Want to know how nonprofit organizations are getting record-breaking contributions even in a tight economy?

One of the hottest trends in marketing right now is mobile text messaging.  Companies of all shapes and sizes are discovering new ways to get more customers and increase sales through simple but remarkably effective text-messaging campaigns.

The good news is that nonprofits are able to use text-messaging to reach new donors and grow contributions to record levels even in today’s slow economy.

A notable example is a Denver-based company that raised nearly $4 Million for a Haiti relief fund in only a few weeks.  Think about that – $4 Million in a just weeks!

Compared to traditional e-mail, text messaging has some very impressive statistics, published by the Direct Marketing Association. Nearly 98% of all text messages are actually opened by recipients.  (E-mail messages typically have an open rate of less than 20%.)  And the vast majority of those messages are opened within three minutes of being received.

Now, a successful text-messaging campaign does have some requirements:  a list of willing participants, a good mobile site, and a series of messages offering incentives such as coupons, exclusive specials or compelling opportunities that appeal to people ready to donate to a worthwhile cause.

I’d be happy to help you create an affordable, mobile text-messaging campaign to raise funds for your nonprofit organization.  Contact our team at support@tmsmallbiz.com

Wow, it’s here and it’s really cool.  Please take a look at our new-and-improved website at www.TaylorMadeSmallBiz.com. We’ve joined forces with Adobe to offer small businesses an easy-to-use, turnkey platform with built-in technical support. In talking to entrepreneurs who have taken the “do-it-yourself” approach to building sites and internet marketing, I’ve heard dozens of horror stories and discovered some common problems. For starters, it’s difficult and time-consuming to manage multiple vendors for services like hosting, website design, e-commerce, video and mobile marketing.  I’ve spoken to people who have nearly gone out of their minds (and out of business) trying to keep their sites up to date and functioning properly. Taylor Made SmallBiz has partnered with Adobe to provide a comprehensive, all-in-one small business platform that’s simple to use, maintain and update.  The integrated design makes it easy to build mobile and desktop sites, manage social media, enhance Search Engine Optimization, launch e-mail and text message campaigns and track customer response at every step along the way. Tracking customer response is critical so you know what strategy is actually working for your business. Our mission is to help small business owners get more customers and generate sales in the fastest way possible at an affordable price. The new TMS program includes ongoing technical support so you can concentrate on growing your business instead of worrying about endless updates, system crashes and compatibility issues that you have with multiple systems on different platforms all trying to talk together. To learn more, go to:  www.TaylorMadeSmallBiz.com

Last month I had the honor of attending a reception for Ken Lund, Executive Director of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.  The event was hosted by TiE Rockies, an organization that supports entrepreneurs and therefore, receives my undying admiration and support. Mr. Lund outlined Governor Hickenlooper’s Colorado Blueprint, a plan designed to bolster economic development through entrepreneurship in our state.  I was pleased to join a group of about 30 other business leaders to listen to the presentation. With the mission of helping local entrepreneurs start and grow viable businesses, TiE Rockies is a perfect organization to assist in implementing the Colorado Blueprint.  The local chapter of TiE provides education, mentoring and networking events throughout the greater Denver area.  Its membership includes successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists looking to assist promising start-up companies. I am delighted to join other TiE charter members to provide expertise that will transform the plan into a reality.  Our goal is to expand and enhance the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Developing programs and initiatives that will propel start-up businesses onto a fast track of success will definitely create jobs and improve Colorado’s economy. Having spent over 15 years providing training and consulting services to entrepreneurs, my team and I are ready to join forces with Ken Lund and TiE Rockies to launch some strategic initiatives and get the ball rolling.  For more information, go to rockies.tie.org.