The internet is constantly changing — it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest digital marketing resources. Social media, email savvy, SEO, digital advertising, analytics, optimization tools like popups, A/B testing, and web design are non-negotiables that should be in every nonprofit’s toolbox. We face the same challenge here at Whole Whale: How can we make sure we are in-the-know about the latest tech trends, platform changes, and events? The answer: Digital marketing training.
Incentivize Learning
At Whole Whale, this comes in the form of an annual learning stipend. If your nonprofit employees have a use-it-or-lose it budget for learning, they’ll be more eager to invest in digital marketing resources or training to grow their skills. For many employees, adding a nonprofit marketing certificate to their staff page or a badge to their LinkedIn profile is an added bonus. If your organization lists learning as a perk on your Careers page, it can be a great way to differentiate yourself as an employer and attract hot talent who are curious by nature.
Encourage Meetups, Conferences, and Webinars
Nothing like a long weekend in an unfamiliar city surrounded by other nonprofit tech geeks to leap up the learning curve. If your employees find a community to connect to, they will be learning while also being ambassadors for your organization and cause. Two for one!
Can’t travel, or have a limited budget? Check out the plethora of online nonprofit marketing trainings in the form of webinars. Shameless plug: Whole Whale has bi-monthly free webinars on all sorts of topics related to digital marketing for nonprofits.
Share Digital Marketing Resources
Sometimes it seems like all of the digital tools out there were created for big brands and aren’t relevant for nonprofits. But, if you look in the right places, there are plenty of blogs, YouTube channels, and Twitter accounts dedicated exclusively to training nonprofits on digital marketing. Ahem, ahem, may we draw your attention to the domain you are currently on.
Invest in Digital Marketing Training
Online learning is becoming the new norm, and since most digital marketing topics still aren’t taught in school, online courses are the best way to get a mile-deep understanding of technical skills. Create a culture that allows your staff to set aside 15 minutes a week to devote to online learning, and set milestones for them to hit. Check in frequently about their progress on these goals. Many online trainings offer nonprofit marketing certificates, which adds incentive for your employees to complete the course.
Online training for nonprofits
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Where to look for digital marketing resources?
Lucky for you, we’ve compiled the best digital marketing resources out there, all tailored specifically for nonprofits. Plus, most of them include some kind of certificate upon completion. Here’s a sneak peek:
- NonprofitReady.org — This site has dozens of free online courses on topics ranging from nonprofit accounting to leadership to marketing and communications. In addition to full-blown e-learning courses, they also have downloadable toolkits and manuscripts to peruse for those who want a more digestible option.
- TechSoup — This organization, a nonprofit themselves, is dedicated to bringing technology to nonprofits, from physical equipment to online training and resources. Their webinars and blog have been around for awhile, but their new course series offers a deeper dive into online education (both free and paid). Whole Whale has been an instructor in their courses on Google Analytics, the Google Ad Grant, and Facebook Advertising.
- Nonprofit Marketing Guide — This site is exactly what it claims to be! Their offers include workshops, webinars, and e-clinics that allow smaller groups of nonprofits to receive individual feedback.
- Whole Whale University — Of course, we have to mention our own beloved on-demand training platform. WWU includes courses, webinars, templates, and guides that cover the gamut of digital strategy topics and can benefit a range of experience levels. There is an individual subscription to get access to all our content annually, and we offer team subscriptions if your whole department, class, or organization wants to swim up the learning curve.
- Network for Good — Network for Good is a nonprofit-owned for-profit. Network for Good’s nonprofit donor-advised fund uses the Internet and mobile technology to securely and efficiently distribute thousands of donations from donors to their favorite charities each year. They have free downloadable courses that focus on fundraising best practices.
- Nonprofit Hub — The creators of the annual Cause Camp Conference, they offer courses in marketing and communications for nonprofits.
- Nonprofit New York — Formerly known as NPCC, Nonprofit New York strengthens and unites local nonprofits in their community. They offer events, trainings (both in-person and online), and multi-week cohort based “learning labs.”
So much learning — so little time! Have a favorite digital marketing resource? Share it with us by tweeting @WholeWhale.