Steal these tips! They're designed to be easily included into any eNewsletter or Newsletter that goes out to a group of nonprofits - distribute them as widely as you like.

Every month we publish a new software tip that's useful to a broad range of organizations. Want to be on our Tip of the Month email list, to receive each tip as soon as it comes out? Drop us an email at info@idealware.org. We typically publish it in the last week of the prior month.

March 2010
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Social Media to Meet Your Goals
What social media tools work for what goals? Our new survey shows that Twitter is very effective in reaching new supporters, blogs are effective at enhancing existing relationships, and none of the tools we asked about are particularly effective for directly raising money. Read more at http://idealware.org/tips/1003_socialmediasurvey.php

February 2010
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Using RSS to Bring Information To You
The Internet gives you access to an astonishing variety of information. This means you can keep up with the headlines, policies, trends, and tools that interest your nonprofit, and keep informed about what people are saying about your organization online. Using RSS tools like Google Reader, Bloglines, or FeedDemon can help bring this information to you.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/rss.php

January 2010
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Emailing Thousands of People at Once
So you’re looking for a way to email hundreds or thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of people at once – perhaps to send eNewsletters, updates, or donation appeals.  There’s a whole class of software intended just for this purpose--called Broadcast Email, Blast Email, or Email Marketing software, including options like Vertical Response and Network for Good’s Email Now.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/Email_Broadcast.php

December 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Hosting Your Website on a Shoestring
Is your nonprofit's Web site running off a server in your 15-year-old nephew's closet? Does your Web designer charge you $150 a month for hosting a basic website?  If you answered yes, you should consider a shared web hosting provider.  Through services like DreamHost, Electric Embers, Lunarpages, or Pair, you can ensure that your website is reliably connected to the internet for $20/month or less – possibly even for free.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0912_webhosting.php

November 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Getting Photos Ready for Publication
If you want to use a photo in print or on the web, how do you get it ready? A number of free and inexpensive tools – like Google Picasa, iPhoto, Adobe Photoshop Express, and Picnik.com – that can help you to size, adjust and manipulate the photo so it looks just right. 
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0911_photos_for_publication.php

October 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Creating Online Charts
There’s a reason they say pictures are worth a thousand words. Graphical depictions of data on your website can help your audience understand complex information and move them to take action.  Thanks to a set of newer, mostly free, online tools such as Google Docs Spreadsheet, ManyEyes, and Swivel Business, creating online charts has never been easier.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0910_onlinecharts.php

September 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Getting Your Video Onto The Web
Online videos can be a great way to showcase your organization's mission and work - and they’re not as hard to get online as you’d think.  If all you’re looking to do is post a video to be watched on your organization’s Web site, just upload your video to a site like YouTube and embed it by copying and pasting a few lines of HTML code to your Web page.  YouTube – or other online platforms such as Revver, Viddler, Vimeo, BlipTV, Metacafe, AOL or Daily Motion – not only host your video, but help you to reach a larger audience as well.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0909_onlinevideos.php

August 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Online Survey Tools to Help You Gather Data
Online survey tools can be a very cost-effective way for delivering surveys, collecting results, and then analyzing the results all through one central system. These tools don’t have to be very expensive – online applications like SurveyMonkey, Zoomerang, SurveyGizmo, and PollDaddy are great for gathering informal data quickly and easily.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0908_onlinesurveys.php

July 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Software to Get Supporters Fundraising for You
Want to engage your supporters in fundraising for you? Tools like Change.org, ChangingthePresent.org, or FirstGiving will allow them to create their own personalized fundraising pages where they can use pictures and text to talk about their involvement in the cause. Individual fundraisers can then contact their network, direct them to their pages and begin taking donations.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0907_onlinedistfund.php

June 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Choosing a Low Cost Donor Management System
Donors are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations. You need them to survive. But how do you manage all the information about their giving along with all the personal details that are key to maintaining successful relationships, all for a price that won’t break your bank?
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0906_dmsoftware.php

May 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Comparing Open Source CMSs: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Plone
Free and often powerful, open source content management systems can help you create a powerful website on a limited budget. WordPress and Joomla are well suited to build smaller sites quickly, while Drupal and Plone support robust and complex functionality. http://www.idealware.org/tips/0905_oscms.php

April 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Online Payment Multitaskers
If you're looking to accept donations, register people for events, or sell items online, there are many applications out there to help you complete any one of these transactions. But what if you're looking to process more than one type of payment? What if your needs are a little out of the ordinary? Are there any software options that will support a variety of online transactions?
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0904_opm.php

March 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: No Frills Online Event Registration Tools
These days, most event participants expect to register online for events, meaning you’ll need a tool that can both accept online payments and help you manage attendee information. But what if you don’t have much of a budget? If you need something low cost for a one-off event, what are your options? Tools like PayPal, Eventbrite, or Brown Paper Tickets can work well.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0903_oer.php

Feb 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Tools to Help Manage Projects
So, you need help with project management. Great! But wait... What do you mean by project management? Managing all the dates, documents, tasks, and people associated with a project can be daunting, but online project management software like Microsoft Project, Basecamp, Central Desktop and DreamTeam for Salesforce can help.
http://www.idealware.org/tips/0902_pm.php

Jan 2009
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Quick and Easy Blogs
Whether showcasing your work, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your nonprofit, or advocating a particular point of view, a blog – or a personal online journal - can be a powerful communication and public-relations tool for your organization. There are a number of tools, such as TypePad, WordPress, and Blogger, which make it really quite easy for anyone to setup a blog, even without technical expertise. Read more on the Idealware site, at http://www.idealware.org/tips/0901_blogs.php

Dec 2008
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Centralizing Constituent Data Using Online Integrated Tools
If you’re looking for a way to integrate your constituent data with your online communications without a big up-front investment, an online integrated application may be just what you need. These software packages can manage your donor and other constituent data, help you send email, take online payments, and even manage your website online. Read more on the Idealware site, at www.idealware.org/tips/0812_onlineintegrated.php

Nov 2008
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Website Statistics with Google Analytics
Web analytics tools can help you measure traffic to your Web site, gauge the popularity of particular information and features you offer there, and better understand your visitors' needs and behavior. Google Analytics—one of the leading analytics software packages—is worth consideration by any nonprofit with a website. It offers powerful functionality... for free. Read more on the Idealware site, at www.idealware.org/tips/0811_googleanalytics.php

Oct 2008
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Outreach through Online Communities
You have a cause. You’re probably not alone in supporting it. Are you familiar with existing online communities of people passionate about the same thing? They may well be out there. Finding and reaching out to these communities—for example, groups formed on email discussion lists, blogs or social networking sites—can be a great way to meet potential supporters, learn what’s important to them and start a conversation. Read more on the Idealware site, at www.idealware.org/tips/0810_outreachcommunities.php

Sep 2008
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Software for Quick and Simple Web Sites
If you need a simple Web site fast—maybe for a new organization, a campaign or an event—a quick and easy site-builder might be just what you need. Online sites such as Homestead, Google Page Creator, SiteKreater and SquareSpace let you create simple, template-based designs and customize the text and images so you’re up and running in a few hours—and for as little as $5-$30 a month. Read more on the Idealware site, at www.idealware.org/tips/0809_simplesites.php

Aug 2008
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Free Online Conferencing Tools
Sometimes a team conference call just isn’t enough—and these days, it doesn’t have to be. A number of tools, such as TeamViewer, DimDim, Yugma and Acrobat Connect, let you display information over the Web. You can show everyone the applications or documents on your computer, interact via text chat, or even video conference, all for free. They might be just the thing for your next team meeting. Read more on the Idealware site, at www.idealware.org/tips/0808_conferencing.php

July 2008
Idealware Software Tip of the Month: Free Blast Emailing Software
Would you like a solid, free way to send your constituents eNewsletters, action alerts or donation requests? VerticalResponse, a dependable, feature-rich blast emailing tool, is now offering up to 10,000 emails a month free to 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Will it meet your needs? It might well. Read more on the Idealware site, at www.idealware.org/tips/0807_vertresponse.php