communications

Adventures in Story-Gathering

posted on March 18, 2017

We all have (and need) stories about the good our organizations are doing. But what does it take to collect authentic, powerful stories from “the field”? How do you make the most of your limited time on the ground? And how do you develop, pitch, and publish the story from there?
During this interactive session, we’ll talk about this and more:
Interviews: How to prepare for conversations with the people who benefit from your organization’s work, what types of questions lead to the most compelling answers, and how to establish trust so a subject will open up to you.
Photos: When to invest in a professional photographer, how to develop a shot list, creative ways to use (or not use) amateur photos, and tips for taking better photos with a mobile phone.
Case studies: We’ll offer examples from our own story-gathering adventures within challenging, resource-constrained circumstances. Discussion will include best practices, worst practices, and plenty of time for audience participation.

Margarite Nathe and Carol Bales
IntraHealth International
Concurrent Session

Speaker Bio
Margarite Nathe is the senior editor & writer and Carol Bales is senior communications and advocacy officer at IntraHealth International, a global health nonprofit that believes everyone everywhere should have the health care they need to thrive. As editor of the blog VITAL, Margarite writes about global health, international development, and making the world a healthier place for all 7+ billion of us. Carol’s expertise spans writing, photography, social media, advocacy, and multimedia production.

Corporate Life to Nonprofit Communications – Lessons Learned from Making the Jump

posted on March 9, 2017

The most successful PR practitioners are known for being a jack-of-all-trades. With greater demand for photography, design, strategy, advocacy, and exceptional writing skills, nonprofit communicators are often expected to have it all. In this session, you’ll hear from a PR practitioner turned nonprofit communicator – who’s 10-year career has spanned from corporate account service and political campaigning to leading the communications and marketing efforts for a statewide nonprofit. Mary Alice will share lessons learned while making the jump to nonprofit life, as well as tips that can help other nonprofit pros succeed in your new role within an organization.

Mary Alice Holley, Twitter: @maryalice_pr, Instagram: @maryalicewonderland
Conservation Trust for North Carolina
Concurrent Session

Speaker Bio
Mary Alice joined the Conservation Trust for North Carolina in December 2016 as the Communications and Marketing Director where she leads promotion of CTNC’s programs, and provides assistance to 23 local land trusts across the state. Before joining CTNC, Mary Alice was Media Relations Director for nonprofit consulting agency BC/DC Ideas, leading promotional campaigns for numerous conservation clients including Audubon North Carolina and the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Mary Alice holds a B.A. degree in Mass Communications and Rhetorical Writing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In her spare time, Mary Alice enjoys hiking with her dog, Hazel, and exploring North Carolina’s hidden treasures from her kayak.

Event Promotion Magic

posted on February 28, 2017

The key to amazing event attendance is all in the technology. Get tested, effective tips on how to create a communications plan to promote your next event, conference or meeting to get more attendees and have the best party ever.

Dawn Crawford, Twitter: @bcdcideas, Instagram: @bcdcideas
BC/DC Ideas
Concurrent Session

Speaker Bio
The engine behind BC/DC Ideas, Dawn has dedicated her career to good. Before launching BC/DC Ideas in 2010, she earned her chops in 10+ years of communications leadership roles for public health, healthcare and youth-focused nonprofits. Working for nonprofits is Dawn’s dream job, and she loves that her 40+ hours a week make the world a better place.

These days Dawn brings her considerable experience and expertise to helping elevate the nonprofit sector. Our team’s lead strategist, Dawn is often seen leading our IdeaStorms, penning communications plans, or checking in with clients.

Exploring Interactive Design Sprints

posted on February 17, 2017

While nonprofits compete for attention in a saturated digital market, our clients are asking us how to stay relevant. Through trial and error we’ve learned that complex interactive design projects structured in a few days can produce highly effective results. During this presentation, we’ll share case studies and project methods on how to create interactive pieces for teams on tight time and budget constraints. We’ll explore processes and mindsets essential in running and/or participating in your own sprint that can turn 20 pages of research or an annual report into an interactive experience that will leave an impression on your audience, and help to generate a lasting impression.

Abigail Maravalli and Gopika Prabhu, Twitter: @elefint, Instragram: @elefint
Elefint Designs
Concurrent Session

Speaker Bios
Elefint is a social impact design studio. We have worked with over 300 nonprofit clients in the past seven years.

As the Creative Director, Gopika has spent the past seven years building Elefint by focusing on interactive design to advance the work of purpose-driven organizations. A highly accomplished visual designer, Gopika has devoted her talents to helping good causes communicate their stories, while also advancing design literacy for the social sector. Her work has been featured in various publications including GOOD, .net Magazine, Wired, Design Like You Give a Damn, and Fast Company. An active member of the design community, Gopika teaches visual communication at the University of San Francisco and is a mentor at product design incubator, Tradecraft.

As Elefint’s Design Producer, Abigail works cross-functionally to collaborate with studio partners, clients, designers and engineering teams to generate high-impact, results-driven design. She currently manages Elefint’s digital projects including; website, interactive infographics, motiongraphics, digital data visualizations, and design sprints.

Surround Sound Approach – Content Marketing for Nonprofits

posted on February 24, 2015

“Content Marketing” is hot in for-profit marketing and advertising, but how can you adapt those best practices to your nonprofit?

Learn how to create a comprehensive boom of sound to reach your target audiences. At it’s core, this is all about increasing online engagement. The “Surround Sound Approach” is a multimedia approach to communications that reaches your audience on multiple marketing channels with a unified message. This coordinated approach is not only effective but efficient as you can use one tactic over multiple platforms.

In this session, you’ll see success stories and get the tools to use this approach for your nonprofit. We’ll break it down so you can get the most use out of the content you are already creating!

Speaker: Dawn Crawford

Organization: BC/DC Ideas

Speaker Bio: The engine behind BC/DC Ideas, Dawn has dedicated her career to good. Before launching BC/DC Ideas in 2010, she earned her chops in 10+ years of communications leadership roles for public health, healthcare and youth-focused nonprofits. Working for nonprofits is Dawn’s dream job, and she loves that her 40+ hours a week make the world a better place.

Things that make her happy: Chai tea in the morning or a glass of champagne at quittin’ time, Basecamp, living in the South, her daughter’s giggle and a well-formatted spreadsheet.

Session Tags: communications, content marketing, increasing online engagement

NCTech4Good, an affiliate of NTEN and TechSoup’s NetSquared, is the local resource for nonprofit technology information. Join the sharing and networking at monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. usually at UNC-TV, and our annual conference, https://www.nct4g.org/. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @nctech4good, and with the hashtag #nct4g.