Blogging for Nonprofits
As a PR professional, a blogger, and a blogging advocate, I am a big follower of David Meerman Scott, an expert in public relations, marketing and social media. David wrote the book, The New Rules of Marketing and PR, a guide that I’ve encouraged all my colleagues to read and which sits deskside, as a ready reference.
On the topic of nonprofits, David encourages them to start blogs, “Yesterday, if you can.” I think this is brilliant advice, particularly as it provides a venue for nonprofits to feature volunteers and cultivate relationships with donors. He says nonprofits can even invite volunteers to be guest bloggers about their experience. Think how powerful that message could be, in reaching other potential volunteers, the organizations’ target audiences, and donors interested in supporting the cause.
Nonprofits often struggle with communication — letters and newsletters cost money — sometimes money the organization doesn’t have! The use of a blog along with a well-designed (not expensive!) Web site enabled with an e-commerce function to accept donations is the key to moving the bar for nonprofits to reach and grow their audiences at low cost.
July 12th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Many thanks for reading my book (and blog) and also for taking the time to write about it here. I’m thrilled that you agree with the power of blogs for nonprofits. It is an excellent way to reach people. And starting a blog need only be an experiement. If it doesn’t work out, so what? You just shut the blog down. But more than likely your blog will become a critical component of a marketing and communications strategy.
Best, David
July 12th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
No David — thank you, for providing PR people like me with the language we need to help clients grasp the ideas that will help move their organizations forward.
Your comment is spot-on, too. The experiment approach is a good one, and will give some organizations that reassurance they might need to get started.
Thanks again! I’ll keep reading and learning.