Here are 5 great posts we read this week.  They span from Beth Kantor on using listening tools to integrating video into your communication strategy.

The term Freemium is only 4 years old.

Fremium is one of the more interesting new business models.  Although the term is barely four years old, it is one of the most popular models for start-up organizations.  Fred Wilson first articulated this term in 2006 this way:

“Give your service away for free, possibly [...]]]>

The term Freemium is only 4 years old.

Fremium is one of the more interesting new business models.  Although the term is barely four years old, it is one of the most popular models for start-up organizations.  Fred Wilson first articulated this term in 2006 this way:

“Give your service away for free, possibly ad supported but maybe not, acquire a lot of customers very efficiently through word of mouth, referral networks, organic search marketing, etc., then offer premium priced value added services or an enhanced version of your service to your customer base.”

Freemium works extremely well on the web.  An example would be the anti-virus software AVG – you can download the free version or if you would like more “premium” features you can pay for a premium version. AVG stays sustainable because there are enough premium users to support all the free users.  Television is another, content is free for the viewer because it is supported by advertising.  The important thing to realize is that free is relative – the product or service is free to one group because another group is covering the cost of the service.

Most Nonprofit Organizations are naturally using this model.  They are supplying goods or services to one group for free – while being supported by donations or grants.  This is a very important concept to understand.  If you understand this, then you know that in reality if you want your organization to be sustainable you need to market to the people or organizations that are paying for your organization to supply free stuff.  Your supporters really want to understand your mission.  They want to hear stories how your organization helped in their given area.  Give them the stories – this is how you will keep being able to “free stuff”.

Join us for our next Networking for Non-Profit Event September 30th!

In an earlier guest blog I mentioned some issues regarding uses and gratifications and selective exposure. To recap, we are constantly seeking ways when we communicate to get people to pay attention to us, and when they do pay attention to what we are saying they are [...]]]> Guest post by Chad O’Connor, Adjunct Professor Emerson College

In an earlier guest blog I mentioned some issues regarding uses and gratifications and selective exposure. To recap, we are constantly seeking ways when we communicate to get people to pay attention to us, and when they do pay attention to what we are saying they are more likely only listening for key signals and thoughts that reaffirm what they believe already.

To get deeper into this concept, it is increasingly important to focus on the way we phrase what we say, the order in which we are saying it, and changing our approach based on the audience. The importance of this comes to bear when people come to the conversation with preconceived ideas about the speaker and what the speaker is looking to accomplish. In the nonprofit world, just as in the rest of the economy, people are looking for money. Though your cause may be noble, this does not mean that your potential audience is experiencing some donor fatigue. They have been hit up for money already from so many angles that yet another person asking for money may be too much to bear. When they know they have a meeting coming up with a nonprofit they may be conditioned to be immediately defensive or reluctant if they know that an ask for money will be coming within minutes.

I suggest being open to outside the box solutions and asks because it truly engages your audience and reduces some of their preconceived barriers. By asking for more general help (ie. “So what we are asking for is your assistance in any way you thing you can help: connections to people; in-kind items or services that could accomplish X; coming to future events to show your support”) you get people to think about what is the best way they can get involved, not just say to themselves “I don’t have money to give right now so I’m not getting involved.” How you build this case will be the subject of my next blog entry.

Chad O’Connor teaches communication at Emerson College in Boston, serves as a connector for Boston World Partnerships, and works with various individuals, companies and nonprofits as a communication consultant on issues such as public speaking, message strategy, copy refining, etc. Chad can be contacted at his gmail account, chad.a.oconnor ,and found on Twitter @chadoconnor

Join us for our next Networking for Non-Profit Event September 30th!

Susan C. Hammond of scHammond Advisors is searching for one nonprofit organization that wants to establish an advisory board or council and needs help. In exchange for her services the nonprofit organization must be willing to allow Susan to document the formation process in the form of a written and publishable case study. The nonprofit [...]]]>

Susan C. Hammond of scHammond Advisors is searching for one nonprofit organization that wants to establish an advisory board or council and needs help. In exchange for her services the nonprofit organization must be willing to allow Susan to document the formation process in the form of a written and publishable case study. The nonprofit will use Susan’s book the Advisory Board Kit: A Comprehensive Guide to Establishing an Advisory Board.

Interested nonprofit organizations who meet the criteria below should contact Susan directly. The information requested should be delivered in one package.

Qualifying Criteria:

The organization must:

1. Submit an essay of no more than 1000 words on how the organization will use and benefit from an advisory board.
2. Be in operation for at least two years.
3. Employ (i.e. pay) a minimum staff of 3 people, full or part-time.
4. Provide a copy of their 501c3 letter from the IRS.
5. Commitment from the Executive Director/CEO and the chair of the board of directors that they will be involved in the project.
6. Evidence that the Board of Directors approved the project (i.e. copy of Board meeting minutes where vote was taken or a letter from the Board Chair).
7. Be located on the South Shore of Massachusetts or upper Cape.

Prior to the start of the project the following information must be provided:

A list of staff & board members.

1. Copies of Form 990 for last two years.
2. Copies of the operating budget for the current and prior year.
3. Copies of internal comparative financial statements for the current & prior years.
4. A copy of the fundraising plan or a summary of activities for the last 12 months.
5. Copies of Board Meeting minutes and Executive Meeting minutes (if any) for last two years.
6. Copies of the organization’s Annual Reports (filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of State) for the last two (2) years.
7. Copy of the organization’s Certificate of Solicitation filed with the Public Charities Division.

All information received will be held in strict confidence. Susan will provide a detailed work plan that includes a confidentiality clause and a copy of the Advisory Board Kit and related materials.

Applications Deadline: October 1, 2010

Project Start: On or around October 15, 2010, approximately

Project Duration: 4-6 months

This is worth $5,000 in donated fees! Contact Susan at 781-837-1999 or susan(at)schammond.com.

The Advisory Board Kit is a product of scHammond Advisors.

Join us for our next Networking for Non-Profit Event September 30th!

At first glance, the web site of the Nonprofits Assistance Fund (www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org) seems to simply explain the services they offer.  The site begins by talking about what they do in these words: We provide loans that help nonprofits realize their visions, financial management training and resources that promote healthy financial practices, and [...]]]>

Jane B. Ford

At first glance, the web site of the Nonprofits Assistance Fund (www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org) seems to simply explain the services they offer.  The site begins by talking about what they do in these words: We provide loans that help nonprofits realize their visions, financial management training and resources that promote healthy financial practices, and guidance to nonprofit staff on strategic financial planning and management. If you are looking for these services, this is a good place to be.

But how useful is the site for those of you in week four of the “15 Minutes a Day Research Challenge”? I believe it is extraordinarily useful for two reasons. First, click on “Healthy Financial Practices”, and then click “Financial Management Resources”.  This section is filled with practical information every nonprofit needs such as good examples of nonprofit business models and information on decoding the new 990.  Make sure you bookmark this section so it will be available when you need to figure out financial information that you don’t deal with every day. Second, the site offers two blogs that focus on healthy financial practices and strategic financial planning and management.

Although reading about finances and strategic management may not be your favorite thing to do, there are times when it is necessary. The Nonprofits Assistance Fund website makes what could be an onerous task easier by having the material available at the click of your mouse.

(For those of you who have completed the “Fifteen Minutes a Day Research Challenge”, and even those who managed to do some research this month, I would love to hear how your research has helped your nonprofit – and if you plan to continue this venture in lifelong learning. Email me at www.TheJoyPath.com.

Join us for our next Networking for Non-Profit Event September 30th in Plymouth!

Social Media & Facebook are what’s being talked about this week, Facebook with its Places and more impending changes.

1. From Smart Blog on Social Media: Understanding Social Media ROI in the Nonprofit Space

Businesses and NPOs have different goals, operate under different restrictions and often have very different outlooks, customers [...]]]>

5 Great Posts from around the Web

Social Media & Facebook are what’s being talked about this week, Facebook with its Places and more impending changes.

1. From Smart Blog on Social Media: Understanding Social Media ROI in the Nonprofit Space

Businesses and NPOs have different goals, operate under different restrictions and often have very different outlooks, customers vs. engaged participants…

2. From John Haydon: Facebook ditching FBML and what it means for your custom Facebook Page

Facebook will continue to support existing custom tabs on your Facebook Page. This means that you’ll only have to worry about iFrames for new custom tabs.

3. From NonProfit: Tech 2.0: HOW TO: Add Your Nonprofit to Facebook Places and Claim Your New Places Page

Many nonprofit communicators are now aware that Facebook Places launched for iPhone users on August 18, but less known is that Facebook users can also use Facebook Places on touch.facebook.com.

4. Network for Good: The Keys to Fundraising on foursquare It’s been said 2009 was the year of Tweet, and 2010 is the year of the “check-in” find out how to use it for fundraising and awareness.

5. From Beth’s Blog: Facebook Place: Time To Check Into Your Facebook Privacy Settings

I’ve learned now that when Facebook announces a new feature, it is a signal for me to check into my settings and make sure that I’m happy with the way the default works.    Do I want the world to know my location (if I choose to use that new feature?)  Do I want to give my friends the ability to share my location with others?

Join us for our next Networking for Non-Profit Event September 30th!

TWO EVENTS IN ONE – Networking for Non-Profits and Master Roudtables*

Come early for the Roundtables, stay for the Networking…

You asked for it…On September 29, the NP Toolbox [...]]]> Title: Master Roundtable plus Networking for Non-Profits
Location: Cape Cod Children’s Museum, 577 Great Neck Road SOUTH, Mashpee, MA 02649
Start Time: 16:30 (4:30 pm)
Date: 2010-09-29
End Time: 19:30 (7:30 pm)

TWO EVENTS IN ONE – Networking for Non-Profits and Master Roudtables*

Come early for the Roundtables, stay for the Networking…

You asked for it…On September 29, the NP Toolbox will offer 2 pre-networking roundtables, one for executive directors, and the other a discussion on creating raving fans. Come at 4:30 for an hour discussion with specialists in the field, and stay for the networking event.

$25.00 per person (includes admission to the networking event)

Roundtables: 4:30-5:30  Networking 5:30-7:30

*Roundtable presentations allows for extended discussion among a small cohort of colleagues. They are excellent venues for giving and receiving targeted feedback, engaging in in-depth discussions, and meeting colleagues with similar interests.

Leader for Executive Directors Roundtable: Susan Hammond of SCHammond Advisors,

Leaders for Raving Fans: Lisa Morrissey & Reiko Beach of the NP Toolbox

See Networking for Non-Profits – Cape event for more information on the evening event.

Our Nonprofit Partner for this event is:

**All pre-registration for the Networking proceeds will go to Non-Profit Organizations.

*Anyone interested in sponsoring please contact Lisa: Lisa@thetoolboxinc.com

***To participate in the Master Roundtables at 4:30 pm see information [here] $25 per person.

A special [...]]]> Title: Networking for Non-Profits – Cape
Location: Cape Cod Children’s Museum, 577 Great Neck Road SOUTH, Mashpee, MA 02649
Description: Networking for Non-Profits
Start Time: 17:30 (5:30 pm)
Date: 2010-09-29
End Time: 19:30 (7:30 pm)

Networking only: $10 per person pre-registered/ $15 at the door**

***To participate in the Master Roundtables at 4:30 pm see information [here] $25 per person.

A special evening for directors, board members and staff of Cape non-profits to meet, find out what each are doing, have some FUN, and possibly go home with a donation to your cause!

The evening will include:

• Appetizers and Drinks
• A short presentation on “Shooting Ducks” how to talk to an audience and tips for video presentations by Tom Beach
• A chance to “win” the 50/50 pool from proceeds from the event for your non-profit organization. (So the more attendees from your organization, the better the chance that you will win!)

Other raffle prizes are (more to be added):

• The Advisory Board Kit from Susan Hammond
• Book by Jane B Ford – Get Grants Now

Our Nonprofit Partner for this event is:

**All pre-registration proceeds will go to Non-Profit Organizations.

*Anyone interested in sponsoring please contact Lisa: Lisa (at) thetoolboxinc.com