How To Easily Create Content for Your Busy Nonprofit

The short answer: A busy nonprofit can keep website and blog content flowing without hiring a writer or buying it. Ask passionate writers for permission to republish their work with a credit and a link back, invite guest bloggers from your own base of supporters, and use video, since short clips and storytelling now travel as far as written posts. Pick one or two of these, stay consistent, and you may watch your search rankings climb faster than you expected.

I read a lot of articles about the “secret” to driving traffic to your website and ranking well in the search engines. Nine out of ten times, and probably within the first paragraph, you’ll find the parroted phrase “Content is king!” I roll my eyes whenever I see it, I can’t help it. Is it true? Yes, it is, but as many of you probably already know, it’s just not that simple.

 

Many nonprofits, especially smaller ones, usually employ a few people who do many things. Over the course of a day an executive director wears many hats, probably with a focus on building relationships and fundraising. Writing blog articles and site content takes more man hours than you might think, and for that reason it often gets put on hold.

 

The typical alternative to this “when we have time” method of content creation is to either hire a writer in house or purchase content, which isn’t cheap. What you may not realize is there are low cost or no cost alternatives to sitting down in front of that proverbial type writer to produce enough content to be king. Here are a few ideas that might help.

 

Ask someone to write content for you. The ideal choice is someone who writes because they want to share their views and opinions with the world. You can find writers on Google. Search for articles that will interest your constituents, a collection of writings that share your vision.

 

Once you find the content, ask permission to use it. Create an email you can use whenever you need it. Explain who you are, talk about the focus of your nonprofit. It’s important to convey passion for what you do. If it comes across to someone with the same passion, they’re more likely to give their permission. Let them know the article will be clearly sourced with a link back to the author’s homepage. Include a signature line with your contact information and a link to your website. Many authors may reject you or just not respond. Keep trying. You may be surprised at how generous people can be, especially when dealing with a nonprofit.

 

Another option is to provide a form on your site asking for guest bloggers. If you have a large constituent base, aligned with your cause, they may want to contribute their thoughts and ideas. You can also use websites like My Blog Guest to connect with writers seeking opportunities to write guest posts at no cost to you.

 

Remember, content doesn’t only need to be written. Video is quickly becoming the most popular way to share ideas and information. Consider running a contest where you give away an iPad for the best video with stories about your cause. For a few hundred dollars you’ll be motivating your community to create great content for you.

 

There are many strategies out there for generating the content you need to drive visitors to your site. Try one or more of these and you may find your search engine rankings climbing faster than you thought.

Frequently asked questions

How can a small nonprofit create content without hiring a writer?
You have low cost and no cost options. Search for writers who already publish on the topics your constituents care about and ask permission to republish their work with credit. Invite supporters to guest blog through a simple form on your site, and crowdsource video from your community.

How do I ask a writer for permission to use their content?
Write one reusable email you can send whenever you need it. Explain who you are, share the focus and passion behind your nonprofit, and promise to source the piece clearly with a link back to the author's homepage. Add a signature with your contact info and website link, and keep asking even after a few no replies, because people are often generous with a nonprofit.

What kinds of content work besides written articles?
Content does not have to be written. Video has become one of the most popular ways to share ideas and stories online. A short clip about your cause, a supporter telling their story, or a behind the scenes look at your work can reach people just as well as a blog post.

How much does it cost to create content this way?
Most of these ideas are free or close to it. Asking writers for permission and recruiting guest bloggers costs nothing but your time. If you run a video contest with a small prize, you might spend a few hundred dollars and get a wave of community made content in return.

How do I find guest bloggers for my nonprofit?
Add a form to your site that invites people to contribute. If you have a sizable base of supporters who believe in your cause, some of them will want to share their own thoughts and ideas. There are also free guest blogging networks that connect you with writers looking for places to publish.

Why does content matter for a nonprofit website?
Fresh, relevant content is what draws visitors and helps you rank in search engines. The catch is that writing it takes more hours than people expect, so it often gets pushed aside when staff are focused on fundraising and relationships. A steady, low cost content habit keeps your site active without pulling people off the work that funds your mission.