1. Blogs increase the effectiveness of your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaign.

Some specific ways that blogging helps with SEO include:

1. SEO friendly URLs: Most of today’s blogging software (wordpress, blogger etc…) have this feature built in. SEO friendly URLs contain some reference to the subject of your content, making it easier for search engine spiders to recognize content.
2. Fresh Content: Search engines love it when you update your website and reward you with a higher page rank. Your readers will also keep coming back for more! Make it a habit to post on your blog on a regular basis.
3. Increased likelihood of inbound links: If you are writing about a niche in your market or sphere of knowledge, people will link to your site. The result is higher page rank due to inbound links.
4. User Community: An active reader base contributes to your web presence by adding valuable comments and content additions to your website.

2. Writing articles on a regular basis positions you as an “expert” in your field.
By posting on a regular basis about your cause, mission and current events in your field, you will create a large reservoir of information available to the public. In the overly marketed world we live in, having someone being able to prove they are reliable and knowledgeable is very valuable.

3. Your audience is limitless.
Unlike tools such as Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn, Blogs are accessible by anyone who has internet access. This is not to diminish the value of using social networking in your overall web marketing plan, as they have their usefulness, but blogs reach a far greater audience.

4. Blogs are cheaper and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional advertisements.
Paid search, magazine, newspaper, flyers, TV and Radio are all expensive ways to market your company. In addition to the expense, these forms of advertising tend to be “short lived”. Someone will throw away a flyer, skip over a magazine advertisement or change the station during radio commercials. Blogs and online material last forever! In 5 years you could get a potential supporter based on something you write today.

5. Blogs help you keep your organization aligned.
By posting current events on your blog on a regular basis, your supporters will be more engaged in your mission. Making the commitment to post weekly will force you to consolidate your ideas and thoughts. Putting things in writing is a very powerful way to keep on top of your priorities.

6. No web programming knowledge is required to update your blog
Most blogs out there use something called a Content Management System (CMS). This software includes a “What you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) text editor. If you can use Microsoft Word, you can use a CMS. The only requirement for writing a blog is your commitment to post to it on a regular basis.

Many organizations do a great job keeping up with their web marketing strategy and the key to their success is that they are committed to it. They dedicate time to working on it regularly. Their sites are interesting and they keep the information coming. By using these tips below, you can substantially boost fundraising efforts for your nonprofit by driving people who are interested in your cause to your site.

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Every company, including nonprofit organizations, should make search engine optimization a priority in their marketing plan. After all, you want people to find your site, learn about your cause and maybe even contribute in some way. This won’t happen if they can’t find you. The tips written in this article have been proven to work effectively to increase your visibility in search engines.

2. Get a blog!

Content is king if you want traffic to your site. By posting articles on a regular basis you position your organization as “experts” within your market niche. Nothing works better than a blog to achieve this. By dedicating an hour or two per week to writing content to your blog, an increasingly rich and relevant source of information becomes available to Google. You’ll become more and more findable by those who search for your cause.

3. Send out monthly emails to subscribers

A large task for many (if not all) nonprofit organizations is to increase awareness for their cause and events. This requires communicating in a way that is cost effective and easy to deliver. Sending a monthly / semimonthly eNewsletter out to your subscribers is a great way to spread the word about your mission.

4. Use Facebook

Facebook has become a critical tool for nonprofits. Facebook gives nonprofits a common location for meeting like-minded organizations and potential supporters. It only takes a few minutes to get your facebook page up and running and is free!

5. Use Twitter

Twitter is a microblogging network that allows you to make a post of 140 characters of text or less. With an ability to reach a huge population of readers, being able to communicate with someone on a topic directly, and the ease of use of the system, it seems a no-brainer for any nonprofit seeking recognition and followers for their mission.

6. Use Youtube

YouTube gives a great advantage to nonprofits who want to spread their message through the use of videos. Your video will be rotated and promoted more by YouTube compared to the typical user’s video. This extra visibility on YouTube can help users spread your message, reach more new people and help you to viral market your cause.

7. Google Adwords

Google Adwords is a great way to compliment your existing web marketing programs. The Google Grants program empowers non-profit organizations to achieve their goals by helping them promote their websites via advertising on Google. Google AdWords ads appear when users search on Google and when you click on one of the ads, you are brought to the website being advertised.

8. Ensure your website is professional and clean looking

You’ve probably recently visited a website and was disappointed in how it looked. Most likely the owner of the company / nonprofit did not want to invest into a professional looking website. While the owner initially saved money by doing it himself, his company projects an unprofessional and cheap image to the public, costing him donations down the road.

When a professional web designer is hired the customer receives the benefits of their business experience, artistic talent, technological skills and the expertise to help you establish a effective, highly visible presence on the Internet. They will work with you to analyze your competitions’ web presence and their strengths and weaknesses.

9. Embrace E-commerce

Create a merchandise line and sell your stuff directly from your website. A person is more likely to donate to your cause if they are able to get a tangible benefit out of giving you their money. T-shirts, mugs and stickers are among of the most popular items to sell on your nonprofit’s website.

10. Learn from Obama’s internet marketing success

President Obama’s surge to the presidency was made possible by his embrace for new technology. Obama’s team used all the social networking tools out there…and very effectively.

In the month of January the Obama team raised $32 million. $28 million in online contributions came from more than 250,000 contributors. 90% were under $100. 40% were $25 or less, and 10,000 people gave $5 or $10 to the campaign.

A few of the internet marketing strategies utilized by Barrack’s team:

1. Facebook / MySpace / Twitter
2. YouTube / Video’s on website
3. Blogging (BlackPlanet)
4. Relentless email updates
5. Text message updates (as well as ability to donate via text message)
6. Online Store
7. Easy to use and eye catching web site
8. Fundraising army (user community)

Families of American Military (FOAM) is a non profit specializing in providing housing for veterans with a disability.  They are in the midst of launching a new program called “Shelter Our Families” and is teaming up with the Disability Opportunity Fund (tDOF) to provide large scale housing for veterans with a disability.

FOAM has engaged vOfficeware to dramatically expand awareness of its services.  To do this, vOfficeware is utilizing its tried and true outreach toolkit.  By becoming increasingly approachable, military families will have streamlined access to housing.  To accomplish this widespread goal vOfficeware will implement a content management system to simplify the process for FOAM personnel to directly communicate with its base.

In addition to web presence management, vOfficeware has configured a Facebook Page, a Twitter account and a newsletter management system.  Using modern tools and techniques, FOAM will be able to focus on its mission while automatically marketing itself to prospective service veterans who could benefit will from their offering.

As vOfficeware continues expanding FOAM’s marketing efforts, it will also be developing an advanced database system to match disabled veterans with potential homes.  Such a combination of talent illustrates vOfficeware’s distinguished ability to execute well among multiple technical disciplines.