How you’re perceived online can improve, or sink, your chances of landing that dream job
This post isn’t addressing crisis management, at least not in the traditional sense. However, we do speak with students across the country during guest lectures, as well as encountering a good number of job seekers ourselves, and thought the info in this BCjobs.ca graphic was too valuable to not pass along. The internet truly is a double-edged sword when it comes to the hunt for employment. After all, actions from many years past or a moment of stupidity can come back to haunt you. But, with a little bit of work, you can also showcase your personality, knowledge, and ability like never before.
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For more resources, see the Free Management Library topic: Crisis Management
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A number of years ago, we used a video recording as part of the capital campaign solicitation of 14,000 prospects for a 1,200 student (150 year old) college. The “footage” was shot at various times during the school year and edited for various uses.
One application was as an introduction in the face-to-face solicitation of major gift prospects.
A second application was an 18-minute video that accompanied a pre-call letter for the solicitation of the majority of the (“lower-rated”) prospects of the school.
In that second application, 12,000 videos were sent to parents and alumni as part of that pre-call package — which was followed, within 4-5 days by a solicitation phone call from a student.
The students, with the support of the pre-call package, raised $6,000,000 in pledges.
It is interesting that, in conjunction with a capital campaign ten years earlier — at the same school, student callers (with the same training and supervision, but without the video) “only” raised $5,000,000 from the same number of parents and alumni.
The video was so successful that major gift prospects who had not yet been visited, and (therefore) had not yet seen/received their own video but had heard about it from classmates, demanded to get their copy.
The mass produced video was designed as a “warm and fuzzy.” It was narrated, both on and off screen, by a hollywood star who had attended the college. There was, of course, some discussion of the capital campaign — about 3 minutes of the 18, but most of the footage “took the alumni (and parents) back” to when they (or their children) experienced what was displayed on the screen — in chronological order — from the first day at school through graduation.
I must emphasize, however, that a video will be of little value in a capital campaign if it isn’t used properly: if the solicitors (face-to-face or otherwise) don’t know how to conduct The Ask — including the handling of prospect concerns and objections.
Where a video, by itself, can’t raise significant dollars, it can be a great adjunct to the process. People-asking-people is still the most effective solicitation technique; and, prefacing The Ask with a creatively produced video can significantly increase contributed income.
BTW. The third use of the video footage was an edited version for the admissions office.
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We continue the discussion of Video in Development
in next week’s posting.
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In considering the creation of a Corporate Solicitation Program (a CSP), the first questions I’d ask of a nonprofit is whether they realize that only five-percent of all “charitable” giving to nonprofits comes from corporations, and (considering “return-on-investment”) how much of their time, energy and assets do they want to dedicate to this effort? That means that you cannot try to get funding from every corporation that comes to mind.
Whether the NPO does or does not deal with that basic concept, the major issue in creating a CSP is evaluating whether the NPO can do it successfully.
The planning process begins with the questions: How do corporations view your organization? Do they see a history of good service to the community and good fiscal management? Do they see a history of other corporations supporting your NPO and getting the “quid pro quo” that they want? How do they know they’ll get what they want if they support you? Do you have a mission/program/service that dovetails with a corporation’s mission and/or product/service line?
Corporate fundraising is about the needs of the corporation, and a corporation’s needs are pretty much about their bottom line – many have stockholders they must satisfy.
If supporting an NPO gives them good visibility and good credibility, that would likely result in increased sales of their products/services. A corporation might give to be a good member of the community, or just to appear to be a good member of the community. But a corporation would certainly not give, if giving would hurt their bottom line.
Corporate fundraising is also about the needs of the corporate officers and board members – what will they (personally) get out of having their corporation support you!! That becomes more of an issue of individual cultivation – getting one or more of those people to see how supporting you will benefit them, and getting them, therefore, to become your advocate within the corporation.
So, the first step in the process is determining if a CSP can/would work for your NPO.
Once you’ve done the study to determine that, you’ll have a better idea of the kind of help you might need to implement/expand your Corporate Solicitation Program.
So, to begin the process, make a (wish) list of all those potential corporate donors, and then gather the material you need to determine which corporations are real prospects.
Some Corporate Annual Reports list the amount(s) they’ve given to nonprofit organizations, and often list those NPOs. Check to see if they give to organizations that do what you do. Look to see if there’s a statement of policy as to the types/locations of NPOs they support. Some corps give only to NPOs that their employees support – check that out.
Check to see if the corporation has an office/department/division of charitable giving … or whatever they may call it. Call them; ask for a copy of the corporation’s giving guidelines. Talk with a corporate giving officer, if they have such, and (come right out and) ask what you have to do to get the corporation to add you to their list of nonprofits they support. FYI, corporate giving officers are there to work with you to see if there’s a match – and sometimes work with you to create a match — between what you can do for them and what they can do for you.
Make a list of the officers and directors of the corporations and circulate that list to your board members, volunteers and major donors to see if anyone you know has a personal connection with a corporate board member or officer who can help you get corporate money.
That means that you must cultivate – build a relationship with – those corporate officers and directors … the same as you would with a prospective major donor.
Most corporations have been asked before. Don’t be bashful.
Sometimes the Ask can be as simple as a conversation with the right person, and sometimes as formal as a grant proposal to a foundation. You’ll find out which when you do your research.
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Give your reputation a leg up with every step you take on social media
Social media is used for many things – marketing, sales, customer service, and SEO to name a few. But, one common thread that should run throughout all of these is a focus on improving reputation. In this simple infographic, internet marketing pro Andy Jenkins shares some advice on how getting social can give your reputation a boost:
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For more resources, see the Free Management Library topic: Crisis Management
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How you speak, and the words and phrases you use, make a huge impact in the way you are perceived on the job, as well as in everyday life. For example, every time I hear someone say, “no problem,” I cringe. Why are you even bringing up the word problem? Instead, focus on the positive side of the phrase, by saying “you’re welcome,” “glad to help,” or “my pleasure.”
Here are some more positive phrases you might want to adopt, so that you are seen as a positive, can-do person.
How can I help?
What do you need?
I’ll get it done.
Of course.
I will take care of that for you.
I understand.
When would you like this?
I appreciate that.
I’ve got your back.
Well done.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
Yes.
You’re welcome.
Here is what I can do…
In general, focus on what you can do, or can say yes to, instead of saying what you can’t or won’t do. It will make a world of difference in your communication.
Gift Tables/Pyramids are great fundraising tools, but their construction and usage are often very much misunderstood. They are most often associated with capital campaigns, but are also great tools for major gifts fundraising, for “fiscal year fundraising,” and even for major events.
Prior to the beginning of every fiscal year, an organization goes through its budgeting process and comes up with a (realistic, attainable) figure for how much money will be needed for operations/programs, and how much of that will be needed to be raised via charitable giving.
The latter figure must be based on prior experience and analysis of the likely giving of those currently in the organization’s database. If the figure obtained by that analysis is realistic, you should, then, be able to construct a comprehensive Gift Table that reflects that reality.
There is, however, no such thing as a standard gift table. You may find many examples of gift tables in texts and in articles on fundraising, but they are examples, and not to be assumed appropriate for every circumstance/situation.
An idealized Gift Table has as it’s top gift an amount that is 10-15% of the overall goal, and with the bottom gift being no less than 1% of the goal. For a million dollar goal, therefore, that’s a top gift of $100,000 to $150,000 and a bottom gift of $10,000.
BUT, what if there’s no one on your list of prospective donors who can give at the 10% (or more) level? Clearly, then, for your gift table to be a useful/useable tool, the top gift has to be less than 10%. In fact, the top gift can only be as high as the highest gift you’re likely to get when you’re working toward your fundraising goal; and, all of your fundraising efforts must be able to obtain the number of gifts specified at each level of the pyramid – and all of the levels on a Gift Table must represent reality.
So, how do you construct a realistic Gift Table?
You, and/or your (fundraising/development/major gifts/events) committee must sit down and take a serious look at all of your potential donors. Then, based on prior giving and on what other information you have about each prospect, you “attach” a dollar figure to each name on your list – said dollar figures to represent what you and the committee believes is a realistic likely gift from each listed person – assuming that each prospect is cultivated/educated/solicited “properly.”
Your Gift Table is constructed from those figures. The top and bottom numbers and the steps you pick for the various levels of your pyramid must be based on the committee’s discussions. You may wind up with a lopsided gift table but it will reflect reality.
One caution, if you can’t construct a Gift Table that will add up to your goal, it is likely that your goal isn’t realistic.
Also, having constructed your initial Gift Pyramid, you will need to update/revise it as additional information about your prospects becomes available. The Gift Table should represent the most up-to-date information/circumstances. What this suggests, then, is that the Gift Pyramid is an internal document – a tool that helps an organization stay focused on their fundraising goals, and appropriately allocate their resources (time, effort, personnel and finances).
Keeping the budgeting process in mind, you should create separate pyramids for your Major Gifts constituency and one for Special Events.
When constructed and used properly, the pyramid is a great time/effort/money saver.
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Online behavior has a direct impact on real-world results
Representing your brand well on social media is one of the most important things you can do to protect and grow your reputation. Solid effort that catches the attention of, and engages with, stakeholders will take you far. On the flip side, if your online attitude and customer care turns people off, or if you decide to go to the dark side and manipulate using questionable methods like false reviews, you’re in for a big hit to business.
As it will not always be appropriate to run down the prepared list of questions with every interviewee, the interviewer must be able to “read people,” must be able to know when to forget the prepared questionnaire and just chat with Mr./Ms. Jones about the NPO’s issues and possible futures.
Sample interview questions might be:
* On a scale of 0-10, how would you rate the importance to you
(and to your family) of “this” aspect of the NPO’s mission?
* On a scale of 0-10, how would you rate the importance to you
(and to your family) of “this” program?
* What would it take to get you to want to be part of the leadership
for a major fundraising effort?
* What would it take to get you to want to be a major donor for
such an effort?
* What should we do to get other potential leaders/donors enthusiastic
about the project/activity we’re considering?
• When might be the best time to kick-off the program/campaign? Why?
The two major objectives in conducting the interviews are: 1) determination how/if a program/project/activity should be implemented; and, 2) beginning the cultivation of those folks who could help make it happen,
Considering those objectives, it is essential, as with all serious development activities, that those interviews be face-to-face.
You can’t be taken very seriously and you can’t read body language over the phone; and, a mailed “survey” doesn’t give the option to ask follow-up questions nor allow the interviewer to digress and/or “pick the subject’s brain.”
Being face-to-face highlights the importance of the process and, thereby, suggests that the interviewee’s thoughts/comments/reactions are very important to that process.
To prepare for the interviews, each potential interviewee is sent a brief personal note to prepare them for the phone call arranging an interview appointment.
Having done this for almost forty years, I suggest that the best structure for a “Planning Study” is to have an outsider (an experienced study consultant) work with the NPO to design and plan the study and to conduct the interviews.
An outsider is perceived as being objective. S/he is seen (by the interviewees) as not having an “agenda” … not focused on a specific outcome. The objective outsider is “merely” gathering data that will help the NPO “plan for the future.”
And, after each interview: the interviewer should generate a report summarizing the respondent’s thoughts/attitudes, and suggesting what the next step(s) might be to further cultivate that person and get him/her to the point where s/he will want to be part of (and even support) the NPO’s projects, programs and/or activities; and, the organization should send a (snail mail) note to the interviewee thanking him/her for participating.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Have you heard about The Fundraising Series of ebooks?
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Have a comment or a question about starting, evaluating
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Save time and improve your social media marketing productivity
Guest Author: Disha Dinesh
In 2015, the average US commuter spent 42 hours caught in traffic jams.
On any given day, how much time do you spend away from your computer screen?
What if you could complete a few tasks on your mobile phone while on the go?
For any social media manager, a few minutes of work while waiting at a restaurant or while stuck in traffic could mean time to schedule posts for a day, respond to queries or personally interact with followers on social media.
Fortunately, there are a host of apps that feature on-the-go functionality so you can save time and improve your social media marketing productivity.
Mention
Stellar brand reputation could mean the difference between remaining a small scale company and expanding to a large and well-known organization.
Maintaining a presence on social media isn’t easy because of its quick pace and unpredictability.
To ensure that your brand’s reputation remains untarnished, it is vital for you to monitor social media for conversations mentioning your brand.
Catching positive mentions is equally important. You could thank the person who mentioned you and share that comment for added credibility and trust on social media.
Mention has a mobile app (for android and iOS) that lets you set up notifications for keywords, one of which could be your brand name. Mention is also available as a desktop application.
2. DrumUp
As a brand it is crucial for you to provide your target audience with something that they can’t find elsewhere, or what is referred to as a ‘unique value proposition’ in business terms.
What is your unique value proposition on social media?
What content are you sharing with your audience that would make them want to follow you as opposed to other brands on social media?
If you could source fresh, useful content in your niche each day and share it with your social media audience, you could earn their favor and loyalty.
DrumUp is a content curation app (mobile: android and iOS) that discovers fresh content that fits the theme that you have choose. You could also schedule the articles you want right from the app or store it in a library to recycle at a later time.
3. Over
Succeeding on social media requires some juggling of themes and content formats to hold your audience’s attention.
After all, it has been widely discussed how the current internet user’s attention span is lesser than that of a goldfish’s.
You could touch on different sup-topics in your niche and move between blogs, infographics and videos from time to time.
Over is a visual content editing app (mobile: android and iOS) that assists you in converting flat images into something interesting and intriguing that could speak to your target market.
The app lets you choose from a list of unique fonts (for custom text) and clip art that you could pass over an image to make it more engaging.
Additionally, the app has the whole set of editing options – cropping, fading, resizing, stretching and a lot more that you could experiment with.
Nuzzel
I attended a digital marketing conference conducted by a multinational IT services company last month.
They asked the people who read newspapers to raise their hands. Out of the 100 participants in the room, 3 people lifted their hands.
We were then asked where we read our news. While 40% of that remaining lot said news aggregators or apps, 60% said social media.
Do you use the news tab on Twitter?
Nuzzel was originally designed to deal with the issues of social media information overload.
Nuzzel (mobile: android and iOS) helps you discover the best of the news stories posted on social media by your friends without having too much at hand, or missing out on anything.
The app also lets you analyze stories shared by your connections so you can assess your audience.
Plume
If Twitter brings you a large number of referrals, and you spend a considerable amount of time on it, Plume could be an interesting app to use.
A Twitter client, it allows you to customize the way you view Twitter, and recently Facebook.
On the app, you could integrate your Twitter timeline to your home page and control several functions from there.
A lot of functions exist in widgets that you could experiment with and keep the ones you prefer on your home screen.
Additionally, Plume (mobile: android and iOS) allows Twitter Geo-tagging and replies with autocomplete for hash tags and Twitter handles that you might want to type.
If you want to focus on specific users, or turn some off for some interval in time, you could selectively mute those Twitter handles via Plume.
The live streaming is by far the best feature, especially if you participate in a lot of Twitter chats.
Facebook Pages Manager
If you’re a Facebook page manager (mobile: android and iOS), and a multiple one at that, this app if for you.
Managing multiple pages on Facebook itself is time consuming. If you work with an agency that manages multiple Facebook pages for clients, this app will make the activity easier.
The home screen itself lets you view all the pages you manage as a list and choose between them.
Along with the list, the home page also displays your page insights and page administrators so you can quickly assess how to delegate work and pick up the slack when your stats are low.
From the app you can comment, like and share content and view the number of views for each post, making it easy to monitor and plan while on the go.
Canva
Visuals are the best way to catch your social media audience’s attention. With every piece of text you publish, you should add a visual to let it escape from being a flat read.
A large group of people are visually inclined and prefer to view their content rather than read it.
In fact the human brain, communicates in a largely visual manner.
There is the fact that creating visuals isn’t easy, until you’ve tried Canva that is.
Canva (mobile: iOS) has a wide variety of templates you can choose from for every imaginable purpose.
Once you’ve picked a pre-designed template it is only a matter of experimenting with the drag-drop feature and putting together a simple but elegant looking graphics.
Amping-up your presence on social media is simply about maximizing your time, increasing your visual appeal and sourcing fresh and useful content regularly. Managing this well will leave you room to create the thought leadership pieces that you need in order to establish a name in the industry.
Author bio:
Disha Dinesh is a Content Writer at Godot Media, a leading content agency. Her interests include social media and content marketing. When she’s not writing, she’s on the hunt for social media trends and inspiration.
For more resources, see the Free Management Library topic: Marketing and Social Media.
Want to create a Major Gifts Program, a Bequest Program, a Special Event, a Recognition Program, a Capital Campaign ??
The most important information you’d want to have is whether your (prospective) constituents/donors will agree with what you want to do, and what would motivate those folks to want to participate in and/or support your activity.
The best way to get the best answers to those questions would be to ask those (prospective) constituents/donors. And, the best way to ask would be by means of a “Planning Study.”
That the “Study” is for “Planning” purposes suggests that you’ve not committed to taking a particular action and/or to creating a specific kind of program – even though you may have!!
When you ask someone to participate in this kind of “Study,” you are asking for their advice and saying that what you do (or don’t do) will be impacted by what they say (or don’t say).
Unlike the obsolete “feasibility study,” with all its “baggage,” a “Planning Study” asks in-depth questions about a broad range of subjects. Then, based on the study’s findings, an organization will be able to proceed with programs/activities it knows will be supported by its constituents.
The “Planning Study” should almost always be the first step in the creation or expansion of a program because it is a strong means of cultivating the folks you hope will be your leaders and donors … when you do whatever it is that you’d like to do.
When you ask someone’s advice, they’re more likely to look upon you favorably … because you were smart enough to know to ask them ☺
To quote an old fundraising saying: “If you want advice, ask for money; if you want money, ask for advice.” And a “Planning Study” is a great way to ask for advice.
So, the first step in the planning study process is determining what it is that you want the study to accomplish.
The second step is the creation of a list of those folks you’d like to interview – a list that can be as long as you’d like … as long as you’re realistic. No one goes on that list unless you have or can get access to that person.
The people you want to interview are those folks who can and will likely have an impact on your ability to successfully implement the programs, campaigns and/or activities that you’re considering.
The third step is the creation of an extensive list of questions that relate to the NPO’s mission, programs, fundraising and what you want the study to accomplish. Questions must be designed/worded to avoid planting doubt as to the need for or likely success of any particular program or activity.
Next Week: The Planning Study: Implementation
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Have you heard about The Fundraising Series of ebooks?
They’re easy to read, to the point, and inexpensive ($1.99-$4.99)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Have a comment or a question about starting, evaluating
or expanding your fundraising program? AskHank
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= We welcome your questions/problems —
they are likely to engender further discussion.
Look forward to hearing from you. Comments & Questions
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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Stellar brand reputation could mean the difference between remaining a small scale company and expanding to a large and well-known organization.
Succeeding on social media requires some juggling of themes and content formats to hold your audience’s attention.
If Twitter brings you a large number of referrals, and you spend a considerable amount of time on it, Plume could be an interesting app to use.
Visuals are the best way to catch your social media audience’s attention. With every piece of text you publish, you should add a visual to let it escape from being a flat read.