Common Marketing Mistakes of Nonprofits

Common mistakes

• Afraid to spend money• Try to do it all in house• Too event focused• No plan• It’s all about feelings

Afraid to spend money• People want to give to

successful organizations

• People judge things they don’t understand based upon things they do understand.

• You need to look like you know what to do with the money!

Try to do it all in house• Leads to mistakes (people

judge things they don’t understand…)

• Nobody is good at everything!

• Leads to inconsistency• You end up only talking to

people when you want money or have an event coming up

Too event focused• Miss opportunities to develop

relationships• Runners & bikers to lots of events –

forget where they’ve been• You can get them to care if you follow

up!

No plan• Just do things as they come

up.• Usually no overall

marketing plan.• Nothing builds momentum.• Take time to plan.• Doesn’t have to be a big,

hairy process!• Be realistic!

It’s all about feelings• Corporate sponsorship

is a MARKETING decision

• Sell it like you’re selling advertising

• Who will learn about their business because of you

• How can you help them promote their business?

It’s not a magic bullet

Questions, comments, and discussion

Contact InformationClear Verve Marketing

890 Elm Grove Rd.Suite 209-2

Elm Grove, WI 53122

262-796-9001

www.clearverve.com