so your donors and volunteers understand what your purpose is and have a reason to help. When you don’t have a clear mission, you might also be missing the opportunity to connect with the right audience. Once you define your goals and mission, you’ll start to see that audience come to you.
You’re asking for too little or too much from donors
While donors are essential, it’s important to not chase money without defining your purpose. Donors want to know what their money will be used for and how their contribution will help the cause. Also, don’t just ask for donations several times a year — the most successful fundraisers collect donations year round. You don’t want to harass your audience for donations, but you also want to make sure that you give them frequent opportunities to chip in. You may find that when you run more frequent giving campaigns (as opposed to just an end-of-year campaign), you receive more donations because there aren’t as many organizations competing for contributions at the same time.
Your branding is all over the place
A lack of consistent branding can be confusing and won’t help people remember who you are. When you have a style guide, you can create consistency throughout your brand that makes people remember who you are and what you stand for whenever they see your style. Always remember that branding is more than just a logo! Keep in mind that you don’t want to make your brand too similar to that of another organization — it’s important to differentiate yourself.
You don’t use social media
Social media is essential to the success of any business in this modern age. If you forgo social media, you’re losing out on reaching donors and activists. It’s important to regularly post to your branded accounts and engage with your followers and other people or organizations in your field. Already using social media but not seeing much engagement? You might be using the wrong platform. Different generations and clientele use different platforms, and it's important to know where your audience is already spending their time. Remember to use consistent branding on all social media channels!
Avoiding professional help
You don’t have to do it all on your own. Professionals like our team at ACM Strategies are here for a reason — to help you get back to doing what you love. Need professional help and not sure where to start? Book a free strategy call with our team!
We understand that it can be hard to create and establish a brand that conveys your mission, but you don’t have to make these common mistakes. Reach out to us — we’re here to help!