Writing for nonprofits is quite distinct from writing for other kinds of organizations because this form of writing requires that you factor in all groups of audiences which include; donors, beneficiaries, and volunteers as would be explained in this blog post. It will require you to give your undivided, rapt attention to every group by using peculiar languages that would be understood by each group to be able to achieve the desired result.
The points discussed in this article will help you know how to write appealing content for the various audience groups that nonprofits target. This blog post carefully explains in detail, specific areas of concentration while writing for nonprofits.
- Understand the Multifaceted Audience:
There is a need to have an apt understanding of the four primary audience groups that nonprofits have to constantly write to which include;
- Donors: These include individuals, foundations, and corporations who provide financial support to the nonprofit.
- Beneficiaries: This group consists of individuals or communities served by the nonprofit’s programs and services.
- Volunteers: These are individuals who donate their time and skills to help the nonprofit achieve its mission by going into the field where the beneficiaries are.
- Policymakers: This is where government officials who can influence the nonprofit’s work through legislation and funding decisions come in.
As established above, there are variations in the target audience of nonprofit organizations and this necessitates having a foreknowledge of who a specific write-up or document is directed to alongside their needs. This knowledge will be reflected in what is to be written and how it should be written to meet the nonprofit’s set goal.
- Effective Communication of Mission:
Achieving the purpose behind a specific write-up directed to a targeted audience requires the selective use of words that are peculiar to such groups. Below are simple ways to relate with the different groups as mentioned above;
- Donors: When communicating with donors, words that will make them see the need to give towards the course and sympathize with the plight of the intended beneficiaries should be used so that they will see why their donation is needed and how it would be utilized.
- Volunteers: Volunteers need to be given compelling reasons as to why they should contribute their time and effort to a nonprofit’s mission. As such, words that clarify the nonprofit’s mission should be used.
- Beneficiaries: With the evolving nature and sensitivity of the world, people need to be convinced of the safety of accepting help from organizations as many oftentimes have been exploited. This makes it necessary to use simple definitions that can be understood by the least educated person.
- Policymakers: The purpose and mission of a nonprofit organization must be well explained in documents that are to be sent to government agencies and officers who are responsible for making laws related to nonprofits.
Understanding the specific needs of each group or individual helps to make communicating with them via writing easy and less cumbersome.
- Consider Storytelling
Storytelling is simply communication that involves the sharing of experiences, the use of characters, and events to pass on specific messages aimed at influencing readers. It is a powerful means of communication because it allows nonprofits to engage their audience by stirring their emotions and conveying a message to drive the needed result.
The uniqueness of storytelling is such that, when properly utilized, it can be used to speak to all groups of targeted audiences to achieve the needed result. For example; when a nonprofit gets certain funds from donors that are meant to give a certain community clean, hygienic water, they can talk about the unhealthy state of the community’s water before their project, and how waterborne diseases had reduced after clean water was provided for the community.
This will help donors see how useful their donations have been to the people of the community and stir the desire to give more communities clean and hygienic water through the nonprofit.
Stories are suitable channels for nonprofits to show their level of transparency on completed projects, usage of funds gotten from donors, and results achieved over time.
Conclusion
Writing for nonprofits is a delicate task that requires a full grasp of the purpose, and how to effectively communicate their specific mission and vision using words that appeal to the targeted audience’s passion to motivate change and growth. At Pen-impact, we understand the delicate nature of writing for nonprofit organizations. This has inspired us to dedicate ourselves to providing social media management and other writing services for Nonprofit organizations and faith-based institutions. You can reach us today via info@pen-impact.com