How to Start a Nonprofit Blog

adminMarch 7, 2023

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Starting a blog takes a little time and preparation to think through both the marketing side of the blog and the technical side of the blog.

Here are some basic steps you need to take to start yours nonprofit blog.

Reading: How to create a nonprofit blog

1. Decide where to host your nonprofit blog.

There are basically two places to host your blog: on your nonprofit organization’s website or on another site like Blogger or Typepad.

It’s best to keep your blog on your site so you stay in control and people don’t have to leave your site to see the latest post.

If you are just starting out with a brand new website, you can include a blog page right from the start. If you have an established website, you can easily add a blog. Just make sure you add the blog to your site’s navigation bar so visitors can easily find it.

2. Keep the blog on brand.

If your brand is personable and authentic, your blog posts should reflect that. Don’t write in a stiff, overly serious style if that’s not your brand.

It’s best to write in the first person so that your blog posts feel almost like a personal message from you to the reader feel. Of course, you can occasionally change the perspective and content, but all articles should match your organization’s personality.

Use the same theme, logo, and font on your Blog Page so that your audience knows you’re reaching them a seamless transition from your landing page.

<img src="https://getfullyfunded.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Woman-at-computer.jpg" alt=" " / 3. Decide who will write blog posts.

Decide who will be the main author of the blog, whether you or someone else.

It’s okay to have an external Hire an author or a staff member who can write well, as long as they can write the same way you do and keep their posts on-brand.

You can delegate the writing, or simply get help with research, outlining, or editing , depending on your strengths and the time you have available to write.

4. Get to know your audience.

Be clear about who your blog audience is and what they are interested in.

You may need to think about an ideal reader, even consider a few categories of readers such as donors, potential donors, and volunteers.

Use these questions to define your reader audience:

Are your blog Readers actual readers or high flyers? ?
Are you educated?
Are you male or female?
Older or younger?
Are you a current donor?

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Potential donors?
Volunteers?
Do they prefer photos or videos with stories?

Every time you write a post, ask yourself who it is for and what you want them to do after reading it.

5. Associate a blog post template.

Although blog articles often feel like they’re written off the cuff, you actually need to plan out how your typical blog post will go.

Begin you to think carefully about the sections you want to include, e.g. For example, an opening section, a main content section, a closing section, and a call to action.

Think about the length of your articles. Blog posts should be at least 300 words, but the best length for SEO optimization is over 1500 words. If you can write a post between 1500 and 2000 words, it is more likely to be shared. This length also allows for more internal links to your site and more opportunities to include keywords. However, don’t worry about creating shorter blog posts if the need arises. A story in photos is a great option for an event, mission trip, or construction.

Once you have your template in mind, think about how you will write each blog post. Start with an outline. Each post should contain a strong message and a call to action. Don’t just roam around with a stream of consciousness thoughts or try to throw in a large combination of stories, statistics, and other vaguely related information. A blog post with a point and a clear action for the reader to take is more likely to be read, replied to, and shared.

6. Get people to visit your website.

One of the main reasons you should add a Blog Page is to drive more traffic to your site, since every new reader is a potential donor.

Optimize your nonprofit blog posts for search engines with keywords people type when they search for information related to your topic. If you are looking for volunteer tutors in Knoxville, make sure to include this phrase in your blog post. Aim to include the keyword at least once or twice in headlines and up to 10 times throughout the article. It may seem boring to you, but it helps the right people land on your blog page. If possible, make time for yourself or someone on your team to take an SEO course so you learn how to maximize your opportunities with search engines.

If appropriate, link to other articles on your site to introduce readers to even more of your content.

The most important thing is to provide consistent, quality content on your blog that people care about, with moving stories and eye-catching images. You’ll find that if you write solid, emotionally engaging posts, your organic sharing rate will increase over time. Donors often come to your site to learn about your blog because it’s interesting!

7. Set up an editorial calendar.

To save your mind and keep you from staring at a blank screen every time you need a blog post, take the time to an editorial calendar to create. p>

Since you need to post often, an editorial calendar is crucial for a blog as it gives you the ability to plan content for a year from an overall perspective. You can be sure to post your best stories before asking for money. You can add the right stories about specific holidays. And you can make sure to vary the types of posts included in your plan.

Occasionally there may be emergencies that require your donors’ attention, so allow some flexibility and keep the news fresh publish when it happens.

8. Set goals for your nonprofit blog.

Before you start blogging, set your goals.

You can spend a lot of time writing blog posts and to share stories without making much of it. Deciding WHAT outcome you want to achieve will help direct your time with your nonprofit blog in the right direction.

Broadly answer these two questions: what do you want to achieve overall, and what do you want Reach you with every post?

Your goals for your nonprofit blog could be:

Clarify your message. Perhaps you work in a crowded non-profit sector like animal rescue but have a very different approach or you serve the needs of very specific animals. A blog where you share information about how different and necessary your programs are can go a long way in educating the public. This also helps establish your nonprofit’s personality and differentiate it from other organizations.

Establish authority. If your nonprofit uses technical expertise to help your beneficiaries, or if you have gained special knowledge through experience (as many nonprofits do), you can use the blog to establish yourself as an authority on a establish topic. For example, if your organization is helping sex workers escape human trafficking, you may want to explain existing laws or advocate for new ones. You will be able to provide detailed knowledge that your readers are unlikely to find or understand on their own. This can even lead to guest blogging spots, media interviews, or speaking invitations, all of which expand your reach in your nonprofit sector. When donors trust and respect your authority in your field, they are more likely to trust you with their money.

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Interact with donors and supporters. Blog Pages have a comments section where readers can reply to your blog post. If you share blog content on social media, readers can interact there as well. For this reason, a blog is a great way to open up communication with donors, volunteers, potential program participants, and the community in general. Make time each week to respond to comments, answer questions, and provide the occasional police answer, both on the blog itself and on any social media platform where you choose to share the content.

Encourage email signups. Give people the option to sign up to receive an email notification when you post a new article on your blog. Make it easy for people to find the opt-in form and sign up. If you use Constant Contact or Mail Chimp, this should be a matter of adding code to your site.

Encourage readers to volunteer . There are times when you need volunteers, and your blog is a great place to explain why, what, and when. You can even consider having a volunteer tell their own story of a positive experience on the blog.

Share impact and stories . A nonprofit blog is a great place to share stories of life changes! Because it’s updated so frequently, it’s the perfect place to keep readers updated on a story they’re following. Just as writers used to write series in newspapers that left readers wanting more, you can use your nonprofit blog to tell a story over a series of days or weeks.Perhaps your organization is helping victims of natural disasters. Tell the story of someone you’ve helped, from the moment your team steps in to help, and allow your readers to follow that person until they get back on their feet. Use images and videos to bring the story to life.

Find donors and keep them donating . Emotionally compelling copy, consistently showing how you come across to your beneficiaries, explaining your purpose and vision—all of these things help build donor trust. A steady stream of stories and information is a great fundraising tool. Don’t forget to ask for donations on the blog! The ultimate goal of this tool is to bring in donations that advance your vision. Just don’t ask every time. Between requests, share three good or heartwarming stories so readers don’t feel like you just want them for their money.