On March 31, I presented my first session at the AFP Conference in New Orleans. I shared what I know about fundraising with blogs to a hundred or so new friends. Here are some highlights from the presentation:
Nonprofits can use a blog to communicate, educate and separate (people from their money).
There are 3 simple steps to starting a blog: 1. Choose a platform (Typepad or WordPress). 2. Create a plan for promoting your blog. 3. Make a commitment to keep it going.
Don’t get overwhelmed at the thought of writing 3 or 4 blog posts each week. Keep your blog posts short (250 words) and make them interesting to your donors. Get help with writing if you need it (volunteer, intern, guest blogger, or virtual assistant).
Repurpose information for your blog. Use stories from old newsletters. Use information from email blasts. Summarize press releases.
Read other nonprofit blogs. Check out www.nonprofitblogexchange.blogpsot.com to find your favorites.
The best person to write the blog is the person who is most excited about it.
Want more? Download the PDF of my presntation. 
Got a question about fundraising with a blog? Click on the comment link and post it so I can help.
Dear Sandy,
I was one of the new friends in your session and just wanted to congratulate you on an excellent introduction to blogging.
Your presentation skills are fantastic and I could have listenned to you all day.
I must say I was really surprise at how many people didn’t know the basics of blogging. It fascinating me actually.
What a great timely topic and you were the perfect person to present it. Congratulations. I only wish that you had been able to go online – the venue let you down there I think. Writing and posting the blog together at the end of the session and looking at a few of them would have been very fun and added value for everyone!
Kimberley
Thanks Kimberley for your sweet comments! I’m so glad you enjoyed the session. With all the basic questions folks had, I’m not sure we would have had much time at the end to go online, but you’re right, it would have been a good thing to do. Well, I’m glad that so many folks in the session walked away with new inspiration and knowledge.
Sandy