#NPMC chat – February 26, 2015

Welcome to #NPMC chat! Our topic today: realistic market research options  http://ow.ly/JbKwd 

Look, ma - I'm tweeting today! Joining #NPMC chat for #nonprofit communicators. Today's topic: Realistic market research.

Waving hi to #npmc chat happening now. Nonprofit folks - jump in. Today's topic is Realistic Market Research.

Let’s start with introductions. Please tell us a little about you, even if you think you’re going to be quiet. :) #NPMC

I am just now launching my literacy for/non-profit venture. Have extensive background in all adverts. Any other ways you recommend? #NPMC

Expect a few extra tweets from me for the next hour as I join the #NPMC chat on realistic market research.

Already see @Kelgon @OPgrrl @btrfly12 @Love4Literacy. Hello! #NPMC

Sorry for tweet volume in next hour as I join #NPMC chat. Topic today: realistic market research options. Join us!  http://ow.ly/JbKwd 

Hey followers! #npmc's just about to happen so apologies in advance for flooding your feed. (You should probably join in.)

Hi everyone! I'm Kelly. Marketing specialist for small NPO. Excited to chat from my new & much faster work computer! #NPMC

To make following #NPMC chat easier, try tweetchat or twubs.

Hello! I work for ChildServe Communication department, an organization that offers specialized health care services to children. #NPMC

First time sitting in #npmc! Looking forward to learning more!

Hi @ambookclub @SeattleSeneca @SethGiammanco @PaitynLangley @eebeejay! #NPMC

Hi #npmc ! I help NPs w/ web & communications strategy. Esp multilingual #drupal sites for human rights- & Latin America-focused orgs.

I’m Marlene Oliveira, of Nonprofit MarCommunity and #NPMC chat. Also copywriter & communications consultant to nonprofits at moflow.

My tweet volume may spike for the next hour as I join #NPMC Chat for nonprofit marketers and communicators.

MT @margaux_om: Join us at #NPMC chat re: about 'realistic market research options'. Incr. tweet volume for nxt hour.  http://ow.ly/JbKwd 

Hello from London! I work for @DanceUK and @youthdance on all things dance, dance industry, young people and public health. #npmc

Already suspect this is going to be a lively one! Happy to have so many here to start! Here comes Q1 as the intros roll in... #NPMC

Q1. In what ways are you gathering information/data to guide and inform your org’s decisions? Has anything worked particularly well? #NPMC

My plan calls for partnerships with simpatico non-profit literacy ventures. #NPMC anyone interested pls. connect!

Hello, #NPMC. RoiAnn here - Comms Mgr for @HealthConnctOne, which develops peer-to-peer support programs for moms/babies/families in U.S.

@mo_flow Hi! A little late joining. I'm Sherry, Sr Marketing & Comms Mgr with a national health charity #NPMC

#npmc Forgot to mention, I run marketing for a startup that makes NPO software, @WeDidItNYC

Hi everyone! I’m a principal and the tech lead at  http://mod-lab.com . We support NPs with mission delivering design and tech. #NPMC

Our #NPMC chat topic today: realistic market research options  http://ow.ly/JbKwd 

@SherryCalder hello! #NPMC

A1 #NPMC I am conducting an academic study over the course of the venture. also been in beta 3 yaers

@mo_flow A1 survey monkey; email questionnaires to external stakeholders; direct Qs from social channels #NPMC

A1. Looking at our online stats to guide practice, learning FB helps us w/ conversations, Twitter w/ broader stroke brand awareness. #NPMC

W/so many intros coming in, think I'll repeat Q1: Q1. How are you gathering information/data to guide and inform your org’s decisions? #NPMC

Great! RT @SherryCalder A1 survey monkey; email questionnaires to external stakeholders; direct Qs from social channels #NPMC

@mo_flow Hi! I'm Alanna M&C, Fund Development for a health charity :) #NPMC

To guide decisions, we gather input from members via surveys & our board. Training events & Twitter & Facebook analytics help too! #NPMC

@lifeont1 @mo_flow Glad you're joining, Alanna! #NPMC

A1 advertising analytics; pre and post-testing of literacy, feedback from parents & teachers #NPMC

@SherryCalder @mo_flow Happy to have a few minutes to breathe and catch it today! #NPMC

For those new to #NPMC chat, we’re using Q/A format - we post questions using Q1, Q2, etc. You respond by using A1, A2, etc. Thx!

Looking at online stats, MT @OPgrrl can see: for her org, FB helps w/ conversations, Twitter w/ broader stroke brand awareness. #NPMC

#NPMC Glad to join you for our first time! Liz, tweeting. We're a non-profit that empowers community members to walking their way to health!

A1 for some sub/member sites (folks login) using @KISSmetrics & @keen_io to track user identifiable events for key engagement metrics. #NPMC

A1: we often hand out pen and paper questionnaires at events and have collection baskets. #NPMC

@FSUAndrew @mo_flow our own internal database #npmc

A1 Some analytics, surveys for staff & clients, mtgs with similar orgs to see how they're handling changes in our field #NPMC

MT @OPgrrl A1 Look at online stats to guide practice, learning FB helps w/ conversations, Twitter w/broader stroke brand awareness. #NPMC

Q1: ChildServe works with busy parents so we tend to use social media. The turn out hasn't been outstanding. :( Any suggestions? #npmc

A1. A lot of surveys both in person at day of, and online post event to give us a full picture #npmc

@mo_flow @SherryCalder with survey distribution, are you sticking just to your email list or have you found another channel? #npmc

@SeattleSeneca <3 the low-tech approach! :) #npmc

Sounds like this group is using analytics, surveys, online conversations, feedback and evaluations...lots of research happening! #NPMC

@margaux_om sometimes simple can be effective. Plus we're lucky to have a captive audience at a concert. #NPMC

Also in person conversations, meetings to stay on top of trends. #NPMC

@SethGiammanco What are some examples of the engagement metrics you track? #npmc

Remember: use #NPMC tag and if you want to be RTd, make sure your tweet is 120c or less to give room for the RT.

RE Q1: Curious, anyone using any kind of marketing automation? Tracking email subscribers to web site activity? #NPMC

A1 We're working with external consultants right now because we're in the process of amalgamating a few non-profit orgs. #npmc

Q2 What information would help you and colleagues make a greater impact? Or does already? What do you want to know? #NPMC

A1 Also working towards getting a new CRM system so that we can make better use of the data we already have #npmc

@mo_flow A2 what resonates with customer/donor, what compels them to be a supporter? What programs do they need/want? #NPMC

A2. Better constituent feedback at regular intervals would help us develop more effective MC plans and events. Open communication. #npmc

RT @mo_flow: Q2 What information would help you and colleagues make a greater impact? Or does already? What do you want to know? #NPMC

@eebeejay just started to use a new CRM system as well #NPMC

A1 @ambookclub I have never heard of this before. It sounds very helpful. What was your experience like using it? #npmc

@eebeejay we're in the same boat. Ours is tough to get data out, so finding one that makes it easy to go both ways is key! #NPMC

@SethGiammanco SM is Hootsuite and Global Cloud otherwise. #npmc

A2. Want to know about supporter motivation: Why do our supporters donate? Or get involved? What's working or not? #NPMC

@ambookclub Don't forget to add #NPMC to your tweets so we can see them. :)

A2 also, think it"s important for M&C team to be connected to other departments in the organization, front-line staff #NPMC

@margaux_om @SethGiammanco #NPMC that can be done. simple through GOOG analytics

RT @SherryCalder A2 what resonates with customer/donor, what compels them to be a supporter? What programs do they need/want? #NPMC

A2: We like to find out what might be barriers for a person's involvement or level of engagement. #NPMC

RT @OPgrrl A2. Want to know about supporter motivation: Why do our supporters donate? Or get involved? What's working or not? #NPMC

MT @SeattleSeneca: We like to find out what might be barriers for a person's involvement or level of engagement. #NPMC

Great point RT @SeattleSeneca A2: We like to find out what might be barriers for a person's involvement or level of engagement. #NPMC

@margaux_om @SeattleSeneca #NPMC ads, poor UI/UX

@SeattleSeneca We just got a grant to amalgamate the data from 4 orgs using ThankQ as our CRM. Big project for us right now. #npmc

@eebeejay That's great! Good luck! #NPMC

Great point! MT @ambookclub: ads, poor UI/UX, could be barriers for involvement or level of engagement. #npmc

Joining in a bit late, hope that's okay! A2: Collecting tech barriers that hinders nonprofits from achieveing their mission #npmc

@mo_flow @OPgrrl check out my partner,  http://Coactify.com  #NPMC

A2 We're planning to expand a service into a new market so we're looking at need, competition, local regulations, etc #NPMC

I'm hearing you want to know needs, motivations, what resonates, what's working, barriers... #NPMC

Just learned about two new CRM platforms … so many! Here’s one. MT @eebeejay: @SeattleSeneca ... ThankQ as our CRM ... #npmc

A2. Perhaps also how your org is perceived, trends, effectiveness of your marcom? #NPMC

@eebeejay great news! Lots of work but I'm sure the end result will be awesome : ) #NPMC

I'm Erin, PR Associate for @forFamilyHealth! Just looking to gain from the #NPMC free info exchange on nonprofit market research! Thanks!

Hi @techsoupcanada and @EFIE0130! #NPMC

A2 Always looking for ways to increase reach and engagement and value for our members #npmc

By the way, my apologies if I'm not keeping up w/ @replies. This is a busy one! #NPMC

Our donors & supporters want to know that their contributions made a tangible difference. Like our @LiteracyLetters book! #NPMC

A2: people like answering questions, so we get good demographic info, ie education level, income, how they spend free time #NPMC

@mo_flow #NPMC most of that can be gained thru analytics. marcom: provide multiple calls to action to encourage engagement

@Kelgon I hope so! We're amalgamating 4 orgs, so major rebrand, new CRM, website and conference within the next year. Eeek! #npmc

@Love4Literacy Yes! Then you can say concrete & specific thx, like "YOU made this possible!" :) #npmc

Q3. You've already given some examples. What can market research look like within your budget and available time? #NPMC

@eebeejay #NPMC I am going the simpatico partnership route. synergy creates greater reach

@Love4Literacy I have a client success story to share. Will use it to show recent donors that they helped! Thnx for the idea! #NPMC

@SeattleSeneca Interesting, any examples of how you use the free time info? #NPMC

@SeattleSeneca Wow. Surveys have been hugely unsatisfying for us. Hardly anyone responds, even to the simple 3-Q ones. #NPMC

A2: At ChildServe, we maintain our trusted brand by allowing outside members to get involved through volunteer work and donations. #NPMC

@SethGiammanco if they travel, when & where. Do they go to museums, sporting events, skiing, etc, and we can focus advertising #NPMC

A3s already mentioned: reader surveys, prog evals, 1-on-1 interviews, focus groups, web, email & social media analytics #NPMC

@PaitynLangley ditto #NPMC thru  http://Coactify.com 

A3. Easiest way for us is to conduct online surveys with our nonprofit members & compile the data in our CRM #npmc

@OPgrrl @SeattleSeneca #NPMC do you have capacity to call?

@OPgrrl guess we're very lucky! We never get 100%, but 25-30% is pretty common for us. #NPMC

Realistic market research for nonprofits [#NPMC chat]  http://disq.us/8mcg3g 

Thanks goodness for the internet! Lets us NPOs do a lot on a shoestring budget! #NPMC

Other A3 ideas: review of market research and surveys conducted by others, online surveys and polls, SWOT analysis #NPMC

@OPgrrl @SeattleSeneca #NPMC there are web programs that offer survey incentivization - in return they get respondent's email addy

@SeattleSeneca What types of events do you hand them out at? #NPMC

@ambookclub @OPgrrl Sadly we don't, I'm a department of 1, so my best opportunity to connect is at a performance. #NPMC

@ambookclub @SeattleSeneca We call donors once/year & do 1-on-1's w/ donors. Harder to prove ROI for 1-on-1's w/ other supp's. #NPMC

@Kelgon We have concerts and free events, and that is where we survey, which is a little different from many NPOs. #NPMC

@OPgrrl @ambookclub Our Development staff definitely spends more time talking directly to the donors than I do. #NPMC

Q3: We provide surveys for the parents.. This allows us to track valuable parent feedback as well as monitor the child progress. #NPMC

Q4. Any changes you want to make in your daily work to start accessing necessary insights? Or making better use of data you have? #NPMC

@OPgrrl @SeattleSeneca Have you considered stringing together partnerships for greater reach? #NPMC I am

A3 Prog evals, 1-on-1 interviews, focus groups, web, email & social media analytics, mostly. #npmc

A4 Just took a webinar about using data dashboards to keep track of & share data. I'm now planning to design/use some #NPMC

A4. If I had a free tool to see how specific content is doing ACROSS platforms, I'd have a clearer picture. #NPMC

#NPMC an offer: I have worked in tech - media for 15 years. I am happy to mock up a site with the best resources if there is interest.

@ambookclub @OPgrrl We are part of a bigger CRM system that has some of this data for our region, but the firewall access is $. #NPMC

@Kelgon In order to share internally? #NPMC

A4. Just need a good CRM implementation that works for marketing & comms purposes (working on that!) #npmc

@SeattleSeneca @OPgrrl I hear you #NPMC

@Kelgon Please say more about your data dashboards! #NPMC

RT @OPgrrl A4. If I had a free tool to see how specific content is doing ACROSS platforms, I'd have a clearer picture. #NPMC

@mo_flow Yes #NPMC

@techsoupcanada try Sugar. I find it least expensive best bang for buck #NPMC

@ambookclub What do you mean by a site mockup? #NPMC

Q4: Because I work as the designer, I would love to know whether or not our promotional pieces are reaching and informing as intended. #NPMC

Investment in a good CRM is a major theme for this chat! #NPMC

@PaitynLangley are you talking about printed pieces? #NPMC

Suggestions for measuring? MT @PaitynLangley Would love to know whether promotional pieces are reaching and informing as intended. #NPMC

@PaitynLangley focus groups #NPMC

A4 For us a new CRM is key. Will enable us to better utilise the data we already hve and will use in the future. #npmc

Much data collection also seems to already be happening, but need for more organized collection/sharing/use. #NPMC

@Kelgon @mo_flow I do a lot of copy-paste & "snip" to share data w/ colleagues running various initiatives. #NPMC

@PaitynLangley Starting with a simple "How did you hear about us?" in your online forms or over the phone is a good place to start #npmc

HIGHLY recommend Sugar for a CRM #NPMC

@mo_flow @PaitynLangley you can 'code' them, and find out what was the piece that actually drove them to engage with you #NPMC

Oy, I've had too much Twitter today. #socialmediamanagerproblems BUT I stumbled into #NPMC so I gotta make room for more!!!

Also love the emerging theme of more sharing internally. A great opportunity to increase/show value of marcom team members. #NPMC

@SeattleSeneca @mo_flow @PaitynLangley yes, subIDs #NPMC

@PaitynLangley Also recommend tools like Sniply, Bitly or Box to share your collateral materials. They'll track clicks & downloads #npmc

@OPgrrl Dashboards make that easier. Accessible to all. Include KPIs & show changes over time. Still learning about them myself #NPMC

@OPgrrl @Kelgon Any particular tool you use for creating dashboards? #npmc

@Kelgon Cool. Where do you find or create a dashboard? Hootsuite? #NPMC

I have arrived at #NPMC late but #joyfully!

@Kelgon @OPgrrl I use old fashioned Excel - free (well) #NPMC

Observation: for a change, a lack of resources isn't a theme/obstacle re: this topic, since there are so many free tools! #NPMC

My name is Richard & work with #nonprofits, #ngos and primarily in #faithbased context at the moment #NPMC

Also: EVERYONE seems to be implementing some form of market research/data collection. Just need some tweaking! #NPMC

@ambookclub @Kelgon @OPgrrl some folks at my job really like GeckoBoard #NPMC

@OPgrrl @Kelgon typically they are custom, or plug and play. not free. not Hootsuite. but can accomodate various media #NPMC

@mo_flow done! #NPMC

#NPMC @Kelgon I'm still looking for just the "right" dashboard. Suggestions? Can you point me toward this webinar please? :)

@mayawalkca Since we're close to wrapping up, any recent wins to share re: putting data/market research to good use? #NPMC

A4 better use of data allows for better use of time. Enabling internal capacity to crunch numbers helps staff for more #NPMC

Google Analytics for website related KPIs has some nice, free dashboards, with gallery of ones others have created. @OPgrrl @Kelgon #NPMC

Recommendation: Check out  http://IFTTT.com  for cross-channel content distro #NPMC

@PaitynLangley @mo_flow asking the question, 'how did you hear about us?' While not exact, one piece might stand out. #NPMC

The webinar was via Nonprofit 911. Called Data Management Strategies to Maximize Your Success. One tool mentioned geckoboard #NPMC

Q5. Since we're getting close to the end, any key lessons from today's chat? What do you want to put into practice? #NPMC

@SethGiammanco @OPgrrl @Kelgon I must tag this with as asterisk: GOOG is not entirely accurate., #NPMC

@mo_flow always a win when enabling volunteers to do analysis and share results with staff - leads to more nimbleness #NPMC

Loving the # of side conversations today. Learning from each other is what this chat is all about! #NPMC

RT @mayawalkca @mo_flow always a win when enabling volunteers to do analysis and share results with staff - leads to more nimbleness #NPMC

A5 Take advantage of more free tools to make market research & data collection easier #NPMC

RT @mo_flow: Q5. Since we're getting close to the end, any key lessons from today's chat? What do you want to put into practice? #NPMC

Recently saw Goog Analytics add-on for Goog Sheets. I want to try but haven't yet. Have any of you? #npmc  http://analytics.blogspot.com/2015/01/simplify-your-google-analytics.html …

@marissapaige Sent a separate tweet about the webinar. Can't suggest a dashboard b/c I haven't gotten started with one yet #NPMC

A5. Looks like I'll be checking out Geckoboard :) #NPMC

@margaux_om Ooooh. Not yet. Thanks for sharing! #NPMC

Also find that remembering data is a #tool not the goal VERY important #NPMC

@Kelgon @marissapaige dash: happy to research and include in digital media site for all #NPMC this is what I cut my teeth on :)

RT @Kelgon A5 Take advantage of more free tools to make market research & data collection easier #NPMC

RT @mayawalkca Also find that remembering data is a #tool not the goal VERY important #NPMC

My A5: this community loves helping one another. Big time! #NPMC

@mayawalkca disagree. data represents your gooal and is very key in helping you get there #NPMC

Yes! Data alone doesn't do anything, you have to study & learn from it. MT @mayawalkca: data is a #tool not the goal, VERY important #NPMC

Thank you everyone for another great chat!Transcript will be posted soon at  http://ow.ly/qmZRO  #NPMC

Save the date/time for next #NPMC Chat: Thursday, March 26 at 1 pm ET. And send me your topic ideas! #NPMC

Thanks everyone! #NPMC

@margaux_om @mayawalkca analysis implied #NPMC

@mo_flow Thanks for hosting! See everyone next time! #NPMC

@margaux_om @OPgrrl indeed - learned too often it can distract from goals/mission #NPMC

Thanks everyone! #NPMC

#NPMC - you folks are the very best! Thank you,@mo_flow!

Thanks! No longer a virgin! #NPMC

@ambookclub interesting: goal has components that can measured with a #metric but focusing on the metric easy 2 lose sight of mission #NPMC

Thanks @mo_flow for another excellent #npmc chat! Looking forward to seeing many of you next week at #15NTC :)

@ambookclub LOL. Great to have you and hope you'll be back! #NPMC

@ambookclub For anon web visitors? All web trackers are not entirely accurate. @OPgrrl @Kelgon #NPMC

@ambookclub context likely has something to do with it? #faithbased context sometimes what's measurable is not measurable! #NPMC

hook me up with the #npmc recap when it's ready @mo_flow! :) <3 these chats!

@SethGiammanco @OPgrrl @Kelgon IP, for example. #NPMC

@mayawalkca Well that sounds better. But the only thing that could top #NPMC chat. ;)

@ambookclub @OPgrrl @margaux_om @mo_flow @Kelgon thx for warm welcome even though I was most #tardy to #NPMC!

@marissapaige You know I will! :) Glad you could make it! #NPMC

@mayawalkca @OPgrrl @margaux_om @mo_flow @Kelgon you get a detention. #NPMC

I just became a member of the #NPMC Twub. For live tweets, photos, videos and more, check out  http://twubs.com/NPMC 

Thanks everyone! #npmc