Non-profits need an effective website, SEO, and social media management because these tools directly impact visibility, credibility, and growth. Here’s how each piece helps: 1. Website – The Digital Front Door Credibility & Trust: Donors, grant makers, and community partners often check a website first. A clean, professional, easy-to-navigate site signals legitimacy. Information Hub: It centralizes the nonprofit’s mission, programs, events, volunteer opportunities, and donation options. Donations & Engagement: I ntegrated donation buttons, volunteer sign-ups, and contact forms make it simple for supporters to take action. 2. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Getting Found Visibility in Search: Most people search online when looking to support a cause, attend events, or volunteer. Without SEO, even a great site can remain invisible. Local Impact: Local SEO ensures people in the nonprofit’s community actually find them (e.g., “food pantry near me” or “after school programs in [city]”). Sustainable Growth: Unlike advertising, SEO provides long-term traffic, helping stretch limited marketing budgets further. 3. Social Media Management – Building Community Awareness & Storytelling: Social media lets nonprofits share stories, impact, and needs in real time — turning followers into advocates. Engagement: It keeps donors, volunteers, and the community connected through updates, live events, and campaigns. Fundraising & Campaigns: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have built-in fundraising tools. Managed well, these can drive donations at little to no cost. Why All Three Matter, Together A professional website provides a strong foundation. SEO ensures people searching for your cause can find you. Social media expands reach, builds relationships, and drives traffic back to your site. For nonprofits with limited resources, these three areas create a cost-effective way to grow awareness, attract donors, and increase community impact without needing a large marketing budget.

For many small and medium businesses (SMBs), investing in a professional website feels like the finish line — a polished online presence that customers can find and trust. But in reality, a great website is only the starting point. Without search engine optimization (SEO), your site is like a beautiful store hidden down a back alley — impressive inside, but invisible to most of the people who could become your customers. If you want your business to be found by the right people at the right time, you need to combine an effective website with ongoing SEO efforts. Here’s why . 1. Visibility Equals Opportunity People rarely type a business’s web address directly into their browser — they search. Whether they’re looking for a local service, a specific product, or industry expertise, they rely on Google and other search engines to point them in the right direction. Without SEO, your website may appear on page three (or worse), where almost no one looks. With strong SEO, you increase the likelihood of appearing in those crucial top search results where most clicks happen. 2. Your Competition Is Already Doing It If you’re not actively optimizing your site, there’s a good chance your competitors are — meaning they’re winning the clicks, calls, and sales that could have been yours. SEO is not a “set it and forget it” tactic; it’s a long-term strategy to stay ahead in the rankings and in customers’ minds. 3. Search Behavior Is Always Changing Search engines update their algorithms constantly, and customer search habits evolve with trends, technology, and seasons. A static website, no matter how well-designed, will gradually lose traction if it’s not actively updated and optimized. 4. SEO Builds Trust and Credibility Ranking high in search results signals to potential customers that your business is credible and established. Pairing great design with ongoing optimization makes your site not only look professional but also feel authoritative to both search engines and customers. 5. It’s a Cost-Effective Growth Strategy Unlike paid ads that stop delivering results once you stop spending, SEO builds long-term equity in your website. The higher you rank organically, the more consistent your traffic and leads will be — without paying for every click. How Ten Ten Marketing Helps You Win in Search At Ten Ten Marketing, we believe SEO success starts with a strong foundation — your website. That’s why we offer: Website Design & Redesign — We create modern, high-performing sites that are mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and structured for both customers and search engines. Dedicated Account Managers — You’ll work directly with an experienced strategist who understands your business goals and creates a roadmap to reach them. Onsite & Offsite Optimization — From keyword-rich content and meta tags to backlinks and local directory listings, we tackle every element that impacts your search rankings. Annual Strategic Plans — SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Our campaigns are built on a 12-month plan, with specific optimization tasks rolled out during certain months for maximum impact. The Bottom Line A beautiful website without SEO is like hosting a grand opening without telling anyone you’re open. By pairing effective web design with ongoing optimization, you position your business to be found, trusted, and chosen. If you’re ready to climb the search rankings and turn online searches into paying customers, let’s talk. Ten Ten Marketing can design (or redesign) your site and build an SEO strategy that delivers results month after month.

Many small to medium-sized business owners find social media confusing. With so many platforms and ways to use them, it’s natural to have questions, especially when it comes to the difference between social media management and social media advertising. What is Social Media Management? Social media management involves developing a strategy that speaks to your existing audience while encouraging others to follow your business. It’s about understanding who your customers are and creating engaging content that captures their interests, all while promoting your brand. Social media management is more than just posting images, videos, or links—it’s about intentional strategy. Key questions to guide your strategy include: - Who is your target audience? What draws them to your brand? - What message do you want to communicate? How would you like them to respond? - How will you engage with followers? - What’s your brand voice? Is it serious, fun, quirky, or inspirational? - Are your visuals professional? Do you have well-designed graphics, images, or videos? Planning is essential in social media management. Building a monthly content calendar helps you stay organized, and on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you can “boost” key posts for wider visibility. Boosting is a paid tactic that expands your reach beyond current followers, potentially helping you gain new followers and leads. A well-thought-out social media management strategy can enhance your brand’s presence and connect you directly with your audience. What is Social Media Advertising? Social media advertising, on the other hand, is a paid approach to reaching a targeted audience with a specific goal in mind, whether it’s to drive purchases, gather leads, or increase brand awareness. This strategy involves setting specific objectives based on your audience’s location, age, interests, and other demographics that differ across platforms. Once the right platforms are selected, the next step is developing creative content aligned with your objectives. This requires understanding your audience’s preferences and crafting compelling messages that encourage them to act, whether it’s clicking through to a website, filling out a form, or simply engaging with your brand. Learn More - Want a deeper understanding of social media platforms? Download our comprehensive guide. - Looking for help with content planning and management? Check out our beginner’s guide to social media management. - Interested in social media advertising? Our guide to advertising strategies can help you get started. And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help! Learn more about our services and how we can partner with you to grow your business through effective social media.

When I worked in advertising sales for various media companies, I often heard phrases like, “We don’t do any advertising” or “We only rely on word of mouth.” But every time, I would look around and notice evidence to the contrary. There was usually a sign outside the door, flyers on the front desk, branded packaging, or even wrapped vehicles with the company logo. I had often already researched them on social media or seen their accounts before walking in, and many of these businesses participated in trade shows, using promotional materials. They were actively advertising and promoting—they just weren’t doing “traditional or digital advertising” as they understood it. Was it a budget thing? A misunderstanding of how “traditional or digital” advertising works? Or did they think it simply wasn’t effective? Word of mouth advertising is great (so long as the word is positive), but it has its limitations. Great PR that garners earned media coverage, and an engaging social media presence can also be valuable—but they won’t be effective if they’re only reaching your current audience. That’s where paid advertising comes in. Traditional and digital advertising are tried-and-true methods for increasing leads, gaining new customers, and raising brand awareness. It has been essential for decades and will likely remain so for years to come. However, before diving into advertising, business owners need to start by assessing their current position and setting a realistic budget. Key Considerations Before Starting Advertising & Promotion: 1. Know Your Audience - Who are you targeting? Age, income level, geographic location, interests—these details matter in defining your advertising strategy. 2. Choose the Right Medium - What media will allow you to reach your target audience most effectively? This could be anything from traditional media (print, radio, television) to digital channels (social media, email marketing, video ads). 3. Set a Budget - Advertising and promotion can be expensive. You must determine how much you can invest monthly. Can you afford a media mix to diversify your efforts? Ensure your budget accounts for testing and adjusting over time. 4. Commit to a Timeframe - Successful advertising takes time. Be prepared to commit six months to a year for any advertising method, evaluating its performance quarterly. Expecting an immediate 1000% return on investment is unrealistic. However, you should at least break even with a reasonable percentage return beyond that, depending on your objectives. 5. Track Performance - Have a way to measure your results. Are you gaining more awareness, sales, or leads? Tracking metrics will help you understand what’s working and where to pivot if needed. Questions to Ask Yourself: - Who is my target audience? (Age, income, geography, etc.) - What advertising methods will best reach this audience? - What is the monthly cost of each method? Can I afford to use more than one medium? - Can I commit six months to a year to my chosen strategy, with regular evaluations? - What is my total budget, and am I prepared to adjust my strategy if necessary? - Am I skilled at negotiating rates with media companies? - What are my goals? (Awareness, leads, sales, etc.) - Do I understand how to use both traditional and digital media effectively? - How strong are my public relations skills? Can I pitch stories to local media or write press releases? - What is the core message I want to communicate in my advertising? Planning and Strategy Effective advertising and promotion require thoughtful planning and execution. Start by answering these questions to draft an initial strategy. Your plan should be set on an annual basis, with quarterly evaluations. If something isn’t working, pivot—but give it enough time to show results before making major changes. Advertising may take time and investment, but with a well-structured plan, it’s one of the most powerful tools for growing your business.

While a recognizable visual identity is crucial for any business, it's important to understand that a logo is just one part of the bigger picture. So, what exactly is a brand? A brand is the *feeling* a consumer gets when they encounter your company—whether through your name, logo, or trademark. Interesting, right? It’s not just about the visuals. This feeling is shaped by many factors: how the consumer is treated (customer service), the quality of your products or services, and whether your company is perceived as trustworthy or reliable. You could have the best-designed logo in the world, but if customers can’t rely on your business, your brand won't succeed. It’s also important to consider the messages you send on social media—are you consistent across all platforms? Branding is more than just logos, packaging, or advertising. These design elements serve to reinforce the internal processes and values of your business. To build a strong brand, start with a clear mission or purpose statement, and make sure your actions align with it. Ensure your customer service and the quality of your products or services are exceptional. Be proactive in addressing any negative feedback on social media, and resolve issues promptly. No business is perfect, and mistakes will happen—what truly matters is how you respond.