Nonprofit Marketing
5 Steps to Creating Effective Staff Pages for Your Nonprofit’s Website
August 24, 2016
The short answer: An effective nonprofit staff page does more than list names, phone numbers, and emails. Give each person a real bio that shows their personality, add a clear photo, tell the story of what your team does for your cause, share any awards or recognitions, and offer a few ways to reach each person. The point is to help visitors know, like, and trust the people behind your mission.
As a nonprofit, the most important assets you have are your relationships. Not only should you have a very clear understanding of who your constituents are, but you should give your visitors enough information about your staff, so they can begin to know, like and trust them.
When creating a staff page, adding a name, phone number and email address is no longer enough. Here are 8 tips for creating a staff page to help your visitors learn more about your organization as a whole.
1. Make sure to include a bio for each member of your staff. Remember, writing a professional bio doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Your staff’s personalities should be highlighted. Include things that inspire them, what they like to do in their free time and other interesting facts about them to illustrate who they are.
2. Include staff photos. They don’t have to be studio perfect, but they should be clear headshots. Professional pictures might seem too cold. Consider taking a photo on the beach or in a rose garden. Use the photos as another opportunity to show personality.
3. Tell a story. Add a section to the staff page that tells the overall story of what your team does for your community or your cause. Use specific examples of how they’re making a difference and why it matters to your visitors.
4. Include awards and recognitions earned by staff members, either individually or as a team. List any notable achievements, even fun things like first prize in a pie eating contest. Use every opportunity to connect with your audience in a personal way.
5. Provide multiple ways to contact each staff member. Include their company email address and any social media accounts they use in conjunction with your organization. For example, you might provide links to their Twitter account, their LinkedIn Profile, Facebook page or Instagram. Use these links as a call to action.Frequently asked questions
Why does a nonprofit need a staff page?
Your relationships are your most important asset, and a staff page lets visitors meet the people behind your work. When supporters can see real faces and read genuine bios, they start to know, like, and trust your organization. That trust makes them more likely to donate, volunteer, or get involved.
What should I include on a nonprofit staff page?
Go beyond a name, phone number, and email. Add a personal bio for each staff member, a clear photo, a section that tells the story of what your team does, any awards or recognitions, and a few ways to contact each person. Together these turn a plain directory into a page that builds connection.
Should staff bios be formal or personal?
A professional bio does not have to be boring. Highlight each person's personality by including what inspires them, what they enjoy in their free time, and a few interesting facts. Those small human details help visitors feel like they already know your team.
What kind of photos work best on a staff page?
Clear headshots matter more than studio polish. Pictures that feel too formal can come across as cold, so consider a relaxed setting like a beach or a garden. Treat each photo as one more chance to show personality.
How do I help a staff page build trust with visitors?
Tell a story. Add a section that explains what your team does for your community or cause, with specific examples of the difference they make and why it matters. Pairing that story with real bios and photos gives visitors a reason to believe in your mission.
Should I list staff social media accounts on the page?
Yes, offer more than one way to reach each person. Include their organization email and any social media accounts they use for your work, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. Use those links as a call to action so visitors can keep the conversation going.
As a nonprofit, the most important assets you have are your relationships. Not only should you have a very clear understanding of who your constituents are, but you should give your visitors enough information about your staff, so they can begin to know, like and trust them.
When creating a staff page, adding a name, phone number and email address is no longer enough. Here are 8 tips for creating a staff page to help your visitors learn more about your organization as a whole.
1. Make sure to include a bio for each member of your staff. Remember, writing a professional bio doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Your staff’s personalities should be highlighted. Include things that inspire them, what they like to do in their free time and other interesting facts about them to illustrate who they are.
2. Include staff photos. They don’t have to be studio perfect, but they should be clear headshots. Professional pictures might seem too cold. Consider taking a photo on the beach or in a rose garden. Use the photos as another opportunity to show personality.
3. Tell a story. Add a section to the staff page that tells the overall story of what your team does for your community or your cause. Use specific examples of how they’re making a difference and why it matters to your visitors.
4. Include awards and recognitions earned by staff members, either individually or as a team. List any notable achievements, even fun things like first prize in a pie eating contest. Use every opportunity to connect with your audience in a personal way.
5. Provide multiple ways to contact each staff member. Include their company email address and any social media accounts they use in conjunction with your organization. For example, you might provide links to their Twitter account, their LinkedIn Profile, Facebook page or Instagram. Use these links as a call to action.Frequently asked questions
Why does a nonprofit need a staff page?
Your relationships are your most important asset, and a staff page lets visitors meet the people behind your work. When supporters can see real faces and read genuine bios, they start to know, like, and trust your organization. That trust makes them more likely to donate, volunteer, or get involved.
What should I include on a nonprofit staff page?
Go beyond a name, phone number, and email. Add a personal bio for each staff member, a clear photo, a section that tells the story of what your team does, any awards or recognitions, and a few ways to contact each person. Together these turn a plain directory into a page that builds connection.
Should staff bios be formal or personal?
A professional bio does not have to be boring. Highlight each person's personality by including what inspires them, what they enjoy in their free time, and a few interesting facts. Those small human details help visitors feel like they already know your team.
What kind of photos work best on a staff page?
Clear headshots matter more than studio polish. Pictures that feel too formal can come across as cold, so consider a relaxed setting like a beach or a garden. Treat each photo as one more chance to show personality.
How do I help a staff page build trust with visitors?
Tell a story. Add a section that explains what your team does for your community or cause, with specific examples of the difference they make and why it matters. Pairing that story with real bios and photos gives visitors a reason to believe in your mission.
Should I list staff social media accounts on the page?
Yes, offer more than one way to reach each person. Include their organization email and any social media accounts they use for your work, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. Use those links as a call to action so visitors can keep the conversation going.
