Diefenbach Communications Strategies

DIEFENBACH COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES

High-impact marketing for social-impact organizations

FIND YOUR VOICE. Massive, medium, or mom-and-pop, all organizations share one thing: the need to express themselves in ways that resonate with constituents. We help organizations hone their identity, shape their message and cultivate their style.

TELL YOUR STORY. Clear, compelling messages are worthwhile only if they are effectively delivered. We help organizations sharpen their craft, develop their strategies and fulfill their plans.

MOVE YOUR NEEDLE. At the proverbial end of the day, communications must drive tangible results. We ensure communications deliver the impacts they are designed for – more donors, more partners, more believers.

Institutional positioning and branding

It’s a competitive world, even for organizations out to change the world. Success hinges on being clear, breaking through, standing out, and giving constituents new reasons to believe.

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Fundraising campaign communications

Major gift efforts rise and fall on the strength of their gut-level messages. Even long-time organizational supporters need to understand why this project, why now – and why them.

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Marketing for new initiatives

The proverbial “drawing board” is nowhere for your genius to live — that new initiative or product needs to be captured, communicated and launched. It’s time to make your new thing the Next Big Thing.

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Communications tune-ups and coaching

Being your market’s “best kept secret” is not a superlative to aspire to. There’s no glory in the title — and even less revenue. Communicate to make connections both genuine and generous.

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Creative presentation

Philanthropy thrives on emotion, and sometimes you have to transcend words. The path to donors’ hearts goes through the right brain.

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Participatory experiences

Resource development? Start with the resource that really matters: your people. Transform board or staff with hands-on experiences that deepen their craft, confidence, and consensus.

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Philanthropic marketing perspective:

Philanthropic communications is a whole different mindset.

“I ended up firing every big marketing firm in town. They just couldn’t make the shift to understanding the nonprofit stakeholder. Whether someone buys Colgate or Crest doesn’t help me with their charitable giving motivators.”

Barbara Clark-Galupi

Prinicipal Consultant, Creative !mpact

Philanthropic marketing perspective:

Organizations don’t have needs…donors do.

“Institutions often make the mistake of talking about financial need – but what does that have to do with me? **Organizations must ground their communications in the idea that they don’t have needs, donors do** – the need to make a difference.”

Edith Falk

Prinicipal, Falk Consulting LLC

Philanthropic marketing perspective:

Case statements’ practical value ripples through an organization.

“I found myself returning to our case statement over and over, pulling passages for letters, speeches, presentations, proposals – the impact went well beyond development. Having an agreed-upon point of view made all our communications easier, sharper, more focused and consistent.”

Susan Tomlinson Schmidt

MPA, CNP, President, Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

Philanthropic marketing perspective:

Every volunteer wants to say it right.

“Fundraising is all about the message. Volunteers are not fluent in nonprofit communication, especially if they have to explain in their own words why to give. From the executive director to the board member, everyone is anxious to say it right.”

Joe Skvara

Principal, JS Consulting

Philanthropic marketing perspective:

Effective communication is the cornerstone of development success.

“Many organizations look for an easy route to fundraising success, when more rigorous attention to message and communications is what they need. If you communicate effectively up front who you are, then your cultivation can be focused on those genuinely attracted to your mission.”

Andrew W. Hibel

Founder and President, The Advise Us Foundation

Recent ramblings

On Philanthropy is the monthly column I write for the Milwaukee Business Journal on behalf of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter. Recent topics…