$36 vs $8


Most nonprofits pour their energy and resources into social media, but the ROI numbers tell a different story.

Reader, I continue to see a lot of hesitation from nonprofits to send emails consistently and in a rgular (and higher) cadence.

Here’s the truth:

  • Email marketing generates $36 for every $1 spent
  • Social media? Just $8 for every $1 invested

Yet, I still see hesitation from nonprofits when it comes to sending more emails.

Not just during campaigns (and even then, many cringe when I suggest sending one email a week 😅), but especially outside of campaigns. When I recommend sending emails between newsletters—regularly, with intention—it can feel overwhelming.

I get it. Honestly, I feel it too. Even writing this email brought up doubts.

But here’s the thing:
I want to stay connected with you, because you’re here for a reason. You chose to be part of this community, and I trust that you want to hear from me.

The same goes for your donors and supporters.
They’re not tired of you. They want to hear from you, stay connected, and support your mission. But they can’t do that if you disappear from their inbox.

You might be thinking:
“But what do I even write about?”
“Won’t I just repeat myself?”

Here’s the good news:
Marketing is repetition. That’s how stories stick. And you already have powerful stories worth telling again and again.

Start building your story library with these five types of stories (each can become 2–3 emails on their own):

  1. Your Foundation Story – How and why your organization began
  2. Impact Stories – From the people whose lives you’ve changed
  3. Behind-the-Scenes – From staff, volunteers, or board members
  4. Community Stories – Featuring partners, collaborators, or advocates
  5. Vision Stories – What’s ahead? Let your leaders share the future

Your stories are the bridge to deeper engagement.
Don’t be afraid to cross it more often.

You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on. 💌

Best,

Marcela

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Marcela Zafra
Hands-On Marketing Support For Nonprofits

www.marcelazafra.com

marcela@marcelazafra.com

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Marcela Zafra

I help nonprofits give their mission the visibility they deserve through various marketing strategies. I am a seasoned marketing expert with a track record in digital advertising, content and email marketing strategies; I bring more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Clients value my ability to see the big picture and create practical, executable marketing strategies. My transformative digital initiatives in a previous role with Brown Bagging For Calgary’s Kids boosted new website visitors by 141 percent and website engagement by 130 percent. I also grew their online community by almost 20 percent across all social media platforms and generated hundreds of leads through targeted Google and Facebook ads. As a creative thinker with a growth mindset, I love bringing ideas to life through painting, drawing, and dreaming. I offer Fractional Marketing support for nonprofits looking to: Increase awareness Boost fundraising efforts Build a thriving community of supporters. Reduce stress and workload. Execute strategic and consistent marketing efforts. Fractional marketing gives small and medium-sized nonprofits access to the expertise of a seasoned marketer on a part-time (fractional) basis. It's for organizations looking to enhance their marketing efforts with a small budget, and that means hiring inexperienced staff who require more effort and time to manage. marcela@marcelazafra.com www.marcelazafra.com

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