Brandraising: An Integrated Approach to Nonprofit Communications

Friday, October 8, 2010, 9 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Nonprofits must communicate effectively with clients, policymakers, and other key audiences in order to 'move the needle' and create social change, yet most nonprofit staff have limited experience with marketing or communications. Learn how to use research to inform communications strategies, the role and impact of branding, and how to leverage newer online tools and technologies. (More)
brandraising, capacity-building, communications strategy, Sarah Durham

Brandraising: Digging out of the trenches of daily communications

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010, 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Are you so busy with your day-to-day tasks that you haven’t stopped to take the time to look at the bigger picture? It’s time to get out of the trenches- or, at least, make sure you’re digging effectively toward results. In the final part of the brandraising webinar series, Big Duck Principal + Founder Sarah Durham and VP of Strategy and Client Relationships Farra Trompeter will explain how to create and implement a communications plan and strategy. Based on Sarah’s book Brandraising: How Nonprofits Raise Visibility and Money Through Smart Communication (Jossey-Bass, 2010). (More)
brandraising, capacity-building, communications strategy, Sarah Durham

Who should manage communications at your nonprofit?

July 2010
After 16 years of observing how nonprofits manage communications, we Ducks aren’t convinced that staffing structure is the real challenge. Instead, we think the more important question is what type of culture does your organization have around communication? (More)
capacity-building, communications strategy, nonprofit management, Sarah Durham

A picture’s worth 1,000 words: information graphics for nonprofits

June 2010
Most nonprofits understand the importance of written communication. Mission statements, fundraising appeals, and grant proposals are just a few ways organizations use words to make their case. But communicating information graphically can be another powerful tool for nonprofits. (More)
capacity-building, communications strategy, design

Nonprofits + mobile: R U Ready?

April 2010
In light of the millions of dollars raised in response to the Haiti earthquake in January, it’s hard to ignore the potential fundraising and communications power of mobile communications. But just like you can’t bring in lots of gifts simply by placing a donate button on your site, most charities won’t see a cash windfall by allowing donors to give via mobile. Technology is only as good as the strategy that surrounds it. (More)
capacity-building, communications strategy

The art of giving good feedback

March 2010

A few months ago, Dan and Sonny, the fearless-except-when-fearful heads of our creative team, put together a lovely blog series about feedback. Over the years, we’ve found that good, honest feedback can make all the difference in having that new website, brand identity, marketing campaign, etc. be something you want to show off to participants, donors, advocates, funders, board members, and the like.

We got such a great response from our clients that we thought we’d send it out again to make sure you saw it. The series offers advice on how to give helpful (read: productive) feedback whether you are working with an in-house designer or writer, a freelancer, or an agency like ours.

(More)
capacity-building, communications strategy, nonprofit management

Shouting to be heard: communicating in a noisy era

October 2009
Getting your organization's message out in this day and age can be challenge. In this month's newsletter we give some tips on how to rise about the noise and reach donors effectively. (More)
capacity-building, communications strategy, positioning

That’s our Mission! Vision? No, our Values! Wait, What?

September 2009
Ever wonder what the difference is between Vision, Mission, and Values Statements? This short primer will help it all become clear. (More)
brandraising, capacity-building, communications strategy, messaging, personality, positioning

Do you have a social media policy?

August 2009
Whether you are sparking discussion or others are discussing you, your organization has a presence in social media. (More)
capacity-building, communications strategy, online, personality, social media

[Insert world’s best subject line here]

July 2009
Everyone’s emailing these days — your favorite shoe store, your local farmer, your doctor, your school, your parents. Use subject lines well, and make your nonprofit’s emails stand out from the pack. (More)
communications strategy, messaging, online

Beyond the RFP: Better, Stronger, Faster!

June 2009
More than ever, nonprofits are using RFP's (requests for proposals) as part of the process for determining which vendors or partners they'll hire. RFP's can help you gather information about a lot of different possible vendors or partners in one fell swoop. That's the good news. But there's also a dark side.... (More)
communications strategy, nonprofit management

Reflections for the NTC — NTEN’s nonprofit technology conference

May 2009
On April 26-28, 2009, Big Duck's Sarah Durham and Farra Trompeter joined over 1,400 nonprofit professionals and consultants in San Francisco, CA for the 2009 NTC (nonprofit technology conference). Read on to get some of their takeaways. (More)
capacity-building, communications strategy, nonprofit management, social media

Media Rules — An Interview with Brian Reich on new media

July 24, 2008
Wondering how all this new media and technology might impact your nonprofit's communications? Author Brian Reich shares his approach to integrating new media with sound communications strategies, and offers some useful tips and resources to help you get started. (More)
communications strategy

“Economic-opportunities organization needs to get more personal with visitors and potential donors.”

July 01, 2008
Make it personal. Sarah Durham and Farra Trompeter offer suggestions for how a national nonprofit that creates new and sustainable economic opportunities for low-income Americans can improve its website to inspire donors to invest. (More)
communications strategy

Research — An Interview with Ann Duffett on the basics

July 01, 2008
Conducting research can help inform your organization's communications, and can be done in creative and cost-effective ways. In this interview with FDR Group's Ann Duffett, we explore the basics of what you need to know and how to dive in. (More)
communications strategy, nonprofit management

Holistic communications — More than the immediate project

April 07, 2008
When creating that website, annual report, brochure, or other communications piece, taking a step back to survey the ‘bigger picture’ and think strategically can dramatically improve results. (More)
communications strategy

White Paper: Fixing Fuzzy Perceptions

January 2002
Why is it that people so rarely understand what your organization does? Or have confused ideas about it? Or can't remember information you've provided? This White Paper addresses some of the issues behind these questions and provides some tips to help sharpen your organization's communications. (More)
communications strategy, messaging, positioning

White Paper: Building Effective Relationships

March 2001
This White Paper offers tools to assess what your internal team can handle, and what you may want to look for in any firm you're considering working with. (More)
communications strategy