Let’s Talk Marketing Strategy

You’re a new non-profit and wondering how you’ll come up with money to support your cause, right? You’ve heard the hype about grants and loads of free federal money that are available to anyone willing to lend a helping hand in society, but have you done any serious investigation into the processes that sustain a non-profit in the long haul?Let’s start with a few pieces of common misinformation:Grants are sustainable.This is far from the truth. Grant funding is like a crutch. The whole idea behind setting aside a chunk of money is to help an organization establish a project or keep an impactful project in place when times are tough. Grant money isn’t intended to sustain an organization fully.Grants are available for everyone.Most grant money is available to government entities and non-profit organizations. If an individual or for-profit business, chances are your grant search is going to be grueling. Not to mention, probably spend more resource applying for the money than receive IF you get funded. Therefore, seeking grant money is a largely ineffective marketing approach for almost every non-profit organization.Grants are available for everything.Grant money for specific causes that advance a social mission. Federal money for very specific and foundation money is set aside to advance a specific purpose set forth by that foundation. Although true that a foundation may support minority-owned businesses, the competition is fierce. There are thousands of people just like yourself searching for that same money.So, does that mean you should give up? Absolutely Not.But, you should devise a strategic plan based on this information. Using a transaction cost analysis (TCA) framework, let’s look at some of the most cost-effective forms of marketing for ANY non-profit organization and then we’ll discuss how this all relates to your overall funding search. There are 6 major types of marketing for organizations with social missions:Direct mailMost of us associate direct mail with those little flyers we get stuffed between the newspapers or postcards offering 50% at the next department store sale. direct mail has proved to be valuable in capturing the attention of prospective donors and in following up with people who have previously donated money to a cause. Direct mail is relatively inexpensive but does not yield a huge response.Direct Response MarketingDirect response marketing constitutes a variety of techniques but is commonly associated with practices such as television, magazine, and radio advertisements where consumers are encouraged to take part in a direct call to action. Direct response marketing is expensive and relatively ineffective in reaching targeted audiences.Catalogue MarketingCatalogue marketing is generally an approach used by businesses that sell products or packed services but can be used by non-profit organizations that sell cause-related apparel. Although catalogue marketing has a low return rate, it has been found to increase among use of other marketing techniques.Telephone MarketingWe’re all familiar with telemarketers-primarily the reason telephone marketing gets a bad rep but if can be a very productive means of personal selling if done properly and legally. One of the main problems with telephone marketing is the training required to ensure that all phone calls meet regulatory requirements and that the sales people themselves do a good job at representing your organization.Personal SellingExactly how it sounds, personal selling is any face-to-face encounter that has the potential to turn into an investment in your cause. Face-to-face selling has a high rate of return however it requires the most resources of any marketing tactic because it requires research, scheduling, coordination, and often multiple meetings between executives.Online MarketingThere is no doubt that the internet has changed the marketplace and it is also one of the most cost-effective methods of marketing. The problem is have historically fallen behind with online trends and don’t make investments in online marketing processes, never mind an online marketing plan. For a social venture to be successful in the 21st century, it’s almost impossible to avoid investing in a website and social media.In a recent study published by Direct Marketing: An International Journal, TCA was used to measure the effectiveness of these approaches based on the level of control over direct marketing (DM) resources compared to the cost to implement each approach. Not surprisingly, the most productive forms of marketing were namely personal selling, telephone, direct mail, and online while the least cost-effective forms were direct response and catalogue. However, the findings presented in this study are consistent in that they support the use of multiple forms of marketing as the most effective approach.What does marketing have to do with fundraising?Most non-profits are small, and many of these organizations sustain their projects through donations from the public rather than grant funding. This means that marketing (or fundraising) is one of the most vital metrics that every organization should pay close attention to when planning how they sustain their operations, pay their employees, and build capacity. So, if we take grants off the table, we can first consider other forms of revenue generating pursuits, including:1. Individual Pledges2. Corporate Giving3. Sponsorships4. Fundraising Events5. Products/Services6. Major DonationsReferencesMallin, M. L., & Finkle, T. A. (2007). Social Entrepreneurship and Direct Marketing. Direct Marketing: An International Journal, 1(2), 68-77. doi:10.1108/17505930710756833

Organic Clothing Options for Baby

Organic clothing has increased in popularity over the years for socially conscious individuals and recently the surge in organic baby clothing brands and options has followed. The trend is popular for several reasons, but mainly the result of a desire to dress babies and children in clothing that does not contain harmful dyes and to minimize the negative impact on the environment. If you are looking to put together an entirely organic baby clothing wardrobe for your little one, it is a lot easier once you know where to look.Clothing brands that have dedicated themselves to creating and selling organic clothing, have responded to consumer interest in clothing for children and babies. It only makes sense that a parent that is interested in only purchasing clothing for themselves that is environmentally friendly would want to do the same for their children.Brands and fashion designers have responded by expanding their current lines, or launching entirely new ones, to include designs that are functional, cute and environmentally responsible for children.With increased popularity it is important that you understand what constitutes organic baby clothing and that those brands that you decide to purchase actually are organic. Like so many other products, some manufacturers try to take advantage of the interest and newly created market by marking products organic that actually are not. As a consumer, it is up to you to look into a brand and their manufacturing information, which can usually be found on a company’s website.In order to ensure that your choice of clothing is entirely organic, there are several things that you can look for. Find out of the company mentions that the material made for the clothing was grown organically and harvested in an environmentally safe manner. Many companies go a step further and manufacture their clothing in factories and buildings that are green, using procedures and techniques that are green. Clothing colors for children do not have to be earth tones, with naturally derived dyes available, there are many color options that can be used.To find an organic clothing line for your children, start with the brands and designers that you are comfortable with shopping for your own clothing. Many times, these brands create children’s lines or recommend those of other eco-friendly companies. But don’t limit yourself to online options, many large retailers and small boutiques now carry organic clothing options for babies. If you are unsure of where to start, approach your favorite neighborhood retailer and request that they begin carrying some organic options. Making these positive changes for your children is beneficial for both baby and the environment.

Opt For Preventive Care To Reduce The Cost of Healthcare

People often do not prioritize their health and visit the hospital or their doctors while detecting some disease-causing symptoms in their bodies. However, preventive care is the best possible way everyone can undertake and cease the risk factors before the symptoms become dangerous and life-threatening. The following article will focus completely on preventive health care and how it helps reduce further costs involved with healthcare.

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What is Preventive Care?

Preventive health care or prophylaxis involves the measures that people consider for preventing any diseases. The form of healthcare includes utilizing medical services or precautions that fight against the potential health crisis. It is the most important step that people can adopt in better management of their health.

Several factors such as genetic predisposition, lifestyle, environmental factors, and disease agents affect people’s health. Hence, everyone must undergo periodic health check-ups and screening tests from the doctors.

People opt for preventive health care for maintaining better health, and eliminating the disease becomes serious. Preventive care in conjunction with medicines will save a patient from health breakdown and save money from future expenses, especially if the patient is suffering from a chronic disease.

What are the Preventative Care Services?

Here are some of the examples of preventive health care services, along with their frequencies. ·

Annual Check-up (1 per calendar year): During the annual check-up, the doctor or Primary Care Provider (PCP) checks all areas of a person’s health, including physical and psychological. Examining the patients in detail helps in detecting any health care concerns in the early stages.

· Flu Shot (1 per year): Most health plans include flu shots and protect the patients from all strains of flu viruses.

· Mammogram (1 calendar year, after the patient attains the age of 40 years): Patients over the age of 40 must undergo routine x-rays of breast tissues and check for signs of cancer and other abnormalities. Some health plans might cover the costs of 3D imaging. ·

Colonoscopy (usually once in every decade after the age of 50) for detecting colon cancer.

· Vaccinations, including boosters for such as measles, rubella, polio, etc. administered during childhood.

Preventive health care helps keep people productive and active, enabling them to earn well during their senior years. Studies show that approximately 35% of people have to consider early retirement, even before they are financially ready. Opting for affordable, preventive care helps in reducing the numbers.

Why Should Patients Opt for Preventive Care?

Access to preventive health care helped reduce healthcare costs among Americans, as the physicians can prevent or treat the disease before the patient needs emergency room (ER) care. Almost one-third of costs in America include hospital care, which is undoubtedly very expensive. In 2010, 21.4% of adults paid at least a visit to the emergency room, which reduced to 18.6% in 2017. Adults not having affordable access to preventive care are more likely to pay a couple of visits to the emergency room.

Statistics show that 7% of the adults in the age group of 18-64 paid visits to the ER in 2014, as they had no other option, regardless of their health insurance status. About 77% of Americans went to the emergency rooms due to complications in their health, including those whose doctors advised them for emergency room care. Approximately 15.4% of uninsured adults in 2014 are more likely to use the emergency room, as they lacked other providers.

Undoubtedly, the cost of ER care for uninsured patients was extremely high. Hospitals provide care, even if the patient fails to provide fees for their services. As hospitals must recover the cost, they shift to Medicaid and health insurance premiums, which increases the healthcare cost for everyone.

Impact of Preventive Care Cost on Health Care Costs

Chronic diseases are the major leading cause of death among people, either preventable or manageable with regular visits to health care. These include:

· Heart diseases

· Cancer

· Stroke and

· Chronic lower respiratory diseases

Poor nutrition and obesity are the leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Genetics and smoking lead to lung cancer, which is the most common type of cancer. Obesity also risks several other forms of cancer.

Treating these chronic diseases is expensive, even before they reach emergency room status. Approximately 90% of the 3.5 trillion USD includes health care expenditures for people suffering psychological problems and chronic diseases. Patients who never went for preventative care or did not have any prescription coverage failed to afford the treatments, screenings, regular check-ups, and medications that would manage the underlying conditions of the disease. Instead, they head up to the emergency rooms with cases of strokes, heart attacks, and other complications.

However, with regular access to affordable, preventive care, the patients were more likely to discover and manage their chronic conditions. Doing so lowers the chances of visiting the emergency rooms and investing more into expensive treatments for those diseases, which passed regular management. With the decrease in the expenditure for treatments, the overall healthcare cost also decreases for everyone, as the hospitals no longer try to cover the treatment cost of the uninsured patients.

When and What Preventive Health Care is the Most Suitable?

A patient’s primary health care provider will help him or her coordinate the most suitable shots and tests. While analyzing the beneficial shots, the health care provider will consider certain aspects such as family history, age, sex, current health status, and several other factors.

Conclusion

Preventive health care often covers 100% of health plans and offers the patients several benefits both in cost and health. However, if the patient experiences doubts or are in dilemmas about the things covered and tests conducted, he or she must communicate with the physician at the earliest.

Everyone knows, “health is wealth.” If a patient is healthy, he or she will perform the best. However, it is also important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, reducing the risk factors and saving the patients from spending money on medicines.

5 Online Video Editors without Watermarks

With video sharing at an all-time high across all social media platforms, using an online video editor makes your life easy. For example, the YouTube Platform alone uploads millions of videos a week. The right tool can give you a competitive edge. Thus, finding an editor with no watermarks is your best ally to promote your business with video content. After all, watermarks distract viewers when it comes to branding. Need an online video editor with no watermarks? Take a look at the top choices below.

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Factors to Weigh When Selecting an Online Video Editor
With so many video editors online, it can be overwhelming to pick just one. Though most of them share the same purpose of crafting stunning videos, they are not created equal. Even online video editor tools share different characteristics. Here are some factors you must weigh when selecting a digital solution:

Some online video editors are free to use with no watermarks. This is your best bet when you have a limited budget. However, others require a fee so you can remove the watermark. Most editors also offer tiered rates that provide more features the higher the level. Thus, when choosing an editing tool, you must assess your budget and your purpose. All of this will tell you how much you can afford to spend.

The Price
Online video makers come with a broad range of features, from hundreds of transitions to funky animation. The key is finding the tool that you feel comfortable working with. If you have computer memory issues, then pick an editor with cloud-based storage help. Similarly, having access to templates and footage will be helpful for newbies. Most of all, finding a tool with “no watermark” is a priority

The User Interface
Some digital tools are quite complicated. There’s a learning curve, so you need to study first before feeling at ease to use the tool. If you’re new to this field, finding a video maker with an easy user interface works best. Consequently, this means you don’t have to spend hours editing. With drag and drop features and a few clicks of the mouse, you will enjoy the finished product in a matter of minutes.

The Objectives
If you intend to create video ads for your business, then access to a business suit with professional themes works best. When releasing short video commercials, you definitely cannot choose an online video editor with watermarks. It will confuse your target market because they may end up thinking you’re advertising some other product.

Top 5 Video Solutions With NO Watermarks
If you need to create ads, tutorials, explainers, and other videos with no watermark fret not. These top five solutions assure you can create stunning works of art without other people’s branding. Let’s get started.

Promo.com
This lives up to its name by helping you promote your brand well on social media and anywhere else. It offers free to use with no distracting watermarks. Even the basic package comes with lots of templates and free music that assures you can create with ease. If you want to enjoy more features, you can pay for an affordable upgrade. This tool assures you can access:

Thousands of pre-designed templates
Millions of stock video clips and photos
Extensive copyright-free music
Ability to do voice-overs
Animation, effects, transition
Background, colors, fonts
Moreover, if you feel unsure about what to do, 24/7 live chat support is ready to offer assistance anytime. You can actually chat with a real-life customer service agent and not some random bot.

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Movie Maker Online
The biggest perk of Movie Maker Online is there are no registration requirements. Just hop onto the site and start editing. There’s no need to download on your PC and install. Most of all, it is free to use, and your final product will have no site labels or watermarks.

This online video editor lets you upload your photos and footage with ease. Moreover, you can add effects, transitions, and music. Best of all, other than editing videos, this tool allows you to:

Edit photos
Make animations
Create collages
Craft slideshows
Make GIFs
WeVideo
If you want to upload stuff from your phone gallery and have the final edited output within seconds, WeVideo is a great ally. It is compatible with android and iOS mobile. Moreover, it also works with your PC without downloading it. It provides a cloud-based storage system that offers unlimited saves.

In addition, WeVideo allows you to upload and edit any file format. You can swiftly edit, no matter where you are, and immediately share on your site or social media profiles. This allows you to enjoy these perks:

Free stock photos
Extensive video clips
Free music
Various effects
Hippo Video
Try Hippo, another online video editor with no watermark. This tool means you don’t have to download any software. As long as you have internet access, you can edit in the virtual world. This tool allows you to import and export any files from the following:

Gmail
Google Suite
Google Drive
Other cloud-based storage apps
This solution has everything to satisfy your needs. Enjoy its library packed with clips, photos, effects, and music. You can trim, cut, blur, add emojis, or include callout options. Moreover, you will enjoy using templates for whatever you want to create. Best of all, Hippo Video allows you to narrate using the mic tool.

VSCD Free Video Editor
This wonderful tool has no download, no ads, and no watermarks. Just download this software from its site, and you can begin editing. However, your device must meet certain specifications so the app will run.

From there, you can edit all types of file formats and enjoy super effects. With your mouse, you can readily alter images and footage. It also comes with a chroma key that helps you adjust color. Moreover, it has an excellent audio editor for the best sound equalization and volume correction.

The Final Wrap Up
With so many online video editors, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. However, it is okay to have a few editors in your marketing tool kit. And a digital solution with no watermark works best because it will help solidify your branding. Remember, the right tool plays a crucial part in ensuring you edit and share high-quality video content that makes an impact.

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