More than ever, nonprofits and social enterprises are expected to market themselves to potential donors and volunteers. But marketing doesn’t need to be as costly as you might think. Here are some tips for self-funded nonprofit organizations on how to leverage the power of social media, email opt-ins, online fundraising platforms, and more without breaking your budget:

Build a Strong Social Media Presence

Building a solid social media presence is an effective way to promote your nonprofit. Here’s how:

  • Use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn as tools to attract new donors, volunteers, and board members.
  • Share content that helps you get attention from the media. When journalists see your high follower count on Twitter and Facebook, they’re more likely to want to write about what you’re doing because it means their story will receive a lot of attention from readers (and therefore be more popular).
  • Host events through social media platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite; this will help you engage with people who live near your organization in real life instead of just online!

Creating compelling content that engages viewers to build a solid social media presence is challenging. Hence, it is best to seek help from experts. These experts will know the ins and outs of marketing on these platforms. Thus, they can help you create the right social media marketing strategy for nonprofits to get optimal results. However, while looking for a social media agency, look for someone with profound knowledge about how nonprofits work and who is a member of some such organizations.

Start a Blog

A blog is a website that aggregates content and helps you to reach your audience. If you have the time and energy, running a blog can be one of the most effective ways to market your nonprofit on a shoestring budget. Here are some tips for making it work:

  • Establishing a blog requires only basic technical skills—anyone can do it! All you need is access to an internet connection and word processing software.
  • For people to stay interested in your organization’s activities and news, they need regular updates from someone who has authority within the organization. That person could be yourself, another staff member, or a volunteer liaison with a passion for what they do.

Create a Killer Email Opt-In

You can also use emails for marketing your nonprofit. They are one of the best means of marketing. In fact, Statista says that there are currently around 4 billion active email users, and the number is expected to rise to 4.6 billion by the end of 2025. The numbers hint at the large user base you can access using email opt-ins. Here’s how you can create an excellent email marketing campaign.

  • Use a tool like MailChimp or ConstantContact. These services are free or inexpensive and easy to use, but they also have robust features that can help you create an email list and send out emails quickly.
  • Create a compelling subject line using an action verb and “you.” For example: “Save money on groceries with coupons you can print at home.”
  • Include a solid call to action in your email template—one that’s visible without having to scroll down so far that it goes off the page—and try placing it near the top of your message, where most people will see it first (and hopefully click).
  • Your email template should also include bright colors, bold fonts, and graphics for maximum impact (just make sure those graphics are high quality). Make sure you include links so people can easily find more information about how they can join your organization!

Leverage In-Person Networking Opportunities

When networking or meeting with potential donors, make sure you have business cards that reflect your nonprofit brand. You want to use high-quality paper, printing, and a professional design for your business cards. Don’t skimp on the quality of materials either; it will show in the impression you give off professionally.

Your organization’s business card should be easy to read, so ensure the information is clear and large enough for someone who isn’t wearing their glasses (or contacts) to read from a distance away easily. Try making your contact information small on the back side of each one (such as an email address or phone number) in case they want to contact someone else at your organization besides yourself or if they have questions that another person best answers within your organization instead of by just “the volunteer coordinator” or whatever title we may have given ourselves!

You also want something that fits well into pockets or purses without having too much bulkiness when stored away without taking up too much room overall while still being visible enough so people can see what they need quickly when needed urgently.”

Remember the Power of Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is the most powerful form of marketing, and your nonprofit can harness it by giving people a reason to talk about you.

It’s up to you to give people something good to say. What is it that makes your organization remarkable? If you’re unsure where to start, try asking your staff members, volunteers, and donors for suggestions. They likely have ideas about what makes their experience with your organization special.

Just remember: giving people something good to share doesn’t just mean sharing praise for your work—it also means being honest about any challenges or mistakes the nonprofit has made along the way. People are more likely to talk about those moments if they’ve been led through them successfully, rather than feeling misled into believing things were going well on their own.

Conclusion

The best way to market your nonprofit effectively on a shoestring budget is to do it yourself. You don’t need an army of paid professionals or fancy marketing software. Just get creative and put in some time and effort—and you may be surprised at how much traction you can get! However, when you don’t have the right expertise, it is best to hire some professional help within budget, or else your efforts will go in vain.