My Kingdom, My Kingdom for a Webinar!
Like many of you, I have been inundated with offers for webinars from a variety of associations like DMANF and AFP to NTEN, from periodicals such as Fundraising Success and eMarketer, to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Then there are all the webinar offers by companies for existing and prospective clients.
These webinars offer an hour or so’s glimpse into online strategy, building your house file both on and off line, creating capital campaigns, planned giving, making effective use of Google Grants … you name it, there is a webinar about it. So much good stuff - so little time!
So what’s a girl to do? Probably the same as most of you … select those that (A) - fit the budget, or (B) - are free! and, of course, (C) - RELEVANT to myself and my clients!
Online publications like eMarketer are now offering webinars to discuss how effective a webinar can be in providing lead generation, targeting a narrow market and promoting their brand. And even though they are focusing on small business, the points being made are applicable to nonprofits.
How? I am currently working with a client to create and promote their own nonprofit webinar to reach out to select constituents … sharing through an online dialogue with their CEO what the organization is doing, its vision for the coming year, addressing questions and sharing what supporters can do do to help.
This is a fantastic opportunity - to use technology for a more personal cultivation and stewardship opportunity than simply sending outbound email updates or hard copy letters. Folks will actually get to hear from the CEO and ask questions - talk about interactive!
Of course you can’t simply run up a webinar … it takes thought and planning … but what a great opportunity to share with donors and supporters the wonderful things you are doing at your own nonprofit … how you continue to address issues … and make a difference.
Thanks to technology, you don’t have to trade your kingdom for a webinar, but you can surely employ one to enhance your kingdom - okay, your nonprofit!
Regards, with apologies to Shakespeare!
Sue
