Don’t Be the Hippie Car of Nonprofits

1. We’ve become bumper-sticker marketers.
As nonprofits, we tend to declare what we believe and think that’s persuasive. It’s marketing by mission statement, and it’s annoying to others.

Slapping a bumper sticker on a car is a one-sided way of declaring your views: You speak out, and everyone else is left to listen (and smell your exhaust). That’s your prerogative as a vehicle owner, but it should not be your style as a marketer.