I know, I know, you think I’ve gone crazy with the heat.  But today, we’re talking about how web analytics can set you up for success, even if your tax status is a bit different.

Sarah from Seattle tweeted Bryan the other week, asking for some advice on how to use web analytics, and specifically “goals,” to help her with a nonprofit website supporting the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.  We thought it would be good topic to explore…

...continue to read "Turning Web Analytics into Nonprofit Success"

The concept isn’t new, but it’s one of the hottest buzzwords in online retail for a reason.

“Cause marketing” is the term being used to describe all manner of cross-promotional efforts between for-profit businesses and non-governmental/non-profit organizations. Typically, it involves a portion of for-profit sales going toward a given cause. Today, more than 1 of every 4 retailers are promoting charities at some level — and the Web seems to be speeding that growth. In 2006, IEG reported that cause marketing sponsorship…

...continue to read "Cause Marketing: Making Money by Giving it Away"

It’s a sad day in social media when Facebook deletes Ranger Rick, the National Wildlife Federation’s beloved spokes-raccoon.

On Facebook, networks grow organically — often slowly — and by deleting Ranger Rick, the NWF’s entire 500-person network was brutally poached.

Sure, this public relations gaff seems more to do with a flawed policy and/or housekeeping algorithm than contempt for nature conservation, but it’s still absurd. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so scandalicious if it weren’t for the fact that Paris Hilton and Hillary…

...continue to read "Facebook Deletes Ranger Rick, Saves Paris Hilton Clones"

Will you trust a .org more than a .com?

Hmmm…

TIAA-CREF thinks you will. Their new advertising campaign created by Modernista emphasizes its status as a nonprofit organization. Their new campaign, starting this week, focuses on a new website, PowerOf.org.

According to the New York Times article “A Dot-Org Stresses That It’s No Dot-Com“:

“Think .org-onimically,” the headline of a print ad urges. “How much more objective can you get than .o-r-g?” another ad inquires. A third ad declares that “.org” represents “three of…

...continue to read "Trust Us, We’re No Shady Dot Com!"

Most non-profits today face the same challenges of any small or emerging business, yet they remain broadly self-segregated from the business world. This divide seems most apparent when it comes to online strategy, where even larger non-profits seem to lag in terms of planning and innovation. Of course, this isn’t true of every non-profit, but it’s time for the “.org” crowd to join the modern marketing dialog in a serious way.

The good news is that the conversation does seem to…

...continue to read "Why Do So Many Non-Profits Think They’re Different?"

Does your non-profit website stink? Are you tired of worrying that your site’s scaring away potential donors, patrons, and volunteers? We can help.

If you work at a non-profit and have some — ANY — control over its web strategy, tell us below why you should join us for next week’s Call to Action seminar.

Non-Profits contact us all the time to see about fixing their online strategy, but it’s usually tough for them to get the support of board members, web developers, or…

...continue to read "Non-Profits: Win a Free Pass to “Call to Action” Seminar"

Disclaimer: I am not a fan of pink. I’m especially not a fan of slapping pink on a product and saying it’s “made for women.”

Ok, now that we’ve got that on the table, let’s take a look at a new pink putter from Sweet Spot Golf. In this case, the pink color is used as a tie-in with The National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Here’s how Sweet Spot explains it:

Sweet Spot Golf is a proud sponsor of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. When you purchase…

...continue to read "Would You Buy a Pink Putter?"