Newsletter: Newsjacking for Causes 🗞; How Businesses Can Raise Money from the Stage 🎤; Marketing Channels with Highest ROI 📈
I got a great question from a reader last week...
Q. Given the current political environment, it's clear that Americans are interested in supporting brands that have deep engagement with a relevant social issue. I'm curious how you see nonprofits fitting into this conversation. Beyond being a partner for these brands, how should nonprofit organizations engage in discussions around current events through their own communications (and is it appropriate for them to do so)? Do you have thoughts on this? Are people looking to nonprofits for this kind of guidance? Or is this territory we should avoid?
A. I think there are two things to discuss here. First, you ask if nonprofits should be getting involved in controversial issues. Judging from what you mentioned about your board, it sounds like your organization isn't up for that, which is fine! Most nonprofits shouldn't wade in on this, unless your really want/have to. I made my case for "poking the bear" here:
Nonprofits, Your Sole Goal in 2017: Pick a Fight with Trump!
Second, when you say: I feel like we have the opportunity to provide nonpartisan resources for our followers/subscribers in response to current events you're talking about NEWSJACKING (aka when organizations align themselves with breaking or trending news to build awareness - or even to raise money, which I call CAUSEJACKING!).
I wrote about it here:
How Causes Can Inject Themselves Into Breaking News and Get Noticed
I think newsjacking is an excellent idea and more nonprofits should use it. Again: you can inject yourself into breaking and trending news without being controversial! Also, look for stories that are unique to your community.
For example, when an ambitious raccoon scaled a skyscraper last summer in Minneapolis and captured the media’s attention, an enterprising organization pounced on the opportunity! They created two tee shirts to sell and portion of sales benefited a wildlife organization.
In terms of newsjacking guidelines, this post offers a few:
Newsjacking: What it is and How to Do it
This article is also helpful and mentions the main proponent of the practice, David Meerman Scott.
Newsjacking: 6 Tips to Help Your Branded Content Use the News
Finally, I’ve devoted a whole PInterest board to examples of newsjacking and “causejacking” (When you ride the wave of a breaking story to raise money!) Check it out!
39 Examples of Newsjacking on Pinterest
Good luck! Is your nonprofit using newsjacking to elevate your brand? I’d love to hear about it!
Partnership notes
1. There are many types of corporate partnerships. But the best ones involve partners that are "all in". Take the example of Coca-Cola's partnership with World Wildlife Foundation to raise $10 million to ensure the polar bear’s future.
2. This nonprofit partnered with Starbucks and raised over $36,000 with a high-tech donation box. [SPONSORED]
3. Ok, here's the situation. A corporate leader is addressing a large conference audience and wants to activate the audience to support your cause. Her question for you: How do I do it? Check out how this company invested 15 minutes of a keynote presentation to fundraising and raised $30,000 for its nonprofit partners.
Marketing your cause
1. If you work with influencers - and you should - here are 9 best practices for influencer marketing agreements.
2. Marketers agree. The marketing channels that return the highest ROI are email marketing, SEO and content marketing.
3. Are you banking on the charm of your business development team to win the day when selling corporate partnerships? 😐 Here's a better idea: focus on building your brand. What does that mean? Focus on having a massive impact and communicating that impact. (And how should you communicate that impact? See #2 above)
Cool jobs in cause**
1. Corporate Relations, CLARE Foundation (Santa Monica, CA)
2. Marketing and Sponsorship Manager, Historic Yellow Springs (Chester Springs, PA)
3. Corporate Relations Associate, Cradles to Crayons (Boston)
4. Director of Corporate Sponsorship Sales, Future500/Earthx (San Francisco)
**Have your cause-related job featured here for FREE. Hit reply or email me at joe@selfishgiving.com.
Brain food
1. Must read: Jamal Khashoggi's murder amounts to a bloody, brutal dare to the CSR community.
2. Blue and red companies: how CEO activism is reshaping workforce politics.
3. For the first time in its corporate history, outdoor retailer Patagonia endorsed 2 Senate candidates.
Have a question, story suggestion or category you want to see covered? Just leave a comment below. 🙏
