Strategy should always be the first step in nonprofit marketing (or any marketing), but that’s not always what happens. When organization are short on time, people, or budget, it’s tempting to skip over the strategy step. But all too often, skipping the strategy piece creates an even bigger burden for time, people, and budget.
Here are four ways that nonprofits benefit from starting with strategy.
Strategy creates shared understanding
Starting with a strategy for nonprofit marketing keeps everyone on the same page. The marketing team, leadership team, and any outside partners know what matters most. Shared understanding creates better communication and better consistency, which translates to better marketing outcomes.
Strategy saves time and money
With the right nonprofit marketing strategy in place, you’ll make the best use of time and budget. And as every nonprofit knows, time and budget are critical factors. A strategy that makes sense for your organization will help you allocate the necessary resources effectively.
Strategy focuses on results
Outlining a strategy up front includes identifying your goals and how you’ll measure success. Those results can be critical for grant reporting and supporting future budget allocations. Capturing clear short-term and long-term goals in your strategy helps create better alignment across the organization and throughout your marketing activities.
Strategy makes it easy to say no
Strategy gives you a clear direction and focus, which means you can say no to the wrong opportunities and yes to the right ones. For example, if someone approaches your organization about sponsoring an event or placing an ad, you have the space to evaluate that opportunity and whether it aligns with your strategy before you respond.
Yes, developing a nonprofit marketing strategy takes time and budget up front, but it pays off in the long run by keeping your marketing efforts focused and efficient.
Do you need support with developing your nonprofit marketing strategy? Schedule an intro call with the StoryPath team to discuss how we can help.