Newsletter: Advice for New Corporate Fundraisers π₯; 25 Hot Retailers to Add to Your Prospect Listπ₯; How to Use YouTube to Drive Traffic to Your Website π₯
The gang at Remarkable Partnerships (RP) in the UK has shared a helpful article for new corporate fundraisers. It's called 5 Top Tips for New Corporate Fundraisers.
I agree with every point! Those Brits are so wicked smahht!ππ¬π§
However, let me take a moment today to expand on their points and offer a few key insights of my own...
𧽠Be a sponge. You need to learn the job, and the best way to do that is to shadow someone else who is already doing it. That way you can learn the ins and outs of the position as quickly as possible.
If there is no one to learn from (more common than you think), you have to learn from somewhere else. Here are a few suggestions.
Stellar Partnerships (Australia)
βοΈ Do your homework. As RP says, "When you are approaching a corporate prospect or partner, take the time to do your research and really get to know them."
To accomplish this, I would immediately do two things.
Set up a Google Alert on the person and the company so you can track them.
Look them up on Twitter to see if they are active on the platform. If they are, you can usually pick up some useful intelligence by following their tweets, and especially their replies.
βΊοΈπ₯ Become an engaging storyteller. This is critical, but it depends on the type of decision maker you're dealing with. "Thinkers" tend to want more analytical information about the partnership. "Deferrers" look to others to help make decisions so be ready to share social proof. Case studies help! Always be prepared to pivot based on the type of decision maker you are dealing with.
π Clarify your objectives. This means being clear on where you should begin and that's why I recommend Prospecting Circles. Focus first on supporters - those people who already know, like, trust, and GIVE to your nonprofit. They are in the bullseye! π―
π Celebrate little wins. Building corporate partnerships takes time and you have to include little wins along the way to stay motivated. Break down the partnership process into steps so you are ALWAYS winning. That's why I recommend that you use the Partnership Solicitation Process Map. Every step you complete β is a win that brings you closer to a new partnership!
What would you suggest to a new corporate fundraiser?? Hit reply and let me know and I can share your advice in an upcoming issue.
βοΈ Partnership Notes
1. 25 hot retailers π₯ to add to your prospect list.
2. For Momentum has published a nice round-up of four back-to-school campaigns. Which is your fave?
π€ Marketing Your Cause
1. Knowing and understanding your nonprofit's audience will give you a competitive edge in corporate partnerships. This slide deck from Big Duck explains the different types of audience research and how to get started. Very helpful!
2. Regardless of what your nonprofit uses for social media, your primary goal should be to get visitors back to your website and on your email list. Wired Impact explains how to use YouTube to drive traffic to your nonprofitβs website.
3. Have you noticed that Instagram has been really pushing QR Codes? Nonprofits should consider using them more with direct mail, events, etc.
βNot only does this create a 'phygital' experience for the shopper supporter, but it offers a new way for brands nonprofits to drive and monitor their engagement in a way that can be traced all the way down to the bottom line donation level."
π Cool Jobs in Cause
1. Manager of Corporate Engagement, Caring Across Generations, Remote ($75k - $80k)
2. Director, Corporate Relations, American Academy of Dermatology, Rosemont, IL / Hybrid
3. Associate Director, Corporate Relations, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, Remote ($90k - $105k)
4. Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, Meals on Wheels America, Arlington, VA ($70k - $90k)
π§ π Brain Food
1. A breakdown of charitable donations over the past 12 months by demographic group.
2. How many people are in space right now? π©βπ How many people would we like to send to space? Incalculable.