SEM for Non-Profits & Charities

[rickm]

Donations are becoming a vertical in their own right, and I'm looking forward to seeing new data as Danny and others begin to watch and track what's happening with charities. Let's talk about the latest SEM trends, hottest issues, and best practices as they relate to Non-Profits & Charities... What's happening in the world's most socially impacting searches?

[SanDiegoSEO]

I was slightly dissapointed in the presentations on this topic. Only a brief mention of Google Grants. Hopefully the next show will have more options or detilas other then paid search on "branded terms provide the best ROI".

[rickm]

What sort of tips, case studies, and advice would have been helpful? Do you work with any nonprofits at Mea Digital? If so, are they local or national organizations? Is your work pro bono or grant based, or do you offer a nonprofit discount?

[rickm]

Maybe we'll get back to those questions later... I would like to hear any feedback.

Anyone know the size of the charity and nonprofit vertical? The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that over $900 million dollars were donated online in 2005.

so, that means it is likely that you, your friend, or co-worker donated online. I'm curious to learn if you or someone you know donated online for the very first time last year to help relief efforts with the Asia Tsunami or Hurricane Katrina?

Perhaps you did a search to get more information about one of these disasters after seeing them on TV. While searching did you become a donor when you came across a paid search listing from a trustworthy charity who was providing disaster relief?

With merely six degrees of separation, it is likely that Kevin Bacon and Danny both made charitable contributions. :D

In your circle of friends, what is the experience of donating online?

[stacywms]

Rick, I think when I personally donate online, it's mostly to charities that I already know about. Specifically, I mostly remember donating to charities online when someone I know has passed away and their family has designated a specific charity for memorial contributions.

That being said, we do pro bono work for the Atlanta Children's Shelter (an accredited day care center for homeless children that also helps get their parents back on their feet). We have found that there are indeed a lot of people searching both for charities to which to donate money AND volunteer opportunities. So a little SEO and link-building and some Google Grant PPC later...their online donations and volunteers have increased exponentially.

[rickm]

Stacy, thanks for sharing your experience.

Without doubt, people decide to donate to charities that they know and trust. Watch dog organizations like the BBB's Give.org http://www.give.org help make that decision easier. A best practice for nonprofits is to join the BBB or the Charity Navigator because it builds creditability and trust, and can be another source of traffic and links.

I've also seen donations come from blogs talking about a charity's response to a disaster. Blogger's personal testimonies of a charity's effectiveness virtually function like word of mouth referrals.

It is terrific that you provide free services to Atlanta Children's Shelter http://www.atlantachildrensshelter.com – I note that the site has top rankings.

A quick poll of the attendees at SEM for Non-Profits & Charities session showed that a number of SEM agencies are actively doing pro bono work in their communities. Kudos to all!