Donor engagement is one of the most important foundations of any successful nonprofit. You spend a lot of time and energy trying to attract new donors, keep current donors engaged, and make sure all stakeholders associated with your organization understand your mission and the value of your work.

Today, we’re specifically looking at how you can make the most of every donation request, starting with the importance of being perceived as an expert in your area of service. 

We’ll also specifically examine how your visual branding and graphics contribute to or detract from your perception as an expert so you can ensure you’re doing everything possible to elevate your organization and shine as the expert your donors can trust. 

How does looking like an expert affect your nonprofit donation request?

Asking donors for their time, money, and support can be a challenge. It’s crucial that you are perceived by potential donors, stakeholders, and supporters as an expert in the field you’re operating within in order to attract the donors you need to meet your goals and execute your mission. 

People want to trust that the organizations they donate to will use their time, money, and support well. The more professional and trustworthy you appear, the easier it is to build the credibility you need with your donors. 

When it comes to advocacy and influence, we turn to experts to tell us what actions to take and where to put our support. When others see your organization as the go-to expert for the community you serve or the problem you solve, they will be more likely to seek your advice and follow through on the actions you suggest. 

If you position yourself as a thought leader within your cause, it will be easier to attract the resources you need to continue serving others and reaching your big goals. Donors want to be associated with organizations that are on the cutting edge of their cause, and it’s much easier to command respect and receive attention when you’re seen as a leader in the community. 

Donor engagement is not a short-term strategy or “one-time” need. In order to build a sustainable, successful organization, you need donors who are excited to be part of your mission and are on board for the long haul. When you’re an undeniable expert, it’s easier to attract serious, long-term donors and support.

Your graphics and visual identity impact your perception as an expert

Whether or not you should “judge a book by its cover,” your visual identity is a key component of whether you appear to be an expert – regardless of how successful, knowledgeable, and effective your organization is. 

Above, we outlined why looking like an expert is a key component of ongoing donor engagement, so let’s look at what may be holding you back from coming across as the expert you are. 

• Inconsistent visuals
  If your website doesn’t match your social media and every brochure you send out and e-invite you share features different colors, fonts, and themes – your audience is going to be confused. Inconsistency in your branding and graphics comes across as a red flag for incompetence, making your organization look like an amateur instead of a professional.
  
  
• Lack of emotional connection
  Have you ever heard the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words?” This is true about your graphics and visual representation! Visual storytelling is one of the best ways to build an emotional connection with your donors, and it’s really hard to make that connection without specific, intentional graphics designed to tell your story.
  
  
• Visuals that look good, but aren’t grounded in your mission
  It’s possible to look professional without being intentional. To look like an expert, you want professional graphics that go beyond “looking good” and are firmly grounded in your mission and vision. Graphics with a purpose will enhance your expert status far more than just putting out some pretty visuals. 

Want to make the most of every nonprofit donation request you make?

At Acton Circle, we are serious about making sure your mission and vision are the foundation of everything we design. 

We understand how important it is to look like and be perceived as the expert in your field, and we help our nonprofit clients stand out and build the trust, credibility, and respect it takes to engage donors and encourage long-term support. 

Our clients come to us because they want to work with a team that believes their cause deserves more than just attention… it deserves action. We’re in the business of elevating your expert status and helping you engage your donors so you can create real change. 

If that sounds like the kind of design team you’re looking for, we would love to chat with you!