5 Traits of Successful Nonprofit Marketers

So you think you can be a nonprofit marketer?

There are a few tell-tale traits and passions that make a strong nonprofit marketer. If you're starting a nonprofit or thinking about if nonprofit marketing is the path for you, see if these five traits resonate with you.

1. PURPOSE-DRIVEN

Being a purpose-driven marketer is two-sided. It means that you’re marketing a cause or issue you're passionate about that will make the world a better place. This sense of purpose is what draws creatives into nonprofit—an intrinsic feeling that they want to use their skills for the greater good. 

Marketing on purpose also means that you have a solid marketing strategy in place. You're not creating and posting content casually and randomly just to have a presence. Instead, everything you put out there is thought-out, meaningful, and will bring you closer to reach your organization's mission and goals.

2. A KNACK FOR STORYTELLING

An expert nonprofit marketer knows that stories are the connectors. Real stories about real people motivate people to act, whether that means becoming a loyal donor, activist, member, or volunteer.

Nonprofit marketers must communicate compelling stories that get to the heart of the problem their organization solves. A good storyteller can inspire audiences both long-form (blog post) and short-form (tweet), using numerous kinds of media, including written word, audio, images, and video.

3. IMAGINATIVE

I often start planning my marketing strategies with research on the latest marketing trends. I want to know what's working, and how I can adapt it to my marketing goals.  

And yet I've found that the most successful marketing campaigns have come from a place of innovation and creativity. Being an imaginative marketer means taking creative risks and thinking way outside of the box. 

There are lots of digital marketing rules, and a good marketer knows when to break them. 

4. DATA NERD 

You must be a critical thinker to be an effective marketer.  

Marketing strategies and decisions should be data-based. Good marketers understand industry standards and will set and track key performance indicators that are challenging but doable. They are constantly measuring and analyzing their marketing activities.

5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRO

Marketers turn visions into reality, which takes a great deal of planning and project management. 

Most nonprofit marketing tasks include creating content, managing numerous marketing platforms, and collaborating with staff or partners to reach marketing goals—all entailing lots of moving parts.

A good project manager is a leader who is an exceptional communicator, highly organized, and a resourceful problem solver.

I've always been open about my journey as a nonprofit marketer. The gist of it is when I started, I thought being a good writer alone was going to cut it.

(It wasn't)

Over time, I grew in my skills and knowledge to become a successful marketer.

You don't need to be an expert in all of these areas before becoming a nonprofit marketer. Being a successful nonprofit marketer takes a passion for it, and a willingness to keep learning and sharpening these kinds of skills.

What am I missing? What do you think are the best traits of successful nonprofit marketers?