Survey details nonprofit
communications trends

The online nonprofit marketing website, NonprofitMarkeingGuide.com, conducted a survey of what nonprofits predict for their communications in the coming year. Survey respondents included 1,288 nonprofits in 42 countries, 82 percent from the U.S. and 6 percent from Canada.

The survey was conducted online in November 2011. It asked:

• In what shape is your marketing plan for 2012?
• Which communications tools do you see as very important, somewhat important and least important to you in 2012?
• How often do you plan to email the typical person on your email list? How often do you plan to send direct mail?
• What excites you about your work in 2012?
• What scares you about your work in 2012?

The survey asked nonprofits to categorize themselves by budget size, location and mission and there were interesting variations in their answers based on budget. Topics covered in the report include:

• Big Six Communication Tools for Nonprofits are website, email, Facebook, print, in-person events and media or PR.
• Only 24 percent of nonprofits have written and approved marketing plans for 2012.
• 78 percent of nonprofits say they'll email supporters at least monthly in 2012.
• Facebook twice as important to nonprofits as blogging, video or Twitter.
• Online communications will continue to dominate for nonprofits in 2012.
• Smaller nonprofits are more social in person and online; big nonprofits prefer traditional marketing.
• What excites nonprofits: new websites, real marketing plans, integrating channels and social media.
• What scares nonprofits: vying for attention, new social media, no money for marketing and burning out.
• The one thing that both excites and scares nonprofit communicators: social media.

Click here to register your email address and download the free survey report.