Skip to content
30th Anniversary Logo for DSA30th Anniversary Logo for DSA
  • About
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
30th Anniversary Logo for DSA30th Anniversary Logo for DSA

Are TV ads in Your Future?

Traditional media (like radio and television) is often dismissed as a viable option for nonprofits to share their mission because of the cost and difficulty of targeting specific audiences. If that’s your perspective, keep reading . . . things have dramatically changed!

Recently, we put together a cable TV package for one of our partner organizations, targeting specific audiences they wanted to reach. Their 30-second TV spots aired more than 6,000 times, resulting in 1.2 million interactions with those audiences. The cost was relatively low—at a $6,000 investment, that’s only a half-cent per impression!

But before you’re ready to jump on board, let’s review some of the details that make that possible . . .

Radio and television messaging is now consumed in multiple ways, making better audience targeting possible. Television viewers can be reached via multiple means today (e.g. cable, streaming, Internet, and even those who still use a basic antenna). Radio also reaches people multiple ways, including traditionally broadcasted radio signals, SM satellite, and web streaming.

So what’s your first step in reaching more potential donors with your mission?

1. Start by reviewing your current marketing budget to see how it could be expanded or allocated differently to produce spots at very affordable rates because they, too, desire to support the work of local nonprofits.

2. Then, test to see how cable exposure helped overall performance. Be sure to set specific goals to help determine the cable marketing’s additive impact and whether it justified the cost.

3. Finally, keep testing! It’s important to test the messages you are broadcasting to determine the viability of your effort. Once you know if it works, establish a roll-out budget based on your required return on investment. Do more of what worked and eliminate what did not.

But you don’t have to do it alone. We are ready to help you explore how your organization could benefit from a custom media plan that incorporates traditional media in your fundraising efforts. So, reach out to us today!

More from this issue of Donor Focus
Subscribe to Donor Focus
Post Tags: #Digital Fundraising#Direct Mail Fundraising

Related articles

Subscribe to Donor Focus
  • More Than Just Work

    As a young Christian professional navigating the conundrum of aligning my beliefs into a purposeful career, I’ve been blessed to…

    Read more

  • Understanding Fundraising Trends: Navigating the Ups and Downs

    Many organizations are experiencing lower giving in 2022 than at any time in the past three years. Almost everyone we…

    Read more

  • What to Think of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Fundraising . . .

    In trying to summon an image to represent our theme for this issue of Donor Focus, I found myself drawn…

    Read more

  • All Blog Posts
    Return to all blog posts

Topics

  • Ask Wiley
  • Coaching
  • Digital
  • Direct Response Fundraising
  • Donor Focused Communication
  • Fundraising
  • Live the Give
  • Partners
  • Rules of Fundraising

Year

  • 2025 (7)
  • 2024 (25)
  • 2023 (28)
  • 2022 (30)
  • 2021 (36)
  • 2020 (33)
  • 2019 (42)
  • 2018 (49)
  • 2017 (44)
  • 2016 (23)
  • 2015 (30)
  • 2014 (6)
  • 2013 (1)

A Fundraising Agency Helping You Be a Part of What Is Right with the World.

1717 Park Street, Suite 300 Naperville, IL, 60563
630.562.1321 | info@douglasshaw.com

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Services

  • Custom Strategies
  • Data and Analytics
  • Creative Solutions
  • Multichannel Fundraising
  • Digital Innovation
  • Raise Money
  • Find Donors
  • Grow Impact

Resources

  • Blog Posts
  • Books
  • Webinars
  • The Donor Experience Scorecard
  • Fundraising Tips

Visit Douglas Shaw & Associates on Facebook
Visit Douglas Shaw & Associates on X (formerly Twitter)
Visit Douglas Shaw & Associates on LinkedIn
Visit Douglas Shaw & Associates on Instagram

© 2025 Douglas Shaw & Associates  Privacy Policy 

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in .

  • About
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
30th Anniversary Logo for DSA
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Here is more information about our Privacy Policy.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.