You’re serious about expanding your nonprofit’s mission. However, standing out in today’s noisy digital world is more challenging than ever. You compete with more voices for attention while potential donors are constantly distracted.
So, how do you rise above the noise and increase donations? That’s the purpose of this blog post. You’ll discover proven digital marketing strategies that help your nonprofit stay ahead of tomorrow’s trends while speaking to dream donors.
The result? You generate more exposure for your nonprofit, secure meaningful partnerships, and fill your events and donation drives with supporters who become ambassadors for your cause.
Let’s get started.
1. Avoid This Common Website Mistake
Not all websites are the same. Many nonprofits fail to convert because they’re built by creative agencies or freelancers who aren’t conversion-focused experts. Instead, you must have a website that is clean, functional and built to perform.
For starters, ensure your site is mobile-friendly (60% of web traffic is from mobile) and optimized for speed. Make donation buttons easy to find, and don’t forget to tell your story in a way that resonates emotionally. Use clear and captivating copywriting that captures attention. Regularly test your headlines and functionality.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Use A/B testing for your donation forms—small tweaks like button color or phrasing can increase conversion rates by up to 20%.
2. Automate With Emails (The Right Way)
Email marketing isn’t dead. Not even close. In fact, email generates an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent. By automating email campaigns, you can nurture relationships with potential donors and partners.
What are some best practices? Send personalized thank-you emails after donations, create newsletters to keep your audience updated, and automate reminders for recurring giving. Use captivating subject lines that go beyond generic platitudes to increase open rates.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Segment your email list based on donor behavior (e.g., first-time donors, recurring donors) to send more personalized and effective messages.
3. Tell Your Story On Social Media
Social media can be a powerhouse for nonprofits if used correctly. Use platforms Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn based on your ideal donor profile. But instead of sharing generic content, showcase stories that lead to awareness and connection.
How? Dig deeper than other nonprofits. Show the real faces behind your cause, highlight success stories and share behind-the-scenes moments to humanize your brand. Use still images, carousel posts, videos, reels and other formats to keep content fresh.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Use Instagram and Facebook stories to share real-time updates during events, and don’t be afraid to go live—it can boost engagement by up to 24%.
4. Run Targeted Ad Campaigns
Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn ads are a goldmine for reaching the right audience. Use these platforms to create targeted campaigns based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. You can even use retargeting ads to reach people who’ve visited your website but haven’t donated.
Remember: most people need up to 10-20 touchpoints on a brand to feel compelled to take the next step. Running targeting campaigns is an excellent way to get in front of more eyeballs and maximize your reach.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Start small. Allocate a short trial campaign budget and optimize it based on performance before scaling up. Use data to drive decisions (more on that below.)
5. Host Virtual Events & Webinars
COVID-19 changed the event game. Even as in-person events return, virtual events are here to stay. Host webinars, live Q&As, or virtual fundraisers to engage supporters worldwide. This is a cost-effective way to speak to larger audiences without the
logistical headache (and cost) of physical events.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Record your virtual events and repurpose them into bite-sized social media content or an evergreen resource on your website, i.e., a webinar they can access in exchange for their contact information.
6. Collaborate with Influencers and Ambassadors
Influencer marketing isn’t just for beauty brands, it can work wonders for nonprofits too. Partner with micro-influencers who share your values and have an engaged following.
They can help spread your message to new audiences and add credibility to your cause. Done correctly, this can be some of your most impactful marketing, raising awareness and galvanizing new audiences toward your cause.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Focus on micro-influencers with fewer than 100K followers. Their smaller audiences tend to have higher engagement rates, making their support more impactful.
7. Leverage Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Empower your supporters to become fundraisers for your cause. Peer-to-peer fundraising allows individuals to raise funds on behalf of your nonprofit, organically expanding your reach.
Create a toolkit with ready-made templates, shareable graphics and marketing collateral to make it easy for supporters to spread the word. Ensure they have plug-and-play assets, including copywriting one-liners and impact statements.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Offer incentives for peer fundraisers, like exclusive content, branded merchandise, or shout-outs on your social media channels.
8. Invest in SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Ranking high on search engines like Google ensures your nonprofit gets found by people actively searching for causes. Optimize your website with relevant keywords, create valuable blog content, and ensure your site structure is easy to navigate. Don’t forget to claim (and update) your Google My Business profile for local visibility.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find long-tail keywords relevant to your cause—these often have less competition and more targeted traffic.
9. Harness the Power of Video Marketing
Video is exploding and is the most engaging form of content online. Nonprofits that use video effectively see a 50%-300% increase in click-through rates. Create short, impactful videos that showcase your mission, share testimonials, or give a behind-the-scenes look at your operations. Don’t forget to embed videos on your website and share them across your social media platforms.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Keep your videos short at 2 minutes or less. Studies show that engagement rates drop after the two-minute mark. Mix high-production videos with authentic, candid ones to connect with different audiences.
10. Let Data Drive Your Decisions
Data is your secret weapon for high-performance digital marketing. Track and analyze the performance of your campaigns—what’s working and what’s not. Tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and email analytics can help you understand your audience and refine your strategies.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Set up UTM parameters for each campaign so you can track exactly where donations and traffic are coming from.
11. Create a Content Calendar
Consistency is key in digital marketing. Create a content calendar to plan your social media posts, blogs, and email campaigns. This helps you stay organized and ensures you’re consistently engaging with your audience across all platforms.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Use Trello or Asana to organize your calendar and collaborate with your team for smooth execution or hire a performance-based digital marketing agency who can handle it all for you.
Remarketing helps keep your nonprofit top of mind for people who’ve already shown interest but haven’t yet taken action. Use Facebook Pixel or Google Ads to follow up with website visitors and remind them of your mission.
This nudge could be the final push they need to donate or attend an event. Personalize every aspect of the ad, including creative, headlines and copywriting to make it feel authentic and made exclusively for them.
Nonprofit Pro Tip: Offer exclusive content, early access to events, or behind-the-scenes footage in your remarketing campaigns to re-engage potential supporters. Speak to their exact behaviors with high-impact copywriting and bold creative.
Standing Out Can Be Hard. We’re Here To Help.
Digital marketing can feel overwhelming, but when you focus on the right strategies, the potential for impact is immense. By incorporating these 11 (and a bonus) proven tactics into your nonprofit’s marketing efforts, you can expand your reach, strengthen relationships with supporters, and boost donations.
At Slamdot, we know that most nonprofits don’t have the time to execute these campaigns on their own. It’s why we’re here to become an extension of your team while handling all of your digital marketing needs.
What makes us different? Unlike many agencies, we’re 100% performance-focused. We don’t simply create good-looking creative; we’re data-obsessed marketers with nearly two decades of experience. Whether you’re looking to drive more exposure, secure partnerships, or fill your next fundraiser with ambassadors, we’re here to help make it happen.
If you’re interested, the first step is to request a quote, and we’ll talk about your marketing goals!
