Your nonprofit can have the world's greatest, interactive website, but if no one visits it, you won't get much benefit from it! Learn about effective ways of driving people to your website. We'll explore the hot topic of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and reveal many other outreach strategies - most which you may have never heard of or considered. Virtually all of these techniques are low-cost or free and easy to implement, and some can significantly increase the number of visitors to your website
In this session, we will cover topics including the following:
- What content to publish on your site to attract visitors and keep them coming back
- Which directories to list your site for maximum exposure
- Article posting and backlinks that increase traffic to your site
- Integrating your website with your social media activities
- Understanding how Search Engine Optimization works and when to use it
This session is intended for Executive, Development and Marketing Directors and any staff involved in Marketing or PR for your organization.
Shalini has worked as a consultant in web marketing and social media for 2 years. In her current position, she offers training and consulting to small-businesses and nonprofits to integrate social media channels with their existing marketing strategy to increase traffic and engagement with the desired audiences. She combines her decade of entrepreneurial experience and PhD in marketing to devise strategies that use web 2.0 to listen, communicate, and engage with stakeholders. Previously, as a board member at MotherWoman, Shalini developed a strategy and trained their volunteers and employees to use blogging, Twitter and Facebook with limited resources and thereby enhance their online presence and impact in the community. She started Western Mass Blogging Alliance in LinkedIn for bloggers to give and get support to increase traffic. She earned a PhD in Marketing from UMass, Amherst and Chartered Accountancy.
Christina has been involved in online marketing for over 6 years. In her current position, she is responsible for driving visibility, quality web traffic, and social media engagement through content marketing, search marketing, and PR. Previously, as Marketing Manager at NEQM, Christina was responsible for increasing website traffic by over 25% and developing high web visibility through content marketing and digital PR, with placements ranging from Yankee Magazine and the Boston Globe to leading industry publications. Christina currently serves as volunteer for several children's, environmental, and professional organizations. She earned Bachelors in English, Summa Cum Laude from University of Maryland and a Master's in Instructional Technology and Adult Education from University of Wyoming. She is a member of AMA, IEEE, Web Analytics Association, and New England Museum Association.
Jane Martha has been involved in web marketing and communications for five years. In her current position, she is responsible for directing communications, including the integration of new media strategy. Last year she launched the new website and ArtCorps’ social media presence, increasing website traffic by 48% and quadrupling the amount of time visitors spend on the site. Previously, she served as Communications Chair on the Net Impact Boston board, managing the website and community engagement. She currently serves on the Cambridge Peace Commission. She holds an MA in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a BA in English from the College of William and Mary.
Andrew has been involved with web marketing for seven years. At MIT, he is responsible for driving traffic to several key MIT websites to promote academic programs, breakthrough research, events, and fundraising opportunities. Previously, as Communications Specialist at Tufts University's humanitarianism research center, he launched websites to constituencies new to receiving academic and NGO content online. Before that, he worked as Marketing Associate at Houghton Mifflin where he was responsible for publicizing web seminars between higher education textbook authors and prospective adopters. Andrew is also the creator of Readsfeed.com, a website that automatically collects and distributes hard-to-find literary content. He earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College and a B.A. with honors in Communication from Wake Forest University. He is a member of American Marketing Association Boston Marketers and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The December 8, 2011 Leadership Series will take place in the Special Functions Room located in the Main College Building on Simmons College Campus. Simmons College is located only 6 miles from Logan International Airport and is easily accessible by public transportation. The full address is: Simmons College 300 The Fenway Boston, MA 02115
Simmons College accessible by both MBTA Train service (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) and by MBTA bus service. If Traveling by MBTA Train MBTA Green Line E train (Jamaica Plain to Cambridge through Boston) outbound Heath Street/ Arborway to the Simmons stop (Museum at Huntington Ave & Louis Prang). Connections: Red, Blue, and Orange Lines, and commuter rail at North Station. At the Museum Stop, exit train and take a right onto Louis Prang Street. Walk past the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The Main College Building, 300 The Fenway, will be on left. Directions by Car If Traveling from the West (also NYC and CT) Take Route 90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to Exit 22. Stay left and follow signs marked "Prudential Center/West 9.” Stay on Huntington Ave. west approximately 1 mile. Pass Museum of Fine Arts on right, then turn right at next light on Louis Prang St. Continue through two lights. The Main College Building, 300 The Fenway, will be on left.
If Traveling from the South (Route 3, Southeast Expressway) If traveling from the South take Route 3 north (Southeast Expressway) to Storrow Drive. Follow Storrow Drive west. Once on Storrow, stay in center lane and proceed approximately 2 miles, then get in left lane. Look for sign "Kenmore Square, Fenway, Route 1 South" and exit left, following sign for "Fenway 1 South." Do not take Kenmore Square exit. Instead, follow ramp up and exit right. Sign will say "Boylston St. Outbound, Riverway 1." You will be on Boylston Street. Stay in left lane and proceed to first light. Turn left onto Park Drive. Follow Park Drive to second light and cross Boylston Street and Brookline Avenue. Stay left. At third stoplight, bear left following "Fenway" sign. At fourth light, continue straight, crossing Brookline Avenue again. You will be on "The Fenway”. The Main College Building, 300 The Fenway, will be on right.
If Traveling from the North (Route I-93 or Route 1) If traveling from the North on Route 1-93 or Route 1, at the merge with Route 3 (the Southeast Expressway), take Storrow Drive exit. Follow Storrow Drive west. Once on Storrow, stay in center lane and proceed approximately 2 miles, then get in left lane. Look for sign "Kenmore Square, Fenway, Route 1 South" and exit left, following sign for "Fenway 1 South." Do not take Kenmore Square exit. Instead, follow ramp up and exit right. Sign will say "Boylston St. Outbound, Riverway 1." You will be on Boylston Street. Stay in left lane and proceed to first light. Turn left onto Park Drive. Follow Park Drive to second light and cross Boylston Street and Brookline Avenue. Stay left. At third stoplight, bear left following "Fenway" sign. At fourth light, continue straight, crossing Brookline Avenue again. You will be on "The Fenway”. The Main College Building, 300 The Fenway, will be on right. If Traveling from Logan International Airport (6.5 miles) If traveling from Logan International Airport take 1A south to I-93/Sumner Tunnel/Boston. Go through Sumner Tunnel. Follow sign to I-93 north. Sign will say "93 North, Storrow Drive, Cambridge." Stay in right lane and take second exit - exit 26. Sign will say "Back Bay, Storrow Drive." Stay left and follow sign for Storrow and drive west. Once on Storrow, stay in center lane and proceed approximately 2 miles, then get in left lane. Look for sign "Kenmore Square, Fenway, Route 1 South" and exit left, following sign for "Fenway 1 South." Do not take Kenmore Square exit. Instead, follow ramp up and exit right. Sign will say "Boylston St. Outbound, Riverway 1." You will be on Boylston Street. Stay in left lane and proceed to first light. Turn left onto Park Drive. Follow Park Drive to second light and cross Boylston Street and Brookline Avenue. Stay left. At third stoplight, bear left following "Fenway" sign. At fourth light, continue straight, crossing Brookline Avenue again. You will be on "The Fenway”. The Main College Building, 300 The Fenway, will be on right.
Parking at the Simmons College Due to limited parking in the urban area around Simmons, we encourage visitors to use alternative transportation when commuting to Simmons. Limited parking is available on nearby streets and private garages. There are three parking garages in the area: Simmons Garage [P1 on map] THIS GARAGE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO CFNPS ATTENDEES DUE TO THE NUMBER OF SIMMONS STUDENTS.
This garage is a public parking garage that is utilized by mall customers and area businesses. They are open from 6am -12am and have 204 parking spots on a first come, first serve basis. The garage tends to fill up after 9am. Hourly Rates: 1-1.5 hrs $5 2-2.5 hrs. $9 2.5-18 hrs. $15 They accept cash and credit cards. Walking Directions to the Special Functions Room in the Main College Building: As you exit the parking garage walk down Brookline Avenue and take a left at the street called, "The Fenway" where there is a sign that says Emmanuel College. Continue on “The Fenway.” Continue walking straight past Avenue Louis Pasteur and you will arrive at the Main College Building, at 300 The Fenway. Enter the Main College building lobby from 300 The Fenway and turn right down the hallway. Pass the stairs and turn left before the restrooms. Turn right and pass the Shepard Room and Enter the Special Functions Room. Walking time: 10 minutes. Trilogy Garage [P3 on map] 180 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02115 617-236-5558 0.6 mi – about 1 min drive to Main College Building Directions to Garage From Venue: From The Fenway, make a Right on Brookline Ave and just past Kilmanarock Street you will see the garage. There are entrances on Brookline Ave. and Kilmarnock Street.
This garage is a public parking garage that is utilized by area businesses. They are open 24 hours and have 500 parking spots on a first come, first serve basis. The garage tends to fill up after 9am. Special Rates: Early Bird (enter before 9am - exit by 7pm) $10
Hourly Rates: 1 hr. or less $5 2 hrs. or less $10 3 hrs. or less $15 4 hrs. or more $20 They accept cash and credit cards. Walking Directions to the Special Functions Room in the Main College Building: As you exit the parking garage walk down Brookline Avenue and take a left at the street called, "The Fenway" where there is a sign that says Emmanuel College. Continue on “The Fenway.” Continue walking straight past Avenue Louis Pasteur and you will arrive at the Main College Building, at 300 The Fenway. Enter the Main College building lobby from 300 The Fenway and turn right down the hallway. Pass the stairs and turn left before the restrooms. Turn right and pass the Shepard Room and Enter the Special Functions Room. Walking time: 15 minutes.
Alternate Transportation Options
Hotel Accommodations Most hotels near the Leadership Series venue are within the $175-$265 per night range. The following hotels are within a one-mile radius of the hotel. 1. Hotel Commonwealth BOOK NOW .67 miles from venue 2. Sheraton Boston Hotel BOOK NOW .89 miles from venue 3. Hilton Boston Back Bay BOOK NOW .9 miles from venue 4. Holiday Inn Brookline BOOK NOW .9 miles from venue 5. Hyatt Regency Cambridge BOOK NOW 1 mile from venue
Our unique one-on-one mentoring sessions offer you the opportunity to sit down with an experienced fundraising professional for 30 minutes to discuss any questions that are specific to your organization. Mentoring sessions cover the same topics as the seminars, and we will assign you a mentor based on his/her availability at your requested times.
Mentoring sessions are available for the cost of $0.00 per session. If you register for a full Summit pass, 0 mentoring sessions are included in the pass.
Below is a list of mentors who will be available at the Summit. Please note that you must register to attend at least one seminar in order to sign up for a mentor.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
$ 110.00
8:30 AM-12:00 PM
1:00 PM-4:30 PM