5 Key Takeaways for When Everyone is Team Digital
The developing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will have long term impacts on the day-to-day operations of every business sector in America, including nonprofits. Many organizations are being compelled to pivot and adapt their strategies, often at the last minute, such as implementing working from home or switching to virtual events. Mission-driven work is more critical than ever before and shifting to digital strategies is necessary for continuing much of it during social distancing. This can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
Recently, NGP VAN + EveryAction put together a four-part webinar series to help nonprofit and political organizations adapt to these unusual and uncertain times. Mike Liddell, GM of Digital at EveryAction + NGP VAN, and Madeline Stanionis, Partner at M&R Strategies, hosted the “When Everyone is Team Digital” webinar, which shed insight to how nonprofits can redevelop their digital strategy and adapt to the continually unfolding situation. You can watch the whole webinar on-demand now, and here are some quick key takeaways to get you started!
1. Don’t stop communicating, speak up!
Use all available digital resources to let your voice rise and lift everyone around you – from your supporters and donors to your board members and staff. In times of crisis, the organizations that keep communicating and fundraising are the ones that make it.
2. Listen to your audience for cues
It’s important, now more than ever, to understand your audience: their needs, their interests, their capabilities, and their feedback, in order to meet them where they are and move forward together. With many people more active on digital communication platforms during social distancing, you can expect to see a boost in engagement.
3. Use digital tools to maintain a sense of community, even in isolation
Cancelled in-person events don’t have to mean an end to community. Tap into the power of modern tools like social media, online groups, and video conferencing technology to keep people connected during social isolation.
4. Be honest
As the adage goes, honesty is the best policy. Directly acknowledge the unique issues around these uncertain times in your communications. It’s easy to appear tone-deaf by proceeding with business as usual; don’t abandon your message, but tailor it for where your audience is right now.
5. Don’t be afraid to try new tools, but trust proven tactics
Help your team and let them help you as your organization goes through a rapid digital transformation, but don’t feel compelled to completely reinvent the wheel – stick to the principles of successful organizing and fundraising that have always held true, but make it digital.
Looking for more in-depth knowledge on how to best adjust and redevelop your digital strategy when everyone is team digital? Watch the full-length webinar, “When Everyone is Team Digital,” to get a understanding on how to leverage digital tools to better reach your supporters, better connect and collaborate with your team, and better serve your mission. Check out our resource library for nonprofits adapting to COVID-19, which includes content on how to increase digital engagement, how to effectively work from home, and more.
