by Ian Haisley | Aug 6, 2021 | +Good Newsletter
1. The metaverse and the not-so-distant future of the internet. 💻
First things first, what is a metaverse? It’s an old sci-fi term for a seamless virtual world experienced by first-person users with augmented reality technology. And according to Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s transition from social media into “a metaverse company”, is not as far away as you might think. So what does this mean for you? And how long do we have to wait before this is our reality?
Dive into the metaverse. [via Digiday]
2. Maximize the ROI from your newsletter! 💪
If you underestimate your email marketing returns, you might be shutting your eyes to some huge potential. Businesses get an average of $42 out of every dollar put into a well-planned email marketing strategy—and we’d love for you to be part of that statistic! Learn about unique strategy building, success metrics to pay attention to, and how to help your emails meet their targets by checking out the link below! (And, as always, we’d love to help you get your email marketing rocking and rolling!)
15 ways to get even more ROI from your emails. [via Databox]
3. Don’t 🛑 make the most common monthly giving mistake.
Is it sending your donors too many messages? Putting the wrong titles in your newsletters? The answer is actually much more simple, and it’s something you can work on right now! Read below about the single easiest tactic to start boosting your monthly donations.
What’s the most common monthly giving mistake? [via A Direct Solution]
4. Start using episodic content. 🍿🍿
We’re all guilty of binge-watching our favorite shows, but what if you could bottle that anticipation and use it to keep your donors hooked? You don’t have to run a TV show, you just have to keep your audience engaged with content that makes the most of your organization’s stories!
Learn how to leverage episodic content from the experts. [via Content Marketing Institute]
5. How to test for barriers in your email 📝 flow.
If your emails are not producing your desired results, there are three likely culprits: barriers to deliverability, display issues, or lack of engagement. But how can you diagnose the problem? We’ve collected an email testing toolkit to help you 1) find what’s blocking your flow and 2) avoid easy email testing mistakes.
Start sending better emails. [via Smashing Magazine]
by Ian Haisley | May 21, 2021 | +Good Newsletter
1. The magic 🌟 of social proof.
Remember that movie you almost saw, but the reviews were so bad? Remember that restaurant you almost skipped, but the reviews were so great? Social proof is just good reviews transformed into free advertising. Learn how to take your clients’ testimonials, mentions, and case studies and use them to build trust in your services.
Turn your donors into advocates. [via unbounce]
2. The algorithms, 📈 they are a-changin’.
Next month, Google plans to release its Google Page Experience update, along with some additional SEO tools. These new features will ensure that websites provide the best experience to searchers, whether they are using a mobile, desktop, or tablet device. Preparing for a new update can be a challenge, but there are simple steps you can take now to get ahead of the algorithm changes and avoid declining traffic.
Get prepared for the update. [via Neil Patel]
3. Why do 📩 emails go to spam?
The most frustrating thing: putting so much time into your emails just to have them end up in a spam folder alongside ads and scams? You’re better than that! You deserve the inbox! Luckily, there is something you can do. Learn about 12 common mistakes we all make that land us in our readers’ spam folders—and get your emails where they need to be!
Get into the inbox. [via GetResponse]
4. Don’t waste good content. ♻️ Repurpose it!
Listen, content creators: we get it. You’re swamped with assignments. But what if you could re-use content instead of re-inventing the wheel each time you post? A few simple content strategy changes could save your heavy workload and boost web traffic on content that already works! Don’t let a good thing to go to waste—learn to build your customer base by repurposing content.
Reduce, reuse, recycle your content. [via Content Marketing Institute]
5. Unlock 🔓 Facebook’s full potential.
While LinkedIn may have cornered the market for professional social networking, Facebook holds valuable networking potential, too—if you can find and join the right groups. Check out this extensive list of the most active, supportive, and useful groups for marketers on Facebook. After joining the right group, you’ll be able to ask questions, learn best practices for growing and building your organization, and connect with your fellow industry professionals.
Join your peers on Facebook. [via Wild Apricot]
This issue of +good was written and produced by Allison Kooser, Ian Haisley, Sydney Bartlett, Kerry Jones, Lindsey Lincoln, and Katie Powers.
by Ian Haisley | Apr 16, 2021 | +Good Newsletter
This list originally appeared in +good — our weekly round-up of the articles, tools, books, videos, and stories we can’t stop talking about. If you aren’t already subscribed, sign up for free!
1. Saying 💬 thanks never gets old.
Being thanked is different from feeling thanked — and mastering the attitude of gratitude is what separates the good from the great when it comes to donor relations. Think your thanks need an upgrade? Don’t worry, we’ve got seven ways to express gratitude that will give your donors those fuzzy feelings.
Easy ways to thank your donors. [Swell + Good]
2. Is your content 🕶️ on trend?
Wish you had unlimited time and money to jump on every single trend you see? Us too! But we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to be picky about what we invest in. These tips from Contently help you navigate the trends of 2021 to decide which ones work best for your goals.
Content marketing trends that matter most. [via Contently]
3. You read 📖 this, right?
If you’re still reading, learn why others might have looked over these next few sentences. The Startup suggests that using subheaders could not only improve your SEO but hold onto your reader’s attention. When drafting the copy for your next fundraising campaign, follow their advice: Start with too many subheaders — then cut back. Your most important message should be the easiest to read.
We’re guessing you read this, too. [via Medium]
4. Are Facebook ads worth it?
What percentage of Americans log in to Facebook each day? If you guess was nearly three-quarters, you’re right — 68% of Americans look at the site on a daily basis. And if your audience is there, you should be there, too. Get started with Facebook Ads (or take your advertising to the next level) with these helpful hints. From detailing your Facebook ad budget to recommending the metrics to track, this guide does the research for you.
Get into the ad business. [via Neil Patel]
5. Heat up your cold 🥶 subscribers.
Almost 20% of your average nonprofit’s donations come from email lists, so if your newsletters and campaign emails are feeling stale, it’s time to hit refresh. Learn best practices for scrubbing your subscriber list, discover the secrets of an effective email cadence (hint: you should send more frequently than you do), and receive a free license to break the email marketing rules your internship taught you.
Mix up your email game. [via Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit]
This issue of +good was written and produced by Allison Kooser, Ian Haisley, Sydney Bartlett, Lindsey Lincoln, and Katie Powers.
by Ian Haisley | Mar 29, 2021 | +Good Newsletter
1. Your nonprofit needs a 📚 book club.
Start a book club to engage with your donors! Build community, educate donors, and spark action by featuring impactful stories and thoughtful discussions. Sound like a plan? Use our helpful book club guide to get started!
Every nonprofit needs a book club. [via Swell + Good]
2. Fundraising copy, best served 🥶 chilled.
Fundraising copywriters are adept at tapping into big emotions to elicit strong reactions, but sometimes we get a little too caught up in the glow of the moment. Bake a cool-off period into your deadlines, step away for a few hours (or, if you can stand it, a few days), and come back to assess your words with new eyes.
Fundraising copywriters, let your copy cool before serving. [via TrueSense Marketing]
3. Increase discoverability with Instagram 🎥 Reels.
From TikTok to Snapchat to Instagram, bite-sized videos are sweeping the internet. And you’ve probably already noticed Instagram Reels making their way into your feed. But did you know that the Instagram algorithm serves Reels to users who don’t follow you? That makes it a great tool to reach new eyes and connect with a new audience.
How to make a successful Instagram Reel. [via Social Media Examiner]
4. Following your donor’s 🤝 lead.
When it comes to fundraising, it’s not about you— it’s about your donors. And asking them for a major gift doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. These five tips remind us that asking is a process and, just like giving, it’s one rooted in emotional responses to your mission. The next time you make an ask, trust your donors and your own instincts.
Five suggestions for when your nerves start getting the best of you. [via Gail Perry]
5. Collect food 🥫 and clothing with just one click.
In 2017, Facebook launched its Community Help Hub to centralize resources and allow users to connect quickly following a crisis. Now, it’s released Drives, a US-only feature that enables users to create and share initiatives, such as canned food and clothing drives, for those in need.
Rally your community through Facebook Drives. [via Tech Crunch]
This issue of +good was written and produced by Allison Kooser, Ian Haisley, Sydney Bartlett, Lindsey Lincoln, and Katie Powers.
by Ian Haisley | Mar 20, 2021 | +Good Newsletter
1. Make your Facebook group 💬 a close-knit community.
Your Facebook group can help you reach your goals, but only if you take the time to cultivate it correctly. Understanding what to post and what not to post is critical! These suggested rules and boundaries encourage deep engagement within your group, attracting your kind of people and fostering community.
Develop a loyal community. [via Social Media Examiner]
2. Finally learn what 🔍 SEO is all about.
You know what SEO is…but do you actually understand it? Neil Patel makes Search Engine Optimization (SEO) make sense and lays out a few practical techniques to increase your web traffic and brand awareness. Learn how to complete your own SEO audit, create SEO optimized landing pages, and more (way more).
Find yourself on the first page of Google. [via Neil Patel]
3. Increase your reach 🚀 with Instagram’s Live Rooms.
New features alert! You can now host an Instagram Live with one, two, or three other accounts using Live Rooms. A Live with a few cohosts allows you to engage with your community while connecting with their communities, too.
Using Instagram Live Rooms. [via Facebook]
4. Get quick and easy feedback 🗣 in just a few clicks.
Having access to actionable, qualitative feedback from your target audience is key to a project’s success. With Loops, you can post creative work and receive hundreds of honest and constructive comments from team members and strangers in just minutes. While that might sound overwhelming, it only takes a few easy clicks to analyze the feedback and find the most effective ways to implement it.
Find out what they think. [via Loops]
5. Find, use, and create GIFs to 📈 enhance your brand.
We might not know how to pronounce gif, but we definitely know we love them. Those ubiquitous, looping animations can be used everywhere — in emails, blog posts, social media, and more. Try out some of these suggestions, and use gifs to engage with your audience and promote your brand.
Get started with gifs. [via Neil Patel]
This issue of +good was written and produced by Allison Kooser, Ian Haisley, Sydney Bartlett, Lindsey Lincoln, and Katie Powers.
