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We take the grief out of nonprofit writing and smash through your writer’s block by sending you an email with at least 10 prompts to get you thinking about articles, blog posts, Facebook updates, and other content that you could write for the following month.

We don’t do your editorial calendar for you or to tell you exactly what to say to your supporters. Only you can figure that out. This newsletter is designed to get you thinking more creatively and strategically about what you’ll write. Here are the prompts for November we sent out yesterday to the mailing list:

On the Calendar

11/2: Book Lovers Day. Share your favorite books relating to the work your nonprofit does.

11/11: Veteran’s Day. Highlight volunteers, staff or clients who have served in the military.

11/15: America Recycles Day. Share how your organization recycles. For a twist, try “recycling” old content that got a good response.

11/21: Great American Smokeout. Encourage your readers to put out their cigarettes for the day — or encourage them to break some other bad habit related to your work.

11/27: Hannukkah begins. Reflect on the joy and renewal of Hannukkah or share what you have overcome this year despite great odds.

11/28: Thanksgiving (U.S.). Thank supporters, clients, and volunteers. Email messages of gratitude around Thanksgiving are a great way to kick off a series of fundraising emails in November and December.

November is also National American Indian Heritage Month, American Diabetes Month, National Adoption Awareness Month, National Epilepsy Month, and Peanut Butter Lovers Month.

Metaphor of the Month

This month’s metaphor is Shopping. Think about sales, bargains, prices, mark-downs, close-outs, grocery lists, shopping carts, aisles, cash register, lines, secret shoppers, credit, returns, eBay, QVC, yard sales, convenience store, coupons. How can you relate these things to your organization?

Pop Culture, Events, and News

Daylight Savings Time ends on November 3rd.

The New York City Marathon will be run November 3rd as well.

The busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, is November 29th.

Source of the Month

USA Today has started a feature called “5 Things You Need to Know” they use in a variety of ways. You can do this as a regular feature in a newsletter or blog – 5 Things You Need to Know This Month [Week, etc]. Or on your website – 5 Things You Need to Know about [Your Cause]. You could also do a monthly video series.

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Happy writing!

Published On: October 3, 2013|Categories: Writing Skills and Content|