I'd Like 4 Cows and a Chicken.... To Go....

For those small to mid-size nonprofits out there that are looking for creative ways to pull in revenue via the Web, consider productizing your nonprofit services into an online product catalog.

The benefits of doing so are multi-faceted:

• Users interact with you using the same methods that they already use with for-profit online merchants.
• Donations become tangible - no more tossing $50 into the perceived abyss of an organization without an understanding of how it will most likely be used.
• The act of creating a "virtual product catalog" will force you to adopt your potential donor's point of view - a step that is essential for your site's success whether you're selling something or not...
• The user learns about your services as he/she "shops" in your "product catalog"
• You open a whole new vehicle for marketing to small-to-mid-sized corporations that are involved with annual gifting for key clients and partners. Who wouldn't rather give temporary care to a kid in need than a box of logo golf balls and a nick-nack?

Check out a great example at Heifer.org - you can make symbolic donations for things like milk-producing animals and poultry. Heifer is clear on their site that all purchases are symbolic and that funds raised will support the overall mission of the organization - you would probably need to do the same...

Much more to talk about regarding tools and marketing approach, but not this morning...