https://www.mediapost.com/en-usWed, 19 Jul 2017 13:00:04 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/304555/non-profits-must-improve-their-marketing-efforts-n.htmlThe year is 2017. Let's make sure that we have adjusted the way in which we approach marketing challenges based on the reality of media consumption patterns. The strategies and tactics that we used in the last decade have truly become obsolete. The way in which consumers conduct research, share ideas and preferences and make purchasing decisions has changed dramatically.Wed, 19 Jul 2017 13:00:04 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/304555/non-profits-must-improve-their-marketing-efforts-n.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/304271/6-states-of-rebranding.htmlMost sectors these days are in a continual state of flux as they seek to reinvent and reposition themselves to become more relevant. This is when many turn to their brand to adjust their position, claim new territory and re-energize their tone and message.Thu, 13 Jul 2017 13:00:05 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/304271/6-states-of-rebranding.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/271800/philanthropy-events-20-no-more-rubber-chicken-di.htmlDC is home to countless charity events for an endless number of causes. Nowadays, charity events are a dime a dozen. Every weekend there's a full slate of black-tie banquets supporting causes across the spectrum. The number of them continues to grow at a rapid rate. It's great to see the level of dedication to philanthropic causes, but it makes standing out in the crowd that much more difficult.Wed, 23 Mar 2016 13:31:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/271800/philanthropy-events-20-no-more-rubber-chicken-di.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/244653/two-duelists-how-fierce-competitors-dropped-their.html"This isn't business, this is personal." We've all heard the reverse of these words before, either in jest, ironically or in dead seriousness. Personally, I prefer the ironic. In the often perplexing arena called the marketing business, there is a sense of irony in many interesting ideas, like McDonald's Academy Awards commercial trying to connect the dots between the Big Mac and iconic films like "Jaws" and "Silence of the Lambs." Ironic indeed.Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:25:02 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/244653/two-duelists-how-fierce-competitors-dropped-their.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/234619/preparing-for-giving-season.htmlGiving season is right around the corner! Has your nonprofit started planning yet? And where do you start?Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:33:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/234619/preparing-for-giving-season.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/234172/survey-shows-non-profit-website-content-tied-to-do.htmlLast month, as part of an ongoing digital experience research series we've been conducting for the past two years, we gleaned some very interesting insights into the attitudes of people who regularly donate to charities.Tue, 16 Sep 2014 13:47:03 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/234172/survey-shows-non-profit-website-content-tied-to-do.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/233245/how-to-create-the-perfect-non-profit-challenge.htmlOver the last month or so, our Facebook feeds have been filled with people pouring ice water on themselves. Just the other day, I even saw a (slightly odd) video of Robert Plant taking the challenge - and challenging Paul McCartney, Elton John and Peter Gabriel to do the same.Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:44:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/233245/how-to-create-the-perfect-non-profit-challenge.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/232713/making-the-most-of-your-online-advertising-budget.htmlI know from experience working at a nonprofit that money for advertising is always tight. I am often confronted with tough decisions of what type of advertising would get the most bang for my organization's buck. The answer? It depends on what your goals are.Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:36:03 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/232713/making-the-most-of-your-online-advertising-budget.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/231312/lifes-success-metric.htmlLast week, while on vacation, my family went out for a day-long boat ride. My 6-year-old son and wife sat in the back of the boat, while my 10-year-old daughter and I sat in the front. As the boat bounced over the waves (and we bounced equally as high on the seats), my daughter had a smile from ear to ear and was screaming with joy and laughter. Eventually, she yelled over to me and asked if I was having as much fun as she was. I definitely was - but not because of the waves (those actually hurt every once in a while). It was simply seeing the joy on her face that had me elated.Mon, 04 Aug 2014 10:21:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/231312/lifes-success-metric.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/230887/updates-to-adwords-ad-extensions.htmlIn the past, I have written about many of the most popular AdWords ad extensions, like sitelinks, call extensions, location extensions, and social extensions. However, AdWords is constantly trying out new ad extensions in its beta program and rolling out successful extensions so that everyone can use them. Because of this, there are often new ad extensions available that cause-related marketers are not aware of! Let's see what's new.Mon, 28 Jul 2014 14:46:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/230887/updates-to-adwords-ad-extensions.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/229969/the-new-age-of-activism.htmlWhile recently watching "Orange Is the New Black," it occurred to me that activism is back en vogue. In this particular episode, an inmate stages a hunger strike to get better treatment for her fellow inmates. But her message is unfocused and her true motivation is unclear. Of course, she goes about it all wrong, and, in the end, it means nothing.Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:05:03 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/229969/the-new-age-of-activism.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/229437/social-consumerism-or-capitalism.htmlRecently, while on a walk with my family, we stopped at a coffee shop for a quick snack. My wife and kids went in, while I stayed outside with the dog. Five minutes later, my daughter came out with a "pupcake." She told me that this tiny cupcake (literally smaller than a munchkin with a little peanut butter on top) was $1.25, and that 50 cents went to the local animal shelter. She was very proud of her purchase - and I was proud of her, too. But, I had a different perspective of the coffee shop.Mon, 07 Jul 2014 12:32:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/229437/social-consumerism-or-capitalism.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/229038/marketing-alert-clever-is-out-smart-is-in.htmlMarketing today is changing by the minute, with many marketers genuinely struggling to keep up. Like it or not, we're all operating in a hyper-connected marketplace in which the balance of power is shifting away from companies. To understand this new reality, witness the predictable disaster loop that happens when brands stray off course. Seduced by clever marketing ideas, marketers do stupid things. Offended stakeholders react, unleashing a tsunami of negative social media, traditional media piles on, amplifying the story, and brand managers have a very, very bad day. Brands quickly change course, trying to make it all go away before the brand suffers irreversible damage.Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:00:00 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/229038/marketing-alert-clever-is-out-smart-is-in.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/228534/adventures-in-texting.htmlA few months ago, I attended the 2014 Nonprofit Technology Conference and wrote a post about how several sessions discussed SMS marketing, or texting your constituents. I came back from the conference fresh and excited about the possibilities, and started a small texting campaign at my nonprofit around one of our upcoming annual events. Since I originally wrote about the hypotheticals of texting your constituents, I thought I should write a follow-up post on what we've learned so far (and so that you can learn from my mistakes!).Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:41:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/228534/adventures-in-texting.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/226897/the-moral-of-the-story.htmlSeveral years ago, I was sitting in one of those semi-awkward meetings where a prospective client invited a few competing agencies in to talk about a potential assignment. At the beginning of the meeting, we were each asked to give a quick introduction. When it was my turn to speak, I shared "[We are] often called an advertising agency, but we prefer to think of ourselves as storytellers." At that moment, every other agency leader quickly chimed in to say that they're storytellers, too.Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:36:00 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/226897/the-moral-of-the-story.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/226621/how-google-tag-manager-can-save-your-tracking.htmlOver the years, Google has introduced many useful tools and programs. Gmail and Adwords have to be on the top of my list, but in recent months Google Tag Manager has also joined my list of favorites. If you do any sort of tracking for your online marketing and you don't already use Google Tag Manager, you're missing out! In a nutshell, it streamlines all of your tracking so that you only have to ask your developers to put one tracking code on your whole website. Oh, and did I mention that it's free?Tue, 27 May 2014 09:45:03 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/226621/how-google-tag-manager-can-save-your-tracking.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/224483/updates-to-seo.htmlIt's been awhile since we checked in on the latest in search engine optimization, so what's new? Turns out a lot!Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:40:02 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/224483/updates-to-seo.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/222572/portfolio-power-unlocking-the-potential-of-csr-br.htmlEverybody knows that in today's rapidly evolving landscape, what brands stand for matters more than ever. The vast majority of people expect companies to go way beyond just selling products and to drive positive change. Marketers who aren't building corporate social responsibility (CSR) into the core of their brands are missing a big business-building opportunity.Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:45:03 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/222572/portfolio-power-unlocking-the-potential-of-csr-br.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/221547/top-things-i-learned-at-ntc-2014.htmlLast week, I attended the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network's wonderful Nonprofit Technology Conference in D.C., and I wanted to share some of the cool new ideas I learned.Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:00:04 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/221547/top-things-i-learned-at-ntc-2014.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/221117/people-do-the-darndest-things-especially-for-goo.htmlA little over a year ago, I found myself at a working lunch in a neighborhood Mexican restaurant, trying to figure out how to raise money for the Open Door Family Medical Center, a local nonprofit we all supported.Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:46:03 -0400https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/221117/people-do-the-darndest-things-especially-for-goo.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/220602/bank-plays-off-pay-to-the-order-of-in-cancer-eff.htmlFifth Third, the Cincinnati regional bank, has a terrific cause-marketing effort benefiting Stand Up 2 Cancer that runs through March 31 called "Pay to the Order of." With apologies to Yogi Berra, I've found that you can get a lot of questions answered by asking them. In the spirit of the numbers five and three, here are eight questions I put to Fifth Third's Meaghan Madges about the campaign, and her team's edited responses.Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:44:02 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/220602/bank-plays-off-pay-to-the-order-of-in-cancer-eff.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/220080/remarketing-comes-to-facebook.htmlRejoice! Remarketing has come to Facebook. Okay, that headline is a bit misleading, since technically up until now you could use a third party to remarket with FBX. But now anyone can do it - even the nonprofit with only five employees and no money to pay a third party.Mon, 24 Feb 2014 09:45:02 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/220080/remarketing-comes-to-facebook.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/219690/your-nonprofit-can-afford-to-buy-brand-awareness-o.htmlSo you've started a nonprofit, and you'd like to get the word out. There's social media, SEO, word of mouth, etc., but you're getting impatient. You need a visibility boost, and fast.Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:30:02 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/219690/your-nonprofit-can-afford-to-buy-brand-awareness-o.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/218748/guiding-against-mission-creep.htmlJennifer Maher has helped build cause marketing campaigns for such causes as Make-A-Wish, the Nature Conservancy, and YMCA of America, and she's learned a few things not only about how to deal with the mechanics of cause marketing and fundraising, but how to manage the confusing wetware involved of cause marketing, too.Mon, 03 Feb 2014 15:41:07 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/218748/guiding-against-mission-creep.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/218136/facebook-mobile-app-install-ads.htmlOne of the great new features in Facebook Advertising is mobile app install ads. If your nonprofit has a great mobile or tablet app, Facebook is a good way to increase awareness and encourage downloads.Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:00:07 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/218136/facebook-mobile-app-install-ads.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/217655/view-through-conversions-and-why-they-could-matter.html"View-through conversions." Ring a bell? If not, they're a tricky little metric used in the display and social media advertising world to cite an event where a person saw (but didn't click on) your ad and later converted through a different channel. (Here's how Google explains the metric.)Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:54:04 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/217655/view-through-conversions-and-why-they-could-matter.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/217274/doing-good-the-telus-way.htmlTELUS, the second largest telecom company in Canada, attributes its solid brand differentiation and customer loyalty in large part to strategic cause- marketing initiatives.Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:30:11 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/217274/doing-good-the-telus-way.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/216750/true-believers-increase-in-status-influence.htmlA recent study finds that "true believers" are more likely than non-believers to increase in status and influence, especially at organizations that are ideologically oriented. So stow away that cynicism, cause marketers, it's bad for your career!Tue, 07 Jan 2014 09:46:05 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/216750/true-believers-increase-in-status-influence.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/216366/one-thing-that-really-matters-for-2014-closing-th.htmlIt's that time of year again-when Top 10 Trend lists suddenly appear like lights on a tree (so far I've counted dozens, including Tech Trends, Green Marketing Social Media Trends, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Trends, Supermarket Trends, even the heart-stopping 2014 Top-Ten Call Center Trends).Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:43:03 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/216366/one-thing-that-really-matters-for-2014-closing-th.htmlhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/216083/your-2014-online-marketing-plan.htmlHope you all are having a wonderful giving season. This being the busiest time of year for nonprofits, I'm guessing that your 2014 marketing plan has been put on the back burner for now. But I'm here to help! If you need ideas for new places to start on Jan. 1 (or Jan. 2, let's be honest), then look no further.Mon, 23 Dec 2013 10:00:05 -0500https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/216083/your-2014-online-marketing-plan.html