The power of storytelling for fundraising and showcasing impact to donors is undeniable. However, the fundraising landscape has changed dramatically, and the way in which fundraisers collect and share their stories needs to adapt.
Digital technologies have fundamentally changed the way people research, consume, and share information. They have also changed the way people give to causes they care about. In just one year, people raised over $300 million using Facebook birthday fundraisers. That number is expected to double this year.
Storytelling using digital channels such as websites, email, and social media platforms is one of the best ways to change hearts and minds around a cause. Digital storytelling is also an effective way to reach new donors while deepening relationships with current supporters.
In this session, author and global authority on nonprofit digital storytelling Julia Campbell will walk you through the modern day secrets to nonprofit digital storytelling success, based on her bestselling book for nonprofits.
Learning objectives:
How to employ Julia’s 3-part digital storytelling framework to turn donors from passive to passionate;
How to create a system to collect the best fundraising stories for your organization;
How to use stories to address myths and misconceptions about your work and to truly express your impact;
Free and low-cost tools you can use to enhance your digital storytelling - even if you are not tech-savvy; and
Real-world examples from small and mid-size nonprofits.
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Part 30
Digital Storytelling to Drive Donations
1. HOW TO USE DIGITAL
STORYTELLING TO DRIVE
DONATIONS
Julia Campbell, MPA
www.jcsocialmarketing.co
m
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
2. ABOUT ME
Mom of 2
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Senegal
2000-2002)
Former Development and Marketing
Director at small shops
Author, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A
Guide for Nonprofits
Passionate digital storytelling evangelist
Tweet: @JuliaCSocial
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
3. Connect
Slides, notes and resources
http://jcsocialmarketing.com/AFPCT-storytelling/
1. Presentation Slides
2. Storytelling in the Digital Age Workbook
3. Content Calendar template
4. What We Will Cover Today
Why digital
storytelling is the
best way to build
relationships with
supporters
How to create a
system to collect the
best stories across
your organization
How to use stories
to take donors from
passive to
passionate
Free and low-cost
tools you can use to
enhance your digital
storytelling
12. SO WHY DON’T WE DO IT
BETTER?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
13. NONPROFIT
DIGITAL
STORYTELL
ING
CHALLENG
ES
We aren’t using storytelling strategically and with
intention.
We don’t know how to start.
We can’t see the forest for the trees.
We have unrealistic expectations.
We want to raise awareness, but we don’t know
how to translate that awareness into action.
We desperately want the world to care just as
much as we do.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
14. SO HOW DO WE “DO”
STORYTELLING WITH
INTENTION AND
PURPOSE?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
18. WRITE A COMPELLING STORY
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
Use unexpected plot twists and plot structures1.
Feature unusual characters2.
Look beyond the obvious story, case/example model
3.
34. DON’T JUST
“PULL
HEARTSTRIN
GS”.People avoid or eventually
tune out 3 kinds of stories:
Stories that attempt to
make them feel guilty.
Stories that obligate them
to do something they
don’t want to do.
Stories that threaten their
identify, values, and
worldview.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
36. GREENPEACE STORY &
CONTENT GUIDE
“The story Greenpeace tells, and has always told, is that a
better world is possible, and brave individual and
collective actions can make it a reality.
Now, to save the world, we’re going to get a billion other
people to smash their own impossibles.
We will tell stories using language that is optimistic, bold
and includes a humorous wink. We will rebel against
convention and make beauty in the face of dreary and
stale.”
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
37. USE EMOTION WITH
INTENTION
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
Different emotions can
lead people to different
actions.
What do you want
people to believe and
do?
Think about how they
would feel if they were
taking that action.
Think about stories
that would make them
feel that way.
38. WE ARE AIMING FOR
THE “CREATION OF
A SHARED IDENTITY
BETWEEN THE
INDIVIDUAL AND
THE CAUSE OVER
TIME.”
~SANDER VAN DER
LINDEN
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
49. 1) DETERMINE
YOUR
DESTINATION
What would you do if you
couldn’t fail?
What do you hope to achieve with
digital storytelling?
What does success look like?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
51. SOME
COMMON
STORYTELL
ING GOALS
Thought
leadership
Becoming a go-to
resource
Raising awareness
of our programs
and services
Enticing new
donors to give
Deepening
relationships with
current donors
Advocacy around
a specific issue
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
54. WHERE ARE THE KNOWLEDGE
GAPS?
What does your target
audience already know
about you?
What misconceptions may
they have about the
population you work with
or the work that you do?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
55. QUESTIONS
Who are your supporters?
What do they value?
Why are they interested in
your work?
What drives them?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
56. WHAT DO
YOU WANT
THEM TO
DO?
What do you want them to do, and why
would they do it?
What else may drive them to take the action
that you want?
What influences your donors to take that
final step?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
73. INVITE
CLIENTS
Direct involve the
people that you serve
in telling their own
story.
Empower them.
Make them a vital
part of the
storytelling culture
and crafting the
storytelling plans.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
74. LISTEN
Ask questions.
Don’t say “tell me
your story.”
Never be critical.
Never be dismissive.
Nothing is too small!
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
75. COMPILE
AND SHARE
Write down stories
about your own life.
What makes these
stories memorable?
Create and share
examples.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
76. STORY IDEA
BANK
Create a Story Idea
Bank.
Keep ideas in
Dropbox or Google
Docs.
No idea too small!
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
77. “SO, TELL US
YOUR
STORY…”
What is your favorite
memory?
How has our
organizations made you
feel?
How did you feel when
you first discovered us?
What is one reason that
you continue to support
us?
Benefits, not features.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
79. YOUR
STORIES
ARE THE
GOLD.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
“Think of the story itself as gold.
You mine the gold, you capture the story.
Then you bring it back to your office and you
need to pound that gold into difference
shapes and sizes, depending on whom
you’re talking to, or also where you’re telling
it.”
~Andy Goodman
85. EMAIL
Way to build deeper
relationships with donors and
donor prospects.
Send shorter emails more
frequently.
Write in a friendly tone, signed
from a real person.
Update on accomplishments,
success stories, impact.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
96. HOW TO GET PEOPLE TO SPREAD
THE WORD
PEOPLE AREN’T GOING TO SPREAD
THE WORD BECAUSE IT’S
IMPORTANT TO YOU.
THEY WILL ONLY DO IT BECAUSE
IT’S IMPORTANT TO THEM.
MAKE THEM SAY: “THIS REFLECT
ME, MY VALUES, WHAT I BELIEVE,
WHAT I STAND FOR.”
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
97. DONOR GIVE
THROUGH YOU,
NOT TO YOU
They give because of the issue at
hand.
Are you a good steward of their
funds and their trust?
Are you actively working toward
a solution to the problem?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
102. ASK
YOURSELF:
Are you telling real
stories, or just sharing
messages?
What new insights will
your audience gain from
your stories?
Are they interesting?
Are they challenging
assumptions in creative
and engaging ways?
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
103. STOP THINKING OF
STORYTELLING AS A
MEGAPHONE TO PROMOTE
YOUR AGENDA.
THINK OF IT AS A GIFT FOR
YOUR SUPPORTERS.
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL
104. QUESTIONS?
Email me:
Julia@jcsocialmarketing.com
Get the notes and other
resources:
http://jcsocialmarketing.com
/afpct-storytelling/
Join the Nonprofit Social
Media Storytelling Facebook
Group:
https://www.facebook.com/g
roups/socialmediastorytelling
/
TWEET: @JULIACSOCIAL