Nonprofits often have a lot of important information to share with their supporters, but it can be challenging to get that information out in a way that is both effective and easy to understand.
This is where the “Keep It Simple Stupid” (KISS) principle comes in. KISS is all about keeping things as simple and straightforward as possible, which can be especially important when it comes to communicating with supporters who may not have a lot of time or background knowledge about your organization.
One way that nonprofits can embrace the KISS principle is by starting a Substack Newsletter. Substack is a platform that allows organizations to easily create and send newsletters to their subscribers. It’s simple to use, and it allows nonprofits to focus on what’s most important: the content of their newsletter.
There are several reasons why nonprofits should consider starting a Substack newsletter:
1. It’s easy to use: Substack is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for organizations to create and send newsletters. You don’t need to have any technical expertise or design skills to use Substack, so even if you’re not a tech-savvy organization, you’ll be able to create and send newsletters without any problems.
2. It’s cost-effective: Substack is free to use, so you won’t have to worry about budgeting for expensive newsletter software or hiring a designer to create your newsletters. This can be especially beneficial for smaller nonprofits that may have limited resources.
3. It’s customizable: Substack allows you to fully customize the look and feel of your newsletters, so you can create a consistent brand experience for your supporters. You can choose from a variety of templates and design elements, such as fonts, colors, and images, to create newsletters that are visually appealing and on-brand. This can help you create a strong and professional image for your organization, which is important for building trust and credibility with your supporters. Overall, Substack’s customizable features make it easy for nonprofits to create newsletters that are professional and on-brand, without the need for technical expertise or design skills.
4. It’s effective: Newsletters are a great way to keep your supporters informed about your organization and its work. By sending newsletters through Substack, you can ensure that your supporters are getting the information they need in a format that’s easy for them to read and understand.
5. It’s a way to generate revenue: Substack allows organizations to set up paid subscriptions for their newsletters. This means that supporters who want to support your organization’s work can become paid readers of your newsletter. This can be a great way for nonprofits to generate some additional revenue and support their work.
It’s important to note that setting up paid subscriptions for your newsletter is optional, and there are a few different ways you can do it. You can offer paid subscriptions at different levels (e.g. basic, premium, etc.), or you can simply charge a flat fee for access to your newsletter. Whatever approach you choose, paid subscriptions can be a great way to generate some additional support for your organization.
6. It allows nonprofits to build a small social network: Substack offers a number of social features that can help organizations build a sense of community and connection with their supporters. For example, Substack’s chat feature allows organizations to engage with their subscribers in real-time, fostering a sense of community and connection. Other social features, such as the ability to leave comments on articles and share them on social media, can also help nonprofits build a sense of community and connection with their supporters.
By using these social features, nonprofits can create a small social network of supporters who are connected by their shared interest in the organization and its work. This can be a great way to foster a sense of community and engagement among supporters, and it can also help organizations build a stronger connection with their supporters over time. Overall, Substack’s social features can be a powerful tool for nonprofits looking to build a sense of community and connection with their supporters.
In short, starting a Substack newsletter is a simple and effective way for nonprofits to communicate with their supporters and share important information about their work. By embracing the KISS principle, nonprofits can focus on what matters most and make sure that their message is being heard loud and clear.
