Why data helps you tell your story
Think about the last time you purchased something online.
We look for similar items and compare them, right?
We check their prices, of course, but we also look for markers of quality and credibility.
We see if we recognize the brand name and think about our perception of that brand.
Then, if you’re like me, you pretty quickly go to the reviews.
If I’ve established that the product is what I need, I try to reassure myself that the purchase is worth making… that THIS item is the one I should spend my money on.
Do I typically buy a product that has zero reviews? Not usually.
Do I typically buy a product that has terrible reviews? Absolutely not.
Positive reviews are a confirmation of why we are drawn to a product and, if you’re kind of cheap like me, they make me feel better about buying it.
In fact, I usually limit my searches to products that have more than 4 stars.
It’s hard to make decisions when I have a lot of options, so this helps me narrow down my choices.
When we have limited resources (a.k.a., budget, time, energy) and lots of options for using those resources, we need something to help us make up our minds.
It is also the same for child- and family-serving organizations.
When we’re talking about people needing services to keep their families stable or during difficult times, it can be hard to know where to go and who to trust.
We have to demonstrate for them why we are the ones they should trust.
One way we do that is with evidence, with proof that what we do has a positive impact on the people we are trying to support.
And that, my friends, is where data comes in, both qualitative (stories) and quantitative (numbers).
That’s why my own website has the number of years I’ve been in business (almost 11!), a selection of the clients I’ve served across the country, and a bunch of testimonials from past clients.
When I am working on a proposal for a prospective client, I need to paint the picture of what I bring to the table, show that I’m good at it, and assure them that I can really help them in a valuable way.
For nonprofits, the need to tell your story with data is even more critical.
Why? Because most nonprofits ALWAYS need funding, and funders are particularly picky customers.
I’ve seen all sides of this – as a grant reviewer, nonprofit staff, and grantwriter.
And the most effective grant proposals I’ve seen and written tell a compelling story – with proof – that there is not only a need for funding, but that they are the organization most capable of leading the proposed project to success.
That story requires you to round up the data you have, maybe collect some that you don’t, and display it in a clear, convincing way.
But that can be tricky when you’re already burning the candle at both ends trying to do THE WORK.
That’s where Engage with Data comes in.
I love working with nonprofits at the start of their data journey, to help them uncover what they already have, put it together to tell their story, and share it with funders and prospective clients to convince them why they’re the ones to trust.
And you’re in luck because I’m offering a virtual webinar this week to get you started with doing just that.
If you’ve been thinking that it’s time to get a handle on your organization’s data but don’t know where to start, come join us!
We’re going all in on Halloween by dispelling our scary data fears and then getting to work to put our data to good use.
Click the button to learn more about this week’s webinar and sign up!