Without a doubt, the advances of technology have benefitted nonprofits in countless ways. The ability to take online donations, web sites that inform about your cause, and donor databases are just a few of the tools that have improved the quality and efficiency of the work done by nonprofit organizations. The ease with which we can now produce information “products” has provided yet another avenue for outreach, and ebooks can play a role in this.
Ebooks are simply compilations of information that can be purchased and downloaded directly through a personal computer. Internet marketers are making good money by packaging how-to information and selling it online to those who want to learn anything from beekeeping to building their own web sites. Nonprofits can utilize this technology for their own benefit.
As a starting point, an organization can use ebooks simply to disseminate information. Whether you want to share the results of your organization’s most recent client survey or you have a compelling story that will advance your cause, an ebook can be a great way to make this information available to those who are interested. In fact, you can make these materials available for free and consider it a marketing cost.
On the other hand, you can also use ebooks as a way to raise funds for your organization. Do you have specific information or ideas that others would pay to learn? If so, you can turn that knowledge into an ebook and offer it through your organization’s site, sales pages, and via a link in your e-newsletter. Keep in mind that ebooks don’t have to be overly long, you can even call it a “report,” if you prefer.
In developing and offering an ebook, you can help to position both your organization and yourself as experts in your particular field. They can lead to media inquiries, speaking engagements, and even increase your own personal status.
Creating an ebook can seem pretty overwhelming, but there are tons of online resources to help you get it written and disseminated. If you’re not a good writer, you can hire someone to “ghost write” it for you, based on the information you provide to the writer. Your IT professional will likely be able to help get the book online, and resources such as E-Junkie or even Amazon.com allow you to make them available while taking on most of the administrative aspects themselves. The outcome is increased awareness of your cause, potential fundraising revenue, and professional credentials for you or your organization. Keywords: nonprofits, nonprofit technology, online marketing, fundraising, professional development, ebooks, information products
