I don't know what our value add is. I'm not sure what resource we have that's valuable to our audience.
Have you ever said that about your nonprofit or mission-driven business, Reader?
I hear this all. the. time. Can I lovingly tell you that you're wrong? There is a resource, tool, relationship, or information you have that can benefit someone else and pull them closer to your mission.
Just this week, I got this screenshot from an executive director I work with:
I've been running this organization's email marketing for about 3 years. This summer, I pulled valuable, actionable resources they had on their website and YouTube channel to create email newsletters.
As a former teacher, I knew other teachers and school leaders were already planning for the upcoming school year.
This executive director has said the same thing about not "adding value".
But this screenshot? HUGE.
→ This organization had valuable resources sitting on their website.
→ I created a newsletter with this resource as the focal point.
→ One person read it and shared it with their school team.
→ Dozens of educators now know who this organization is and the value they add.
→ Hundreds of students will benefit from the training their teachers and school leaders receive with this resource as the guide for professional development for the entire school year.
Because of one email.
Do you see how expansive your value add can be?
That's something I like to call "beyond" metrics. This screenshot won't show up on the email analytics report, but it's interactions and touchpoints like these that spread awareness, move your mission forward, and create solid donor relationships.
When I talk to clients about adding value to their audience, I go back to the African Proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." You may not be raising a child, but you do need to raise awareness, trust, and funds for your mission to grow healthy and strong.
We can't expect people to support us if we're not willing to show up and support them. That means if you want a village (supporters, volunteers, donors, etc), you must have a willingness to be a villager (give them something valuable).
My challenge for you this week: Determine how can you be a villager. What resource, information, or connections do you have that can benefit your prospects? How can they engage with you in a way that invites them to be an active participant in your mission?
If you need a pro to identify and communicate your value add, just click the reply button and tell me how I can help. Rooting for you, always!
Stay kind,
Amanda
|
|
ICYMI...
DonorDock has asked me, Chris, and Paul to be panelists in their final webinar of an 8 week series. Catch the replay here!
|
