When you run a nonprofit organization in Charlotte, sometimes it can feel like you’re running a business, while other times it can feel like something else entirely. There are many similarities between the two types of organizations. You have employees, a balance sheet, short and long-term goals, and a mission statement. But growing a business and growing a nonprofit can look very different.
First of all, it should be noted that for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations typically have different metrics when it comes to growth. A business will define growth in terms of increased revenue or profit, while a nonprofit will often measure growth in terms of increased programmatic impact. However, nonprofits will also track their donation growth rates, as well as the amount of income they bring in from other sources.
When nonprofits want to increase the amount of money they bring in to support their causes, they often think in terms of fundraising. They hire fundraising consultants or in-house fundraising experts, but many don’t consider working with a nonprofit marketing agency in Charlotte.
Marketing agencies aren’t just for businesses. Agencies that specialize in working with nonprofits can help grow organizations in ways the nonprofit leaders might never have considered. Marketing agencies go beyond traditional fundraising tactics such as direct mail, cold calling, grant writing, and events, and use tactics that are more often used in the business environment. Nonprofit marketing agencies like Beeline rely on strategies such as digital advertising, lead magnets, email marketing, and social media campaigns to help nonprofits attract more supporters, donors, and volunteers.
If spending your nonprofit’s limited funds on marketing sounds like a bad idea, you should consider the return on investment (ROI). When spent wisely marketing budgets can be considered a smart investment, rather than simply another expense. The key is to align your marketing with your mission. By doing so, you will increase awareness around your cause in general, and your organization in particular. More like-minded people will see what you’re doing and be inspired to get involved.
What do you do if you don’t currently have a budget for marketing at your organization? Start small. There are nonprofit marketing agencies in Charlotte that will provide coaching to your in-house team, so you can handle most marketing tasks with your own employees or volunteers. Then, as you start to bring in more donations, you can increase your marketing budget and hand more off to outside experts at a nonprofit marketing agency in Charlotte. Eventually, you may want to completely outsource your marketing, allowing your in-house team to focus on improving programs and operations.
The biggest mistake would be to do nothing at all. Unless, of course, you want your nonprofit to stay small. But if you’re like most nonprofit leaders, you’re a dreamer, and you have big plans for the changes you want to make in the world or in your community. Marketing can help you get there.
