Storytell Your Cause

Essentia Nonprofit Consulting Summer Series

Every nonprofit organization has an origin story.

It’s more than mission, vision and core values–it’s your why. Find your authenticity in your organization’s origin story and then tell it every day on a variety of platforms. You can do this in-person and online to engage, build, and cultivate relationships with donors, community members and potential partners. Storytelling allows you to focus on deepening your relationship with your supporter base–this gets people ignited and ultimately brings you the resources you need to tackle your cause.

So this summer, storytell more and worry less about where that next check is coming from.

Here’s 3 tips on how to storytell your cause:

Make storytelling a team effort

Bring departmental teams together to clarify what your organization’s mission is; more specifically dive into who you are, where you came from and most importantly where you’re going. Every perspective & vantage point counts! From programming staff and volunteers to your marketing, fundraising and executive teams, clarify your nonprofit’s story and what drives you all to pursue this mission. These advocates are your best storytellers and resonate louder than any pitch.

This content can help you build authenticity and trust (and dare I say even a relationship!) with your followers and attract various levels of funding and support.

Transparency for the win

Like an open book, share wins and challenges behind the scenes of your organization. Donors & supporters appreciate honesty–it’s the foundation of trust. At the end of the day, people give to people, not entities. Whether it’s online or in-person people want to see what you endure when championing a cause as unique as yours.

They want to celebrate you and even problem-solve alongside you. Help them help you! Show donors and volunteers the faces behind the cause—the laughter, tears, and resilience. In a sea of nonprofits, with the right messaging and timing, your fabric of unique stories will stand out.

Show & Tell

We have a saying at Essentia Nonprofit Consulting : it’s not enough to do good work, you need to tell them about it. Or in this case, in the world of ever-evolving social media, we need to show them. According to HubSpot , 96% of people say they watch videos to learn more about a product or issue, and 89% report having been swayed to purchase or donate as a result ( https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics).

That’s huge!

Reinforce your storytelling with captivating visuals (photos or video) to draw your audience into your organization’s world. Whether it's good or bad, this will create an unforgettable sense of community. Get your supporters to feel like they’re on the journey with you, that way when donors recall your impact, they’re more likely to commit long-term.

Long story short ;)

Building real people and real life experiences into your cause’s story is the future–people want connectivity in a world full of digital interactions and endless scrolling.

Your donors, constituents and general fans want to hear how you’re doing, the impact that you’re making in the community and of course all the ways in which they can help. Be proud to tell your story again and again and remember to focus on deepening your relationship and authentically sharing your work.

Use this summertime to build and establish a culture of storytelling–a compelling story + credible message (and messengers) will bring in the resources, talent and partnerships you’re hoping for.

How we can help: Essentia Nonprofit Consulting can offer an extra pair of hands or provide expertise not available in your own organization. Our storytelling consultants can help you turn strategy into story to mobilize support.

#nonprofitlife #storytellingwins #nonprofitmarketing

Written for Impact 100 Seattle by Essentia Nonprofit Consulting founded by members Sasha Lee and Stacey Lee .