26 Feb Start with “why” and end with “why not”
Understanding any marketing and communication effort begins and ends with understanding motivation. In essence, it begins with WHY and ends with WHY NOT.
In Mission Triangle’s recent Marketing and Communications Workshop, we capitalized on this viral video of Michael Jr., to push over 100 nonprofits to dive deeper into really capturing their “why” as the beginning of telling their story.
So, if you come across a Triangle-based nonprofit leader shouting their simple, succinct (10 words or less), and powerful statement about why they exist — just know they are flexing their newfound “why.”
It may sound something like this: “We believe Biblical manhood is never an accident” (Iron Academy)
Powerful right?
From there the doors open, and each respective nonprofit has an opportunity to connect to the right people in growing its mission and impacting its cause.
But, as we also learned, it’s not about selling their WHY. Rather, it’s about celebrating, educating, and inviting.
In the nonprofit world, especially the Christian one, we should be celebrating what God is doing in organizations like Able to Serve and Global Hope India, educating people on great causes like RiverCross and Hope Reins, and inviting people into the life-giving relationships that are found in Safe Families for Children and House of Hope.
When seen through this lens, marketing and communications is a gift to the recipient and an opportunity to have lifelong — even eternal — impact today.
Of course, we must have clarity and coordination within our core identity statements, our brand, our plans and our channels. It does take work and a constant effort to get to clarity, consistency, and coordination. But in the end,
the question becomes, “why not?” Why wouldn’t we share our WHY and why wouldn’t people respond if it’s done with joy and sincerity?
If you haven’t joined a Mission Triangle workshop or small group yet, make plans to do so – because our why needs you! We believe healthy nonprofits transform communities!
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14, 16