GET YOUR BLOG ONHOW TO MAKE YOUR NONPROFIT BLOG

STAND OUT IN THE MASSES

HEATHER ACTONhttp://heatheracton.com

@heatheracton78

WHAT IS A BLOG?

“A blog (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.”

- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WHY BLOG?

It’s a social space that YOU control

It serves as an online hub for your organization

Current and potential supporters want information - who better to provide it?

It fosters trust and shows that your org is vested online

WHERE DO I START?Choose a platform based on your goals

Most nonprofits will prefer a self-hosted platform like WordPress.org

Secure your preferred domain name(s) for a length of time

Sign up for a hosting account

Follow instructions provided by your chosen platform to install software to your domain

Customize the look, feel, and functionality of your blog

Start adding content!

If you or someone in your org is not comfortable with doing the above, hire someone reputable to do it for you.

WHAT MAKES A BLOG GREAT?

Content

Design

User Experience

Security

Search engine optimization

CONTENTEvery blog should include:

Effective landing page - identity/purpose clearly portrayed, one main image, easy forms, all above the fold

http://www.netflix.com/

Logo/title area

Navigation

Main Content - blog posts, about page, contact form

Sidebar(s) - widgets for social networks, volunteering, donating, subscribing to newsletter

Footer - copyright information

CONTENT

Blog posts can:

Provide commentary

Teach how to do something

Recap an event

Share an enlightening story

Share news related to your topic

Via:

Written word

Photos

Videos

Links

Audio clips

CONTENTTips on writing great blog posts:

Each post should be useful and unique

Use proper grammar and punctuation

Use titles of posts effectively

Keep your posts scannable by using headlines to break posts into sections

Comprehensively, but not exhaustively, cover your topic

250-1000 words is probably ideal

Additional great help can be found here: How to Write Great Blog Content

DESIGNBeautiful Design Consists of:

An appealing and useful layout

A pleasant color scheme

An interesting style

Appropriate use of typography

•Strategic use of imagery

Credit: A great book on the subject is The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird (affiliate link)

USER EXPERIENCEA user needs to be able to do what they came to do...and quickly! If they can’t, they’ll leave to find/do it somewhere else.

Ensure that:

Your page loads quickly

You avoid use of popups

Your logo/title is obvious

Your navigation bar is easy to see and that navi items are clear in meaning

Calls to action (Donate, Volunteer, Subscribe) are strategically placed “above the fold”

Your content is easy for users to share (Retweet buttons, Like buttons, Share/Save icons)

•Your site is viewable as intended in major browsers and on mobile devices

SECURITYRoutine backups

Automatic WordPress Backup for WordPress

Hack-proof your blog

Keep software versions up-to-date

Use strong usernames and passwords

Secure WordPress for WordPress

Block spam comments

Akismet for WordPress

Utilize Paypal or other reputable online transaction service to ensure secure transactions on your site

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO)

Create unique and accurate post titles

Pick a friendly URL format

Organize your content well

HTML sitemap on your site, and XML sitemap in your root directory

Create compelling and useful content

Promote your blog on other blogs, forums, and networks

Hire an expert to help, but be aware of “Black Hat SEO” tactics

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...

Google’s SEO Guide for more

EXAMPLES & RESOURCES

American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/

Kramden Institute Inc. at http://www.kramden.org/

Problogger at http://www.problogger.net

GET YOUR NONPROFIT BLOG ON!