MWD BLOG

This time last year, we were only just settling into our *new normal* and what that could even begin to mean.  

My colleagues and I at MWD were sending frantic Slack messages about COVID-19 in our new #viralvirus channel, what a global pandemic meant for us, our work, and our clients – and if we’d soon see one another in Baltimore for the upcoming NTEN Conference. We wanted to see each other but were scared. Was it safe to attend? Could we even concentrate on learning new things? Was it safe to travel to/from DC or back to California after the conference wrapped? 

Ultimately, NTEN made the right decision – canceling NTC for 2020—yet with that cancellation we also lost much of the learning, growing, networking, and fun we’d have with one another, our clients, and others in our industry. NTC is a rare time when MWD’s digital staff, from our DC and Berkeley offices and those that work remotely, are able to convene. I’ve been to 5 NTCs (DC twice, San Jose, Austin, New Orleans) and it is easily one of the best executed and most informative conferences – from the sessions to the after-parties – for our field and industry. 

This year, NTC will be different. It is virtual, of course, and as it should be. And while it might be harder to get amped up about sitting through a conference from the comfort of your remote workspace or wherever you currently find yourself, I am hopeful that NTC will continue to facilitate incredible sessions, conversations, and maybe even the coveted socialization we all need one year into lockdown. 

Here at MWD, we are furiously prepping for our sessions. I hope you will check one or all of them out. 

What We Accomplish Together: Building New and Inclusive Nonprofit Partnerships 

Wednesday, 3/24 4 PM ET/1 PM PT 

Join our Senior Account Executive, Jack Valor, and Taylor Leake from Corporate Accountability as they discuss new and innovative ways to partner with other groups to bolster one another’s missions. Nonprofit collaboration and partnership have to be done strategically to make sure both organizations reach their goals efficiently and sustainably. This session will highlight case studies from Corporate Accountability and other organizations to provide insight into how to build successful, inclusive, and collaborative partnerships. Come chat about how to create abundance through true nonprofit partnership rather than competition through division. 

Make it Monthly: Growing and Maintaining Your Monthly Donor Pool 

Wednesday, 3/24 4 PM ET/1 PM PT 

Monthly giving is more important to nonprofits than ever before. Hear from Wendy Marinaccio Husman, VP of Digital, and Taylor Beard from KQED to learn how KQED has doubled their sustainer program in the last few years, now exceeding 130,000 monthly members! In this session, they’ll share how to grow your sustainer program with multichannel strategies for recruitment, retention, stewardship, and upgrades. Hear loads of examples from nonprofits across different sectors that vary in program size and budget and come away with ideas to implement immediately, as well as ideas for long-term program growth. 

A/B Testing! How? Why? What's Next? 

Thursday, 3/25 12:45 PM ET/9:45 AM PT 

In this session, originally scheduled for NTC 2020.  you’ll hear from  Vice President of Digital, Wendy Marinaccio Husman, Direct Mail Account Executive, Jennifer Rist, and Michael Kawalek, CFRE of Sempervirens Fund. Together, they’ll cover the smartest testing ideas to increase response and take your digital program to the next level, including simple solutions and formulas to finding what works, analyzing results, and implementing optimized changes. We’ll provide a 101 overview of the nuts and bolts of why to test, then jump into a multichannel case study, and provide loads of examples for all of your digital channels along the way.  

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We hope to “see” you at NTC – and stay tuned for blog posts recapping these sessions in early April!