Prototype MKTG

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director of College Beyond, a nonprofit that helps low-income college students enroll and complete college.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Prototype MKTG?

We didn’t have an internal marketing expert, so we needed someone to help with our fundraising strategy for a significant local giving day.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Prototype MKTG outlined a marketing plan of action for us. First, the team took a needs assessment and gave us some advice on what we could do to promote giving days. They gave us ideas on improving our website and increasing our followers on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The team also showed us how to optimize our newsletters and blogs in terms of timing, content, and frequency by creating a 90-day calendar of what we could do leading up to a giving day.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Phaon (President & Chief Experience Officer) and a nonprofit consultant familiar with local nonprofits.

How did you come to work with Prototype MKTG?

Phaon was a colleague and close friend, so I trusted him with my marketing and PR. After college, he became my go-to marketing expert because I trusted his expertise.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $2,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from January–May 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The plan they outlined was clear and explicit — anyone in the organization could follow it easily, so we started using it as a guide for our daily efforts. It has prevented us from feeling overwhelmed, so we’ve continued to use the calendar to help us plan for giving days throughout the year to boost our donations.

Furthermore, their efforts allowed us to increase our mailing list and our visibility on LinkedIn and Facebook. Thanks to Prototype MKTG, we raised 10–12 times more money than we usually did. The ROI has been excellent, so we continue to follow their strategies.

How did Prototype MKTG perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was fantastic — they set realistic deadlines and were always on time. To communicate, we used email, text messaging, and Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Prototype MKTG gave us more than we expected, and they really understood what we were looking for. Everything was customized and tailored to our specific needs, budget, and human capital. They were great at problem-solving and working with what we had. There’s a reason why they’re my go-to marketing team — I would definitely work with them again.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they could’ve improved off the top of my head.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Put all your needs and limitations to the table and let the team solve your problem. I would recommend them to anyone, especially nonprofits.