#NPMC chat – April 30, 2015

It's the monthly #NPMC chat. We're discussing communication channels for #NGOs & #nonprofits. A plethora of #tweets about to begin. Join us!

Tweet volume is about to spike as I join #NPMC chat for #nonprofit communicators about offline strategies.

#NPMC Chat starts now. If this is your 1st Twitter chat, get oriented:  http://ow.ly/Mlpq0 

Welcome to #NPMC chat! Topic: Which offline communication channels still work for your nonprofit?

Thank you to @Kelgon for this conversation-starting post:  http://ow.ly/Mirwb  #NPMC

Excited to be part of chat RT @mo_flow: Welcome to #NPMC chat! Topic: Which offline communication channels still work for your nonprofit?

Excited to see many already here and chatting. Let’s get intros going. Please tell us a little about you and what brought you here! #NPMC

About to join the monthly #NPMC chat, expect more tweets from me.

Excited to join today's #NPMC chat with @mo_flow (and looks like my predecessor at the Workshop, @marissapaige too)!

Oh my goodness. Already too good, w/ @SeattleSeneca @OPgrrl @Kelgon @mayawalkca @maytree_canada @npcommunicator #NPMC here

@elanareinholtz thx for the #socialgood listing #NPMC!

Hello everyone. I'm Kelly, mktg specialist for a small nonprofit #NPMC

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

I’m Andrea Brody. I help nonprofits with their marketing: graphic design, branding, social media, planning & strategy. #npmc

This is Jocelyn, Marketing and Digital Media Manager from Community Media Workshop #NPMC @mo_flow @JocelynGPerry

I'm Markus Stadelmann-Elder, communications director at Maytree in Toronto #npmc

Hi, #NPMC. RoiAnn here, Comms Mgr with @HealthConnctOne - looking forward to a few good nudges to get OFFLINE now and again!

@abrodydesign hi Andrea. Sounds like this is a great topic for you! #NPMC

Hello #NPMC I work with #nonprofits, #NGOs and #faithbased communities from #Winnipeg

We're an org focused on helping #DC non-profits get their low-income constituents connected on social media. Huge marketing fans! #NPMC

Please excuse the temporarily excessive tweets. Joining #npmc chat on nonprofit marketing & communications for the next hour.

Looks like a great group of us today! : ) #NPMC

Hi #npmc. I'm a marketing and communications consultant, writer & trainer. I do a lot of copywriting, strategy, PR & social media.

@socrise I believe this is your first #NPMC chat? Warm, warm welcome!

Howdy! I'm Seneca and I handle marketing, communications, and pr for a small arts non-profit. #NPMC

.@mo_flow Very excited to connect with you all! #NPMC

@mo_flow @socrise yes welcome indeed to our wee part of the world & #socialgood in 140 characters! #NPMC

So many here already. Keep those introductions rolling as we jump into the first question - which is the BIG question today... #NPMC

Q1. Which 'old-school' or offline tactics still work for reaching your nonprofit’s constituents? #NPMC

@OPgrrl I remember, great to see you *online* talking about *offline* engagement! #NPMC

@mo_flow A1 use of print media, radio and internal printed material are still predominate way of communication internally #NPMC

A1: Face to face meetings. Always good. #NPMC

@npcommunicator @OPgrrl How appropriate! #NPMC

@CROWRDREAM nice to see so many others in chats about #socialchange & #socialgood! #NPMC

A1: We're holding quite a few in-person events - but always with an online component attached (such as tweeting) #npmc

A1. Events are top tho getting harder to get advance RSVPs/registrations. Door-to-door & 1-on-1 conversations too. #npmc

@mayawalkca Predominant! Interesting! #NPMC

A1. We use mailed invitations to our annual fundraiser; probably receive at least 75% of ticket sales purchased via mailed responses #NPMC

@mo_flow context: #faithbased - #ngos #nonprofits less so fwiiw #NPMC

A1 We host a lot of tours so brochures are a must. Events work for us, too #NPMC

A1. Also host many offline classes, trainings, panels, conferences etc. to engage with our audiences (though we do live-tweet also!) #NPMC

@npcommunicator Ooh! I was thinking of recommending client that a client go old school w/mailed invites! What's yr audience? #npmc

A1: Quite a bit of direct mail and a shrinking amount of print ads in concert program books and newspapers. #NPMC

Hearing nonprofits still effectively using print media, radio, print materials, events, face-to-face, and mail to reach our peeps #NPMC

@Kelgon how do you distribute brochures? Digitally? Mail? At tour? #NPMC

A1 Brochure and postcards for some workshops and programs - nice to have something to share at events and in-person meetings #npmc

A1: we are nonprofit hospice. we go offline a lot. print newsletters. educational events. sensitive subject. #NPMC #hospice

A1: In-person meetings and visits. Brochures and pamphlets as well. There's also this one really neat thing we use called the phone. #NPMC

@mayawalkca At the tours, but some are also published online #NPMC

@Kelgon makes sense - anyone using digital devices with brochure during actual tour? #NPMC

@girardinl @npcommunicator We send our annual fundraiser invitation and our annual appeal by direct mail AND eBlast. #NPMC

LOL Think I've heard of that! MT @socrise A1: There's also this one really neat thing we use called the phone. #NPMC

@sburket do you vet printed material owing to sensitivity? #NPMC

Sounds like offline channels alive and well. Often complemented with online activity/presence. #NPMC

A multi-channel approach including print materials work is important especially for events. You need to consider your audience. #npmc

Impt to remember for #NPMC chat too! MT @Network4Good: Giving is emotional, impulsive, irrational, personal and social. #fundraising

MT "@socrise ...There's also this one really neat thing we use called the phone. #NPMC" 😂

@mayawalkca Staff or visitors on the tour? #NPMC

MT @abrodydesign multi-channel approach incl. print materials work important esp for events. You need to consider your audience. #npmc

A1. #NPMC we still mail a (small) print annual report to larger donors. gets noticed and read, since not much else coming through mail.

A1. We also teach #nonprofit communicators how to pitch #journalists effectively. Print, radio, TV #media all help reach constituents! #NPMC

@Kelgon both - interesitng to see whether the digital 'paper' in your context might be replacing print as digital devices ubiquitous #NPMC

Tweet volume is about to spike as I join #NPMC chat for #nonprofit communicators about offline strategies.

@npcommunicator Audience @ client is mix of traditional fdn types & tech savvy program folks. Commonality: lots of noise online #npmc

@sburket We did the same. Only mailed reports to a few donors. Others got a postcard w/ details to view it online #NPMC

Q2. What is made possible for your organization and those you serve by keeping select offline channels in the mix? #NPMC

@npcommunicator would be interested to hear more about the #training #NPMC

@mayawalkca Good point & good idea. We just got WIFI so we're a bit behind on things! #NPMC

MT @npcommunicator A1. We also teach how to pitch #journalists effectively. Print, radio, TV #media all help reach constituents! #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.

RT mayawalkca: npcommunicator would be interested to hear more about the #training #NPMC #videos >>  http://goo.gl/gG2J5m 

A2: Reach. Some constituents aren't yet on social media or sometimes even email. Enables a mutual understanding. #NPMC

A2 Meeting a person seen as "other" in real life can do more to change minds & hearts than most online interaction #npmc

@Kelgon @sburket We often consider this - do people who receive your postcard go on to read the report online? #NPMC

@mayawalkca @npcommunicator Super important! Need to see more of that in my area #NPMC

A2: Harder to relay empathy in online marketing too. Way easier to connect with offline or in-person marketing. #NPMC

@OPgrrl I would have to look back at my analytics to see how well we did! #NPMC

@socrise Totally agree. So much of our audience is that way! #NPMC

A2. Online often maintains connection AFTER we meet people face-to-face, tho' occasionally it runs the other direction. #NPMC

@Kelgon Super curious if you're ever willing to share. #NPMC

@OPgrrl Sure! Will make a note of it & get back to you! #NPMC

A2: Offline mail can feel more personal. People think of it as "junk" or really exciting. We hope for the latter...#NPMC

@Kelgon @socrise Fascinating. Orgs I work w/deal w/ppl that are by default on mobile phones. Even if just plain ol SMS #npmc

Hearing offline channels help maintain & extend reach, deeper. meaningful, empathetic connections, change hearts & minds #NPMC

A2 Opportunity to switch off devices and feel less distracted by what else there's available #npmc

A2 allows us to serve ppl as they want to be served - diversity for different age ranges, comfort level, for example. #NPMC

@girardinl @socrise Both have their own challenges for sure #NPMC

Also hearing offline channels maintain/deepen connections, offer more personal touch, allow greater focus on our messages. #NPMC

My current obsession! '@OPgrrl A2 Online often maintains connection AFTER meet ppl face2face, occasionally runs the other direction' #NPMC

Membership letters w/return envelopes for checks make our members feel more secure in their donations rather than paying online #NPMC

A2: It's a more controlled message. You could say curated for them. Online, you never know where they'll end up. #NPMC

I seem to be blocked from sharing @girardinl observation about SMS & Mobile phones. Helpful insight - thanks! #NPMC

@JohannaSedgwick may I ask you demographic context? #NPMC

@sburket good point! Standing out because that method of engagement is less popular right now #NPMC

Wow. More great insights coming in than I can retweet. But they are all so important. #NPMC

@JohannaSedgwick Great point. Some ppl want quick&convenient online but a lot of ppl still want to feel safe & donate offline! #NPMC

@mayawalkca I would say a good bulk are just retired and up to age 90! #NPMC

More takeaways: offline channels allow us to serve ppl as they want to be, control our message/context, give constituents comfort. #NPMC

@JohannaSedgwick Likewise here. We receive FAR more donations by mail than online. Donor base largely older = "old school." #NPMC

@JohannaSedgwick thanks - makes sense. Not dissimlar to my current #faithbased context #NPMC

A2 resource I alluded to, @ThisAmerLife talks abt how meeting people changes minds  http://bit.ly/1Gzwa7H  listen AFTER #npmc! :)

Not answer to Q, but make sure to keep links (bitly etc) easy to remember/type if printing to distribute offline! #NPMC

@OPgrrl @JohannaSedgwick Meanwhile the only checks I've written in last 10 years were to pay my rent. Would never donate by check. #NPMC

@adeburger @sburket It always helps to be different! #npmc

We know that they can be expensive, planning requires long lead times, not as flexible... So Q3... #NPMC

Q3. What factors play into the success of 'old-school or offline channels'? #NPMC

So much great stuff being shared here. Shows that offline channels are still alive&well for many #nonprofits #NPMC

Great point MT @npcommunicator Make sure to keep links (bitly etc) easy to remember/type if printing to distribute offline! #NPMC

a2) I've found that offline channels have often driven people TO organizational online platforms. #NPMC

@girardinl @JohannaSedgwick Same for me personally, but then - I may be straddling the age divide here ;) #NPMC

Agree RT @Kelgon So much great stuff being shared here. Shows that offline channels are still alive & well for many #nonprofits #NPMC

@marissapaige We're getting to that point as well. Start offline, direct online #NPMC

A3: Scale. Customization. Engagement. Actually a lot of the same factors that play into success of online marketing. #NPMC

@marissapaige Awesome! Care to share example? #NPMC

A3 Know your audience & be prepared with the right materials #NPMC

@Kelgon @marissapaige that makes sense - sometimes offering coaching/mentoring helps too #NPMC

@Kelgon What do you mean by right materials? #NPMC

Why it's so important to have a unified brand/message across all channels! #NPMC  https://twitter.com/marissapaige/status/593831184712507392 …

.@mo_flow @marissapaige I know a few organizations that love to use QR codes. Very effective. #NPMC

@Kelgon Yes! Even better if you personally know them :) #NPMC

#NPMC a2 eg.) my org distributes education resources to low-income schools & programs. What we've started to do is add a sticker to...

@mo_flow Right materials f/ the audience. Just did a business expo & only brought stuff about our business services #NPMC

A3 Ask "Why?" before starting. If you don't know what yr trying to achieve & why it matters, you can't succeed offline—or on! #npmc

@Kelgon Ah, yes! No more one-size-fits all brochures! #NPMC

Hearing successful offline tactics are smart, focused, customized, with a specific goal in mind. #NPMC

@mo_flow Exactly! Also saves $ because we print what we need and nothing gets outdated #NPMC

Q3b. Anyone have insights to share about allocating budget to offline vs online? #NPMC

A3 brainstorming w/ @t_noya & we think clarity, relevance/thoroughness, and calls for action are key. #NPMC

Yes! RT @adeburger A3 brainstorming w/ @t_noya & we think clarity, relevance/thoroughness, and calls for action are key. #NPMC

I'd love to hear the answers to this #NPMC question...  https://twitter.com/mo_flow/status/593833276248367105 …

@mo_flow A3b know context & offer examples about how traditional can translate #socialmedia and vice verse. Should never be either/or #NPMC

@SeattleSeneca @socrise @mo_flow also had little success with QR codes. Audience doesn't seem to want to download the reader... #NPMC

@SeattleSeneca i find myself ringing this bell alot re: unified experience at all org's "front doors" #NPMC

@socrise @mo_flow @marissapaige how do you figure out what demographic uses QR? #NPMC

@marissapaige @SeattleSeneca @socrise @mo_flow funny how #QRCode has not been huge in some #Canadian contexts #NPMC

We started to answer Q4 already, but here goes... #NPMC

Q4. What needs to be in place for success with offline channels? What can you do to ensure success? #NPMC

@btrfly12 @socrise @mo_flow @marissapaige generalisation but GenX onward likely. Also socio-economic access importation #NPMC

and Hi #npmc'ers - came in late and just caught up - thanks all for sharing insights :)

We've used a #QRCode on a few print materials - event invitations, annual report --> go see longer story. Minimal response. #NPMC

@mo_flow A4 In #faithbased context this is primary - so not an issue. Challenge is enhance offline with #socialmedia potential #NPMC

@btrfly12 @SeattleSeneca I vote yay for unified brand/message but tone, voice & messengers can/should be targeted for each channel #npmc

@girardinl @t_noya Yes, exactly!!! :) #NPMC

A4 Planning! We're guilty of waiting until the last minute to create offline materials. Puts quality at risk #NPMC

A4: Knowing your audience and what message you want to communicate seem like the foundation for offline communication. #NPMC

A4: Metrics, Measurement, and Data need to be important elements to ensure offline channel success. #NPMC

So common RT @Kelgon A4 Planning! We're guilty of waiting until the last minute to create offline materials. Puts quality at risk #NPMC

Yes! MT @SeattleSeneca A4: Knowing your audience & what message you want to communicate foundation for offline communication. #NPMC

A4 Not really different from any other type of communication - as @Kelgon & @SeattleSeneca put it: planning and knowing your audience #npmc

True and harder to do. RT @socrise A4: Metrics, Measurement, and Data need to be important elements to ensure offline channel success. #NPMC

Time is almost up and as usual, I had a hard time keeping up! Care to share key takeaways from today? #NPMC

Q5. Any key lessons from today's chat? What do you want to put into practice? #NPMC

A4 coordinating & integrating offline/online timelines so messages are in sync & no confusion between the two audiences (w/ @t_noya) #NPMC

@mo_flow Offline Communication remains very important - even essential. Need to be careful to connect with #intention & not alienate #NPMC

Once again, I feel like we're all in this together! Offline channels have pros & cons but good to know almost every1 still uses them! #NPMC

@mo_flow @socrise In some ways, offline is easier to track: Not distracted by "views" & you know right away who's moved or motivated. #NPMC

@mo_flow No way! That went SO fast!! Time flies, fun, yada yada. #npmc

MT A5 Offline Communication remains very important - even essential. Need to be careful to connect w/ #intention & not alienate #NPMC

@girardinl @mo_flow It was a really great chat! #NPMC

@OPgrrl Good point! #NPMC

THIS #npmc  https://twitter.com/OPgrrl/status/593836712255746048 …

A5 Communications are best when offline & online are connected and drive specific actions. #npmc

Sadly, that's a wrap! Thank you everyone for another great chat! Let me know what you want to chat about in May! #NPMC

Great #NPMC chat - we're all offline and online, similar strategies both places - lots of affirmation here. Thank you all!

Chat archives will be posted soon at  http://ow.ly/qmZRO  Save the date/time for next #NPMC Chat: Thursday, May 28 at 1 pm ET. #NPMC

For #NPMC friends: If you know any other great #nonprofit #marketing and digital communications people, we're hiring!  http://bit.ly/CMWjob2015 

@mo_flow Thanks for another insightful, resource-full chat! #NPMC