At Ericka Aviles Consulting (EAC), we firmly believe in the power of marketing to amplify missions, engage communities, and drive impactful change. That’s why we were thrilled to attend the American Marketing Association Las Vegas Non-Profit Marketing Lunch on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Fogo de Chão.
The event brought together an impressive panel of nonprofit marketing leaders, including:
- Karen Alonso, VP of Marketing, United Way of Southern Nevada
- Leslie T. Snadowsky, Programming & Communications Coordinator, Congregation Ner Tamid
- Emily Smith, CEO/Consultant, Hearing and Speech Center
Their collective expertise offered invaluable insights on social media strategies, donor engagement, public relations, and resource management. Below are a key takeaway from key parts of the panel conversations. We look a lot of other notes and made valuable contacts which we will be sharing with our clients and partners directly!
Social Media: A Powerful Tool for Engagement
Panelists emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent messaging across all platforms. This means:
- Using a clear and cohesive brand identity, including logos and color palettes.
- Leveraging engaging visuals like videos, graphics, and infographics to tell your story.
- Tracking key metrics—such as membership growth and event attendance—to measure success.
Building and Nurturing Relationships
Trust and communication were identified as cornerstones of nonprofit success. Tips included:
- Cultivating personal relationships through small, meaningful touchpoints like personalized emails.
- Staying connected with supporters through regular updates and authentic engagement.
Public Relations: A Strategic Approach
The panel encouraged nonprofits to:
- Invest in dynamic visuals and B-rolls to enhance media outreach.
- Create colorful and engaging bulletins to share updates, with digital versions ensuring broader reach.
- Develop a strategic PR plan to align with overarching marketing goals.
Marketing and Fundraising: Telling the Right Story
A compelling narrative is at the heart of successful nonprofit marketing. Panelists recommended:
- Crafting stories that resonate with the community and highlight how fundraising supports the mission.
- Creating digital campaigns with compelling visuals and storytelling.
- Ensuring collaboration between marketing and fundraising teams for unified messaging.
Budget-Friendly Strategies
For nonprofits working with limited resources, the panel shared actionable tips:
- Use geo-targeting and custom audiences to maximize ad spending.
- Optimize Google Ads by regularly adjusting keywords.
- Develop solicitation kits before launching public-facing campaigns.
Capacity Building and Donor Engagement
Panelists also touched on ensuring that organizations are prepared to meet increased demand after marketing efforts. Key tips included:
- Having the marketing team experience the services being promoted to ensure authenticity in messaging.
- Implementing a “5 emails/calls before 10 AM” strategy to build relationships with donors effectively.
EAC’s Perspective
At EAC, we’re inspired by these conversations as they align with our mission to support community organizations and institutions on maximizing their community impact in multiple languages. From crafting engaging campaigns to ensuring strategic alignment, we’re committed to elevating organizations through intentional marketing strategies.
If you’re a nonprofit organization looking to strengthen your communication and engagement efforts, let’s connect. Together, we can amplify your mission and make a difference in the communities we serve.