Stories have fascinated humans since the beginning of time. We connect with stories, so it’s important to know how to effectively share stories about your nonprofit. When you tell stories about your nonprofit, you show others a piece of your heart. Here are some tips on sharing success stories for your nonprofit.
Build your story collection
Every family has a collection of stories that get told and retold. A family photo album or scrapbook serves the same purpose of reminding you where you came from. You can do the same for your nonprofit by gathering these types of stories:
Beginnings — What were your early years like?
-Who/what sparked your nonprofit?
-What inspired you to want to make a difference?
-What was your first project?
-Have your goals changed since you first began?
Challenges – What struggles have you overcome?
-What discouragement did you have to overcome?
-What practical issues did you face? (flooding in your building, etc.)
Happy endings – What are your best achievements?
-Tell the story of individual people who have been impacted by your nonprofit.
Record your stories and make them known. It’s important that your volunteers know the stories of your nonprofit so they can share them with the community.
Small effort for big reward stories
Tell people how even a small effort on their part can have a big pay off. Showing people that small actions can have big effects will encourage them to take part. Make people inspired to help!
Keep it specific and personal
People are not interested in general stories because they come off as impersonal. If your nonprofit donates meals, tell the story of an individual who has benefited from the meals. People are going to connect with people, not statistics. Put a name and a face to all your stories so people can get a sense of the difference you are making.
Pictures and videos
There is no substitute for pictures and videos when you want to make an impression on your viewers. When it comes to showing people how your nonprofit works, share pictures. Personal interviews also have a powerful impact.
Document a work in progress
Posting project updates to your social media accounts is a great way to generate excitement. Create excitement with a “tune in next week/tomorrow for an update…” lead-in for your posts. People want to feel like they are part of the process. It’s also a great way to show donors where their donated dollars are being used.
Spotlight supporters
Get your supporters’ stories of why they donate and take part in your events. They may have a personal connection to your cause, or they may be passionate about changing their community. Ask their reasons for contributing and how they feel when they help. All those things will resonate with your target audience.
