How a Modern Website Can Boost Donations and Trust with Donors

n Boost Donations and Trust with Donors

n Boost Donations and Trust with Donors

If your website is out of date or worse, looks like a DIY job, you could be silently losing support. If a donor can’t find where to give, they won’t. If a volunteer form is broken or hidden, they’ll move on. The nonprofits that invest in a strong online presence don’t just look better. They connect better, convert better, and grow faster.

The first time someone visits your website, they decide how they feel about it and your organization faster than you might think. Even in today’s digital world, many three and four-star nonprofits still have outdated, poorly designed, or confusing websites.

A top rating is a strong seal of credibility. But if your website isn’t conveying that same level of professionalism and trust, you are likely losing out on donations, volunteers, and long-term supporters.

Make It Easy for People to Say Yes

Your website is more than just a place to share your mission. It’s your digital handshake. If it loads slowly, lacks security, or feels outdated, it can send the wrong message. No matter how great your organization or noble your mission, a clunky site makes people second-guess getting involved.

On the other hand, a clean, easy-to-use website builds trust. Features like secure donation buttons, up-to-date testimonials, and clear calls to action go a long way in making someone feel confident about supporting your cause.

What a Strong Nonprofit Website Should Include

If you’re wondering what a four-star-worthy website should look like, here are some must-haves:

    • Clean, responsive design that works on mobile and desktop
    • Clear, compelling calls to action for donating, volunteering, or signing up
    • SEO-optimized content that tells your story and helps people find you
    • Impact-driven visuals and testimonials to showcase your work
    • Secure donation portals and clear financial transparency
    • Best practices for accessibility so everyone can use your site
    • Attention to details such as negative space and typography
    • Fast-loading pages that enhance user experience and reduce bounce rates

When all of these pieces come together, your site doesn’t just inform. It inspires action.

Your Nonprofit Deserves a Professional Website

Your nonprofit has worked hard to build its reputation. Your mission deserves to be seen, heard, and supported by future donors and volunteers. When you’ve earned trust in the real world, your website should reflect that online.

A modern, well-built site doesn’t just look better. It helps you reach more people, raise more funds, and strengthen the trust you’ve already earned.

Want to learn how the leading nonprofits are maximizing tools like the Google Ad Grant, building donor pipelines, and making smarter marketing decisions? Schedule a consultation today.

21 Nonprofit Social Media Content Ideas & Inspiration

With so many organizations competing for attention on social media, it can be easy for nonprofits to feel ignored. However, with the right strategies, messages, and creativity, your organization can find ways to stand out and connect with people who care.

Below are 21 powerful social media inspiration posts our team curated to help your nonprofit communicate its mission, grow and engage followers, and cut through the noise.

1. Educational content

When people better understand the issues you’re addressing and the impact of your work, they’re more likely to form a meaningful connection and develop real passion for your cause.

Here is an example from Florida Aquarium. In this post, they educate the audience with some fun facts about sand tiger sharks. Someone who has viewed this post might take a specific interest in it and want to learn more and visit the Aquarium.

2. Highlight supporters and volunteers

Your work would not be possible without the efforts of your supporters and volunteers. Highlighting them on social media is a great way of giving thanks, paying tribute to their hard work, and making your organization feel more personable.

This post from Crisis Center of Tampa Bay does a great job calling attention to their supporters and volunteers while also raising awareness for their cause.

Highlight supporters and volunteers

3. Share Goals

At the end of the day, your mission is what truly matters, so make it shine on social media. Sharing your goals and their impact not only builds trust but also helps to create genuine connection with your audience.

Whether you’re working toward a major objective or celebrating a recent achievement, sharing these moments on social media demonstrates your honesty and reminds supporters why your cause matters.

In the example below, Tampa Bay Beautiful shows off their impact with a graphic post emphasizing their impact from planting 800 trees in the community.

Share Goals

4. Thought Leadership

Thought leadership posts are a powerful way to share your organization’s story through credible, passionate voices. They help people connect with your mission on a deeper level. Whether it’s a quote from a leader, volunteer, or partner, their words are meaningful and worth sharing.

In this post from Habitat for Humanity, they share an important quote from the VP and Executive Director at Habitat Capital.

5. Showcase Achievements

Your nonprofit’s hard work deserves recognition. Sharing your achievements on social media not only shows that you’re proud to be part of your organization, but it also inspires others to get involved.

Check out this post from Metropolitan Ministries celebrating their recognition as one of the nation’s top workplaces for culture excellence. Moments like these are worth sharing!

Showcase Achievements

6. Behind the Scenes

“Behind the Scenes” videos give your audience a glimpse into what it’s like to be part of your organization. It’s a fun, creative way to share your work, raise awareness for your cause, and let supporters see the people behind the mission.

This video from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay offers a behind-the-scenes look at a photoshoot for dogs available for adoption. It helps the organization connect with their audience while also showing the positive impact of their work and drive adoptions!

7. Stats That Matter

Posting statistics helps your audience understand the importance of your mission with real facts. Numbers add credibility, show progress, and give your supporters something concrete to talk about. When you post this kind of content, you’re inviting others to join in and help move those numbers in the right direction.

This post from Feeding Tampa Bay is a great example, using stats to highlight an important issue the nonprofit is actively addressing.

Stats That Matter

8. Promote Your Website or Newsletter

Whether it’s your website, newsletter, or both, promoting them on social media will bring in more traffic and grow your audience. These posts give people a chance to take action, whether that’s signing up, learning more, or simply staying connected to your cause.

Check out this carousel post from Ding Darling Wildlife. It ends with a simple CTA slide: “Want to continue reading? Subscribe to our E-newsletter.”

Promote Your Website or Newsletter

9. Staff Spotlights

Spotlighting your staff is a fun way to create content while also showing appreciation for the people who make it possible to fulfill your nonprofit’s mission.

In this post from Phoenix House Florida, they celebrate the 18th work anniversary of their President & CEO. It’s a great way to keep your community in the loop and celebrate the people behind the mission.

10. Thank-You Posts

Thank-you posts are a simple, yet powerful way to express gratitude to your supporters. Whether it’s a quick shoutout or a more elaborate post, any form of appreciation reminds your supporters that their efforts count. It also encourages people to support an organization where they know their efforts will be seen and valued. 

Here’s a great example from the Hillsborough Education Foundation, thanking the Tampa Bay Seminole Club for their scholarship donation. A little gratitude goes a long way!

Thank-You Posts

11. Promote Events and Activities

Your social media is the perfect place to advertise upcoming events and activities. Showing the audience gets them aware, interested, and wanting to learn more.

In this post from Tampa Bay History Center, they do a great job promoting their History Adventure Camp and getting followers interested in what’s coming up.

Promote Events and Activities

12. Unique Visuals

With so many organizations sharing content daily on social media, posting unique and eye-catching visuals can help your nonprofit stand out in the feed. Allow yourself to get creative with it, whether it’s using AI-generated imagery or high-quality visuals that truly grab attention.

This Big Cat Rescue post used AI to create an exotically unique image to capture the eye and get people interested in their mission.

Unique Visuals

13. Celebrate National Days

Celebrating National Days is a fun way to show that your organization is made up of real people who care and celebrate just like everyone else. It helps you connect with your audience while still spreading awareness for your cause.

Check out this post from Zoo Tampa. They celebrated Father’s Day by showing one of their monkey dads getting spoiled with his favorite treats, a cute and heartwarming way to tie the holiday back to their mission.

Celebrate National Days

14. Memes That Match Your Mission

Memes are a fun and clever way to grab attention while also connecting with your audience. Whether you’re creating your own or hopping on a trend, memes that relate back to your nonprofit’s mission can help increase interest and get people wanting to learn more.

Here you can see how Bat Conservation International uses humor to connect with their followers by sharing a meme about bats.

Memes That Match Your Mission

15. Participate in a Challenge

Who doesn’t love a good challenge? Taking part in original or trending challenges shows your organization cares about doing good, but also knows how to have fun too. People love challenges, so show them you do too.

Take a look at this post from ALS. The energy in both the video and caption shows how much they care about their mission and how creatively they promote their cause.

SM - ALS Participate in a Challenge

16. Interactive Content

It wouldn’t be called social media if it didn’t provide opportunities to be social! Giving people chances to interact on your platforms makes them feel included and connected. Whether it’s a poll, quiz, or question box, let them join in!

American Ballet Theatre connects with their audience by using interactive Q&As on Instagram Stories. By letting followers submit questions and receive answers from dancers, they make their audience feel special, appreciated, and part of the experience.

Interactive Content

17. Throwback Posts #TB

Just because something happened a while ago doesn’t mean it can’t be posted. Throwback posts are a great way to reflect on important history, celebrate past events, or show how much progress your organization has made since then.

The American Red Cross uses this throwback post to share a cool piece of history. By highlighting how Marie Curie helped create mobile X-ray units during WWI, they show just how far their mission goes back.

Throwback Posts #TB

18. Share a Blog Post

If your nonprofit has a blog that’s updated regularly, share new blog posts to boost engagement and get more people hooked on what your organization has to say. Don’t forget to include a call-to-action and link back to your website!

In this video post from Kiwanis, they encourage their audience to learn more by promoting their blog as a resource. It’s a simple yet effective way to drive new traffic back to their site, where they might encourage them to sign up for their newsletter or take some other action to collect data and stay in touch.

Share a Blog Post

19. Inspirational Quotes

Everyone loves a good quote. They can be motivational, inspirational, and empowering. Sharing a quote that relates to your mission helps spark emotion and makes people want to be part of something meaningful.

Here’s another example from To Write Love on Her Arms. Their quote evokes emotion and gives the audience a deeper look into what their organization stands for through powerful words.

Inspirational Quotes

20. Celebrate the Seasons

Seasons get people excited, so it’s no wonder seasonal content does too! Sharing how your organization celebrates a holiday, whether it’s a seasonal event, dinner, or show, helps you embrace that seasonal cheer along with everyone else.

Check out how Junior Achievement Tampa Bay got into the Halloween spirit with a fun dress-up activity. 

21. Podcasts

If your nonprofit has a podcast, sharing clips is a great way to promote it while getting people more interested in your organization. Even if you don’t have a podcast, sharing short audio or video clips like interviews, Q&As, or special guests can still engage your audience and help bring your mission to life.

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida shares a clip from their podcast in a social media post, encouraging new listeners and increasing awareness of their mission.

SM Strategies - Podcasts

Successful social media for nonprofits is no coincidence. It’s the product of intentional planning, consistent focus, and a genuine understanding of your audience. By finding the right strategies and staying authentic to your cause, your nonprofit can create a strong online presence that fosters awareness, excitement, and lasting impact.

Remember that every post is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and grow. Ready to take your social media to the next level? Start putting these strategies into action today.

Want to learn how the leading nonprofits are maximizing tools like social media and Google Ad Grants to build donor pipelines and make smarter marketing decisions? Schedule a consultation today.

Post with Purpose: Why Nonprofits Need Social Media Policies

It starts with a single post, an intern shares a meme meant to promote an upcoming fundraiser. But the meme’s humor doesn’t land the way it was intended. It generates backlash, offends some of your supporters, and local media starts questioning. Within hours, your nonprofit is in the middle of a PR mess, all because the post wasn’t approved or reviewed.

Situations like these can be prevented, and that’s exactly why having a social media policy is important. A clear, well-communicated policy outlines who can post, what content is appropriate, and how to handle engagement. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep your nonprofit’s messaging consistent, professional, and aligned with your mission.

What Is a Social Media Policy?

A social media policy is a set of guidelines that outlines how your organization uses social media. It helps in determining roles and responsibilities, such as who can post and what content should be shared, as well as the voice, tone, and brand of your organization.

It also provides direction on handling data and privacy, managing conflicts, and responding to comments or questions online. Essentially, it’s a guide that enables your team to navigate social media both confidently and consistently.

Benefits of a Social Media Policy for Nonprofits

While social media policies are important for the success of any organization, they can be especially effective for nonprofits. Having a policy helps your team build a brand message and voice, making it easier to collaborate and reduce stress through clearly established boundaries and goals.

In addition, it outlines expectations of online behavior, which will help prevent PR crises and channel appropriate participation. For nonprofits, a well-defined policy can intensify supporter engagement, stimulate fundraising, and make sure your mission is being represented properly on every platform.

What to Include in a Nonprofit Social Media Policy

A strong social media policy is clear, easy to follow, and tailored to your nonprofit’s mission. It doesn’t have to be ridiculously sophisticated, but it does need to address the essentials so that everyone on your team is on the same page. Some key elements to include are:

    • Roles and responsibilities: Designate who has access to social media accounts, who will post content, and who will respond to messages or comments.
    • Voice and tone: Establish the personality of your organization. Do your posts need to be formal, friendly, conversational, or inspirational?
    • Content guidelines: Set the guidelines for what is acceptable to post, including language, topic matter, and imagery.
    • Engagement rules: Outline how to handle comments, questions, or even criticism. This avoids miscommunication and keeps interactions respectful and consistent.
    • Privacy and secrecy: Make sure team members know how to handle confidential content, like donor data or behind-the-scenes content.
    • Crisis conflict procedure: Include steps for how to handle mistakes or negative feedback online so that your team knows what to do if something goes wrong.

It is important to go over and update your policy periodically, but the idea is to start with something practical. Your first draft does not have to be perfect. As long as you have something to give your team a foundation to work from, you’re on the right track.

Setting Your Nonprofit Up for Success

In today’s digital world, virtual connection is the new norm. For nonprofits, it’s critical for strengthening your voice, building trust, and growing your community. A well-defined social media policy allows you to do that in a manner that’s strategic, consistent, and confident.

Want to learn how the leading nonprofits are maximizing tools like social media and Google Ad Grants to build donor pipelines and make smarter marketing decisions? Schedule a consultation today. 

 

What a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator Says About Your Nonprofit

Receiving a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator is a milestone for nonprofits. As a mark of excellence, the rating says a great deal about a nonprofit’s steadfast commitment to transparency, good fiscal health, and considerable impact. In order to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating, an organization must demonstrate consistent high performance across a variety of key categories such as program expenses, fundraising efficiency, transparency, and governance.

Why a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator Matters

As challenging as a 4-star rating can be, the reward is well worth the effort. This badge is a powerful way to build a nonprofit’s credibility and attract new possibilities. It communicates to donors, grantmakers, and partners alike that your organization is not only financially healthy but also committed to doing the right thing well.

A 4-star rating can increase your exposure, earn donor trust, and open up new funding possibilities. For most organizations, this rating is a deciding factor in whether or not to make large gifts, sponsorships, or grants.

How to Receive a 4-Star Rating

Charity Navigator focuses on two general categories: Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency.

For Financial Health, nonprofits need to be good at managing their budgets, ideally spending at least 75% on programs and services. That also means maintaining low fundraising expenses, not running a deficit, and having good financial ratios that suggest long-term sustainability.

On the Transparency and Accountability side, it’s all about being transparent. This includes making audited financials, IRS Form 990s, available, and naming your leadership and board members on your website. It’s about putting up your mission and having key governance policies, such as conflict of interest, whistleblower protection, and document retention, in place and available. These actions show your commitment to ethical, transparent operations.

How to Share and Celebrate Your 4-Star Rating

When you’ve reached a 4-star rating, don’t keep it a secret. Shout it from the rooftops! Announce it publicly through press releases, e-mail newsletters, and social media as methods of spreading the word to your community about the success. On your website, you can also post the official Charity Navigator badge on your homepage, feature the rating on your “Why Give” page, or even include it on your About page.

Promoting your 4-star rating is not simply a point of prestige. It is a point of showing your community that their support is in good hands. It tells your current and prospective donors that your nonprofit is accountable, transparent, and actually making a difference. In proudly announcing your rating, you reassert the integrity of your mission and invite continued support from those who are as committed to your work as you are.

Want to learn how the leading nonprofits are maximizing tools like the Google Ad Grant, building donor pipelines, and making smarter marketing decisions? Schedule a consultation today. 

 

4 High-Impact Projects Nonprofits Can Pursue During the “Summer Slump”

Summer is in full swing. Kids are out of school, families are on vacation, and activity for most nonprofits generally slows down. This is the perfect time to knock out those long-overdue projects that you and your board have been discussing, but haven’t had the time to tackle. Below are four high-impact projects to consider pursuing during your slower season.

Redesign your website.

Summer is the perfect time to knock out that much-needed website redesign. An outdated website is not only a less-than-optimal reflection of your brand, but it also negatively impacts visitor engagement and conversion rates. Want more donors, volunteers, and/or program utilization? A new website is a great place to start.

Revamp your approach to social media.

You don’t love your social media content, but haven’t had the time to deal with it – until now. Just like your website, your social media presence is a reflection of your brand and your impact. If you don’t feel good about the content you’re currently posting, odds are your stakeholders don’t either. Take this downtime to revamp your approach to social media. Create content that tells your nonprofit’s story and helps communicate its impact.

Take advantage of the Google Ad Grant.

You know the Google Ad Grant is available, but haven’t had time to pursue it. With up to $10,000/mo in free advertising on the table, the slow season would be the perfect time. Plus, other competing nonprofits have likely dialed back their advertising during the summer months, giving you the opportunity to grab more attention and mindshare.

Create a new normal.

Just because summer is generally a slower period for you, continue to push the boundaries and create a “new normal” for what your slowest time of year looks like. When comparing year-over-year, you should be able to see a clear difference in your trend lines.

Want to learn how the leading nonprofits are maximizing tools like the Google Ad Grant, building donor pipelines, and making smarter marketing decisions? Schedule a consultation today.

 

Google Ad Grants – Receive Up to $10,000 Per Month in Free Advertising

Benefits of a Google Ad Grant

While it may sound too good to be true, Google Ad Grants is a completely legitimate program that can help your nonprofit organization raise awareness, attract donors, promote services, and more.

The challenge with a Google Ad Grant is going through the hurdles of applying for it, and then convincing Google to show your ads frequently enough to utilize the full grant amount.

Applying for and Maximizing Your Google Ad Grant

We have helped several non-profits maximize their Google Ad Grants. In fact, we helped one client increase their grant utilization 147%, which equates to about $7k in additional free advertising every month.

A Google Ad Grant really is a “no brainer,” but many non-profit leaders simply aren’t aware of it, and don’t have the time or capacity to take advantage of it. This is completely understandable, and where we come in.

Our team can help your nonprofit with the application process, increasing your chances of being awarded a Google Ad Grant. We’ll then structure your Google Ads account to utilize as much of the ad grant as possible in a way that is meaningful for your organization and helps contribute to its mission.

Learn more about Google Ad Grants.

Want help maximizing your nonprofit’s Google Ad Grant? Schedule a consultation today.

 

4 Questions to Ask When Launching a Successful GivingTuesday Campaign

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a day that encourages people to do good and give back. It has evolved into an annual movement that inspires millions of people all over the world to engage in generous acts of kindness. GivingTuesday is a great opportunity for nonprofits to engage with existing donors, and also to attract new donors. 

When is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, GivingTuesday takes place on December 3, 2024.

Should I wait until December 3rd to begin promoting?

Donors get bombarded with donation requests on GivingTuesday, so the last thing you want to do is wait until December 3rd to let people know your nonprofit is participating. Ideally, you should begin promoting GivingTuesday several weeks out. Competition for share of voice will increase substantially as you get closer to December 3rd, but regardless, there is no better time than now to begin.

How can my nonprofit make the most of GivingTuesday?

There are a few ways nonprofits can make the most of GivingTuesday.

  1. Set a Donation Goal: Let donors know how much you want to raise from your GivingTuesday campaign and give them something to aim for.
  2. Consider a Donor Match: Your donors want their gifts to have maximum impact on your mission. A donor match amplifies their impact, and therefore incentivizes giving.
  3. Communicate the Impact: Let donors know how funds raised from your GivingTuesday campaign will be used and the positive impact their gift will have. Make it tangible for them.
  4. Utilize Multiple Channels: Create a comprehensive digital media campaign that promotes your participation in GivingTuesday across channels including social, email, SMS, your website, and others. 
  5. Increase Frequency: Increase the frequency of communications as you get closer to December 3rd in order to cut through the noise as more and more nonprofits compete for donations.

Want more nonprofit marketing tips like this? Trust LEVERAGE, a nonprofit digital marketing agency in Tampa, FL to bring you the latest insights.

Subscribe today!

 

5 Tips to Pivot Your Social Media Strategy When A Crisis Strikes

Recent hurricanes have brought to light the impact large scale disasters have on local businesses. As a digital marketing agency in Tampa, it is our job to help our clients prepare for crises like hurricanes, especially when it comes to pivoting marketing communications ahead of and after the crisis. In this article, we’re providing a few tips to help business owners pivot their communications strategy the next time a crisis impacts our area.

Tip #1: Pause Scheduled Content and Reevaluate. 

Pause your communications until you’ve had a chance to reevaluate your strategy for that week (especially social media posts, email blasts, and SMS). If you’re posting or sending communications before/after a crisis, make sure they’re relevant and sensitive to the circumstances. “Normal” content that was prepared in advance and scheduled for publishing could come off as out of touch or unsympathetic.

Tip #2: Only Post Content that is Helpful and Sensitive to the Circumstances.

Before a crisis, this content could include offering tips for preparing for the impending event, providing updates on the event or your response (such as adjusting hours or offering any relevant products/services), or simply offering best wishes for their welfare. After the storm, this could include expressing sympathy for those impacted and sharing resources in your area for recovery and support.

It is sometimes difficult to know what to say or how to express support during a crisis. This is one place a Tampa marketing agency is able to step in and assist their clients, with expertise in carefully crafting communication that is genuine and communicates the intended message.

Tip #3: Let Customers Know if You’re Closing or Adjusting Hours.

If you’re closing or changing your hours, let your customers know as soon as possible. This helps prevent any customers feeling inconvenienced by showing up to your place of business only to find out the doors are locked; alternatively, after the crisis has abated, customers may want to return to take advantage of your services, or support your business in the wake of the disaster. At a minimum, post your updated hours on your socials and update the hours on your Google Business Profile. 

As a Tampa marketing agency, we have developed an SOP for our clients that includes these tasks as well as additional ways we can help.

Tip #4: Let Your Community Know You’re Thinking About Them.

Remember, you’re a member of the community too, and we’re all in it together. This could be as simple as a social media post or an email to your database, but make sure the message is authentic. No one wants a sales pitch at a time like this.

Tip #5: Communicate Ways You’re Able to Help by Utilizing Your Resources.

Figure out how to use your resources to help your customers before and after the crisis. For example, before Hurricane Milton, one of our clients offered pre-prepared meal deals to their customers to make a life a little easier for families prepping for the hurricane. They also opened after the storm, despite not having power, to give locals a place to get out of their houses and get a hot meal. 

We have procedures in place to assist our clients with their social media communication before and after crises like hurricanes. As a small business owner, you have enough to worry about ensuring that your employees and business are safe and prepared. A digital marketing agency in Tampa can help you pivot your communication strategy, announce closures ahead of crises, and let the community know you care.

Understanding the Buyer’s Journey: The AIDA Model

Online buyer's journey

Online buyer's journey

When asking people about their thought process when buying a product or service, they might give reasoning such as “I just think of the product or service I need, and then buy it.” The truth is that whether it is a small daily purchase, such as groceries, or a big purchase, like a car, every consumer goes through a subconscious journey to make the correct choice.

In order to make the right marketing decisions, we need to understand the buyer’s process. This understanding helps brands more effectively focus their efforts on optimizing marketing activities based on their target customers’ journeys.

What Is the AIDA Model?

AIDA stands for attention, interest, desire, and action. This model is used to show the decision-making process of consumers. The process, as a whole, acts as a funnel describing how consumers go from one stage to the next to support their purchasing decisions.

Attention

During the first step in the buyer’s journey, the consumer might ask themselves what problems need to be solved and what can best solve them. They will take time to explore their options and look across all brands to see which one suits their needs the most. 

In this first step, brand awareness is the most important factor. Consumers need convincing that your brand has the solution that they are looking for. Marketing strategies like banner ads, commercials, and tailored blog posts could be enough to take them into the next stage.

Interest

After getting the attention of the consumer, you need to keep that focus on your product or service. The consumer’s next step is researching the specific product they need. They now need to know how your company will solve their problem. 

At this stage, consumers will need answers on why your product stands out. This stage is all about persuasion and holding the attention of the consumer. Some ways your brand can garner interest is through targeted ads, social media marketing and product pages.

Desire

The third stage focuses on the consumer’s “I want it” motive. This can be achieved through an emotional relationship between the consumer and the brand. A consistent online presence can be a powerful tool in bolstering this, especially as brands that have a strong online identity tend to excel at creating a solid B2C connection. 

Consumers like going with brands they trust. This can be built as the consumer continuously interacts with your brand through engaging with a subscription to weekly newsletters, reading testimonials, or case studies.

Action

The final stage in the buyer journey involves the consumer purchasing your product or requesting your service. This can be catalyzed through using a call to action (CTA) in marketing campaigns, social media posts, and SEO strategies. CTAs can provide a sense of urgency to the consumer to make them feel that they need to act on their desire to purchase from your brand. Its function is to persuade them to go to your store, call, or visit your website.

Use AIDA to Scale Your Business

While AIDA does not detail every consumer’s specific journey, it does provide a framework describing how they go from identifying a problem they have to solve to ultimately purchasing from your brand. It can be used to build a successful marketing strategy and give an idea of where in the consumer’s journey your brand should focus its marketing methods.

 

LEVERAGE has over a decade of experience in using marketing expertise to help brands achieve their goals. For more information, request a consultation today.

Clay Keel | Uncorking Sustainable Success

Listen and subscribe on Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAmazon Music, and Spotify.

In this episode, Clay Keel, President of Keel Farms & Keel + Curley Winery, explains what it takes to be a successful purpose-driven entrepreneur and insights into how Keel + Curley scaled to offering their wines in over 800 Publix locations, while remaining committed to their core value of sustainability. Keel + Curley Winery is an official partner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their wines can be found in Publix, Total Wine, ABC,  Walmart, Winn Dixie, and more.

On Keel Farm’s Success Since He Became President: “I think Florida’s a great place to do business, and the last four years it’s been a great place to do business, thankfully. And we’ve benefitted from that – so many people and so much business coming to the state of Florida. And secondarily, it’s just been the people, right? The people that are working with me, and then the people that we’re able to get in here as customers and get loyal to the brand. Those two factors have made [the business] a success over the last five years.”

The Challenges of Working in a Family Business: “You really can’t include a lot of emotion in those business decisions in a lot of instances, and to try to separate the emotion from a family situation, from a business situation, is extremely challenging… I think a lot of it was setting expectations right in the beginning, with, ‘Hey, this is my role, this is your role, this is how we’re going to work together.’ And then from there, it’s just tons of communication, just like any other relationship.”

Putting Family First: “One of my goals, if [a huge success] ever happens, great, but I don’t want that to happen and then not have my family there to celebrate that with me. And friends, right? For me personally, it’s one of my top three goals, and I think it needs to be there at the top.”

Keel Farm’s Values: “Our values are quality, sustainability, and community. That’s sort of overarching of everything we try to do here. And I think that comes through a little bit in the wine. We’re a local Florida brand. Everything’s made here in Plant City, outside Tampa. It’s a small community, and we employ a lot of people in this community. And then we’re using sustainable practices when we make it… it’s very authentic, farm-branded. And you can come here! Our biggest asset is our tasting room. People come here and they see the blueberries, they see the strawberries, they see the winery, and they go, ‘Man…’ And it tastes good! Quality is the most important thing. It has to taste great, otherwise the rest of that is just for fun. All of that together, I think it comes through onto the product and sets us apart on the shelf.”

The Official Sangria Partner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “We worked out a deal with the Bucs, and it’s super neat that they’re focusing on working with small suppliers like us… We’re the official Sangria partner. And it’s awesome to partner with such a well-known brand. And that was one of the things that put me over the top, right? The amount of interactions, you know, it’s in the millions weekly, just social media interactions that they have with their fan base. It’s just insane… For us it was really a legitimacy play, I think, where we could say, ‘Hey, look, we’re partnering with a really big, successful brand in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,’ and I think it has succeeded in that.”

Advice for Other Purpose-Driven Brands: “I think it’s important to find why you’re doing it. Because it’s going to get really hard. It’s going to get really exhausting and repetitive and challenging… But making wine and farming blueberries and getting to see smiles on kids’ faces when they meet our goats and our chickens, I mean, that’s pretty great. That’s pretty rewarding. So that’s one of my whys. And then the other one is the people… Seeing that growth and getting that gratitude back, I don’t think there’s anything you can buy that feels that good.”

Work for Your Whys: “Simon Sinek talks about the infinite game… Business is like that. There’s always going to be challenges. There’s going to be people doing it when you’re gone. The rules are pretty loose, they’re not firm. Your competitors aren’t necessarily going to be following the same rules that you’re following. Understanding all of that stuff, it takes a little bit of a load off, because when you say, ‘I’m going to get here by that point, and then i’m gonna be done, I’m gonna be finished.’ – either you don’t get there, or you do get there, and then you go, ‘ Well, that’s it? Now I’m here.’ But I think if you understand the infinite game and you’re doing it for those whys, then you’re gonna do great.”