Blogging for Nonprofits

Why it’s worth your time ... and then some

Twitter: @mrs_mccranieFelicia@type3webdesign.com

Felicia McCranieOwner, Type 3 Web design

I am … By Day By Night

I have…

We have…

We also have…

I am …

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How some of you feel about blogging

Top 5 reasons to reprioritize blogging:

5. Broadens reach with free/low cost, multichannel platform

4. Gains new donors and helps establish your authority

3. Allows you to show off: impact, donors, staff, partners…

2. Moves your SEO and shows you’re still in business

1.Increases donor retention and engagement

Blogging is like you best volunteer

Who are you talking to?

Give the people what they want

What are your

biggest challenges/ opportunitie

s?

How can I help?

What progress have you made?

Are there

upcoming

events/ classes?

Who else is

involved?

What is the newest

research on your topic?

What did I miss?

Who are your main

donors?

I’ll pencil you in: Editorial calendar

Plugin option: Edit Flow

Low tech/Power organizer: Excel Spreadsheet

Who’s the lucky one? Volunteer or voluntold? Schedule out several months Share working documents Reminders, reminders and more reminders

Remember: The way is paved with good intentions so… have a back-up plan

It’s got “the look” and it works

Beautiful and impactful blogs

Blog length: War and Peace or St. John III?

One size does not fit all

For readership conversion and SEO focus:o 1,000 - 1,700 words / 6-7 minutes to reado 2+ blogs per week

For shorter reads: 200 words

Our approach: Mix it up

Videos, pictures and hyperlinks – oh my!

Increase memorability & easier reading #1 Rule: Borrow with permission

Tips for success: Right size your media (HubSpot blog, 4/23) Include tags and keywords in

descriptions “Raw” videos are in-style

Free picture websites:o StockUp, Pixabay, morgeFile, PhotoPin, Pexels, Finda.photo, I’m Creator

This is your brain when you don’t know what you just read

Pick a style, any style Remain true to your brand

Select or create a style guideo Creates consistency in how you communicateo AP Style guide; Purdue OWL

Grammar and positioningo Plugin: WP Edit o “Buy” a friend (a good one)

Toneo Positive, solution focused content = increase in repeat

donationso Negative, problem focused content = increase in one time

donations

Call to action: What can they do for you?

What do you want them to do now?

Make actions easy & lower barrier of entryo Add social media links for easy shareo Compress and size pictures for shareability

Are you ready to rock?

Set your blog up for success

What does your back end look like?

Equip yourself with the tools you needo More plugins, more options

Plug it in. Plug it in Plugins that we use:

o SNAP – Social Network Auto Postero Edit Flowo SEO by Yoasto WP Edito WP Smush – reduces image file sizeso Simple social icons o Comments not replied too W3 total cache – speeds up site cacheo Auto terms of service and privacy policyo Clef – Secure logino Broken link checker

Someone has to keep me in line…

Cascade: It’s not just for dishes

Stay top of mind throughout the week: Your website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn Google+ Tumbler

Publishers dance party

Welcome to the after-party

What worked. What didn’t. Where are we going for coffee?

Hollar’ back at me Open, responsive communication is key to success

Check your website & channels daily for comments

Respond back quickly and frequentlyo Use people’s names/handles

o Thank them for commenting

o Tell them how you are implementing their ideas

o Engage them back/keep the conversation going

Don’t argue, name call or

play the troll game

Analytics: What does the fox say?

Pull reports regularly to gauge your impact:o Blog hitso Commentso Likes/Favoredo Conversion rateo Traffic source

Log your findings to track what works best

Tools: Yoast SEO, Yoast Analytics, Google Analytics

Rinse and repeat Remember: donors want consistent communication

Do what works but, never settle for mediocre o What’s working best for you?o What’s working for your competition?

• AHREFS.com to check competitors’ backlinkso What’s working best for the experts?

Some of our favorite SMEs:o Quick Sprouto HubSpoto Probloggero Moz

In conclusion… Treat your blog like your favorite volunteer:

o Prioritize it o Schedule ito Develop it o Equip ito Post ito Comment on ito Analyze ito Refine ito Repeat ito Love it

Because your organization and it’s supporters deserve it!