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Creating a standout personal brand is essential for fundraising professionals who want to advance their careers. Robin Cabral’s webinar, How to Move Up in Your Fundraising Career by Building Your Personal Brand, shared actionable insights for leveraging social media, optimizing resumes, and standing out in today’s competitive job market. Let’s break it down into key steps to help you elevate your professional presence and open doors to new opportunities.
In today’s digital world, your personal brand goes beyond your resume. It encompasses how you are perceived online, the impact of your social media presence, and the expertise you’re known for. Studies show:
70% of professionals find jobs through their networks, not job boards.
79% of job seekers use social media as part of their job search.
To stand out, you need to craft an intentional digital persona that aligns with your career goals.
Ask yourself: What do I want to be known for in fundraising? Whether it’s major gifts, planned giving, donor stewardship, or event fundraising, identify your specialty and craft your brand around it. For example:
Keywords: Use terms like “major gifts specialist” or “grant writing expert” across your online profiles.
Adjectives: Focus on attributes like innovative, relational, or results-driven.
LinkedIn is a must for fundraisers. To optimize your profile:
Headline: Use keywords like “Fundraising Strategist” or “Nonprofit Major Gifts Specialist.”
Summary: Craft an engaging summary with achievements, such as “Increased donor retention by 25% through innovative stewardship strategies.”
Recommendations: Request endorsements from colleagues and supervisors for credibility.
Consider creating or updating your profiles on:
X: Share thought leadership posts and nonprofit trends.
Instagram: Highlight your work, events, and accomplishments.
Personal Website: Build a simple site on platforms like WordPress or Wix to showcase your expertise.
Pro Tip: Regularly Google yourself to ensure your online presence aligns with your professional brand.
Traditional resumes alone no longer suffice. Here’s how to enhance yours for the digital age:
Quantify Success: Replace vague statements like "maintained donor database" with specifics: "Increased donor retention by 20% by implementing targeted engagement strategies."
Keep it Clean: Use white space and bullet points for readability. Avoid lengthy text blocks.
Incorporate Keywords: Align your resume with industry terms like "annual appeals," "major gifts," and "donor stewardship."
More than ever, connections are driving career advancements. Start by:
Joining LinkedIn Groups: Engage in fundraising-specific groups to connect with peers.
Contributing to Conversations: Share insights, comment on posts, and participate in webinars.
After connecting, nurture those relationships by:
Sharing useful resources.
Congratulating connections on achievements.
Sending thoughtful follow-ups after networking events.
Your digital footprint is dynamic. Continuously monitor your presence by:
Googling Yourself: Check what potential employers see.
Setting Up Google Alerts: Get notified when your name appears online.
Reviewing Social Media: Ensure posts align with your professional image.
Your personal brand is your ticket to advancing your fundraising career. By strategically building and maintaining your digital presence, you can stand out as a leader in the nonprofit sector. Remember Robin Cabral’s advice: "Your brand isn’t just what you do, but how you make people feel and the impact you create."