Why Podcasts Are Perfect for Nonprofits to Engage Supporters

Podcasts are an excellent way for nonprofits to connect with their supporters and grow their base. While it's true that one amazing picture is worth a thousand words, there are just too many great pictures on social media. Further, people are longing for greater meaning and connection, and that's what makes podcasts a great approach for nonprofits. 

Here are five reasons why podcasts are a great way to engage nonprofit supporters. 

1. Creating Personal Connections Through Stories

Nonprofits have amazing stories and experiences to share with their supporters and the public, which is one reason why creating a podcast makes sense. Podcasts can set nonprofits apart by allowing people to hear the emotions and stories right from the source, making storytelling more relatable. 

For nonprofits, there are many opportunities to share their work. For instance, thought leadership discussions can occur around the broader mission and work done in the community or nationally. But there's also another great opportunity to share the stories of people your nonprofit has served if they want to speak to their experiences — in short, human-to-human stories.

2. Accessible to Almost Anyone

Another great reason why podcasts make a lot of sense for nonprofits is that they're a medium accessible to almost everyone. More and more people, regardless of age, demographic or background, have turned to podcasts just as people turned to radios back in the day. Many people listen to podcasts to and from work or as they run or work out.

The flexibility of podcasts allows nonprofits to reach more people who could become supporters. So, by promoting a branded podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google or other platforms, anyone with a connection to the internet anywhere in the world can listen to the podcast, which is a nice plus. 

3. Cost-Effective Communication

The digital age promised that everyone would be able to see nonprofit content, especially on social media. During the early days when social wasn't as complicated and mostly free, it might have been great for organizations. But the reality is that the promise hasn't lived up to expectations. There's simply so much content out there, and it's not easy to cut through the noise.

Podcasts are a cost-effective way to spread the word about your mission, work and stories. The initial investment is low, and you can start by simply purchasing a good microphone and software and soundproofing a room as much as possible. A quality podcast can grow with engaging storytelling and consistent multichannel marketing.

4. Showcasing Stories, Case Studies and Deep Dives

So, let's say your nonprofit likes the idea of producing a podcast. At its core, it all begins with amazing nonprofit storytelling. Whoever hosts the podcast has to love storytelling and understand how to create compelling stories. Once your organization selects the host or hosts for the podcast, the next thing to consider is the types of stories you want to share.

Ethical stories of people who benefit from your nonprofit is one place you can explore. But there’s more. For instance, if your nonprofit is education based, you can talk to guests who are leaders in the space. You can also speak to people who align with education, such as technology leaders who can speak to how tech can ethically support education.

However, a great podcast can go further. Provided your organization has facts and stats related to your mission, peppering these realities throughout allows your podcast to become a credible source. The fact is that you will find followers for your podcast if it's engaging, provides great insights and moves people emotionally. 

5. Building a Community of Like-Minded Listeners

Once you have a production plan for your podcast, it’s time to build a community. One of the primary reasons great podcasts become the top podcasts for listeners is because they lean into a community. The first question is where do you start to build that community? The answer is simple. You start from where you are with your current donors, volunteers and supporters. 

Informing your champions that you launched and have a podcast is the first step. Sharing information about the podcast on your website, email campaigns and social media is also essential. But you should do something else to expand your base: Ask your listeners to share your podcast with their friends if they love the show.

Once people feel that there’s an engaged community, which includes their ability to send you story ideas, suggestions, and comments, they’ll be much more inclined to share your show with people they know. Word-of-mouth promotion is one of the most critical ways to grow your podcast audience and attract new listeners and supporters. 

Podcasts are an excellent and unique approach for nonprofits to share their stories, build community and explore partnerships. In the digital era, it's essential to be different and do innovative things. Although podcasts have been around for a while, they're still gaining more traction with new listeners. Use them as a great way to connect with your current and future supporters.

The preceding post was provided by an individual unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO.