How a non profit can get a free website (a good one)

I recently had a conversation about a non profit that was looking for a way to get a decent website up and running without tapping into their limited funds. Let me translate, a non profit organization was looking for a free website. Ok let’s stop right there. Usually this is the first bad sign, trying to get things for free usually represents trying to get something that is not worth having. They say the defendant that represents himself has a fool for a lawyer right? Well the same principle applies here:

“The Organization that get’s a free website has a fool for a web designer”

Alright, the Fact is, this may not be a true statement. Most companies will take on a certain amount of Pro Bono work for a number of reasons. I’m here to clue some of you in on how to tap in to that opportunity. Now my philosophy is that the best arrangements are ones where everybody wins. Often when negotiating people are only looking for how they can get the best scenario for them. If you look at it from the point of view of all parties, than you can make a lot more happen. Just ask Donald Trump who negotiated 50/50 deals to make things happen instead of being so driven to have the bigger half that people were not as willing to work with him.

So I was asked “Who can do a free website for a non profit?”. Here’s the advice I gave to this anonymous individual. A Non profit has a board of directors, a network of donors, members, volunteers, supporters, etc. This represents often times companies that find a synergy of some sort with the non profit. Often it may be that the network of the organization is concerned with the same things as the company so it is naturally their target audience. This is a perfect opportunity to put together something that works for both of them.

So the solution is this, the company finances the website costs by becoming a long term advertiser on the site. Remember a website is a two way conversation now days so get people involved via facebook and twitter on what the message of the organization is. Create a blog, and drive people to the website via video, facebook, twitter and a press release telling how the company has partnered with the organization to see their collective visions achieved.

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat but when everybody’s goals are achieved you have a much better result. Finally, consider how any development in your company or organization is a chance to put a marketing campaign behind it. What is your example of a win win arrangement?

The Awesomeness of Working with good people

I (Daniel Herndon) just came off of a 2 week tour through 14 cities in Indiana to connect with several grantees of Susan G. Komen for the cure Indianapolis affilliate as well as two other regional affiliates in Indiana. Our goal was to tell the story of Susan G. Komen in a more tangible and interactive way than if you were to just hear about it, read about it, or even see a commercial. We were able to hit a network of over 20,000 people through this tour.

Our adventures were broadcast live at our non-profit campaign site www.forkout.org while we also connect with people via social media in real time. All in all we collected well over 30 hours of video that can be found on the forkout website or on the forkout playlist of the redwall LIVE YouTube channel. Viewers donate instantly at Forkout.org knowing their money is not being wasted but going to a good cause, in this case hating and ending breast cancer.

On this trip – Kyle Lacy of Brandswag came along, to support me personally in my efforts. Kyle and I have done business with each other in the past and become friends through it – first through helping to turn down my band when we were one of three bands to be signed by a record label he was interning at all the way to collaborating on web and design projects for clients.

While we shared the common ground of being awesome, and appreciating the importance of preserving breasts, Kyle also showed his dedication to doing his best, and serving an important cause regardless of personal benefit. I would recommend to anyone that if you are considering Kyle Lacy or Brandswag, just go with it.

Dan Robertson (dread lock dan) was a last minute add to this event. He joined us in one day’s notice since our original guy backed out. He came to hold the camera, but ended up being a huge part of the personality of our group. He is a funny guy, he thinks about things a lot, and he has a crazy head of hair.

During this trip, we enjoyed Z-Coil Shoes, Socks from Walk EZ Store, Fourcast Brand Shirts (Nice!), 2 Cars from AMS Cars (Sorry about the ding!), Tech Support from Apparatus and NineTwelve, Backpacks and Hats from Revolver, mobile access to internet through Grant Communications and countless support from companies and people that helped us to stay places and eat food so as not to waste funds that we could otherwise donate to Komen.

All of the above have proven to be not only savvy companies, but solid – dedicated to their craft, quality and using their gifts for good. If I was in front of all these people I would give each one a high five and then jump in the air and freeze in position with theme music from Rocky playing!

Can you say Boobs on TV?

I am currently on an ongoing tour to hate and eliminate breast cancer. Today is day 7 of the 14 day tour. On this tour we are capturing video footage of survivors, medical providers and facilities as well as people simply passionate about ending Breast Cancer. We’ve learned a few interesting facts:

1.  One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer

2. Breast Cancer kills more people that Malaria, Tuberculosis and AIDs combined

3. A woman dies from Breast Cancer every 68 seconds.

4. Women in Greenfield, IN have boobs too

5. And you can say boobs on TV but it’s easy to make someone think they just cussed if your pointing a camera at them.

We’ve been able to connect with a lot of awesome people at various levels of the battle. Many of them with a personal story on why they decided to dedicate part of their life to the work that Susan G. Komen Foundation is funding.

While we are connecting with people live in person to collect a wealth of video, and try to get it edited and available as quick as possible, we are inviting you to come with us and view it live as it happens. Most importantly, we are inviting you to be a part of the cure. You can be the cure by hating breast cancer and donating at www.Forkout.org. We are trying to save 200 women for the last leg of the tour. While $100 can pay for a mammogram, that could be exactly what saves a life. Will you donate?