Resources for Nonprofits

Communications Resources for Nonprofits

Because the Meyer Foundation believes in the importance of good communications in helping nonprofits achieve their goals, we've compiled this list of frequently asked questions and communications resources. 

FAQs 

Q. How do we develop a communications plan?

http://www.benton.org/publibrary/toolkits/planning.html
This site includes an extensive bibilography of articles to help you get started.

www.hieran.com/comet/howto.html
This article is a step-by-step guide with bulleted lists.

Q. How do we maximize the potential of our website?

www.howipromotemywebsite.com
This site lists several tactics for website promotion and includes dos and don'ts.

http://nvisionit.com/company/html_vcg/index_files/frame.htm
This is a PowerPoint presentation about website promotion.

www.marketwise.net/enews-comm.html
This is a series of short articles about web development.

http://www.businesstown.com/internet/web-promote.asp
This is a long article filled with advice about web promotion.

Q. How do we write a good press release and get it read?

www.prweb.com/pressreleasetips.php
This page discusses both the goals and logistics of writing press releases.

Q. How do we choose the right communications tools for our work?

http://www.benton.org/publibrary/toolkits/media.html
This site includes an extensive bibilography of articles on communications tools.

Q. How do we define our audiences?

http://www.benton.org/publibrary/toolkits/audience.html
This is a bibliography of articles about audience.

Q. How do we craft a message?

http://www.benton.org/publibrary/toolkits/messageshaping.html
This is a bibilography of articles about shaping your message.

http://www.biodiversityproject.org/resourcestipsheetcraft.htm
This is a page of quick tips about message crafting.

Q. How and when should we stage a media event/press conference?

http://www.causecommunications.com/forgetus/elevensteps.html
This page lists 11 steps to staging a media event.

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/toolkit_resources/tipsheets/hold_media_event.cfm?RenderForPrint=1
This page provides some tips for holding a media event.

Q. How can we make our publications and communications look more professional?

http://www.imakenews.com/ephilanthropy/e_article000275077.cfm?x=b11,0,w110
This page covers commonly made mistakes in e-mail and how to avoid them.

Q. What are editorial board meetings and how would we get one?

http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page_id=853
The article discusses editorial board meetings using the example of increasing library funding.

Q. With all the other things we have to do, why should we make communications a priority?

http://www.how-to.com/Operations/public-relations.htm
This page explains why public relations is important and includes a glossary.

http://www.wkkf.org/default.aspx?tabid=75&CID=385&NID=61&LanguageID=0
This page leads to a communications toolkit for nonprofits.

Q.What should we do when a reporter calls?

http://www.newstips.org/interior.php?section=PR+Tips+Sub&main_id=23
This page details how to lay out a media policy.

http://spinproject.org/downloads/Reporters.pdf
This page begins a tutorial on how to develop relationships with members of the media.

Q. What are some effective techniques for pitching a story to the press?

http://www.newstips.org/interior.php?section=PR+Tips+Sub&main_id=17
This page provides a variety of ideas about how to make your story into news.

http://www.publicityinsider.com/pitch.asp
This page explains how to write a pitch letter.

Q. How can we make the work we do newsworthy?

http://www.publicityinsider.com/pifaq.asp#6
This brief article offers some tips on thinking about the newsworthiness of your organization.

Q. When should my organization write an op-ed or a letter to the editor? What's the best way to do this?

http://newsroom.depaul.edu/OpEd.pdf
This brochure explains how to write and submit various kinds of editorial writing.

Additional Links of Interest

• Free report on how Twitter can help your nonprofit: http://www.corporatedollar.org/twitter-jump-start-the-complete-guide-for-small-non-profits/ 
• Marketing Sherpa offers case studies, how-tos, interviews with industry experts, the latest research data, and articles in its free weekly e-newsletter: http://www.marketingsherpa.com/ 
• Ragan Communications offers advice, e-newsletters, tips and tactics, and advice to help you communicate more effectively: http://www.ragan.com/ME2/Default.asp 
• Marketing Consultant Nancy Schwartz has published a free report on how to build your nonprofit's brand in eight words or less. The Nonprofit Tagline Report can be downloaded here: http://www.gettingattention.org/nonprofit_tagline_report.html She also offers tips for how to make sure that your website gets viewed and used: http://www.gettingattention.org/my_weblog/2007/01/its_time_for_yo.html 
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy hosted an online discussion on creating marketing messages that matter: http://philanthropy.com/live/2008/10/marketing_messages/
• Blue Avocado's aim is to engage and support the employees of community nonprofits, the ones who do the heavy lifting in building social justice and strong communities, and who create and drive the ideas that change our world for the better: http://www.blueavocado.org/ 
• PRfor25.com is a paid bulletin board that allows users to post information that gets distributed to the media (print, broadcast, online), site users, the public, and anyone who subscribes to its RSS feed: http://www.prfor25.com/faq/ 
• Knight's News Release offers a step by step guide for creating a media plan and news release: http://www.knightcommunications.org/workshop/index
• The writers at the 360 Degree Digital Influence blog offer creative solutions for using social media to respond to a crisis: http://blog.ogilvypr.com/?p=526 
• Nonprofit Marketing Guide offers up questions to help you write great donor, volunteer, and client profiles for your newsletters:  http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/resources/print_newsletters/interview-questions-to-help-you-write-great-donor-volunteer-and-client-profiles-for-your-newsletters/
• The McKinsey Quarterly has tips for crafting and delivering messages that stick. http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Crafting_a_message_that_sticks_An_interview_with_Chip_Heath_2062
• PubHub is the Foundation Center's free, online catalog of annotated links to foundation-sponsored reports.  The site is a good starting point for research and offers a search engine to seek out publications by topic:  http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/pubhub/. 
• DIOSA | Communications specializes in webinars teaching the basics of utilizing the social web: http://www.diosacommunications.com/services/webinars.htm.
• Interactive Insights Group provides a tutorial on social media for beginners: http://www.interactiveinsightsgroup.com/blog1/socialmediabeginnersguide/.
• The Web Ink Now blog has tips for getting your YouTube video to go viral: http://www.webinknow.com/2007/08/8-tips-to-make-.html     
• Blogger Tanner Christenson offers 45 Rules for Creating a Great Logo Design: http://www.tannersite.com/rules-of-logo-design/
• Harvard Business Publishing's Rosabeth Moss Kanter explains the importance of having all of our employees engage in marketing during a recession: http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/kanter/2009/04/in-a-recession-put-everyone-in.html
• The American Cancer Society explains social media for nonprofits: http://www.sharinghope.tv/video/1884051
• Nonprofit Advice 4 Success has tips for handling media interviews: http://nonprofitadvice4success.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/how-to-handle-media-interviews-for-nonprofits/ 
• Fenton Communications has a free guide to give you a well-grounded overview of Web 2.0, social media and how to succeed in this new communications paradigm: http://www.fenton.com/watta/