Tips for Nonprofits To Build Your List

Email MarketingA key component of success in getting the word out about your nonprofit is to build up the list of people that are interested and want to be informed.

Who should be on your list?

Your list includes current clients, potential clients, volunteers and potential volunteers, donors and potential donors, sponsors and potential sponsors, alliance partners, other organizations working with similar missions or for the same type of clients and your own employees, board members, people who attend your classes and seminars, media contacts etc.

Segmenting your list

Look at the categories above and review the current status of your organization.  Do you currently collect the contact information from each of these types of contacts?  What form is the list in now?  Are you able to use it effectively to target communications to either all or specific interest groups?  For example, are you able to contact just people who are volunteers?

Building your list

Building your list should be a regular ongoing activity. It involves both online and offline activities.

ONLINE TIPS

  • Add a “Signup for newsletter” on the website.
  • Add a useful article or report and then a  “Download Article” and ask for an email address and send the link to the article to that address
  • Add a link on your email signature file “Sign up for newsletter”
  • Add various “Calls to Action” on your website – and ask people if you can add them to your newsletter list.  e.g. “Become involved”, Donate, “How can I help”, “Ask a Question”
  • Add a “Signup for email newsletter” on your Facebook Page
  • Hold an online webinar and get contact information for registration

OFFLINE TIPS

  • Have a signup sheet at your seminars, classes and events
  • Ask your clients, affiliates, partner organizations, board members, volunteers, for their email address
  • Hold a raffle or contest and include the email address to inform the winner – ask for permission to put them on your list
  • Have sign up sheets or business card bowls at conferences, and alliance partner locations

For more details on how to build your list and please send me a request for a special report from Constant Contact.  Eckova Consulting is a Constant Contact Solution Provider and offers services on list building, list management, email newsletter design and maintenance, and a full range of internet consulting services for nonprofits.   Constant Contact provides the tools to  implement all of the suggestions to build your list.

See more details:

Denise Davies works with nonprofits and small business to provide effective internet strategies.  Denise is a Certified Constant Contact affiliate and Solution Provider.

Global Online Fundraising Conference

The IFC Online is the world’s first global, virtual fundraising conference. Taking place completely over the internet, the event will deliver three days of live, interactive, workshops and plenaries to a world-wide audience of fundraisers.

Online webinars are a very cost effective way of attending seminars, and learning something new.  Webinars let you build your knowledge and network without the expense of travel.

Here is an overview of an upcoming conference that looks valuable for anyone interested in fundraising. See the full details on The Resource Alliance website

The IFC Online is the world’s first global, virtual fundraising conference. Taking place completely over the internet, the event will deliver three days of live, interactive, workshops and plenaries to a world-wide audience of fundraisers.

Featuring an incredible line-up of expert speakers in the field of new media fundraising, the IFC Online is a must for anyone interested in raising funds online and building constituency through email, SMS and Web 2.0.

During IFC Online, our presenters will not only share online teaching and learning techniques, but facilitate a lively dialogue with a community of participants. The result: the sharing of practical ideas that each participant can immediately integrate into their fundraising strategy, and an instant network of peers that serves as an ongoing resource to all members of the IFC Online community.

The power of blogging and social networks

Blogging and social networks can be a powerful combination in raising awareness and building support for a cause.

Bloggers and Social Networks can provide a powerful channel for getting the word out to raise support and awareness for specific causes. For example this campaign for “Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope” BlogCatalog members and Heifer International are partnering to call for the end of world hunger and start of hope on April 29. Their appeal is to join thousands of other bloggers and write a post about world hunger on April 29.You can make a difference. If you are a blogger you can participate in the campaign.