According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are over 1.5 million nonprofits operating in the United States today. And that number is constantly growing. While it’s great to see so many amazing organizations working to help and solve problems, the sheer number makes it difficult to stand out.
If a nonprofit wants to make meaningful connections and further its mission, the organization must have a strong identity. By effectively crafting a brand and image for your nonprofit, you’ll establish yourself in the marketplace. Your authority will help you attract donors, volunteers, and supporters who share your passion.
I’ve put together a series of writing services that can help clarify your nonprofit identity and build a clear brand.
Copywriting
Copywriting and its importance is often overlooked, especially when an organization is busy. However, it’s the copy on your website, promotional material, and social media that present your organization to the public. It’s the first impression you’ll make, so it has to be clear and powerful.
Copy for a website seems simple enough to write, but if every single word isn’t creating a brand identity or developing the image of the organization, then it’s not working. When I write copy, first I get an idea of what the nonprofit does and why it is unique. If possible, I also like having conversations with long-term donors and supporters, which allows me to discover what draws them to the organization.
Taking these vital points and bringing them together creates clear copy that delivers a passionate and vibrant message to readers.
Editing
Often, I get called in to a nonprofit that already has copy in place, but it isn’t converting well. In situations like this, I don’t need to redo everything, but I proofread and edit the existing copy. I still go through the same process of narrowing down what the organization stands for and what it wishes to achieve. However, in these cases, I focus more on cleaning up the copy to better reflect these ideas.
Many times, once I take people through the copy and they’ve heard how it’s perceived from a casual reader, we’re able to clear any ambiguity. Afterwards, we’re able to make more powerful copy that will connect with a larger audience.
Blogs and Social Media
I include blogs and social media as part of each of my service goal packages because they are such an important part of communicating with people. And, nothing builds an identity better than the topics that are shared through blogs and social media.
Blogs allow nonprofits to delve more deeply into the themes and ideas that are presented in the website copy. Because blogs don’t need to be as concise as copy, they give space for creativity. Blogs allow organizations to tell stories, present information, and build up credibility. These articles, when written correctly, reinforce the image previously created through copy.
Of course, there’s no point in having a blog if the content isn’t promoted and shared through social media. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow organizations to stay in contact with their followers. So, through these blogs, visitors are always coming to their website. More importantly, social media can be used on a daily basis to share the ins and outs of everyday life with a nonprofit. The constant transparency builds credibility for the organization and builds interconnectedness.
I’ve worked with social media strategists for years and enjoy teaching nonprofits how to best use their social media, from growing larger followings to learning what to post to make better connections.
Grant Proposals
Nothing forces a nonprofit to clarify their brand identity more than applying for a grant. Grants are a great way to get extra funds to aid with specific projects and needs. However, they take a lot of research and work.
The first step in applying for a grant is finding the options that match an organizations goals. Together, we narrow down a mission and goal to increase the likelihood of approval. Thankfully, I have access to a database of all the grants available in the United States, so the process is easier. Once we find a grant that works for your nonprofit, I begin the writing process.
I offer many services to help your organization build their nonprofits identity and brand, from blog articles and social media posts to grant proposals. Just click below to learn more.