First, we’ll define what we mean by load time. Website load time is the 

amount of time it takes for a website to fully display

 on your screen after you click a link or type in a web address. The faster the load time, the quicker the website appears, making your browsing experience smoother.

No one likes to wait for a website to load. But did you know slow load times can actually affect your organization (by more than just being annoying)?

 (your ranking is how easy it is to find you online). Faster load times can boost your Google ranking, while slower ones lower it. This means longer load times can negatively impact visibility and organic search presence.

Fast page load times are crucial not only for being found in internet searches but also for:

: 70% of online shoppers say page speed affects their purchasing decisions. A quick load time can lead to more sales, sign-ups, or donations.

Fast-loading websites are more pleasant and convenient to use. This enhances user satisfaction and encourages longer visits, reducing frustration from waiting for pages to load.

 A “bounce” occurs when a visitor leaves a website after viewing only one page. 53% of mobile visitors leave a site that takes more than 3 seconds to load.

 A responsive, quick-loading site reflects positively on the professionalism and reliability of your organization.

So, what do you do if your website is slow? Luckily, there are several strategies you can employ to improve your page speed.

Inexpensive hosting can result in poor performance and slow server response times.

If images are large or complex, they can take a long time to load. Optimizing the images for the web improves the overall site experience by allowing pages to load faster.

 Too many plugins can drastically slow down your site. Popular web builders, such as Wordpress, use plugins that can bog down the speed and performance. Make sure to delete excess or unused plugins that can be running in the background and slowing down your site.

Google’s rankings are influenced by overall user experience, not just page speeds. To achieve good Google rankings and impress and inspire your site's visitors, consider page speed as one integral aspect of building an effective website.

How Quick Loading Websites Win in Google Rankings

Why waiting until Giving Tuesday is losing you donors– and what to do about it




The end of the year is fast approaching and with it comes many things: holidays, family time, vacations, and for non-profit organizations, 30% of annual donations. Many non profits anticipate Giving Tuesday as the ultimate kick off to their year end campaigns. While this is a great time to raise money, waiting until this single day so late in the season can cost your organization much needed support. Let’s explore ways waiting to approach your supporters can hurt your bottom line–and how you can get ahead of the game.




By the time Giving Tuesday arrives, many of your potential donors have already contributed to other causes. They may have allocated their budget elsewhere, and even if they want to support you, they just don’t have the funds. Or, if they still have money to give, waiting until Giving Tuesday means you’ll be competing with a slew of other fantastic organizations coming across their desk. You’ll have to be very loud or very special (or both) to cut through the noise and get noticed, not to mention considered. 


Being first on their desk, in their inbox and top of their mind means getting to them early. If most non profits use Giving Tuesday as their bump, you should be aiming for early November.




Your first outreach to supporters could be many things: a postcard, a brochure or a letter. Regardless of the form it takes, you’ll want to make sure it’s well designed and eye-catching, enticing the recipient to notice it and, most importantly, open it. Don’t rely only on your organization’s reputation or whether they’ve donated in the past: you want them to be wowed by what they find in their mailbox.




Once the piece is opened, you want to make sure the potential donor knows what to do next. Having a clear call to action (CTA) with an easy next step is key to a successful return on your investment. Include some of your accomplishments and achievements of the past year, ask for donations for a specific project or talk about how their donation directly impacts your mission. People are enticed and inspired by clear messages of how their donation will help you thrive.


If your message is early and clear, it makes it easy for your supporters to include you in their annual giving plan. And, if the piece is gorgeous, it may even go on their fridge!





It can’t hurt to remind people of the practical aspects of giving to charitable organizations like yours either. Tax deductions are a big one, but there are also others that hit a little closer to the heart. Supporting causes they care about can have a direct effect on peoples’ communities, enhancing and increasing the wellbeing of their neighbors, their local environment or the world at large. Studies have shown that donating to charitable causes has a positive effect on the donor’s wellbeing as well, allowing them to make a meaningful difference in the areas that matter most to them.




Establish Your Organization as a Thought Leader




By connecting with your supporters before other organizations, you can be the first to address critical issues or share innovative solutions with your supporters. This helps build trust and credibility as your organization contributes to the discourse of your industry. By establishing yourself as a visionary, you don’t just address problems: you actively seek new approaches, strategies and technologies to create positive change.



End of year appeals offer you a unique opportunity to harness your donors’ holiday spirit, meet your financial goals, engage donors and strengthen relationships. By getting out early and with a memorable appeal, you can secure resources needed to continue your vital work in the coming year.


Looking for help with your end of year appeals? Give us a call and see what we can create together. 

Why waiting until Giving Tuesday is losing you donors– and what to do about it

There are many reasons why adding direct mail into your marketing strategy can not only increase donations but can also boost engagement and loyalty with your supporters. Here are a few to consider.



 In a world numbed by emails and automated messages, direct mail brings a personal touch that resonates with supporters on an emotional level. Addressing donors by name and sharing narratives tailored to their interests creates an intimate feeling connection, making it more than just another piece of mail. Recipients are more likely to keep the physical piece in their home and will refer to it, on average, 4 times during its life. 



: Studies have shown that direct mail generates a higher level of trust among donors compared to digital solicitations like emails and digital ads. Direct mail feels more authentic to supporters and are 30% more likely to respond to it than an email. With direct mail, non profits can present a well designed piece that outlines their missions and accomplishments, elevating their credibility and instilling a sense of loyalty in donors.



 Although the internet has a global reach, not everyone is connected. Direct mail allows nonprofits to reach potential donors who may not have an online presence, widening the organization's audience and potential donor base.



According to a study by the Data & Marketing Association, direct mail boasts an almost 5% response rate. Compared to email at 0.6% and social media at 0.4%, direct mail is the clear winner. The response rate for acquiring new donors through direct mail is significantly higher at about 1% compared to acquiring new donors through digital channels which is a low 0.2%.



Direct mail can be used to share compelling stories of the organization’s real life impact and world-wide transformative change. Including examples of how their contributions have made or will make a difference are a very powerful way to create an emotional connection with the donors, encouraging them to give generously.



 Combining direct mail with digital marketing methods can breathe new life into an organization’s fundraising efforts, as well as increase donations. Including QR codes that go to web pages directly related to the direct mail campaign or just an email that discusses similar topics to the direct mail can facilitate a seamless transition from offline to online giving, increasing donations by 30% compared to direct mail alone.


End-of-Year Appeals- A powerful fundraising strategy



 The holiday season reinforces the value of human connections and the importance of being there for one another. Direct mail appeals that are carefully crafted with heartfelt messages can nurture a sense of kinship between the nonprofit and its supporters. The tangible nature of direct mail serves as a reminder of the nonprofit's mission and the positive impact of past donations and evokes a shared sense of purpose. This connection can lead to altruistic giving and increase donations.



 Direct mail appeals can frame end-of-year giving as an opportunity for donors to end the year on a high note, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Encouraging donors to give generously not only supports the organization's vital work but also translates to concrete tax advantages for the donors themselves. By shedding light on this relationship, nonprofits can foster a sense of collaboration and shared interests.



 End of year appeals are an excellent opportunity for non profits to showcase their achievements and milestones throughout the past year. By highlighting the impact of their donor’s contributions and outlining what the organization accomplished with those donations, organizations can showcase the tangible differences they made in people’s lives. This allows supporters to see that they are really making a difference and to feel encouraged to offer their continued support year after year.

The Allure of Direct Mail

Branding is often seen as a complex and elusive concept, shrouded in marketing jargon and mystique. It's also seen as "just a logo",  which is just the tiny, miniscule tip of the proverbial iceberg. At its core, branding is simply the creation of a unique and memorable identity for your organization, but it is so much more than just that.



Once you understand what branding can do for you, you can unlock its power and take your organization to new heights. Here we unpack just what branding really is and what it can do for you.



Branding starts with defining your business identity. Consider your brand’s personality, values, and aspirations. Ask yourself: 

This will help you get to the heart of who you are. Finding the answers to these questions is essential. Don't move on until you know the answers!



Once you know who you are and why you're even here in the first place, you can start to create visuals that will act as your corporeal identity. The visuals are your entire brand: the colors you use, the fonts you choose, the patterns that compliment your brand personality. It's an overall aesthetic that people will recognize immediately because you've used it consistently over and over again in everything you do. Oh, and, of course, it's your logo. :)



Your brand messaging works hand in hand with the brand visuals to communicate your story. This is your brand's personality, your voice and how you talk about yourself and your services. The stories you tell will resonate with clients who share your values and will evoke emotional responses in your ideal audience. By telling your authentic stories, you'll find that you captivate an audience that will be loyal and long lasting.



None of these things will make any difference, however, if no one sees them--or no one sees them consistently. 



Applying your brand consistently across everything you do creates cohesion, familiarity and trust with your clients. They know what to expect from you, therefore, they believe you can do what you say you can. It also makes you memorable and instantly recognizable because everything looks, well, consistent.



It's a good idea to share your brand package with your staff, board members and other stakeholders who are speaking or acting on behalf of your brand. Make sure no one goes rogue! They should all have a consistent message. When a social media post, marketing mailer or advertisement goes out, they should all use your brand's color palette, pay attention to your logo rules and use the same fonts. 



It's ok to get creative within these parameters. There's a lot that can be accomplished within the framework of a brand's rules. Once you have an understanding of who your brand is and what it can do for your organization, you won't want to do anything else!

Need help branding your business or organization? Get in touch! Let's see what your brand can do for you!

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Non-Profits

Why waiting until Giving Tuesday is losing you donors– and what to do about it

Non-Profits

The Allure of Direct Mail

Branding

What Can Branding Do For You?

Color Mill Design

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