When we start a new website project, one of the first decisions we make is where the site will live, ie. what platform it’s built on. And 9 times out of 10, that answer is WordPress.

Yes, we’ve tried others. And yes, some platforms are more hyped. But over and over again, WordPress proves to be the best all-around choice for the kind of work we do, and the kind of clients we serve.

Here’s why.

1. It’s Flexible Enough to Fit Just About Anyone

Whether you’re a nonprofit with 10 programs, a small business selling services, or a creative with a portfolio to share, WordPress can handle it. We’ve built:

• Event-driven sites
• Multi-language sites
• Simple one-pagers
• Complex directories
• Fully custom-designed experiences

All using the same core system, just configured to fit the client’s needs.

2. It’s Easy to Update (Once It’s Set Up Right)

Our clients don’t want to call us every time they need to change a headline. And we don’t want that either.

When we build a site on WordPress, we set it up so:

• You can edit text, swap photos, and add new pages easily
• You’re not stuck learning code or clicking 12 hidden menus
• Your site grows with you, without needing a full redesign

We want to make editing intuitive even for non-techy teams.

3. You Own Your Content. Period.

With WordPress, you’re not locked into a walled garden. You own the content, the files, the structure. You can move your site if needed, make backups, or hire another developer later. There are no weird restrictions or fees.

This is especially important for nonprofits, coalitions, or orgs with long-term funding or compliance needs.

4. It’s Scalable, Sustainable, and Widely Supported

WordPress powers over 40% of the internet. That means:

• It’s constantly updated and improved
• It has thousands of plugins to extend functionality
• There’s a huge community of support and documentation
• You won’t “outgrow” it the way you might with other platforms

From SEO tools to form builders to multilingual support, we can add what you need—when you need it.

5. It Aligns with How We Work: Flexible, Thoughtful, Empowering

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We believe in websites that work for you. And WordPress gives us the tools to build something that’s both custom and sustainable.

It lets us focus on:

• Design that reflects your personality
• Strategy that meets your goals
• Tools you can actually use
• A foundation that grows with you, not against you

And that’s what makes our work actually work.

If you’ve ever opened Notion, stared at the blinking cursor, and thought, “Cool… but what am I supposed to do with this?” You’re not alone.

Notion is one of the most flexible tools out there for organizing your work, planning content, and keeping your team aligned. But that flexibility is also what makes it feel so intimidating at first. We’re here to tell you: you don’t need to be a power user. You just need a simple setup that helps you stay on top of your work without losing your mind.

Here’s how to get started with Notion, without getting overwhelmed.

Step 1: Don’t Try to Use It for Everything

The first mistake we see? People try to build a full-on command center before they know what they even need.

Instead, ask yourself:

• What do I already track in too many places?
• What’s one thing I wish I could keep more organized?
• What would make my week easier? 

Start with just one system—like a weekly to-do list, content calendar, or project tracker—and grow from there.

Step 2: Use a Template

You do not have to start from scratch. Notion has a built-in gallery of free templates for everything from meeting notes to marketing calendars.

Some beginner-friendly ones to explore:

• Simple Task List
• Weekly Agenda
• Content Calendar
• Project Tracker
• Nonprofit Grant Planner (search community-made templates!)

Sign up for Notion here (affiliate link) to access their template library and get started with one that fits your needs.

Step 3: Make It Yours—But Keep It Simple

Notion is all about blocks: you can drag, drop, and rearrange anything. That’s powerful, but you don’t need to go wild with it. Our favorite “starter kit” setup includes:

• A Weekly To-Do List
• A Calendar View for Upcoming Deadlines
• A Notes Page for Meetings or Ideas 

From there, you can tag, filter, and connect pages if (and only if) it helps you.

Pro Tip: Your First Notion Workspace Doesn’t Need to Be Pretty

Don’t worry about aesthetics right away. Focus on usability. You can always come back later to add icons, headers, and colors when it feels fun—not frustrating.

Ready to Try It?

We’ve used Notion daily for years now—for project planning, content calendars, client notes, and more. Once you get comfortable, it becomes the home base you didn’t know you needed.

Sign up for Notion here (affiliate link)
It’s free to start, easy to customize, and powerful when you’re ready for more.

You’ve decided to start sending a newsletter. You sit down to pick an email platform… and suddenly you’re 27 tabs deep in comparison blogs, demo videos, and pricing breakdowns.

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever stalled out trying to choose “the best” email marketing tool, you’re not alone. The truth is: you don’t need the best platform—you just need the right one for you.

In our work with nonprofits, agencies, and small businesses, we often recommend one of two tools:

→Mailchimp

→Constant Contact

They’re both great—but depending on how your brain works (and what your goals are), one might be a better fit.

Start Here: What Do You Actually Need?

Before you compare features or pricing plans, ask yourself:

• Do I want a simple tool to send a monthly update?
• Will I need automations like welcome emails or follow-ups?
• Do I want lots of drag-and-drop templates?
• Will I use this for event signups or promotions?
• Will multiple team members need access?

You don’t have to have all the answers—but knowing what you care about most can help narrow your options quickly.

Two Platforms We Set Up All the Time

We recommend both of these to clients—but for slightly different reasons.

Mailchimp

Great for creatives, startups, or small teams who want flexibility and modern design.

• Drag-and-drop email builder
• Easy-to-use audience tools
• Free tier available
• Good for people who want visual control without tech stress

Constant Contact

Ideal for organizations with events, multiple lists, or fundraising campaigns.

• Event tools and sign-up forms built in
• Great customer support
• Survey and polling features
• Helpful for teams managing different audiences or campaigns

Pick One, Then Keep It Simple

Once you’ve chosen a platform:

• Start with one list
• Create one reusable template
• Send one email per month (you can build from there!)

You don’t need a full-blown strategy to start. You just need a place to show up consistently and share what matters.

You’re Not Behind—You’re Right on Time

You don’t have to be a tech expert to send a great email. You just have to start somewhere.

Whether you pick Mailchimp or Constant Contact, you’re already one step closer to showing up more intentionally for your community.

Need help getting your email marketing off the ground?
That’s one of our favorite things to support. Let’s talk →

Was blogging part of your digital marketing strategy… but now you’re staring at a blank screen wondering what to write next? You’re not alone. Blogging sounds simple, until you’re two posts in and completely out of ideas.

Whether you’re trying to drive traffic, boost SEO, or just share something meaningful with your community, fresh content can make a big difference. And you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

Here are 10 tried-and-true blog prompts to help you reconnect with your audience, build trust, and make writing feel doable again.

10 Blog Post Prompts to Get You Started

1. “The 5 Most Common Questions We Get (and Our Honest Answers)”

Perfect for service providers, therapists, consultants, or program managers.

2. “Behind the Scenes: How We [Do a Thing]”

Pull back the curtain! People love seeing the human process behind the polished result.

3. “What We Wish People Knew About Our Work”

This can be heartfelt, educational, or funny. It builds understanding and trust.

4. “A Beginner’s Guide to [Topic You Know Well]”

Think: fundraising, branding, working with volunteers, event planning, etc.

5. “Lessons Learned From Our Last Project/Event/Launch”

Vulnerability meets value. Great for building connection and showing growth.

6. “Tools We Use (and Love) for [Work You Do]”

Shine a light on the systems or apps that make your work smoother.

7. “The Story Behind Our Name / Logo / Why We Started”

Let people fall in love with your story. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, just real.

8. “3 Small Changes That Made a Big Difference for Us”

Great for showing process improvement, mindset shifts, or workflow tweaks.

9. “Frequently Asked… But Rarely Answered”

Address things people don’t usually talk about but are dying to know.

10. “A Resource We Recommend (and Why)”

Could be a book, platform, video, or article that has helped you or your clients.

If you’ve been meaning to “start that newsletter” for your business or nonprofit but feel stuck on what to say or how to start, this one’s for you.

Mailchimp is one of our favorite tools for beginners because it’s easy to use, it grows with you, and it doesn’t make you feel like you need a marketing degree to hit send.

Here’s how to set yourself up for newsletter success (without overthinking it).

When you first sign into Mailchimp, it might feel like a lot. But you really only need to do three things to get started:

1. Add your name and email
2. Create a basic audience list
3. Design a simple email template you can reuse

Pro tip: Don’t worry about being fancy. A clean layout with your logo, a headline, and one message is more than enough to start.

Step 2: Decide What You Actually Want to Say

Here’s a secret: your newsletter doesn’t need to be long or frequent—it just needs to be useful and real.

A few beginner-friendly ideas:

• Share upcoming events or launches
• Answer a common client question
• Show a behind-the-scenes moment
• Highlight a partner or local resource
• Send a seasonal message (holidays, summer hours, etc.)

Even a one-paragraph email can build trust if it’s thoughtful and consistent.

Step 3: Set a Realistic Schedule

Forget the pressure to send weekly emails right out of the gate. Instead, ask:

• Can I commit to once a month?
• Can I prewrite 2–3 ideas to give myself a buffer?
• Can I repurpose Instagram posts or blog content?

Mailchimp lets you schedule ahead, so even if you’re a one-person team, you can make it feel like you’re everywhere at once.

Step 4: Use the Built-In Tools

Here’s a secret: your newsletter doesn’t need to be long or frequent—it just needs to be useful and real.

A few beginner-friendly ideas:

• Share upcoming events or launches
• Answer a common client question
• Show a behind-the-scenes moment
• Highlight a partner or local resource
• Send a seasonal message (holidays, summer hours, etc.)

Even a one-paragraph email can build trust if it’s thoughtful and consistent.

You can sign up for a free account and try it out risk-free. (We’ve used it for years, and it’s still a favorite.)

Get started with Mailchimp here
We may earn a small commission, but we only recommend tools we actually use and love.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed?
We help nonprofits, small businesses, and creative teams get newsletters off the ground all the time.
Reach out →

Let’s be real: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) sounds like a techy thing only big marketing teams worry about. But in reality, SEO is just the practice of helping people find you online.  And the good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started. This guide is for anyone running a small business, nonprofit, or creative project who wants their website to actually show up when someone Googles the thing they do.

Let’s be real: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) sounds like a techy thing only big marketing teams worry about. But in reality, SEO is just the practice of helping people find you online.  And the good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started. This guide is for anyone running a small business, nonprofit, or creative project who wants their website to actually show up when someone Googles the thing they do.

What Is SEO, Really?

At its core, SEO is about making your website easier for search engines (like Google) to understand—and easier for humans to find.

Good SEO means:

• People searching for what you offer can find you
• Your content shows up for the right audience

You don’t have to rely only on social media or ads

The 3 Basics You Can Focus on Today