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An important part of any non-profit organization’s mission is getting its message out to as many people as possible. WordPress can help make that process easier. A well-designed WordPress website can help even the smallest non-profit reach a wide audiences and help activate both supporters and volunteers.
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Power Up Your
Non-ProfitWebsite
Ray Mitchell@SixFourWebWordCamp Asheville 2014
About Me
● Designer / Developer / Consultant at SixFour Web Design
● SixFour Web Design Specializes in helping Small Businesses and Non-Profits maximize their Web Presence
● We Believe “Even Small Businesses Deserve a Nice Website”
Why Use WordPress For YourNon-Profit's Website?
● As of 2013, WordPress powers over 20% of the world's websites.
● If you can send an email, you can update the content on your website.
● You can start your website for less than the cost of a pizza.*
*Remind me to tell you how
Why Does Your Non-Profit Need A Website Anyway?
● There are many reasons why your Non-Profit may want a website, but the primary reason why you need a website is to help communicate your organizations purpose in a credible and effective manner.
● Effective and credible communication will help you gain the support that helps you achieve your organization's goals.
What Makes YourCommunication Effective?
● The PRIMARY purpose of your website is to communicate information that gets ATTENTION for your cause.
● Once you've captured ATTENTION, you can capture
Advocates – TalkersVolunteers – DoersDonors – Givers
So, How Do You Capture Attention For Your Non-Profit
How Do You Capture Positive Attention For Your Non-Profit
● Present your organization credibly*
– Choose a Theme that corresponds to your work
– Avoid Misspellings
– Use a real email address
– Display your physical address prominently
– Make your IRS 990 and Annual Reports available for download
*Umm, try not to look too “dodgy.” Especially if you're asking for money.
● Tell your story. Storytelling is the most effective tool in the Non-Profit toolkit.
● Share your Mission, History, Board Members
● Let your site visitors know why your work is important to them.
● Sharing stories creates understanding.
How Do You Capture Positive Attention For Your Non-Profit
Share. Your. Story.
● WordPress makes it easy to share your story:
Blog PostsPhoto Galleries and SlideshowsEmbedded VideoField RecordingsTestimonials, and more...
Use Stories To Keep Advocates, Donors & Volunteers Fully Engaged
● When telling the story of your charity, be sure to tell the stories of the people who can make things happen; your advocates, volunteers and benefactors.
Keep Advocates Engaged
● Advocates may be more hands off, but they can spread the word. Make it easy for them
– Share links to your website on Social Media and encourage them to do the same
– Post Key Facts in an easily accessible area like a “Media Page”
– Make it a point to regularly ways to give them the opportunity to get more involved as a volunteer or a donor
Keep Volunteers Engaged
● Keep your volunteers engaged by highlighting their work
– Newsletters
– Project Features
– Volunteer Profiles/Volunteer of the Month
– Backstage Pass
Keep Donors Engaged
● Let your donors know how their contributions help
– Provide regular updates on progress
– Recognize Donors on your site (ask them if it's OK)
– Interview them for a “Why I Give” post
– Install a donation “thermometer”
– Prove the value of the contribution of time or money; share testimonials of those who benefited
Publicize and Promote UsingSocial Media
● Use Social Media to publicize events for your organization and others doing similar work
● Twitter Feeds and the Facebook Like Box are good ways to keep top of mind and provide social proof
● Remember it's fine to be on social media, but the purpose is to drive people to your website
Promote Your Website
● Don't forget other ways of promoting your Non-Profit and your website URL
– Business Cards
– Email Signature
– Thank You Cards
– Volunteer Name Tags
– T-Shirts
– Brochures
Get Plugged-in To Power UpYour Website
● There are many plugins that you can use on your WordPress website, but they won't do anyone any good if your website crashes, gets hacked or otherwise gets “blowed-up real good”.
Practice Good Online Hygiene and Back Your Site Up!
Get Plugged-In to Power UpYour Website
● *Backup Buddy (ithemes.com)
● Wordfence Security
● Jetpack
– Carousel
– Tiled Galleries
– Publicize
● Testimonials by Aihrus
*Premium
Get Plugged-In to Power UpYour Website
● Contact Form 7
● *Gravity Forms (gravityforms.com)
● The Events Calendar
● All In One SEO Pack
● S2Member
*Premium
Thanks
Get in touch
Ray Mitchell
@sixfourweb
plus.google.com/+RayMitchell
linkedin.com/in/raymundmitchell
www.sixfourweb.com
