Why Fast, Cheap, and Easy Design Is Killing Your Nonprofit’s Brand
Written by: Heath Shackleford
A
logo doesn’t equal a brand, and nonprofits would be much better served
trying to formulate a real strategy than trying to use graphics to hide a
lack of true mission.
Technology is fueling a democratization of design, giving
ordinary people the power to create with speed and ease. Among
nonprofits, many feel that technology is leveling the playing field when
it comes to expressing themselves and their brands.
Historically, marketing has been an expensive endeavor, and while sharing stories, promoting impact, and raising funds are all critical activities, nonprofits have been challenged to find adequate budgets to do these things effectively. Even when there was money to invest, there was also a third party waiting to scrutinize the spending. As a result, scores of causes had to hold out hope that pro-bono support from agencies, board members, or volunteers would save the day.That was before the ubiquitous availability of creative technologies changed the game.
With a smartphone and a laptop, you can channel your inner Spielberg and produce epic videos. Professional themes built for WordPress make websites a snap, and a host of other do-it-yourself marketing tools can help you painlessly create everything from email templates to infographics.
Not a DIY kind of person? No worries. Just have someone else do it for you for pennies on the dollar. Today’s technology allows you to crowdsource all your marketing needs. At Fiverr.com, you can get virtually anything done for $5, like say QR codes built out of Legos. Meanwhile at 99designs.com, you can start a designer battle royal and walk away with a “winning logo” or other creative production for a few hundred bucks.
Technology is indeed empowering those with mini budgets to create mightily. On the flip side, it’s also producing a surplus of uninspired websites, flatlining brands, and cookie cutter approaches to communications. While moving fast and free, nonprofits are trading originality, vision, and identity for templates, plug-ins, and off the shelf solutions.
It’s not a question of whether you can get quality design from cheap (or free) apps and services. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. The real question is a fundamental one: Do you have a strategy for what you’re creating?
For 8 out of 10 nonprofits, the answer to that question is no. Only 20% of causes report having a formal, written marketing strategy. Meanwhile, 100% have logos, websites, and donor communication vehicles. That’s less than ideal when you consider:
But here’s why this strategic deficit is really such a big deal. At a time when nonprofits need to stand out more than ever, they are at best blending in and at worst becoming invisible. At a time when they need their voice the most, they are saying absolutely nothing.
There are more than 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States. That total has doubled in less than two decades. Meanwhile a $500 billion bonanza of impact investing is helping pump out a steady flow of social enterprises. As if the space wasn’t crowded enough, many big corporations are finding a higher calling and becoming purpose-driven enterprises themselves, some for real, others for show.
All this good doing is a good thing. But how will your cause stand out in this overpopulated and chaotic environment? Technology can’t help you. Fast, cheap, and easy can’t help you. Strategy can. Strategy provides your organization with a 3-D effect: direction, discernment, and differentiation.
It’s great that technology provides creative ways to get creative done. After all, your nonprofit obviously doesn’t have a creative budget that compares with the likes of Nike or Nissan. But using these services without the guidance of a strategy is like cooking with no recipe and no culinary training. Unless you are preparing a feast for Joey Tribbiani (Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!) the results are not going to be all that tasty.
If you’re a nonprofit, ask yourself these questions. Do you want to fit in, or do you want to stand out? Do you want to “look pretty” or do you want to be effective?
If you’re a foundation, an investor, a strategic donor, a corporate sponsor, or a board member supporting a cause, ask yourself these questions. Would a marketing strategy benefit the causes I support? If so, how do I help them develop one? What obstacles can I remove?
Strategy isn’t easy, or cheap. But it is well worth the investment. In the end, five bucks is a great price for a foot-long sub, or a rave review of a product or service. But what price is your organization paying if you are creating without a strategy to guide you? It’s hard to quantify, to be honest. But you could probably buy quite a few sandwiches.
Historically, marketing has been an expensive endeavor, and while sharing stories, promoting impact, and raising funds are all critical activities, nonprofits have been challenged to find adequate budgets to do these things effectively. Even when there was money to invest, there was also a third party waiting to scrutinize the spending. As a result, scores of causes had to hold out hope that pro-bono support from agencies, board members, or volunteers would save the day.That was before the ubiquitous availability of creative technologies changed the game.
With a smartphone and a laptop, you can channel your inner Spielberg and produce epic videos. Professional themes built for WordPress make websites a snap, and a host of other do-it-yourself marketing tools can help you painlessly create everything from email templates to infographics.
Not a DIY kind of person? No worries. Just have someone else do it for you for pennies on the dollar. Today’s technology allows you to crowdsource all your marketing needs. At Fiverr.com, you can get virtually anything done for $5, like say QR codes built out of Legos. Meanwhile at 99designs.com, you can start a designer battle royal and walk away with a “winning logo” or other creative production for a few hundred bucks.
Technology is indeed empowering those with mini budgets to create mightily. On the flip side, it’s also producing a surplus of uninspired websites, flatlining brands, and cookie cutter approaches to communications. While moving fast and free, nonprofits are trading originality, vision, and identity for templates, plug-ins, and off the shelf solutions.
It’s not a question of whether you can get quality design from cheap (or free) apps and services. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. The real question is a fundamental one: Do you have a strategy for what you’re creating?
For 8 out of 10 nonprofits, the answer to that question is no. Only 20% of causes report having a formal, written marketing strategy. Meanwhile, 100% have logos, websites, and donor communication vehicles. That’s less than ideal when you consider:
- A logo does not equal a brand.
- A website does not equal a digital presence.
- A Facebook page does not equal an engaged community.
- A press release does not equal press coverage.
But here’s why this strategic deficit is really such a big deal. At a time when nonprofits need to stand out more than ever, they are at best blending in and at worst becoming invisible. At a time when they need their voice the most, they are saying absolutely nothing.
There are more than 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States. That total has doubled in less than two decades. Meanwhile a $500 billion bonanza of impact investing is helping pump out a steady flow of social enterprises. As if the space wasn’t crowded enough, many big corporations are finding a higher calling and becoming purpose-driven enterprises themselves, some for real, others for show.
All this good doing is a good thing. But how will your cause stand out in this overpopulated and chaotic environment? Technology can’t help you. Fast, cheap, and easy can’t help you. Strategy can. Strategy provides your organization with a 3-D effect: direction, discernment, and differentiation.
- Direction: It aims you squarely at your goals, and creates a path that guides you to success.
- Discernment: It is a filter for your decision making. It helps you avoid distractions and inconsistencies. It helps you evaluate the various parts and pieces of your marketing efforts.
- Differentiation: It is how you set yourself apart and stand out from the competition. It ensures you don’t look, sound, feel and act like everyone else.
It’s great that technology provides creative ways to get creative done. After all, your nonprofit obviously doesn’t have a creative budget that compares with the likes of Nike or Nissan. But using these services without the guidance of a strategy is like cooking with no recipe and no culinary training. Unless you are preparing a feast for Joey Tribbiani (Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!) the results are not going to be all that tasty.
If you’re a nonprofit, ask yourself these questions. Do you want to fit in, or do you want to stand out? Do you want to “look pretty” or do you want to be effective?
If you’re a foundation, an investor, a strategic donor, a corporate sponsor, or a board member supporting a cause, ask yourself these questions. Would a marketing strategy benefit the causes I support? If so, how do I help them develop one? What obstacles can I remove?
Strategy isn’t easy, or cheap. But it is well worth the investment. In the end, five bucks is a great price for a foot-long sub, or a rave review of a product or service. But what price is your organization paying if you are creating without a strategy to guide you? It’s hard to quantify, to be honest. But you could probably buy quite a few sandwiches.
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