Content Calendars To Boost Funding

Benjamin Franklin Had It Right

I hate to be cliche, but the following statement is very relevant to our conversation this week.

Benjamin Franklin, long ago, said, “If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail”

And while we may have some feelings about how our parents, teachers, or the like used this phrase in the past, it is unbelievably true regarding a content calendar. 

We are on the FIFTH week of our email series, 2023 Fundraising Checklist: How To Prepare For An Incredible End Of Year. This week, we’re discussing how having a fundraising content calendar will save you time, stress, and a ton of useless frustration. Even more, how a content calendar could create the most unlikely connections and relationships. 

Do you find you or people in your organization saying things like:

1. “I would post, I just don’t have time.”
2. “I open our [insert: blog, threads, X, Facebook] but then I go blank, and I have no idea what to post!”
3. “If people knew everything we did, they would totally give more!”

Trust us. We get it.

So, let’s talk about how to create a content calendar so that:

1. It doesn’t take too much time.
2. You have the creative stamina to plan engaging and resonant content.
3. People donate more money!

Three Tips For Creating Content Calendars To Boost Funding

There are numerous content calendar planning guides out there, so instead of deep-diving how to plan, let’s talk about what to plan. More specifically, here are the 3 things to keep in mind when planning your content calendar:

• Compelling storytelling content

The stories you tell are important, and how you tell them is even more important. People won’t listen to a good story if you are always the hero. 

It’s important to talk about the part your donors play in your organization’s story. Discuss what success looks like for them. All answers point back to how they make a difference in the world!

• Engaging social media posts

Engaging social media posts play a pivotal role in enhancing an online community.

And that is an incredible asset.

Compelling and resonant content raises awareness for your organization and increases connection with an audience that can share and influence others to your cause!

We can’t underestimate the way visibility translates into increased credibility and trust.

Use consistent posting, stories, and tagging to keep an active channel that your audience can rely on. And always use social media to point back to your newsletter and/or blogs. People will give to your organization with more exposure and information. Inviting them to your site helps with that immensely!

• Personalized messages

Similar to point number one, make sure that your messaging is direct to donors. Or an audience you want to become donors.

Keep their support (socially and/or financially) at the center of every story. Their support keeps your organization running, so reminding them how important they are to the mission’s success is powerful. This kind of involvement will capture the attention and interest of potential donors and donors alike.

Make sure you have multiple touchpoints with your donors each month. Emails, calls, texts, social posts. They will feel more connected the more they hear from you. 

Do some research on which social platforms are right for you, how often you want to send emails, and with what cadence, and talk about automation you can include in your process. You’ll quickly realize that a content calendar will save you time, inspire creativity, and increase your funding!

Next Steps!

Are you having a hard time wrapping your mind around where to start? Schedule a free consultation meeting with our team! 

If you want to learn more about Social Impact Solutions and learn insightful tips and tricks, read our entire End-of-Year Fundraising Checklist Series and be sure to read all 10 blogs. If you want to be the first to find out more about ways you can grow your organization and scale your impact, subscribe to the Nonprofit Post or take our free Fundraising Quiz. We have a free course that accompanies the quiz that we know you’ll love.