7 Effective (and Affordable) Marketing Tips for Nonprofits on a Budget

Marketing your nonprofit’s mission can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you’re working within a tight, or sometimes, non-existent budget. However, with a strategic approach, even limited resources can provide great results.
 
Big Deal Company has pulled together some practical tips and tricks to help your nonprofit effectively market your cause without breaking the bank.
 
1.    Know Your Audience
The foundation of successful marketing is knowing who you are speaking to. Are you targeting potential clients, donors, or businesses? Each audience has different motivations and needs, so it’s imperative that you tailor your messages accordingly.

• Potential Clients are seeking solutions or services
• Donors want to see the impact of their contribution and how they can be part of the story.
• Businesses may be interested in partnerships, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or sponsorship opportunities

 
2.    Use Donor-Centric Language
When marketing to donors, make THEM the hero of the story. Use “YOU” language to show how their contribution makes a difference. For example, instead of saying, “Our organization provides food to families in need,” say, “YOU can provide food to families in need by supporting this mission.” This makes the donor feel personally involved in creating change.

3.    Leverage Social Media for Free Promotion
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer free tools that can help you reach a larger audience. Focus on:

• Storytelling: Share success stories, images, and videos that showcase your impact
• Engagement: Regularly interact with your followers through comments, polls, and questions to build a community around your cause

               It’s also important to take note of where your audiences spend their time. Perhaps your supporters are from a younger generation. If so, you may consider creating and maintaining an organizational TikTok or YouTube Channel to best reach your target audience.
 
4.    Collaborate with Local Influencers, Organizations, and Volunteers
Reach out to local influencers, groups, community leaders, or even businesses that align with your cause. They can amplify your message by sharing it with their networks. Similarly, dedicated volunteers can help spread the word and even assist with event organization or marketing efforts. Big Deal Company always creates an event or campaign Media Kit that can easily be distributed to Board Members or organizational ambassadors so they can help spread the word!

5.    Create an Email Newsletter
Email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective ways to communicate directly with your audience. Use newsletters to:

• Share upcoming events or achievements
• Tell compelling stories about the people or causes you support
• Offer opportunities for supporters to get involved.

               It is important to share consistent communication. Build a communication calendar to plan out when your organization communicates with your readers. Readers will start to anticipate your emails when you provide dependable and consistent communications.
 
6.    Utilize Free Tools and Resources
There are a plethora of free or low-cost marketing tools that can help you get the job done efficiently:

• Canva: For creating eye-catching graphics and videos
• Mailchimp: For easy-to-craft email marketing campaigns
• Google for Nonprofits: Offers free access to Google Ads to promote your cause to a wider audience

 
7.    Host Virtual or Low-Lift Events
Events don’t have to be expensive to be impactful. Consider hosting a virtual event, such as a live stream or webinar, which can be more budget-friendly than an in-person gathering. Invite supporters to join for free and encourage donations or sponsorships during the event.

BONUS:
8. Enlist a contractor, such at BIG DEAL Company to take on these important pieces. Rather than hire a full-time staff member, our team of experts can support you in an variety of ways, and work with your budget!

​Big Deal Company Can Help
At Big Deal Company, we understand the challenges nonprofits face when it comes to marketing on a budget. Our team is dedicated to helping you develop affordable marketing strategies, organize impactful events, and communicate your mission effectively. We’re here to ensure that your message reaches the right audience and generates meaningful support and funds for your cause.
 
Ready to grow your nonprofit’s impact? Contact Big Deal Company today to explore how we can help with your marketing efforts.

Top 7 Silent Auction Items that can Guarantee Fundraising Success!

Silent auctions are a common staple of nonprofit fundraising events. They offer a unique opportunity to engage donors and raise significant funds for a worthy cause.
 
At Big Deal Company, we have first-hand knowledge of what items attract the most interest. We are always on the lookout for that special something that will generate the highest interest and bids!
 
Gone are the days of gift baskets and gift cards. Today’s fundraising auction bidder craves experiences and high-end ticket items. We have a good pulse on what is popular in Northern Colorado (mountain weekend getaways, professional sports packages, etc.). Follow along to see some of the top silent auction items that guest love to bid on nationwide, backed by anecdotes from successful fundraising events to illustrate their impact.

1. Exclusive Vacation Packages Imagine offering a trip to a private island, a chartered fishing trip in an exotic location, or a luxury ski resort. Vacation packages consistently draw high bids due to their unique and experiential nature. For instance, at a recent charity gala supporting children’s education, a week-long stay at a Tuscan villa, including cooking classes and wine tours, sparked a bidding war. The package ultimately sold for $10,000, significantly exceeding expectations and providing essential funds for educational programs. (Charitybuzz. (n.d.). Retrieved from Charitybuzz)

That might be an outlier, but a vacation package that includes a luxurious stay and engaging activities, can garner a lot of excitement. Take some time to research popular travel destinations and pull together a package that will inspire guests to dream and bid!

2. VIP Event Tickets
Tickets to major events, such as the Super Bowl, the Oscars, or Broadway premieres, are always a hit. These items are sought after because they offer access to experiences that are typically hard to come by. At a fundraising dinner for a popular arts nonprofit, VIP tickets to a sold-out Broadway show, including a backstage meet-and-greet with the cast, fetch an astounding $7500, supporting the nonprofit’s outreach initiatives. (BiddingForGood. (n.d.). Retrieved from BiddingForGood)
The Super Bowl or the Oscars might be out of reach, but could you partner with a local business who might have box seats for a local professional sports team - Broncos, Rockies, or Avalanche? Throw in a gift card for dinner out and tickets to a game, and you can easily pull together a winning ticket!
 
3. Celebrity Meet-and-Greets
Donors relish the opportunity to meet their favorite celebrities, whether they are athletes, musicians, or actors. At a silent auction for a healthcare charity, a meet-and-greet with a popular TV star generated immense excitement. The chance to have dinner with the celebrity saw competitive bidding, and pulled in a $5000 contribution in support of medical research! (Charity Navigator. (n.d.). Retrieved from Charity Navigator)
Northern Colorado is a long way from the bright lights of Hollywood, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make bank on this type of experience! Check with Colorado Sports Teams or Universities - there may be a favorite figure who would be willing to donate an evening with a fan.

4. Unique Artwort
Art can sometimes be a tricky item to auction - after all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! However, original artwork or signed pieces from well-known artists can often attract art enthusiasts and collectors. A piece by a renowned artist donated to an environmental conservation fundraiser not only drew attention for its beauty but also for its cause. The artwork sold for $8000, funding important projects and raising awareness for the nonprofit’s mission.(Charitybuzz. (n.d.). Retrieved from Charitybuzz)

There are a lot of talented artists in Northern Colorado - perhaps you can add to the package with a pair of tickets to the Denver Art Museum, too?
 
5. Fine Dining Experiences
Exclusive dining experiences, such as a private chef’s dinner or a wine pairing event, are perennial favorites. At a recent silent auction to benefit a homeless shelter, a package that included a private dinner for ten prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, along with a curated win selection, secured a $6000 bid. This experience not only provided a memorable evening for the winning bidder but also significant support for the shelter. (Charitybuzz. (n.d.). Retrieved from Charitybuzz)

Dinners for bidders and their guests also help to further the nonprofit mission. More people are exposed to the mission and brand, and the experience may inspire attendees to donate to the charity in return for a fun evening!
 
6. Luxury Goods
High-end items such as designer handbags, jewelry, and watches are always popular. At a gala for a youth mentorship program, a donated Rolex watch attracted a lot of attention. The bidding was intense, and it ultimately sold for $9000, helping to fund mentorship opportunities and other programs for the nonprofit. (Paddle8. (n.d.). Retrieved from Paddle8)
​
Does your organization have a large and generous donor who has a jewelry collection? This type of partnership is a way to combine planned giving and an event auction for maximum impact! 

7. Sports Memorabilia
Autographed sports memorabilia, such as jerseys, balls, and equipment, are particularly appealing to sports fans. They are extremely popular auction items at golf tournaments!
At a recent fundraiser for a community sports league, a baseball signed by a Hall of Fame player ignited some fierce bidding competition. The item sold for $4500, supporting the league’s efforts to provide sports equipment and facilities for underprivileged youth. (BiddingForGood. (n.d.). Retrieved from BiddingForGood)
 
To maximize the success of your auction, consider the interests and passions of your donors. High-quality, unique items that offer exclusive experiences or rare opportunities tend to attract the highest bid. Additionally, storytelling can enhance the appeal of auction items. Consider enlisting the help of a professional auctioneer to help drum up excitement for the package you are trying to sell. The auctioneer can share anecdotes about how a winning bid will leave a lasting impression in the lives of your organization’s beneficiaries - inspiring more generous bidding!
 
At Big Deal Company, we specialize in curating exceptional silent auction items that will captivate your guests and elevate your fundraising efforts. Let us help you create an unforgettable event that not only raises funds but also deepens engagement with your cause.
Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help support your next fundraising event.
 

​The end of the year is not just a time for holiday festivities and celebrations - it’s also a critical period for nonprofits. It is so critical, that on average, nonprofits raise 26% of their annual revenue in December!
 
A well-executed year-end campaign can set the tone for the upcoming year and provide essential resources for the organization. Nonprofit organizations must pay attention to their fundraising targets during this crucial time. Slash 26% out of anyone’s budget, and the results would be dire!
 
So, what makes an end-of-year campaign a hit and successful? BIG DEAL Company has led multiple successful end-of-year campaigns, and here is what we have found to be some key elements for success:

​Donor-Centric Approaches
It is always helpful to remember that your donors are the heroes. Successful campaigns pull donors along on a journey, showing how their contributions make a difference. Donors like to see their dollars at work and feel like they are making a difference.
 
Lifting up donors during an end-of-year campaign is also key. Personalized thank-you notes and shout-outs on social media can go a long way in making your supporters feel loved and appreciated.

​Multi-Channel Outreach
You need to have a plan to meet your donors where they are. Gone are the days of a single end-of-year mailer or newsletter. Organizations must utilize social media, emails, as well as direct mailers to get their message across. If your organization has an advertising budget, the end-of-year giving season might be the right time to consider purchasing ad space or mailing lists as a way to broaden your audience reach. Different platforms engage people in different ways, so find out what your audience likes and meet them where they are!
 
Create a Communications Plan
Once you have found where your audience receives information, it is vital to set up a communications plan. Prepping your donors well in advance can drastically improve your end-of-year fundraising results. This can be done through emails and social media posts. Prepping communication does not have to ask for money. It just has to serve as a reminder of who you are and what problem you solve. Prepping communication is consistent, engaging, and strategic.

​Transparency
Be open about how the funds will be used. People want to see how their hard-earned money and generosity are making real and tangible impacts.
 
Create Urgency
The clock is ticking and the year is ending!
Create a sense of urgency by taking advantage of pre-planned giving days like #GivingTuesday, or in Northern Colorado, #ColoradoGivesDay.
Build excitement and engagement with a countdown or milestones, encouraging people to act now, rather than later.

​It’s A Match!
According to research from Double the Donation, 84% of donors are more likely to give if they know that their contributions will be matched[1]. 1 in 3 donors indicate that they would give a large gift if matching is applied to their donation[2].
Donors feel that they make a more significant impact on your organization and its cause when they can see their dollars doubled in real-time.
 
Matching Donations can be leveraged by a major donor-matching gift, crowdsourcing matching gifts, or employee/corporate matching gifts. Once you have a plan for a matching gift, it is important that it is communicated clearly with your followers to achieve the greatest impact.
[1] https://doublethedonation.com/statistics/
[2] https://doublethedonation.com/statistics/

​Follow-Up
Once the campaign is over, don’t forget to let everyone know how it went. Celebrate the successes and be honest about the areas where there could be some improvement.
 
It’s also important to be clear with your gratitude. Have a clear plan for how your organization will thank donors at every level - new donors, large donors, small donors, match donors, corporate donors. Giving thanks increases the chances of donors coming back and donating again, setting the foundation for strong and positive relationships.
 
Remember, every donation - big or small - gets you one step closer to your mission’s success. It’s not just about the money - it’s about building a community that shares your values and vision.
 
If you are ready to elevate your organization’s end-of-year fundraising campaign, look no further than BIG DEAL Company. With our proven strategies and experience, we specialize in turning a mission into a compelling story that resonates with donors. We work with organizations to set clear fundraising goals, we design and create engaging multimedia content, and we optimize multi-channel outreach. We also provide robust analytics to help you track campaign performance in real time. Consider working with our team of professionals for your next end-of-year fundraising campaign.

​Analytics, insights, results – These are all words used by different online platforms to describe one thing: data about users. Modern business marketing involves gathering a wealth of it, and many websites are already doing this for you behind the scenes. Let’s talk about how you can use these analytics to drive your own small business marketing decisions.

​What are analytics?
 
By definition, analytics means, “the analysis of data, typically large sets of business data, by the use of mathematics, statistics, and computer software.” Analytics can also refer to Google Analytics, Google’s own web analytics service that you can use to gather data from your website (learn more at Google.com/grow).
 
Other examples of analytics programs include Meta Business Suite’s Insights for Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest’s Analytics.
 
In the age of information, data is a gold mine. Analytics, in marketing, is the art of transforming this raw data into meaningful insights about your customers. This means understanding your audience better, optimizing your marketing strategies, and ultimately driving success.
 
How can analytics help me?
 
Ultimately, the purpose of analytics is to understand what your website and social media users are like and how they behave. You can use analytics to learn which marketing strategies are working for your business, and which are not. All of these things enable you to make better business decisions.

​Tailoring Marketing Strategies
Effective marketing begins with understanding your audience and their preferences. Analytics empowers you to gather and analyze data related to customer demographics, purchasing behavior, and interactions with your marketing campaigns. This information allows you to tailor your marketing strategies to resonate with your target audience, increasing engagement and conversion rates.

• Customer Segmentation: Analytics enables you to categorize your customer base into distinct segments based on various parameters such as age, location, interests, and buying habits. Understanding these segments allows for personalized marketing strategies that are more likely to capture attention and drive conversions.

• Campaign Performance Analysis: Analyzing the performance of past marketing campaigns provides valuable insights into what worked and what didn't. Metrics like click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI) can guide future campaign planning and optimization.

• Content Optimization: By analyzing the engagement and response to different types of content, you can refine your content strategy. Analytics can help identify the most effective content formats, channels, and messaging to resonate with your audience.

Data-Driven Decision Making
Incorporating analytics into your marketing and events company culture promotes data-driven decision making at all levels. By utilizing accurate and relevant data, you reduce the guesswork, minimize risks, and increase the likelihood of success in your marketing initiatives and events.

• Predictive Analytics: Leverage predictive analytics to forecast future trends, consumer behavior, and market demands. These forecasts enable proactive decision making, ensuring your marketing and event strategies are aligned with anticipated market shifts.
• Performance Benchmarking: Regularly benchmark your marketing and event performance against industry standards and competitors. Analytics helps you identify areas for improvement and establish achievable goals to stay competitive and successful.
• Cost Optimization: Analyze the cost-effectiveness of marketing campaigns and events to allocate budgets more efficiently. Understanding which strategies yield the best results for the least cost allows you to maximize returns on investment.

Analytics isn't just about numbers and graphs – it's about understanding your audience, refining strategies, and making informed decisions. In a rapidly evolving landscape, where consumer preferences are as dynamic as ever, making informed choices can be the difference between thriving and falling behind. 

​Overwhelmed with analytics? We can help. With over 20 years working in advertising, marketing and media software, the BIG DEAL Company team proudly specializes in full and partial service marketing campaigns.
 
For more business marketing tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

​BIG DEAL Company has years of experience planning events, which means years we’ve spent building relationships with vendors across Colorado. These established vendor relationships benefit not only us, but our customers. They’re so important that we consider these Partnerships one of our Super Powers (alongside Creativity, Organization, Motivation, Unlimited Energy, Unparalleled Experience, and Professional Problem-Solving). Here are 10 ways our long-term vendor relationships are an asset to YOU, our client.

1. Seamless Communication
Established vendor relationships facilitate smooth communication channels. Familiarity breeds efficiency, enabling our team to convey your expectations and requirements with fewer misunderstandings and missteps in event execution. We take pride in our social capital, and we are well-connected with vendors, non-profits, business owners, and other companies who plan large events in our area.

2. Priority Treatment
Vendors we partner with are more likely to prioritize your events. Your commitment to their services and our work behind the scenes allows them to allocate time, resources, and expertise, ensuring that your events receive top-notch attention and care.

3. Customized Services
We’ve seen it many times over the years – vendors who know and trust our team make exceptions for our clients. Vendors have opened up dates that were unavailable, promised faster turnaround times, and made exceptions to their usual protocols because they know our team is working behind the scenes.
When vendors know a professional planning company is involved, they know there will be fewer demands on their time and energy (because we take that on) and that gives them more flexibility in what they provide.

4. Cost Savings
Vendor relationships can lead to cost savings through negotiated rates and bundled services. Some of our long-term collaborations may grant you access to preferential pricing, helping you manage your event budget more effectively.

5. Consistent Quality
Relying on familiar vendors ensures a consistent level of quality for our clients’ events. You can trust that the products and services provided have been vetted by our team, eliminating any unpleasant surprises.

6. Efficient Problem Solving
When challenges arise, vendors who know BIG DEAL Company are better equipped to address them swiftly. Their familiarity with our planning style allows them to find solutions that align with our clients’ objectives.

7. Streamlined Logistics
Established vendor relationships streamline logistical aspects. Vendors who are well-versed in your event requirements – and we ensure they are – can navigate venue layouts, setup procedures, and timelines with ease, enhancing overall efficiency and leaving room to deal with any challenges that arise.

8. Creative Collaboration
Some vendors contribute valuable insights and ideas for events we plan on behalf of our clients. This collaborative approach often leads to innovative event concepts that impress your attendees.

9. Enhanced Trust and Loyalty
Our team’s partnerships foster a sense of mutual trust and loyalty. We invest in our vendors’ success, just as they invest in our clients’. Through this symbiotic relationship,  we see increased dedication by our preferred vendors to achieving outstanding outcomes for our clients every time.

10. Long-Term Relationship Building
Long-term partnerships with vendors lend stability and continuity to our planning process, allowing us to plan efficiently and creatively. When we collaborate with a familiar vendor, we save time on explanations and skip straight to executing your event vision. 

Established vendor relationships are more than a simple transactional arrangement for us – they are essential to successful event planning, and an asset to our clients. Through seamless communication, customized services, cost savings, and enhanced trust, these partnerships allow our team to deliver consistently remarkable results.
 
For more business and private event tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.