Where do these three storytelling plots come from? In one of my favorite marketing books, Made to Stick (Amazon link), Chip Heath and Dan Heath identify three different types of inspirational stories: the Challenge Plot, the Creativity Plot and the Connection Plot. All three have very basic elements, and all three are invaluable in nonprofit…
Several great questions have come in via Facebook about storytelling, including this one, which I hear just about every time I teach a storytelling workshop: How can I use stories if we are several steps removed from the people receiving the help? This is a common question from organizations like United Ways and other fundraising…
A couple of weeks ago, Sybil Hunt and Sherri Wood with One Warm Coat shared that they had received an honorable mention in the TechSoup Digital Storytelling Contest for their five-slide show called “Albert’s Story.” Both Sherri and Sybil have worked with me via my coaching programs over the last couple of years, and are…
Facebook changes the way it works so often that I can’t keep up. So while I will occasionally offer a webinar or two on Facebook basics, I’ve decided to partner with people who actually like keeping up with the changes and who are focused on helping nonprofits with social media: John Haydon and CharityHowTo. John is teaching…
I’m declaring March as “Storytelling Month” here at Nonprofit Marketing Guide. I’ll be blogging about storytelling more than usual, teaching three webinars, and offering story consultations to help you polish up your stories. Let’s Start with Your Questions! What questions do you have about using stories in nonprofit marketing and fundraising? I asked on Facebook…
Here are a few writing prompts to get you thinking creatively about March topics. If you were on our Nonprofit Writing Prompts email list, you would have received these a month ago. I’ll be sending out the writing prompts for April on March 3, so if you’d like to receive those, get on the mailing…
On Tuesday, I’m presenting the webinar, Turning Your Whole Staff and Board into an Effective Marketing Team. Nonprofit marketers and fundraisers are overwhelmed and overworked. The best way to solve that problem is to get some help with your to-do list. The natural place to look for help is among your current staff and board.…
Nancy Schwartz and I are taking the Total Focus Nonprofit Marketing Plan Workshop west this year, with a day in beautiful Seattle, Washington. We’ll be there on Thursday, June 16, 2011 to work with up to 25 nonprofits to create a real-world marketing plan for their organizations. On October 12, we’ll return to Manhattan to present…
During last week’s webinar, Social Media Fear Factor: Getting Over What’s Holding You Back (recording available now to All-Access Pass holders), I asked participants how they felt about the idea that, because of social media, everyone associated with their cause, in any way, is now a potential spokesperson. I asked this same poll question on…
Love using storytelling in fundraising? Weigh in on this question about how you actually do it, from Barry Wein, the marketing manager of the Wisconsin Historical Foundation. I share my thoughts below, and I hope you’ll add yours to the comments. “I have a question for you about storytelling messaging consistency across touch points over the course…
I’m working on a new e-book for nonprofit communicators on managing content, as well as some new webinars in May and June, and would love to highlight your story and tips in them. How do you keep all those content buckets (website, email, Facebook, etc.) full? Here are a few questions to get you thinking.…
Happy Friday, everyone! Welcome to another round of Mixed Links, our weekly cocktail of good stuff I’ve come across recently for nonprofit marketers and fundraisers. I’m saving the best for last this time, so don’t miss the links at the bottom! Filling out forms for the IRS is never fun, but did you know your…
