Best Practices for Nonprofit Blog Content

✍ ❤️ How to build human connection and authenticity in your writing (even when content’s thin on the ground) Have you ever read a fundraising letter that feels... canned... same-same? Technically, the pieces are there. But something’s missing. Odds are, it’s Authenticity. In other words: Those fleshy details that breathe life into your nonprofit stories and fundraising appeals – and make them remarkably effective at sparking generosity and connection. But how do you build Authenticity when the content you have is... shall we say... less than perfect? Here are 3 tips I hope will help you [for more, see link at end of post]: 💌 Put yourself in the scene: --> Ask for audio and/or video recordings to accompany any interview transcripts. Then listen/watch for intonation, expressions, and even pauses, to capture in your writing. --> Study photos: are you witnessing a tender moment? What season is it? How does the light fall on your subject’s face? Does courage shine through? Look deeper: do you see scars, smiles, love, fatigue, fear? Use all your senses to build that world for your reader. 💌 Tap your own emotions and experiences: --> Ask yourself: ‘Is there an emotion or an experience I can draw from to walk a mile in my beneficiary’s shoes... to hope their hopes, and dream their dreams?’ Just that bit of extra time to search your own emotions and experiences can build a bridge for your supporter to cross into your story, and make a massive difference. [Important: if triggering, use the other tips here and in the link below. Emotions are tough territory.] 💌 Look for little loves: In all the background content I receive, I’m scanning for little loves. You’ll know little loves when you see them -- instantly you view your story in a new light: A girl who made her own doll out of sticks and found scraps of cloth, to replace the one she lost with her home... or a world-class surgeon who visits the floor where patients take their first steps in recovery, every evening before going home, for example.  Note: To find little loves, you can also ask fleshier questions: - Ask about companion animals, breeds, and names - Ask about favorite colors, dreams, best days, tough moments, memorable times - Ask if there's one thing your interviewee could tell supporters, what would it be? - Ask about personality traits, heroes and mentors, favorite quotes The point is, real is rare. And even when you don't have a ton of detail to work with, you can look for even the tiniest gem to help you bring out as much of that humanity and authenticity in your writing as you possibly can. === Find more authenticity builders in the last issue of my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/edxWvVNn And for more on effective fundraising writing, and nonprofit storytelling, I send new stuff every two weeks if you’re on the list 😊 lisasargent.com/newsletter

Your best-performing content might already be sitting in your DMs. Supporters are talking. They’re sharing stories. They’re asking questions. They’re reacting to your work in real time. Yes, that’s engagement, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that that is your source of creative direction. When we work with nonprofit teams, one of the fastest ways to level up content comes from listening to what’s already being said. → Comments, replies, and DMs → Feedback from events → Notes from your community managers → Stories from the field These inputs are the starting point for content that connects. It’s where messaging becomes a reflection of the community itself. Content rooted in lived experience creates clarity. It earns trust. It makes the move from awareness to action feel natural. We’ve seen organizations turn a single supporter message into a campaign that reached thousands. The story worked because it came from the people they serve. Most teams already have inspiration within reach. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing where to look.

NGOs, are you struggling to achieve your fundraising goals and donor engagement efforts? Here's a content strategy that works. Begin with the end in mind and define the biggest question first: What do we need in order to accomplish our mission? Once that is set, draw a line directly to what type of content you need to produce in order to achieve those goals. Maybe it’s to raise money for a specific type of program work in a certain region. ➡️ Begin educating your donors about that region and the problem. ➡️ Tell the stories of real people who are at the center of the issue. ➡️ Make it feel personal and relatable. This warms up your audience and gets them caring and understanding the issue first. This is key if you’re then going to ask them to help your organization address the problem. Organic social is a ripple effect. Multiple small moments lead to big, impactful moments. When produced consistently and intentionally, your content will provide the nudge people often need to see the value you bring - and encourage more to commit to joining you. #NGO #Nonprofit #Marketing