Whether you’re a dedicated volunteer or a nonprofit director, chances are your to-do list is packed. That can make it challenging to find time for blog writing that engages donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Never fear! Here are simple non-profit blog tips:

1. Develop an editorial calendar. Take a deep breath; I promise this isn’t as scary as it sounds. As blog writers, we all get busy. It’s not uncommon for an event or holiday to sneak up before we have a chance to blog about it. Take out your non-profit’s calendar and start planning ahead for blog topic ideas that center around events, fundraisers, and even holidays. It only takes a few minutes, but you’ll be rewarded when you’re not scrambling the day before the year’s biggest fundraiser to write a related blog entry.
2. Add the call to action. This tried-and-true marketing technique is a must for blogging non-profits. According to social media expert Dan Zarrella, the most effective online calls to action contain specifics, convey urgency, and use concrete numbers. Think “Donate today” or “We fed 24 additional families last week—how many more will you help us feed this week?” If possible, make the call clickable by including a button or hyperlink that takes the reader to the next step, whether it’s an email to the volunteer coordinator or a form to submit a donation.
3. Take a stance. One of the most powerful ways to generate online traffic and conversation is by stirring the pot a little. And, as a non-profit worker, you probably feel passionately about whatever it is you do. Don’t be afraid to use blog writing as a platform to argue against relevant potential legislation, fight for a new law, or tackle an issue that deserves attention.
4. Invite guest bloggers. Non-profits run on people power, so why not tap those folks to write guest blog entries? Consider a community leader familiar with the work your group does or one of the clients who has benefited from your services. Adding relevant “outside” voices to the blog will build online cred for the organization.
5. Get social. Chances are good that many of your stakeholders, from current volunteers to prospective donors, are already using social media. That makes websites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest ideal platforms for driving traffic to blogs. Here are 3 basic ways to promote your non-profit blog on social media:

• Post a blog link on social media sites each time you upload a post.
• Use social networks to post clips from blog entries that share video, whether it’s an interview with a client or footage from a fundraiser.
• Ask your social network audience what type of blog content they’d like to read, and then write posts related to those topics.

What successful non-profit blog writing tips can you share?

 

 

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