Being a purpose-driven marketer means two things to me. I focus on supporting nonprofits and ethical businesses, so I'm lucky to work with people who have a great purpose. They use their storytelling and marketing skills to make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

Marketing on purpose also means doing so with intention. This is what I'm passionate about teaching and coaching nonprofit founders and marketers to do: have a deep understanding of their audience, set powerful and thoughtful goals, and plan content in a way that brings them closer to attaining their mission. 

They sure do. I can relate! To start, make a wish list of all the things that would make your marketing successful: software, equipment, training, coaching, paid ads, or marketing specialists (like a social media manager or virtual assistant). 

I walk my clients and students through creating just 2-3 marketing goals a year and simple but powerful tactics to reach those goals. When you have that kind of laser focus, it will be clear which marketing tools to invest in, which are worth doing yourself, and which ones can be put on hold for another season. 

Ha, yes! Storytelling is a sexy marketing term right now. 

Here's why storytelling is important, especially in the nonprofit world: when we talk about impact, we can get caught up in the numbers. Numbers are actually very difficult to conceptualize, especially strikingly big ones. The reality is, purchases and giving are emotionally driven. When storytelling is done well, really well, you make an intense emotional connection between your brand and your audience.

When you read or watch a story about a boy, a young mom, or a vet, whose life was heading in one direction, and an organization turned it around with them - you will get attached to that person. You grow to love this character. You will feel like you know them, root for them, and want to be part of their journey. When it comes time for that ask, you're all in. 

The same concept applies to sales. When you meet a character that overcomes the exact pain, challenges, and struggles you're facing, you'll have that moment of "Yes! You get me! This is exactly what I need to move forward."

So while the term storytelling is overused, it changes hearts and minds and creates movers and shakers. Storytelling is here to stay.

My blog has been instrumental in my business' growth. People still go straight to Google when trying to figure out a digital marketing problem. 

At its most basic, your blog will help you build authority. It shows the wealth of knowledge you have in your niche and industry. Those who follow along will use as much of your information as possible until they get stuck, and that's when they give you a call for one-on-one help.

Blogs do wonders for SEO. When your site consistently has new and valuable content, search engines want to share your content with those in need of it.

The most fruitful benefit of blogging has been building my email list. I create all kinds of templates and checklists to accompany my blog posts. These resources are all yours if you opt in to my email community. So not only is my email list growing steadily, but I'm attracting the exact people I wish to serve.