3 Ways to Grow Your Nonprofit Email List That You Haven’t Heard of Before!
Maybe you’ve heard the statistics before. The ones that say that email marketing for nonprofits brings one of the highest returns on investment.
And maybe, you’ve already dipped your toe into the world of emails!
But perhaps you’re realizing that nonprofit newsletters and fundraising emails only get you so far when you don’t have an email list to send it to.
Why Should You Prioritize a Nonprofit Email List?
We’re not saying you need to have a massive nonprofit email list to see returns on investment for your marketing efforts.
But it is important to know that growing your email list can continue to bring huge benefits for your organization!
And with that comes more impact when it comes to your mission.
So why does prioritizing your nonprofit email list matter if you don’t need to have a substantial number of email addresses? It’d be unwise for us to think that someone interested in supporting your organization will always support your organization. Their interests and preferences may change over time.
Prioritizing your email list for donations means that you’re consistently growing your community of supporters. So as certain people decide to unsubscribe, you’re not left with a dwindling number of supporters!
Can You Buy an Email List for Donations?
It might be tempting to say, “You know – I can just buy email addresses for donations!”
But, we highly suggest that you don’t do that. It’s an unethical practice that’s essentially spam. And as you probably know – people hate spam. So it can truly damage your email sender’s reputation in your email marketing software.
Plus, they may not be your ideal donor, anyway!
And if they’re not your ideal donor, or if your cause is not a priority for them, then they’re just taking up space on your nonprofit email list, anyway.
The best way to build up your email list for donations is by marketing it effectively to the best audience for your nonprofit! It might take longer than buying an email list, but the benefits will be much better for your organization.
3 Ways to Grow Your Nonprofit Email List (That You Haven’t Heard of Before!)
We believe there may be a difference between building your nonprofit email list and growing your nonprofit email list.
When it comes to building, you’re bringing on your very first subscribers. And there are some incredible resources to help you easily build your list.
And those resources can also help you grow your list of nonprofit email addresses, too! But what if you’re looking for new ways to grow your list? What if you’ve exhausted what’s already been said?
Or maybe, those ideas just don’t resonate with your organization?
We’ve got 3 ways to grow your nonprofit email list that you probably haven’t heard of before!
1. Get Nostalgic with a Quiz
Did you ever flip through young adult magazines when you were in middle and high school? Usually, they were about “what kind of friend are you?” Or “what is your fashion style?”
But, quizzes are making a comeback as email marketing leads. This is especially the case in the for-profit world. But who’s to say that it can’t work for the nonprofit sector?
Maybe your quiz is something about:
“What kind of environmental advocate/activist are you?”
Or “What type of nonprofit support (monetary donations, volunteering, merchandise purchase, etc.) fits your lifestyle?”
The idea here is that they can opt to take the quiz, first. Then, once they’re done taking the quiz, your nonprofit can ask them where to send their results via email (aka, what’s your email address?).
And it works for a few reasons:
1. Every time someone clicks their answer to a quiz question, they’ve made a “touch point.” The more touch points someone makes, the more invested they are in the result. That means by the time they get to the end, they’ll be ready to offer you their email address because they want their answers.
2. Quizzes are nostalgic. And nostalgia is its own type of marketing factor. When you create a positive connection with a fond memory they have (like flipping through old magazines), the quiz-taker has a stronger sense of trust in your organization!
3. People like to know more about themselves. Call it the latest craze, but digging in deeper to find out “who they are” is something that most people care about. So when you offer them the opportunity to get to know themselves a little better, they’ll take advantage!
2. Offer a Freebie Like a Checklist or a Resource List
Again, it’s a common marketing tactic used in the for-profit world. But there’s no reason why you can’t use this for your nonprofit organization!
People like free things, especially if it’s useful! And it’s an incentive to give you their email address, rather than just having one form on your nonprofit website asking for it for no reason.
Give them something in return! Make a freebie like a checklist or a resource list that they can use.
Maybe it’s something like:
“10 Green Alternatives for the Most Common Household Items”
Or it could be:
“Here’s What to Do When You See Injured Wildlife”
Notice that these are topics that can be related to an organization’s mission. Yet, they provide some kind of value to the reader that they can use in their everyday life.
So, brainstorm some ideas of what you might be able to offer your readers!
And when you’re ready to create your freebie, don’t forget you can use your Canva Pro account! They make graphic design so incredibly easy. Plus, with plenty of templates to choose from, you don’t even have to start from scratch. Just swap out the colors, fonts, and logos for the ones in your branding kit, and you’re good to go!
Not signed up for Canva Pro for nonprofits? We’ve got a free webinar that walks you through everything to know!
Watch the FREE Canva Pro for Nonprofits Webinar Here!
3. Reel Them In with an Exclusive Video Related to Your Mission
Nonprofit videos are on the rise in terms of popularity. Thanks to apps like TikTok, Instagram, and even YouTube, people are soaking up videos now more than ever.
People also love to see what your organization is doing. They love knowing they’re “in the loop” of something even greater than themselves.
So, while it’s a good idea to use nonprofit videos on your website, that’s not the only place you can utilize them!
Why not create an exclusive video showcasing the amazing work you’re doing. Instead of showing it to everyone, only send it to those who want to see it by signing up for your nonprofit mailing list!
You can continue to provide exclusive content like newsletters and videos to just your mailing list. And on your social media channels, you can market it as the best way for followers to get the inside scoop on your organization!
If you’ve already dipped your toe into the world of nonprofit email marketing, then it might be time to start growing your nonprofit email list. These 3 ways will help you do it easily!
And if you’re looking for even more information on how to grow your email list, then our sister site, CharityHowTo, might have the solution for you: How to Grow Your Email List and Convert Subscribers Into Donors.