Wellness & Lifestyle Archives - LPi Communities

How to Connect with Local Customers Through Community Newsletters

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:20:35 GMT

Creating a budget and choosing ways to market your small business is a huge part of your organization’s ongoing recipe for success. Why? To put it plainly, without marketing, nobody is going to learn about your products and services, and if nobody knows about you, you’ll fail fast! A marketing budget must be part of your plan from the start.

We know that small businesses often have employees who must wear many hats, and who knows, yours might only have one employee doing everything — you! Even more reason to have a solid marketing plan in place to invest in ads that will work for you year-round, so that you can focus on the other tasks needed to strengthen your enterprise. Follow these foundational marketing tips to gain early success with your new business or improve your current marketing strategy.

Marketing Foundations: What IS Marketing Anyway?

Marketing is the way a small business helps the right people notice, remember, and ultimately choose it. It includes everything from how you introduce your business to how often people see your name, hear your company’s story, and understand what makes you worth their trust. For a local business, good marketing is more about showing up consistently in the community you serve than trying to reach a national audience.

This is why local marketing matters so much to the success of a small business. When people see (or hear) your advertisements in places they already recognize, know, and trust — like community newsletters, parish bulletins, neighborhood events, and local gathering spaces — your business begins to feel more and more familiar to them. That sense of familiarity is what your goal is. Placing your ads in these areas builds awareness and trust for your company by association, and that trust is the thing that often comes before a call, visit, or purchase. Trust is the point!

Some small business marketing ideas that build local trust:

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to reach people where they already are. Here are some opportunities local businesses should consider.

Ads in local publications like community newsletters or church bulletins
Booths or sponsorships at farmers’ markets, festivals, and community events
Hosting a short workshop, demo, or Q&A in your community
Leaving helpful printed materials in waiting rooms or on coffee shop bulletin boards
Supporting/sponsoring a neighborhood cause, event, or service project that people will remember
Listing your ad on digital directories in the local area

Once you’ve chosen a few ways to advertise locally, the next step is deciding how much to spend on the methods that best fit your goals.

How Much Does Marketing Cost for a Small Business

How much marketing will cost depends on the method by which you choose to advertise and how often you want your ads to appear. For small businesses, marketing can be surprisingly flexible without losing quality. You don’t always need a massive budget to get started. What will make the biggest difference is making sure you choose options that fit your goals, your market, and are consistent over time.

Before worrying about a number, first clearly lay out what your marketing goals are. Are you trying to get consumers to purchase something, attend an event, or sign up? Are you looking specifically to get leads or close sales?

Next, discern who your target audience or market is. Is your business a restaurant or café with a wide range of customers, or are you marketing toward a more specific audience, such as an assisted living facility or dog grooming business? Once you have an idea of the demographic(s), you can determine which type of marketing would best reach them and budget accordingly.

Advertising locally in trusted community publications can offer a wide range of entry points. When you place an ad with the help of a company like LPi, print ads on the back of a parish bulletin or community newsletter can cost as low as $445 for the entire year, with larger, higher-visibility options available, too.

LPi also offers add-ons that make it easy to include a digital ad in local online directories connected with the same publication as your print ad. Digital ads in directories like Parishes Online and My Community Online offer a cost-effective way to bundle print and digital together, helping you expand your reach without stretching your budget.

The takeaway is simple: small-business marketing does not have a single fixed price. It can be built around your budget. Whether you start small with one local placement or invest in a larger campaign, the key is spending with purpose — something we will look at next.

Ways to Optimize Your Marketing Budget

A practical starting point for a business hoping to target the local market is to set your marketing budget as a share of your revenue, then adjust it over time based on its results. It’s common to allocate about 2% to 5% of revenue toward marketing for business-to-business (B2B) companies and 5% to 10% for business-to-consumer (B2C) companies . The U.S. Chamber repeats the same ranges in its small-business budgeting guidance.

If you want a few specific benchmark examples, the SBA cites outside research showing th at average advertising spend in 2018 was 1.08% of total revenue, with retail marketing spending around 4% and restaurants at around 1.93%. In the same SBA research, broader marketing spend across industries was reported at 6.3% for B2B product companies, 6.9% for B2B services, 9.6% for B2C product companies, and 11.8% for B2C services.

To optimize your marketing budget, start with one or two channels that match your audience, track where the leads you are getting are actually coming from, and review your performance quarterly . The U.S. Chamber recommends tying spending to clear goals and scaling back channels that yield a negative return on investment (ROI).

Be aware, though: there is no universal marketing spending level that guarantees you a profit. You will have to feel it out and do what seems right for your individual business. But doing things like committing to disciplined tracking helps you find the point at which your marketing generates more revenue than it costs you.

To simplify the process of advertising locally inside publications and directories people trust, get in touch with LPi today!

Why Online Reviews Matter to Your Business and How to Ask for Them

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:30:54 GMT

Online reviews have become one of today’s cornerstones of consumer decision-making. With platforms like Google and Yelp playing significant roles, organizations must be sure to understand the importance of these types of reviews and how to solicit them effectively. While many organizations are getting on board with using surveys in their digital communications , successful organizations must also take the time to explore how to make the most of online reviews.

Let’s talk about why you need to encourage visitors and members to leave reviews for your organization. We’ll also cover how to ask for them, since, if you are like many people, you might feel a little uncomfortable asking.

4 Reasons Online Reviews Are Important for Organizations

From building trust and improving search visibility to gathering feedback and strengthening community engagement, reviews play an important role in helping organizations grow.

1. Influence on Consumer Decisions

Online reviews have the potential to greatly influence people. According to studies, a vast majority of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision. Positive reviews enhance an organization’s credibility, while negative reviews often deter potential customers.

Reviews build trust. Consumers often perceive the reviews they see online as more authentic than what they see in traditional advertising. A single positive review can significantly sway a potential customer’s decision, while multiple negative reviews can lead to lost business.

2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Online reviews also play a vital role in improving an organization’s visibility to search engines like Google. In fact, Google uses reviews as a ranking factor . So, the more positive reviews a business or nonprofit organization accumulates, the higher its chances of appearing near the top of online search results.

For local organizations, Google reviews can significantly boost local SEO efforts. When users search for services “nearby,” entities with higher ratings and more reviews often appear at the top of the results. This can lead to increased foot traffic and online inquiries.

3. Customer Feedback and Improvement

Online reviews also provide organizations with valuable feedback. Reviews reveal what customers appreciate and identify areas that may need improvement. Positive reviews highlight strengths, while negative reviews pinpoint weaknesses. Feedback like this allows organizations to adapt and refine their offerings, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

4. Community Building and Engagement

Encouraging customers/patrons/members to leave reviews fosters a sense of community. Engaged people feel valued and are more likely to become repeat customers, etc.

Organizations that respond to the reviews they receive online, both positive and negative, show they care about customer feedback. This engagement can strengthen relationships and enhance loyalty.

How to Ask Members and Customers for Online Reviews

Asking for online reviews does not have to feel complicated or uncomfortable. With the right timing, a simple process, and a personal touch, organizations can encourage more members and customers to share their experiences.

Here’s how:

1. Timing Is Key

Timing your request for a review is crucial. The best moment to ask is shortly after a positive interaction with your customer — whether it’s after a purchase, a service completion, or a successful interaction.

Sending a follow-up email thanking the customer for their business and gently asking for a review can yield favorable results. Make sure to i nclude links to your Google and Yelp pages to ensure a seamless process — the fewer clicks people have to make, the more likely they’ll be to actually fill it out.

2. Make It Easy

Simplifying your review process can lead to more people leaving feedback. Provide direct links to your review pages, and ensure that your review request is mobile-friendly, as many users access review sites via their phones. Consider offering step-by-step instructions if needed, as a quick and easy review process will encourage participation.

3. Personalization Matters

A personalized request will resonate more with customers. Instead of sending a generic message, tailor your request based on the customer’s experience. Address the customer by name and reference specific details about their purchase or interaction. For example, “Hi, John, we hope you’re enjoying your new sofa! We’d love to hear your thoughts.”

4. Respond to Reviews

Encouraging reviews is just one part of the equation. Responding to the reviews you receive is equally important. Acknowledge and thank customers for their feedback, and politely address any concerns mentioned in negative reviews. Doing this shows potential customers or members that you value their opinions and are committed to building relationships and improving your services in response to feedback.

Connect Your Organization’s Website to Your Reviews

Online reviews are vital for organizations to thrive. By understanding the importance of reviews and implementing effective strategies to ask for them, organizations can leverage this powerful tool to enhance their reputation and drive growth. Success online goes deeper than just reviews, though. Your website also plays a key role.

This is why we created The Essential Guide to Creating a Community Website That Works . Inside this guide, you’ll find helpful advice for putting together an online destination that visitors will return to again and again. For assistance in creating and maintaining the best website possible for your organization — that has little-to-no impact on your bottom line — attend one of the free online demos of WeConnect, our powerful and easy-to-use website building platform for organizations like yours.

With WeConnect, you can launch a professional website at no cost thanks to local supporters who care about your organization. To learn more about how WeConnect can turn your website stress into website success, visit: https://www.lpicommunities.com/community-websites

How Much Should Your Small Business Spend on Marketing?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:45:41 GMT

If you’re a business trying to reach customers right in your backyard, the key is to advertise in the places your community already knows, trusts, and pays attention to. For many small businesses, that means building visibility in both print and digital channels so that your community can see your name in a familiar publication and then find you when they search online later. LPi’s advertising approach is built around that same hyperlocal, multi-channel visibility through local publications, digital ads, email placements, and even website sponsorships.

Before we go down the advertising rabbit hole, though, it’s important to remember that print ads still play a foundational role in your local advertising strategy. They put your business directly into people’s hands through newsletters, guides, and programs that stay within reach of local decision-makers, while digital placements help drive website traffic and keep your business visible to people searching online. A business shouldn’t only consider one or the other. Rather, you should always pair digital ads with print ads. Using both types in tandem guarantees that your business stays top of mind for those right in your own backyard.

Why Print Advertising Still Works in a Digital-Heavy World

Print ads, especially when placed in trusted local publications, still work because they give your business something digital often cannot: a physical presence in the daily life of your community. A print ad is not competing with endless tabs, notifications, or disappearing posts. It shows up in a trusted local publication and puts your business directly into their hands — and sometimes even stuck to their refrigerator!

Visibility like this helps build familiarity for your brand, and familiarity builds trust. For example, when neighbors see your company’s ad regularly in a community newsletter or other local publication, your business starts to feel known to readers. When a business feels known to the community, it often feels more credible too, and that credibility is what will get them to patronize your business over a competitor’s!

Print also has staying power. A digital ad can vanish with one scroll, but a printed piece may sit on a kitchen counter, desk, or bulletin board for days. That gives people more than one chance to notice your name, remember your service, and act when the timing is right. For local businesses, that repeated visibility makes a significant difference.

Work smarter, not harder, by partnering with an ad-placement company to help your business find the right local publication to advertise in. LPi is a great, trusted option with 50 years of experience working with small businesses to successfully advertise locally in over 6,000 publications ranging from senior center newsletters to church bulletins and beyond. With LPi’s advertising services, businesses get their print ads in front of those most likely to patronize their business — right in their company’s backyard.

Why Digital Marketing Makes Print Marketing Work Even Better

Print ads build recognition. Digital ads help turn that recognition into action. When someone sees your business in a trusted local publication, there is a good chance they will look your business up later via an internet search. That’s where digital advertising can help you close the loop and make the sale. Think: see you in print, find you online.

LPi positions its local advertising strategy for businesses this way, pairing print placements with digital exposure across multiple channels to stay visible where nearby customers are already engaged.

When you advertise with LPi, local digital ad options include ads on My Community Online (an online directory of local organizations), exclusive email banner ads tied to the digital publication your print ad is running in, digital display ads, and website sponsorships that place a business on a local organization’s homepage. LPi makes it easy to bundle print and digital campaigns specifically designed to build awareness and trust for your business locally, thus increasing your customer base.

A Simple Local Marketing Strategy That Works

Remember, LPi has been successfully placing ads for 50 years and currently works with over 6,000 trusted community publications. It is LPi’s mission to assist the thousands of businesses we work with in successfully marketing their products and services in their own neighborhoods. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t quite know how to get started, here’s what we recommend:

Start with one trusted, local print placement
Add a digital display ad or email banner ad
Keep your message consistent
Stay visible over time with low annual rates

You’ll start seeing local growth happen when you intentionally show up where your community already is. Letting LPi help you get started is a practical solution for both print and digital visibility. Learn more about LPi’s local print and online advertising solutions today!

Everything You Need to Know to Promote Your Business Locally

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:58:37 GMT

If you’ve found this guide, chances are you’re promoting a new service, growing a neighborhood shop, or looking for cost-effective local advertising for your business. Well, you’re in the right place! Understanding how to market your small business locally is one of the most powerful steps you can take, and this guide is your golden ticket for doing it effectively.

Consumers want to support businesses in their own communities that they feel they can trust. They prefer those they see in places they value, like parish bulletins, community newsletters, and other hyper-local advertising channels. Our local marketing guide will walk you through the best ways to reach customers just like that in your area. Inside, you’ll find information about choosing the right small business marketing strategies, tips for building a smart marketing budget for small businesses, how to design effective ads, and the facts about combining print and digital outreach. If you’re searching for practical, proven community advertising ideas or a straightforward small business advertising guide, this is the article for you!

In This Guide:

Feel free to read on or jump ahead to:

Why Local Marketing Still Matters for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses

When you’re exploring how to promote your business, the most effective place to begin is often right in your own neighborhood. Local marketing matters because community awareness is still one of the strongest drivers of trust, referrals, and long-term customer loyalty. People naturally gravitate toward businesses that support the places where they live, worship, and enjoy leisure activities. This type of visibility builds the familiarity and trust that larger, more far-reaching strategies can’t always replicate.

How Consumer Behavior Has Shifted to Local Purchases

If you’ve noticed that the average consumer is becoming more and more intentional about supporting local businesses, you’re right! Folks want to put their dollars toward organizations that share their values and enrich their communities. That’s why understanding what local marketing is matters for businesses. Your marketing plan should be more than just ads. To foster that trust and connection in your brand, you should place your advertising where your community is already invested. Consistent visibility in local publications like church bulletins and community newsletters makes it easier for nearby customers to remember you when they need your services. This is a key advantage when exploring how to market your business locally.

Why Advertising Should Never Be the First Budget Cut in Tough Economic Times

Economic uncertainty often prompts small businesses to consider trimming expenses, and advertising can feel like an easy area to make cuts. Don’t give into that temptation! Maintaining even modest, consistent local advertising helps sustain visibility and signals stability to customers. For example, local businesses frequently use advertising inside church bulletins, even during tough economic times, because it offers reliable, repeated exposure in high-trust environments. This creates a sense of steady support and visibility when your neighbors need it the most.

For business owners wondering how to advertise a business locally without overspending , community-based placements — like ads in parish bulletins , as we mentioned above — provide an affordable and predictable path that reaches the exact people most likely to become loyal customers.

How to Build a Smart Marketing Budget for Your Business

Many small business owners wonder whether they really need a marketing budget, especially when day-to-day operations feel so much more urgent. The answer? Consistent outreach is one of the biggest drivers of long-term growth — especially when you’re first starting to promote your business. Visibility builds trust, trust builds referrals, and referrals build revenue!

Should Small Businesses Have a Marketing Budget? (Yes — and here’s why.)

This is why even a small marketing budget helps keep your business in front of the community you serve. Local advertising outlets offer predictable, repeated exposure in trusted spaces your customers engage with frequently. When your business shows up consistently in those places, you remain top-of-mind at the exact moment someone needs your service.

Imagine, for example, that you own a pizza restaurant. The likelihood of a member of the church whose bulletin you advertise in choosing to buy your pizzas over the local alternative is high! Why? Because they see your ad in their beloved church’s bulletin every week, they associate your pizza company with their parish and know that you support their church. Loyalty begets loyalty!

The same concept applies to any community newsletter — be it for a senior center, golf association, HOA, campground, retirement community, or another organization.

How Much Should Your Business Budget for Marketing?

While exact budgets, earnings, and economic conditions vary, many small businesses find that choosing a percentage of their annual revenue is a great and simple starting point. A common approach is to allocate a portion of this budget to marketing efforts that directly reach local customers — even when advertising in a recession.

For example, businesses that rely on neighborhood trust — such as home services, healthcare, restaurants, and professional services — benefit greatly from consistent local visibility and should allocate a portion of their marketing budget to local channels. Channels like community newsletters and church bulletins work especially well for these business types because they place your company and brand directly in front of nearby families, homeowners, and long-standing community members who already trust the source.

No matter your budget, there are always cost-effective local advertising options available for print and digital ads!

Essential Questions to Ask Before Budgeting for Marketing

Before finalizing your marketing budget, step back and clarify the fundamentals of how to market your business locally. A few guiding questions make the process much easier:

Who is your target audience?
Are they families, homeowners, seniors, students, or commuters? The more specific you are, the better you can choose the proper local channels. Consider age ranges, genders, even interests, and jobs when narrowing down your target audience/target market.
How local is your service area?
Do you serve a few neighborhoods, a small town, or an entire region? Businesses with tight service areas benefit greatly from hyper-local advertising , such as that found in church bulletins and community newsletters.
What marketing channels best reach your community?
Look for trusted places where your customers already spend their time. LPi’s parish bulletins and community publications reach engaged, loyal audiences who value supporting the businesses featured in them!

A thoughtful budget ensures your message shows up in the places that matter and will help you make sales before you know it!

How to Design Your Local Business Ads

When learning how to promote your business locally, the quality of your ad matters just as much as its placement. Some small business owners choose to design their own ads, especially when they already have a finished logo design and brand design. DIY design can work great for straightforward ads that only need basic information.

Design Your Own Ad vs. Using a Professional Designer

If you’re not a designer but still want to create something yourself, keep these basic guidelines in mind to make your design look clean and well-made:

Prominent logo to build brand awareness
Use only one or two fonts
Stick to your brand colors
Keep text short and readable — less is more
A call to action, promotion, or coupon

If you want your ad to look polished, balanced, and eye-catching — especially when it’s in a printed publication — having a professional designer create your ad design is the way to go. Designers understand layout, hierarchy, modern design trends, and the psychological elements of design that ensure your ad communicates clearly, stands out, and “works” for your audience.

How to Get Your Company’s Ad Designed for Free

One of the best small business advertising tips out there is to work smarter, not harder. LPi offers free professional ad design with every bulletin or newsletter advertisement. This gives businesses an easy and cost-effective way to advertise without needing an experienced designer on staff. Why spend hours trying to design an advertisement on your own when you can get a custom design made by professional designers, as part of your advertising package?

Why Your Brand Matters in Your Ad Design

Your ad is often the first impression someone has of your business. Consistent branding is made up of your brand’s colors, fonts, logo, and tone. Your brand helps local customers recognize you instantly across every place they see your name (or your ad).

Strong branding builds trust and familiarity, which is essential when learning how to market your business locally . A consistent look makes your business feel stable, reliable, and professional. In fact, according to Northwestern University, your brand trust can be measured through repeat purchases, referrals, and positive reviews. Remember, your brand trust is pivotal to your long-term growth as a company.

Imagine you own a flower shop but every single time you publish an ad your logo, fonts, and colors are all different. Sure, you might be using the same company name, but people won’t recognize your ads as belonging to you! Instead, they’ll think you are many different companies. This would be a terrible waste because studies show thatconsumersare much more likely to buy from brands they recognize and frequently see. In fact, consumers are more likely to spend more from a recognized, trusted brand.

Advertisement Designs That Convert

Ads that convert viewers into customers usually include:

A clear headline or service description
A visible logo
Simple contact information
A short, compelling call to action
Clean, uncluttered designs
Repetitive placement

In community-based advertising, conversion often comes from repetition. Weekly or monthly exposure helps your audience remember your business when they need you, making placement and consistency just as important as the design itself. This is one of the best benefits of local advertising!

Print vs. Digital Advertising: How to Choose the Right Mix for Your Business

Usually, the answer to "Should I invest in print advertising or digital advertising?" is "Both!" In fact, many times the organization(s) you choose to advertise with will offer easy options to make your print ad digital, and vice versa. It's important to know the strengths of each type of advertising, though, so that you can be intentional about your choices.

The Strength of Local Print Advertising

Local print advertising remains one of the most effective tools for small businesses aiming to build trust and convert customers locally. Community-based print media — like parish bulletins and community organization newsletters — carries a high level of trust and credibility to its audience. Readers see publications like these as reliable sources of local information, which means the businesses featured within them benefit from that same trust.

Print also guarantees your business an audience local to wherever the publication is distributed. Members of your community actively read these materials whenever they are published, giving your business consistent visibility with people who live and spend their money near your business. With far less competition on the page compared to sometimes over-crowded digital feeds, a printed ad receives more focused attention. Instead of reaching thousands of people with a national digital ad who may never become customers, you’re following the best small business advertising tips and reaching your neighbors and the exact local community you want to serve, reliably and repeatedly. This is called “hyper-local advertising.”

LPi’s parish bulletins and community newsletter ads exemplify this kind of targeted, high-trust print advertising, giving local businesses exposure where it makes the most impact.

The Strength of Digital Advertising

Taking advantage of digital advertising options can add flexibility, speed, and even affordability to your outreach efforts. Digital avenues like social media platforms and search engine ads (like Google) also offer targeting precision. Whether you focus on specific ZIP codes, interests, or online behavior, digital tools can help refine your audience and reach the people most likely to take action. This makes digital ads especially powerful for frequent touchpoints such as short reminders, retargeting, and reinforcing your company’s brand between print impressions.

LPi’s digital display and email ad options with local parishes and organizations provides additional, hyper-local visibility. These digital advertisements put your name in front of readers who browse their parish’s online directory or digital newsletter presence.

Why a Print + Digital Combo Is the Most Powerful Strategy for Advertising Your Small Business

Why settle for just one when you can have both options? If you’re deciding how to advertise locally or how to market your business locally in a way that creates real impact, combining print and digital options is one of the strongest strategies you can have. Research compiled by FinancesOnline found that “Online campaigns were 400% more effective when combining print and digital advertising.”

Multi-channel repetition boosts recognition and recall. This helps potential customers connect your business name with your product or service faster. That familiarity leads to higher trust, stronger engagement, and more conversions over time.

LPi’s advertising options make a multi-channel (print and digital) approach super simple. Your business receives consistent print visibility in repeating parish or community publications while also benefiting from digital exposure on their corresponding online platforms. Together, these touchpoints create a powerful, repeatable presence that keeps your business top-of-mind within your local community and even nationally!

Sources

Northwestern University. What Is Brand Trust? Why It’s Your Most Valuable Asset
Salsify. Brand Trust Makes 87% of Shoppers Pay More for Products — Here’s Why
Finances Online. 26 Relevant Print Marketing Statistics: 2024 Ad Spending & Impact

Digital vs Print Ads: Which is Better for Local Businesses?

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:45:08 GMT

Why Print Advertising Still Works in a Digital-Heavy World

Why Digital Marketing Makes Print Marketing Work Even Better

A Simple Local Marketing Strategy That Works

Start with one trusted, local print placement
Add a digital display ad or email banner ad
Keep your message consistent
Stay visible over time with low annual rates

How to Set Up and Update Your Organization’s Google Business Profile

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:35:35 GMT

One of the easiest and most effective ways for your organization to be found online is through your Google Business Profile. In fact, creating and maintaining your organization’s Google Business Profile is one of the easiest wins for your efforts to boost your website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It helps your community quickly see your location, hours, services, photos, and reviews right in Google Search and Google Maps.

Setting it up and keeping it updated doesn’t require technical expertise — just a bit of time and consistency. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you create your profile, and a few tips to keep it current.

Why a Google Profile Matters for a Local Organization

When someone searches for your organization online, or looks up its location or phone number, your Google profile is often the first thing they’ll see. This is precisely the reason why it’s important to have a complete and accurate profile! Your Google Business Profile helps you build trust, makes your organization easier to locate and contact, and helps the community understand exactly what you offer. These days, it’s actually quite odd for an organization NOT to have a Google Business Profile, so don’t miss out! Failing to create one can make your organization seem less trustworthy, even illegitimate or fake. People expect to find you on Google!

How to Set Up a Google Business Profile for Your Senior Center

The first step is to set up your profile and enter the information that online searchers typically want to know. Just as important will be regularly updating the information, especially time-bound items like hours and events. Here’s how:

Step 1: Sign In or Create a Google Account

You’ll need a Google account to manage the profile. Ideally, use a shared, professional email address (not a personal one) so other staff can access it if roles change.

Step 2: Find or Create the Profile

In your browser, go to Google.com and search for your organization’s name.

If a profile already exists, you may see a “Claim this business” option.
If nothing appears, go to the Google Business Profile page and click “Start now.”

Step 3: Enter Your Basic Information

You’ll be asked to provide:

Your organization’s name (use the official name consistently)
Address (or service area, if applicable)
Phone number
Website (if you don’t have a website, this free guide can help you create one)
Category (choose the closest match)

Accuracy is important. Make sure the information you enter matches what’s on your website and printed materials.

Step 4: Verify Your Profile

Google will require verification to confirm that your organization is legitimate. This is usually done by requesting that a postcard containing a verification code be mailed to your physical address, although phone or email verification may also be available. Once verified, your profile will become publicly visible.

How to Improve Your Google Business Profile After Setup

After you successfully setup your organization's Google Business Profile, consider these next steps to truly stand out.

Add a detailed description: Write a clear, friendly description explaining what your organization offers, who it serves, and what makes it special. This is a great place to mention programs, events, or community partnerships.
Upload photos: Photos make a big difference! Add pictures of:
The building exterior (to help visitors recognize it)
Common areas and activity rooms
Guests/Members attending events or classes (with permission)
Outdoor spaces
Your Staff
Bright, welcoming photos help people feel comfortable before they ever visit.
Set accurate hours: List your regular hours, but don’t forget to post special hours for holidays or closures. Nothing frustrates visitors more than showing up to a closed building that Google said was open.

How to Keep Your Google Business Profile Updated

Now that's your profile is finished, it's important to continue to update it occasionally. Here are some of the specific updates your audience might expect:

Edit information as it changes: Any time your phone number, hours, services, or address changes, update your profile right away. Log in, select your profile, and choose “Edit profile.”
Post news and events: Google allows short posts for announcements, events, and reminders. Posting about upcoming activities, events, or special programs shows that your organization is active and engaged.
Respond to reviews: Reviews matter! Thank people for positive reviews and respond politely to concerns. This shows professionalism and care for your community.
Check messages and questions: Some profiles allow users to message or ask questions. Assign a staff member to check these regularly so inquiries don’t go unanswered.
Make updating your Google Business Profile a habit: The easiest way to manage a Google profile is to check it once or twice a month. A quick review ensures information stays accurate and your organization continues to make a strong first impression.

With a well-maintained Google Business Profile, your organization becomes easier to find, more trustworthy, and more connected to the people who need it most. Need some more tips to elevate your online presence? LPi assists thousands of organizations nationwide with their websites and communication. We’d love to help!

Ways to Improve the Credibility of Your Organization’s Website

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:50:39 GMT

An organization’s website is often the first point of contact for most. Before someone walks through your doors or picks up the phone, they will likely check your website to decide whether your organization feels trustworthy, welcoming, and reliable. Improving your website’s credibility isn’t just about its design and appearance. It’s also about clearly communicating your mission, values, and commitment to the people you serve.

If you feel lost when it comes to your digital presence, remember LPi works with thousands of organizations nationwide to help them design and maintain a website with our powerful platform, WeConnect. We offer free live demos every month to give a sneak peek at WeConnect's functionality, ease of use, and the ongoing support users enjoy.

Now, let’s dive into improving your website’s credibility.

Improve Your Website With Clear Branding and Messaging

Consistent branding builds recognition and trust across your organization. For brand continuity, your logo, colors, fonts, and tone of voice should be uniform across all the pages of your website. Avoid outdated visuals or mismatched styles that can make the site feel neglected or like your organization doesn’t know what they’re doing online.

Make sure your mission statement is easy to find on your website, too, and written in plain, friendly language. Visitors should immediately understand who you are, who you serve, and what you’ve got to offer them as soon as they glance at your site.

When your site is well-branded, functional, regularly updated, and is using standard SEO practices , it helps your local community trust you! These steps signal professionalism and a commitment to the folks you serve. Essentially, these make you look like you know what you’re doing!

Prioritize Your Website’s Accessibility and User Experience

When designing and maintaining an organization’s website, making sure your website is accessible to people of varying abilities is essential. To do this, use large, easy-to-read fonts, high color contrast, and simple navigation menus. Avoid clutter and keep page layouts clean. Important information — such as hours, location, contact details, and program schedules — should be easy to find within just one or two clicks.

Consider accessibility tools such as text-resizing options, screen-reader compatibility, and clear button labels. An accessible website not only improves credibility but also demonstrates respect for older adults and people with disabilities.

Keep Your Website Content Current and Accurate

Nothing undermines trust faster than outdated information on an organization’s website. Old event listings, incorrect hours, and even broken links can signal neglect and make people think you don’t know what you’re doing. One strategy to avoid this is to assign someone on your team, train them to use your web platform, and then have them regularly review and update the website. When we say “regularly,” we mean once a week at the least.

Posting recent news, upcoming events , and seasonal program changes shows that your organization is active and engaged. Adding photos from recent activities or short updates about community partnerships can also help visitors feel confident that your center is thriving and well-managed.

Your Website Should Show Real People and Tell Their Stories

Credibility grows when visitors see real people’s faces and read real stories. While it may be easy to simply toss in a stock image of people on your website, including actual photos of staff, volunteers, and participants (with permission) will make an enormous difference. Consider also adding short testimonials from members or customers describing positive experiences they’ve had right on your homepage, and highlighting the impact of your programs with simple statistics or success stories.

An “About Us” page with staff bios and leadership information is also a huge plus. It adds transparency and reassures visitors that your organization is run by caring, qualified people. Research shows the “About Us” page is one of the most visited destinations on an organization’s website, so don’t skimp on it!

Use Search Engine Optimization on Your Website

Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your website appear in search results when people search the web for organizations like yours in your area. Use clear page titles, descriptive headings, and simple keywords like “senior center in [city]” to accurately describe who you are and what you offer. Accurate location information and an up-to-date Google Business Profile will further reinforce your legitimacy.

A website that consistently appears in search results feels more established and dependable to those doing the searching. This is especially valuable when users are comparing multiple organizations.

Ensure Your Website is Secure and Professional

Make sure your website uses HTTPS to protect visitor data . Display clear privacy policies and contact information, including a physical address and phone number on your site as well. A secure, transparent website reassures users that your organization is legitimate and their information is safe.

LPi’s Free Guide to Creating Your Organization’s Website

If you haven’t yet created a website for your organization, or you’re just now exploring the idea of developing a new one, we have a free guide to walk you through everything you need to know! The Essential Guide to Creating a Community Website That Works covers everything from audience insight to the importance of having a blog.

Newsletter Formatting Tips — 8 Ways to Maximize the Impact of Your Publications

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:45:15 GMT

A well-formatted newsletter does more than look attractive. It also guides the reader’s eye, makes information easier to absorb, and increases the chances that your audience will actually read what you’ve worked hard to create. Whether you’re preparing a digital newsletter, a print edition, or both, effective formatting helps you communicate clearly and maintain a consistent, professional image.

Newsletter Formatting Tips

Here are some practical formatting tips to ensure your next newsletter doesn’t fall flat!

1. Start With a Clear Structure

A good newsletter layout begins with a logical, easy-to-follow structure. Most readers skim before they commit, so your format should highlight important sections and allow readers to navigate quickly.

Key recommendations:

Use a clear header section with your newsletter name, issue date, and logo.
Break content into sections, such as announcements, events, features, and resources.
Keep the order consistent from issue to issue so readers know what to expect.

A predictable structure helps people find the information they care about without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Choose Easy-to-Read Fonts

Typography plays a major role in whether your content is easy or frustrating to read. Use simple, clean fonts that display well both in print and across electronic devices. Truly, these fonts should already be part of your brand. If you don’t have a distinct brand that includes a logo, colors, and fonts yet, learn more about how important a brand is in building trust for your organization with our brand guide.

A few helpful hints when it comes to selecting fonts are:

Use no more than two or three fonts in total: one for headings, one for body text, and an optional accent font.
Choose sans-serif fonts for digital newsletters (e.g., Arial, Helvetica, Open Sans) for better screen readability.
Use serif fonts (e.g., Georgia, Times New Roman) for print newsletters if you prefer a more traditional, formal appearance.
Keep body text between 10 to 12 points for print or 14 to 16 pixels for digital formats.

Consistency across your font choices contributes to a polished, organized look.

3. Use Visual Hierarchy to Emphasize Key Information

Visual hierarchy helps guide readers through your content by signaling what is most important. Headings, subheadings, bullet points, and color accents all help break large blocks of text into digestible pieces.

Consider these tactics:

Make section headers bold or slightly larger.
Use subheadings to divide long articles or updates.
Add bulleted lists or numbered lists to make details easy to skim.
Use bolding, italics, or color sparingly to highlight key words or phrases.

A strong hierarchy reduces reader fatigue and keeps people engaged.

4. Incorporate White Space

White space, also known as negative space, is a critical but often overlooked formatting element. It keeps your layout from feeling cluttered and gives readers’ eyes room to rest.

Some ways to add white space effectively are:

Increase spacing between paragraphs and sections.
Add margins around images and graphics.
Avoid packing too much text into narrow columns.
Use simple, clean design elements, rather than dense patterns.

As you are formatting your newsletter, keep in mind that white space creates a calmer, more professional feel and improves overall readability.

5. Balance Text and Images

Photos, illustrations, clip art, and other graphics bring your newsletter to life , but balance is essential. Too many visuals can distract from your message; too few can make your layout feel flat.

For best results:

Choose high-quality, relevant images that support your content.
Use consistent image sizes or shapes for a cohesive appearance.
Avoid crowding images — give them breathing room.
Using a content library like WeCreate can save you a ton of time by providing professional graphics and content at your fingertips.
Add captions when an image needs context or attribution.

Whether you’re using photographs, clip art, or custom graphics, visual elements should enhance — not overwhelm — your content.

6. Keep Columns Clean and Consistent

Many newsletters use a multicolumn layout because it’s familiar and easy to read. If you use columns, be sure to keep them neat and uniform.

Some suggestions include:

Limit content to two or three columns per page or screen.
Maintain equal spacing between columns.
Avoid splitting sentences or paragraphs across columns when possible.
Position headings clearly at the top of a column to avoid confusion.

Keeping columns consistent throughout your publication creates a magazine-like feel while also keeping your newsletter organized.

7. Use Color Purposefully

Color can bring energy and personality to your newsletter. But it should be used thoughtfully to maintain readability and brand consistency, and not overwhelm the eye.

Effective color theory practices include:

Stick with your organization’s brand palette when possible.
Use color to differentiate sections or highlight key items.
Avoid overly bright or clashing colors that strain the eyes.
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background for accessibility.
Avoid white or very pale font colors, which can be hard to read for aging eyes.

Remember, color should guide, not distract, your readers.

8. Proofread and Test Before Publishing

Even the best formatting won’t save a newsletter if it has typos or inconsistent spacing. Before sending or printing, do a thorough review. Avoiding potentially embarrassing misspellings or mistakes is crucial.

Be sure to:

Proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
Ensure that headings, fonts, and spacing are consistent.
Test digital newsletters on mobile devices and desktops — layouts can shift.
Print a sample page of printed newsletters to check margins and clarity.

Learn More About LPi’s Publication Services

Great formatting can help turn your newsletter into a polished, readable, and engaging publication. With clear organization, thoughtful design, and consistent visual cues, your message will shine — and your readers will keep coming back for more.

If you need a partner to help with your newsletter production, LPi is the best in the business!

The Value of an Electronic Newsletter

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:11:42 GMT

Newsletter newsflash: it’s not just traditional print newsletters that help your organization reach your target audience. Electronic newsletters, often referred to as e-newsletters, provide a direct line of communication that is personal, timely, cost-effective, and wildly effective. At LPi, newsletters are one of our specialties, so let’s dive in!

Electronic Newsletters Communicate Directly and Personally

One of the greatest strengths of an electronic newsletter is its ability to deliver information straight to your audience’s inbox, rather than relying on social media algorithms or hoping people will visit your website. An e-newsletter ensures your message reaches the people who want to hear from you. It goes directly to subscribers who have opted in specifically to receive your publication, so they are already engaged and receptive.

This directness makes e-newsletters ideal for:

Building relationships
Sharing updates or announcements
Providing educational or informative content
Highlighting accomplishments or upcoming events

Because email is still one of the most widely used communication platforms across all age groups, this medium remains highly reliable.

How to Save on Costs and Time Using an Electronic Newsletter

Compared to print newsletters or mailers, electronic newsletters require significantly fewer resources, both financial and human. There’s no printing, postage, or physical distribution involved, and design tools are often low-cost or free. This makes e-newsletters practical for small organizations or groups with limited budgets.

In addition to saving money, digital newsletters save time. Templates, scheduling tools, and built-in design elements streamline the creation process. Once the layout is established, producing each new issue becomes quick and efficient.

Easily Track Results and Make Improvements

One distinct advantage of digital communication is the ability to measure performance. With printed newsletters, it’s hard to determine how many people actually read or interact with the material; electronic newsletters remove that guesswork.

Most email platforms provide detailed analytics, including:

Open rates
Click-through rates
Reader-engagement patterns
Popular content sections
Optimal send times

These insights allow you to refine your content, adjust your messaging, and tailor your newsletters to better meet your audience’s interests.

Share Flexible, Dynamic Content

Unlike print publications, electronic newsletters are not limited by physical space constraints. You can include a variety of formats and media types to create a visually appealing and engaging experience.

Common options include:

High-quality photos and unique graphics
Links to articles, forms, and resources
Buttons for event registration and donations
Interactive elements like polls or surveys

This flexibility allows you to tell richer stories, highlight more information, and provide actionable next steps — all within a single message!

Build and Strengthen Community

More than a communication tool, an e-newsletter can serve as the heartbeat of a community organization. It gives your audience a sense of belonging, keeps them informed, and helps maintain consistent contact even when people are geographically distant. By featuring member stories , promoting shared goals, and showcasing ongoing initiatives, newsletters strengthen your organization’s relationship with your members!

When you print your newsletter with LPi, a digital version is automatically uploaded to My Community Online — a specialized, nationwide online directory of organizations and community supporters — then posted on your website and emailed to your subscribers.

If you’d like to learn more about newsletters and how your team can use them to create a positive public impression of your organization, Community Newsletters: A Complete Guide is a great resource.

Why LPi Suggests Canva for Nonprofits

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:01:55 GMT

What Is Canva?

Canva is an easy-to-use online graphic design platform that helps nonprofits create professional-quality materials without a graphic design background. Canva includes thousands of templates, drag-and-drop tools, free images and fonts, and learning resources. This gives organizations a simple way to design everything from flyers to social media posts in just a few clicks.

So, what is Canva used for in a nonprofit setting? The possibilities are endless. Many organizations rely on Canva to create:

Event flyers that attract attendance and boost visibility
Social media graphics that grow engagement and spread awareness
Volunteer recruitment posters that inspire signups
Donation drive visuals and thank-you graphics
Newsletters and bulletins that keep communities informed

Canva makes it easy to turn your ideas into polished visuals that reflect your mission. For nonprofits juggling limited resources and busy schedules, it’s a smart, accessible tool that helps you look your best without a hefty price tag or steep learning curve.

How to Get Canva Pro for Free as a Nonprofit

It’s true! Canva has a FREE upgrade option for registered nonprofit organizations!

If your organization is a nonprofit, you may qualify for Canva for Nonprofits . This is a free upgrade from the basic version of Canva that gives nonprofit organizations access to the full range of Canva Pro features (plus some extras) at no cost. Upgrades such as premium templates, brand kits, team collaboration tools, Magic Resize, background remover, print-ready PDF exporter, and more.

Is Canva Pro the Same as Canva for Nonprofits?

You might be asking, “Wait, what is Canva pro as compared to Canva for Nonprofits?”

Canva Pro is Canva’s paid tier, typically used by businesses, marketers, and design teams. Canva for Nonprofits offers the exact same robust functionality as Canva Pro but is purpose-built for mission-driven organizations and includes up to 50 seats for nonprofits, making it easy and seamless to work together on Canva projects with your staff.

Learn how to get Canva pro for free by visiting our step-by-step guide.

How much is Canva Pro if your organization wants to simply purchase a subscription? Canva highlights its prices on its website.

The Canva Pro Features That Help Nonprofit Organizations

There are many key Canva Pro features (included in Canva for Nonprofits) that nonprofit staff worldwide love and use every day. We’ve listed a few of them below and explain why they’re so useful:

Brand Kit — Canva Pro’s Brand Kit makes it possible for nonprofits to store their logos, colors, and fonts in one place. This makes it easy for any team member to produce on-brand designs quickly. With an organization’s brand kit so readily available, every flyer, post, and presentation stays visually consistent, even when multiple people are creating materials.
Print Ready PDF Option — With Canva Pro’s Print Ready PDFs, nonprofits can produce print materials that meet professional standards without needing design software expertise. High-resolution, properly formatted files eliminate the guesswork and keep outreach efforts looking crisp and professional.
Magic Resize Tool — Canva Pro’s Magic Resize tool lets nonprofit staff instantly adapt a design into multiple sizes to be used on social posts, flyers, posters, and whatever else you need without rebuilding anything from scratch. It saves time and ensures every message stays consistent across platforms and media.
Background Remover — If you’ve ever wondered how designers seem to so easily remove the background of an image to isolate the subject in their designs, this is the answer! With Background Remover, nonprofits can highlight people, products, or mission moments with just one click.
Premium Graphics, Templates, and Animations — Canva Pro’s premium graphics options give nonprofits access to higher-quality, more polished design assets that stand out in crowded communication channels. While the free library is robust, Canva’s premium content offers significantly more variety, more styles, and more ways to custom-tailor your visuals.
Social Media Content Scheduler — No need to download designs just to re-upload them into each platform your organization uses for social media anymore! With Canva Pro’s Content Scheduler, users can schedule posts to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest directly from the Canva app.

Why LPi Recommends Canva for Nonprofits

At LPi, we work with thousands of mission-driven organizations. Through this work, we’ve seen firsthand how the right design tools can empower teams and elevate outreach. Canva Pro and Canva for Nonprofits stand out as some of the most effective and accessible solutions available today.

Here’s why we recommend Canva so strongly:

Empowers staff and volunteers with no design background
Canva’s simple drag-and-drop tools allow anyone to create polished graphics quickly.

Provides fast, branded templates
Brand kits and ready-made templates help teams produce consistent, professional materials with ease.

Supports high-end print and digital messaging
Whether creating newsletters, flyers, social posts, or something else, Canva keeps your messaging unified across platforms and professionally formatted for print and digital.

Integrates well with LPi products and services
Designs created in Canva Pro work seamlessly with LPi’s solutions like WeConnect, WeCreate, newsletters, bulletins, and even advertising.

Cost-effective and easy to adopt
With Canva for Nonprofits offering Canva Pro features (and more!) for free, nonprofit staff can save money and get started with minimal training.

Enables faster turnaround for communications
Shared assets, templates, and team collaboration tools help coworkers create the designs they want, right when they need them.

Strengthens storytelling
Canva’s visual tools, such as its thousands of premium templates for everything from flyers to social media posts, make it easier to highlight mission moments, volunteers, and your community impact!

Need help getting started with Canva? You're in luck! We have a Canva support page to get you started.

What a Year! LPi's Top Moments of 2025

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:10:00 GMT

At LPi, we’ve said goodbye to 2025 and stepped into 2026! This is the perfect moment to celebrate the progress, creativity, and collaboration that defined 2025 as such a remarkable year for us. Together, we grew, innovated, and supported our customers in meaningful ways that brought lasting impact. Here are just a few standout moments that reflect the passion and dedication of our teams — and what made 2025 a year to remember!

Growth in LPi Leadership

We welcomed a new CEO, Jill McDermott
JoAnn Breuchel joined us as CFO
Matt Inkman was promoted to VP of Ad Sales

Customer Wins

We began the Canva onboarding process for our customers as we prepared for the discontinuation of Publisher. Support includes webinars, video and written tutorials, personalized assistance, and more!
The new LPiDashboard officially launched. This exciting new tool helps streamline the process of submitting files for printing and allows us to provide each customer with easy access to all of LPi's products and services.

Sales Achievements

LPi is expanding services to new markets! We've hired Marketing Specialists to focus on three new verticals: recreational/campground, retirement communities, and golf and racket sport communities.
Our Sales teams have implemented new strategies nationwide to help our smaller accounts achieve success. Growth in digital sales continues to exceed expectations.

Marketing Announcements

We completely transformed Parishes Online and My Community Online. The new websites offer valuable ways for our customers to connect with their communities. From increased customization options and improved search functionality to expanded digital advertising opportunities, these websites are better than ever!
We launched Parker, our new AI Assistant, on the website. It has been helping us make new connections with prospects after hours when our sales teams are no longer on the clock. Try it out by heading over to 4lpi.com to ask a question!

Technology Updates

We made company-wide server upgrades to keep up with growing demand for fast technology and services.
LPi is implementing strategies to ensure AI adoption is being used responsibly by defining a clear strategy and plan.

Press Upgrades

We successfully upgraded the presses that print for over 6,000 customers nationwide. This includes a full server upgrade for our Cleveland, OH, and Hartford, CO plants, a press and server upgrade for our Milwaukee, WI plant, a server upgrade for our Florida plant, and a software upgrade for our Dallas, TX plant!

As we look back on a year of incredible progress, we’re filled with gratitude for every team member, partner, and customer who helped make 2025 unforgettable. What began as a small mission in the Midwest has grown into a nationwide effort to equip parishes and organizations with the tools they need to thrive.

With 2026 already picking up speed, we’re more inspired than ever to keep crushing our goals! Here’s to the next chapter of growth, connection, and mission-driven work!

Interested in a career with LPi? We’d love to meet you: https://www.4lpi.com/careers

How to Find the Best Clip Art for Newsletters and Communications

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:27:39 GMT

Clip art images, vectors, and custom graphics can instantly elevate the look of an organization's newsletter. Not only do the right visuals help break up text and draw attention to important information, but they also give your publication a sense of personality and professionalism.

If you’re not a graphic designer and you’re wondering where to find clip art, icons, and graphics for your newsletter, don’t worry! There are plenty of resources online to help you find high-quality clip art that fits your message and won’t get you into copyright trouble .

Use a Clip Art Library for Your Communication Needs

If you need friendly, easy-to-understand graphic options like clip art, subscribing to a curated online content library like WeCreate is your best move.

Common features that make clip art from a content library easy to use include:

PNG or JPG formats for easy placement in newsletters
High resolution graphics that look great printed
Collections designed around specific themes
Large, easy-to-search collections
Professional illustrations that blend well with branded newsletters

A subscription to WeCreate works especially well for community newsletters that need beautiful, professional-looking imagery. Every month, WeCreate adds newly designed graphics and clip art for seasons, holidays, activities, comics, puzzles, and more, giving subscribers access to fresh content!

How to Keep Your Clip Art and Graphics From Looking Unprofessional

Clip art has evolved a lot since the early days of publishing. What might have looked amazing 20 years ago won’t be appropriate nowadays for your modern audience. If you’re still using the same clip art and graphics you’ve been using since the 90s, it’s time to update your style!

Here are a few tips to modernize:

Choose clip art that is the same, or at least a similar "style," so your efforts look coordinated. For example, if you use five pieces of clip art that look like hand-drawn sketches, but one of them looks like a realistic image, the discontinuity can look less than professional.
If you are printing in color, use bright colors and follow the same concept as above. If half your clip art is black-and-white and the other half is in color, that can be confusing.
As for your publication’s copy — don't stray from one or two fonts. Keeping your style consistent helps readers feel familiar with your publication, even if the graphics change!
When possible, use professionally made graphics.
Be sure to use more than just clip art. Graphics like the infographics in WeCreate can add a professional touch to your publication! For example:

The Best Solution for Print and Digital Newsletters

Creating a polished, engaging newsletter is easy with LPi’s Newsletter Service. Trusted by over 6,000 nonprofits nationwide, we simplify the entire process — from layout and design to printing and distribution — and even help cover the costs through sponsorships from local businesses. As an LPi customer, you’ll also receive full access to WeCreate, our digital content library filled with seasonal graphics, customizable templates, stock photos, and pre-written articles tailored for organizations just like yours.

Visit our Newsletter Services page to explore examples and see how easy it is to enhance your outreach.

Happy publishing!

Marketing Strategies for Senior Living Organizations

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:12:13 GMT

The process of creating an integrated marketing plan for a senior living community has changed dramatically over the last decade. Leads that used to primarily come through in-person referral sources, such as hospital discharge planners, primary care physicians, and clergy, have slowed. These types of personal contacts always drove the bulk of family leads.

Another popular lead generator has always been word of mouth from friends and family. And then there are local print publications and radio. But while these avenues for lead generation remain important, the digital age has added another layer of complexity.

Taking Advantage of Online Marketing Options

Today, it’s also important to utilize digital strategies to reach seniors and their adult children. According to Inertia , over 90% of older adults who transition to a senior living community are assisted in their search by family members — typically an adult daughter. That’s why your marketing plan needs to include strategies for reaching both the senior citizen and their loved ones online.

Here are a few ways you can do that:

Content-rich website: Because the senior care industry is so complex, providers with an informative site that allows families to self-educate will rank higher and create more meaningful connections than those that simply use their website as an online brochure. The idea is to create a hub of very specific details — such as guides and checklists relevant to each stage of the decision journey, and an FAQ section that addresses families’ most frequent concerns — that will generate inbound leads to your community.
Facebook ads: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking older adults aren’t on Facebook or that their families won’t notice ads. These can be great ways to promote events and programs at the community level. While Facebook ads shouldn’t be a primary referral source, they can help reach potential leads with whom you might not otherwise make a connection.
Google Business Profile: This is a prime marketing opportunity that many senior living communities miss. Some skip creating their profile entirely, while others set it up and then forget to revisit it. Instead, you should think of this marketing tool as a living resource. Update and interact with it often. Tell a compelling story on your “About” page. Regularly swap out photos and videos. Read and respond to reviews.
Quarterly newsletters: Creating a community newsletter and sending it out on a consistent schedule is another must. It’s usually best to offer both print and digital versions, which is made easy using a service like LPi’s newsletter solution . Make it interesting and fun to read by sharing content about recent events , articles about residents’ experiences and stories , and other engaging content . Show the vibrant living that actually happens every day.
Local digital publications: Finally, explore nearby options for advertising on digital platforms. It could be your senior organization's website or e-newsletter , or maybe a regional publication focused on healthy aging resources and stories. The key is to find those with a reach and target audience that match yours.

If all of this feels a little overwhelming, we encourage you to explore the LPi solutions available to support you, from print and digital newsletter assistance to branding and free-to-you sponsored websites. We make it easy for senior living community teams to make the most of their marketing budgets!

What to Know About Canva

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:31:10 GMT

Visual communication is at the heart of any organization’s marketing success. Whether you're a senior or retirement community, nonprofit agency, municipality, or recreational organization, the ability to design eye-catching visuals quickly and affordably has become essential. This is where Canva, a leading online design and marketing platform , stands out.

Since its launch in 2013, Canva has transformed the way people create graphics, presentations, videos, and marketing materials. Here’s what you should know about this powerful, user-friendly platform that is changing the way organizations are engaging with their communities.

A Brief Overview of Canva

Canva was founded in Australia by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams with a simple mission: to make design accessible to everyone. Traditionally, graphic design requires expensive software and specialized training. Canva eliminates those barriers by offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows anyone — even those without a design background — to easily produce professional-quality content.

Any organization can utilize Canva to create newsletters and brochures, and then partner with a print vendor, such as LPi , to produce vibrant communication pieces at no cost!

Canva’s Key Features and Tools

Canva’s greatest strength lies in its user-friendly versatility. A popular core feature is its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. It allows users to move, resize, and edit elements with ease. You can create nearly any type of visual content, including:

Newsletters
Flyers
Social media graphics
Brochures
Infographics
Logos
Presentations
Videos

Within Canva, LPi provides customers with beautifully designed publication templates alongside Canva’s vast library of templates. Each template is fully customizable and includes access to stock photos, illustrations, icons, and fonts. Another popular feature of Canva is its Brand Kit, which helps organizations maintain consistency by storing elements such as logos, colors, and fonts in one place.

It also plays nicely with content that users upload to the platform. For example, if you are a regular user of WeCreate, LPi’s robust content library for nonprofit organizations, images you download to your computer from WeCreate can be easily uploaded to Canva for whatever you’d like to use them.

Canva is Great for Marketing Your Organization

Canva is a lot more than just an easy-to-use design tool. It’s a full-fledged marketing platform that enables users to use consistent branding across every marketing channel, from social media posts and email headers to printed newsletters and flyers. Canva’s templates also help organizations stay on-brand and professional.

Teams can also use Canva to collaborate in real-time by leaving comments and suggestions directly on designs, making it easy to work together.

Canva Pro’s affordable subscription offers access to premium templates, stock photos, and advanced features such as Background Remover and Brand Kits. These types of resources elsewhere require costly software or outsourcing. If you are a nonprofit organization interested in using Canva, you may be eligible for a FREE premium subscription called Canva for Nonprofits!

Canva Has Great AI Options

In recent years, Canva has expanded into AI, as well. Its suite of AI-powered tools, referred to as the Magic Studio, includes features such as:

Magic Write: Generates text for headlines and other copy.
Magic Eraser: Removes unwanted objects from images.
Magic Design: Automatically generates design options from your content.
Magic Switch: Resizes and reformats designs into different layouts.

While there is a bit of a learning curve, once you master these features, you’ll be able to create everything from videos to background animations.

Partner with LPi for Newsletter Success!

If you’d like to learn more about how to publish your organization’s newsletter or resource guide with LPi using Canva, head over to the Newsletter Services section of our website! We work with thousands of organizations nationwide to publish beautiful and meaningful publications that their audiences want to read!

Included with LPi’s Newsletter Service is:

Access to WeCreate, LPi’s custom art and content library
Printed newsletters at no cost
Free digital distribution with our online directory
Complimentary custom-designed newsletter template (Canva-ready!)
Responsive and reliable customer service with real people

Get started with LPi today!

Telling Your Senior Center Community's Story

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 21:09:34 GMT

Your senior center is often a place full of energy, friendship, learning, and connection. Outside your walls, members of the public who are not involved in your community may not fully understand the impact you make every day — this is why telling your story is so important. When done well, storytelling can boost awareness, grow support, and help your community truly see the value of what you do.

Using your senior center’s website , your print and digital newsletter , or social media to convey the sense of community you’ve built is a great way to connect and engage with potential new members and business partners who can support your mission. The key is to find ways to authentically share the connections among the people who are part of your organization, whether they're older adults, families, or members of your team.

Why Your Organization’s Stories Matter

Too often, senior centers are misunderstood or overlooked. The public may think of them solely as quiet spaces where people play bingo and card games together and stare out the window. The truth, of course, presents a much more vibrant picture.

By sharing real stories of connection from your community, you can:

Challenge outdated stereotypes about aging .
Highlight the positive impact your programs have on health, social connection, and quality of life locally.
Attract new members, volunteers, donors, community partners, and general interest.

What Stories Should You Share to Make an Impact?

Think about the moments that define your center’s special identity. What are the activities, both informal and formal, that build the bonds you witness between people each day? A few great places to start exploring are:

Personal stories: Ask members who’ve found friendship, purpose, or healing through your programs to share their journeys . To make it easier for them, interview them and document their answers, which you can then include in your content and social media.
Photos and videos: People love to see the lively happenings, so post videos and photos of your activities . You’ll likely find interest in everything from fitness classes to art shows and holiday celebrations.
Top 5 lists: Ask people to list the top five things they enjoy about your community. You can share individual responses with accompanying photos. This is also a good strategy for identifying which of your organization’s activities/benefits are most popular.
Staff or volunteer spotlights: Don’t forget to showcase the people behind the scenes who make things happen. Learning more about what attracts them to work or volunteer with the organization will yield interesting and meaningful stories!
Partnerships: Tell the stories of your collaborations with local schools, businesses, or health providers, too. Promoting these partnerships is another way to expand your reach.
Positive outcomes: Isolation and loneliness are linked to a variety of health concerns among older adults. Think about the stories of how your community has helped people feel less alone and more connected.

Keep in mind that the most compelling stories might be the smallest ones! A story about someone learning to use email to connect with faraway family members or trying tai chi for the first time at age 80 could be super compelling and help connect your center with the greater public. Don’t assume that people are only interested in the biggest parties or grandest gestures. People often find the most connection in everyday activities.

To gain additional insight into this topic, read Incorporating Member Stories in Newsletters to Build a Sense of Belonging .

Solutions to Help Market Your Senior Center

One thing many senior centers have in common is that they are trying to accomplish a lot with a limited number of staff. Even the most dedicated team members can struggle to manage all the necessary marketing tasks. That’s where LPi can be of assistance.

With solutions for sponsor-supported websites (free for your organization!), sponsored print and digital publications , and more, LPi can partner with you to find cost-effective ways to accomplish your goals. Contact us today to learn more!

Let Your Readers Talk Back: Adding Surveys and Feedback to Newsletters

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:14:28 GMT

Many community newsletters focus only on announcements, calendars, and photos, missing a golden opportunity to give readers a voice.

By adding surveys, polls, and feedback prompts, you invite your audience to be part of the conversation. That helps strengthen the sense of community your newsletter fosters and ensures the content you provide is interesting to your readers.

Why Feedback Matters to Your Community Newsletter

Feedback tools turn your newsletter from a one-way broadcast into a two-way dialogue. Residents, families, and even your staff members likely have suggestions, preferences, and great ideas. But, without a clear way to share them, those insights go unheard.

When you add a quick survey or comment section, you:

Encourage participation and engagement
Learn what content matters most
Build trust and transparency
Discover concerns or interests you may not have anticipated

In short, it shows readers that you value their opinions, not just their attention.

What to Ask Your Newsletter Readers to Solicit Great Feedback

You don’t have to create a long, complicated survey to gain valuable insights. A few simple questions can be quite effective and might actually get more of a return than a longer list. Here are a few examples of easy ways to include feedback opportunities in your newsletter:

Event Interest Polls

Present readers with specific queries, such as what holiday events they’d like to see or how many times a week they want to attend a fitness class. List several options to choose from — for example, holiday events like a choral group, an ornament class, and a cookie contest — and ask them to check boxes for all that apply.

Feedback on Past Events

Solicit reactions to programs you’ve held over the last month or two. Ask people which one was their favorite, which ones they’d like to see offered again, and which ones weren’t as much fun.

Open the Floor for Suggestions

Take advantage of the diversity in your membership by asking for advice on what events/activities they’d like to see offered.

o “What’s something you’d love to read about in a future newsletter?”

o “Have you attended activities/events in another location that you’d like to see us offer here?”

o “Do you have a favorite recipe, story, or photo to share? Send it in!”

Quick “Question of the Month”

These types of prompts make readers feel like collaborators, not just consumers. But they do require you to plan a few months in advance to take advantage of the feedback you receive.

o “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?”

o “Which foods would you like to see offered during this summer’s community picnics?”

o “Do you know of any groups that like to perform at community events?”

How to Collect Responses From Your Newsletter Readers

Depending on your audience, choose a method that’s easy and accessible:

Paper surveys stapled to the newsletter that can be placed in suggestion boxes
Reply by email for digital newsletter audiences
Clickable links to online polls or surveys set up in Google Forms , if you think your readers are tech-savvy
A table near the entry with a drop box and preprinted forms for visitors to fill out

Remember, the goal is to keep it simple, short, and easy, so people of all ages and skills can participate.

More Tips to Connect and Engage with Your Nonprofit Audience

Finally, don’t forget to incorporate lighthearted activities into your newsletter. While you’ll no doubt include more serious topics, make sure there are articles that balance out informational/educational pieces. If you need some ideas on how to do that, Fun Ways to Incorporate Contests and Challenges into Your Newsletter has tips you’ll love!

Get a Free Monthly Newsletter for Your Organization from LPi

LPi prints and distributes high‑quality, ad‑supported newsletters for community organizations, so you can communicate consistently without adding to your organization’s budget. As a bonus, all printed newsletters are offered in a digital format that can be emailed to members and even posted to your website. We make it easy!

Our model is made possible by advertising support from local businesses — allowing your team to focus on mission, not invoices.

Use this link to learn how to join the thousands of other nonprofits nationwide creating newsletters with LPi today: https://www.lpicommunities.com/newsletter-services

Images that Upgrade Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:22:28 GMT

Consumers are often overwhelmed by the volume of information they encounter each day. This is why it’s more important than ever to have a solid strategy in place to ensure that your newsletter content stands out in a crowded inbox/mailbox and grabs a reader’s attention. Your goal should be to engage readers and make them want to open future copies of your newsletter, whether it’s delivered digitally or in print.

While well-written copy is essential, images also play a powerful role in capturing your reader’s attention and increasing the likelihood that they’ll read your entire newsletter. If you’re not using visuals strategically, you could be missing out on valuable engagement.

By the Numbers: The True Value of Images in Your Newsletter

A variety of studies have explored how images affect readers, and they all found that incorporating visuals into your publication increases readership by a significant margin. Most people are visual readers, and images attract and draw them in.

In a Vero study , campaigns with images had a 42% higher click-through rate than those without. That means almost half the people who encounter your newsletter are more likely to engage with it if you include images.

The experts at Search Engine Journal say images not only make your content more attractive, but they also increase a reader’s ability to remember what they read several days later by as much as 65%.

According to Campaign Monitor , short attention spans, which many people struggle with today, can be improved with the use of visuals. That’s because the brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text — a compelling reason to include images in your newsletter.

These stats make it clear: Well-chosen images drive results.

So, how do you go about figuring out what visuals to add to your publications? Not all visuals are created equal. The wrong image can confuse your message or appear unprofessional.

How to Choose the Right Images for Your Newsletter

Here are some quick tips to help you select the most effective ones.

Prioritize Relevance

Select images that support or enhance the message you want to convey with each article. Avoid using generic photos that feel disconnected from your article’s content.

Pay Attention to Quality

Aim to incorporate clear, crisp images that are well-lit. Be sure to properly size visuals so they don’t look overly compressed or blurry.

Optimize for Mobile

Ensure images perform well on laptops and mobile devices. Also, keep file sizes small to avoid slow load times, which will make people more likely to abandon your e-newsletter.

Be Mindful of Copyright

Don’t assume every photo you find online is fair game to include. The fines for digital copyright violations can be significant. Consider working with a partner like LPi, which offers its image and content library, WeCreate, with images, clip art, and articles for every occasion.

Include Alt Text

Alt text makes your newsletter more accessible and improves email deliverability. It also ensures your message gets through even if the image doesn’t load.

Align With Your Brand

Keep your brand in mind as you select your visuals. Consistency helps build recognition and trust, so choose visuals with color tones, subjects, and styles that reflect your brand’s personality.

The Bottom Line on Newsletter Images

Remember, incorporating images into your newsletter is a strategic communication tool. The right visuals will capture attention, clarify your message, and significantly increase readership and engagement.

Want to learn more about creating engaging newsletters? Check out this free guide to creating and publishing community newsletters for helpful tips on both design and content.

LPi works with thousands of organizations across the nation to create and publish professional and relevant newsletters. With both print and digital options, access to WeCreate, LPi’s incredible content library, and a super-friendly and helpful support staff and design team, you can’t go wrong. Learn more about how LPi can get your newsletter off to a great start today!

The Essential Guide to Creating a Community Website That Works

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:51:45 GMT

Welcome to our free guide for community website excellence! If you’re here, it’s likely you have an awesome organization that either needs a brand-new website to show it off or you’re in search of a good way to refresh your old site. At LPi, we’ve worked with over a thousand organizations nationwide to bring their visions to life online. As part of the process, we offer this free guide to help organizations get started with their website projects on a firm footing.

When you’re ready, feel free to reach out to our web design team or attend one of our free online demos to learn more about how our design services and our platform, WeConnect , can simplify the process. In the meantime, read on to enjoy the tips and best practices found here.

In This Guide:

Feel free to read on or simply jump to:

The Importance of a Professional-Looking Website

Whether your organization is a nonprofit, a municipality, or even a meetup group or club, your website is often the first impression people have of who you are and what you do. For this reason, your website should reflect your mission and act as an accessible, user-friendly, and professional-looking connection between your organization and the greater community.

Your organization’s website:

Is your organization’s “online home .” It might be the very first impression someone has of who you are and what you offer. It serves as a reference point and can store information about you, making it easily accessible to those interested.
Establishes lasting credibility. When your site is well-branded, functional, and regularly updated, it shows your community that you can be trusted. It signals professionalism and a commitment to the folks you serve.
Provides identity and inclusion for existing members. An up-to-date website helps your members stay informed, involved, and in touch with your organization. Incorporating member stories, images, and highlights onto your website fosters even more of a feeling of belonging among your community.
Provides answers for those seeking. Your thoughtful website will help guide those interested in learning more about what your organization is all about. Regardless of how people navigate to your website (whether from online searches, advertisements, or personal recommendations), your design and content will be there to draw them in!
Simplifies communication and supports your mission. Advertise and promote events, partnerships, fundraising, news, updates, and more! Your website should echo your mission and extend your impact online. Your goal should be to make it simple for visitors to your site to find the resources and answers to questions they might be looking for.

This guide outlines key strategies to help you build and sustain a website that meets today’s goals and evolves alongside your community — adapting to change over time and serving your members well into the future.

Why Audience Insights Should Guide Your Website Design Process

Before you even get started, consider who you are building your website for. Who will be your primary audience? Your secondary audience? Are your main visitors going to be people who are already members of your organization, or is your website focused mainly on raising awareness for those who don’t know about you yet?

Each specific audience brings its own unique desires and expectations to your organization’s site, so it’s essential to consider their needs before diving into the specifics, such as fonts, layout, colors, and integrations.

Key demographics to consider:

When considering who your website’s audience might be, consider the following questions:

Does your audience have a specific age range, gender, or lifestyle?
Is your site primarily for people who are already members of your organization?
Is your audience looking to buy something from you or sign up for something?
Are you focusing on sharing information with people who don’t know about your organization or are hoping to learn more?
Are you recruiting volunteers or donors?
Could your audience have any disabilities that might impact your site’s accessibility design?

Search Engine Optimization & Your Audience

It’s also important to consider what people might be searching for online that would lead them to your site. Designing your website in a specific way to anticipate these searches is called search engine optimization (SEO).

Considering SEO in your design is important because many people who find your website through an internet search are likely looking for something specific, meaning they’ll likely scan your homepage to find that specific item first. It’s for this reason that you should brainstorm, ahead of time, what searches might bring people to your site and then make the corresponding information easy to find — right on your homepage. If a visitor scans your website and it’s difficult to navigate or to find what they were initially searching for, you may lose your opportunity to connect with them.

For a deeper dive into SEO for community websites, check our two-part series:
“Search Engine Optimization Basics” and “Learn More About On-Page SEO.”

How Your Logo and Brand Identity Shape Your Website

The moment someone lands on your homepage, they’re already forming an opinion of your organization. That first impression matters, and the best way to positively influence it is by making your brand the guiding force behind your website’s look and feel. Your brand communicates who you are as an organization and what your priorities are. A consistent, intentional, and professional brand also goes a long way toward building trust between your organization and your community.

That’s right. Your logo and brand communicate how trustworthy you are. Good branding also helps your website feel familiar and accessible to your audience. Beyond the website, a solid brand also brings unity to your stationery, social media, newsletters, signage, and even the swag you have for your organization, like T-shirts and tote bags!

Don’t give in to temptation to skimp on the branding! Why? Because even the best-built websites will feel forgettable and cause a disconnect with your audience without a clear, cohesive brand. Your brand’s fonts, color palette, and tone should influence every aspect of your website design!

Get Help With Your Branding

If you don’t currently have a professional brand, or your logo and brand are in desperate need of an update, LPi has a friendly design team that offers those who use WeConnect for their website an option to work with them to redesign their brand. Our team collaborates with you to develop a comprehensive brand identity, encompassing a custom logo design and a brand guidebook for your reference. This ensures that you always have access to your specific font and color choices at your fingertips.

Homepage Strategy 101

The heart of your website is your homepage. This is usually the first page and the most critical one that you will design. It’s the first impression people get when they land on your organization’s site, and within moments, it will shape whether they decide to stick around or click away. The content and layout of your homepage play a major role in that choice.

Your perfect homepage combines professional design with beauty, function, and clarity. Visually, it should be easy to navigate, inviting, and clearly branded. Since this is your central “hub” online, it must be designed with both visitors and members, or folks already familiar with your organization, in mind.

Before you get working on your homepage design, be super sure that your plan covers the essentials. Here are a few key elements to consider. For a deeper look, check out this full blog post.

Capture attention fast. You’ve only got a few seconds to make a strong first impression, so start your homepage with a clear, no-fluff headline and subheading that tells visitors exactly who you are.
Guide the journey. Strategic calls to action are essential. Place two or three CTAs where visitors will see them immediately, and consider one or two more lower on the page to keep engagement going.
Show your impact visually. Photos and short videos help guide emotional connection and trust. Keep them simple and quick to load so they enhance rather than slow down the user’s experience.
Use space wisely. Don’t overlook areas like your footer or navigation menu! These are key places to include helpful details like contact info, newsletter sign-up, social media links, and credibility badges.

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel When it Comes to Your Homepage

Your homepage should reflect the personality of your organization, yes, but don’t be tempted to make it so incredibly unique that visitors get lost in the mix. Design standards and even trends have already “trained” internet users to look for certain types of things on a website. When those things aren’t present, or are delivered in a different way, people can get confused.

For example, navigation menus are normally found at the top of a homepage, while contact information is commonly found in the footer. Swaying too far away from standard website design practices can derail even the most interested visitor who already has an idea of where to look for specific items of interest based on their experience on most other websites. It’s best to stick to what works already and use features like your brand, your unique story, and images/video of your organization and community to help set you apart — not super-out-of-the-ordinary design.

Remember, an intentionally designed and easy-to-navigate homepage sets the tone for your whole website and helps visitors to your site feel at home right off the bat.

Stay Relevant by Updating Your Website Regularly

A strong website is a living resource that should evolve with your community’s needs and seasonal priorities. Regularly updating your content builds credibility, reinforces engagement, and shows that your organization is active and responsive.

One easy way to stay on track? Create a simple content calendar. Map out updates tied to your key events, seasonal initiatives, programming, and important milestones. This approach is proactive and ensures that your website stays relevant and aligned with your mission year-round. As a bonus, the content calendar you create for your website can also help inform your blog, newsletter, and even your social media !

Ongoing Website Updates to Consider:

Don’t forget to check for and regularly make the following updates:

Upcoming Events & Programs
Keep your audience informed and engaged by promoting events, workshops, or any seasonal programs you have. Timely updates help boost attendance and show how active and organized you are.
Staff/Leadership Changes
Update staff biographies and contact information on a regular basis. A current team page helps build trust with visitors and ensures they know how to reach you.
Seasonal Messaging or Initiatives
Highlight seasonal campaigns, holidays, or mission-driven themes to reflect your organization's values throughout the year. Update your graphics with seasonal banners or images specific to your ongoing events.
News or Announcements
Use a blog or news section to share updates, milestones, and accomplishments. Blogs constantly keep your content fresh and can aid in helping your site rank in online searches!
Resources and Downloadable Content
Add or refresh downloadable guides, videos, or other helpful content. Updated resources demonstrate ongoing support for your community, and new offerings draw people in.
Testimonials and Impact Stories
Feature a steady stream of stories, or even simply quotes, from those impacted by your work. These humanize your mission and encourage further support and involvement while continuing to foster trust.
Volunteer or Support Opportunities
Make it easy for people to get involved by regularly updating any “call to action” messaging to reflect your organization’s current needs and/or opportunities.
Policy or Safety Updates
If you operate in-person services or events, keep health/safety protocols or organizational policies current. This shows professionalism and care, and also gives your staff a place to point to in case anyone has policy questions.
Photo Galleries or Video Highlights
Visual content draws people in. Update with recent photos from your events and programs to show that your organization has momentum!
Contact Info & Hours of Operation
This sounds basic, but the contact information section of a website is, more often than not, one of the most visited sections on a site. Make sure phone numbers, emails, office hours, or any other information about contacting/finding your organization are always up to date.

Utilizing a website builder with built-in features and automations that help you easily update your website is a game-changer for busy staff. LPi’s platform WeConnect even provides a built-in support system so that you have access to real people and designers to help you create the best website possible for your organization — and keep it updated!

Yes, Your Organization Should Have a Blog — Here’s Why:

Having a blog on your organization’s website is one of the smartest ways to grow your visibility, build trust, share your mission, and share a little bit of your organization’s personality with your audience.

Blogs Grow Your Online Visibility:

Search engines like Google prioritize websites that are updated frequently with relevant content. One great way to keep your website updated and relevant is by having a blog that gets new articles regularly. It’s true: every blog post you publish gives your website more opportunities to appear in internet search results! This is doubly true when you are specifically writing about topics people are already searching for that are relevant to your organization. This is the core of SEO (search engine optimization), and a blog helps you improve your SEO naturally, over time!

There are tools out there like Semrush and Moz to help you research SEO keywords and what people are searching for in your corner of the internet. These are popular options because they are affordable, accurate, and easy to learn for beginners. You’re going to be spending your time writing blogs anyway, right? So, why not spend just a tiny bit more time researching the best topics to write about that will drive traffic to your site and raise more awareness about your organization!

For example, if you happen to be running a senior center, you may find that people frequently search “senior centers near me,” “why belong to a senior center,” or “upcoming events for seniors in (your city).” Once you know exactly what people are searching for to find resources like yours online, you can craft a few blog posts around those searches! This way, when people search for those things, search engines like Google are more likely to show them your blog post, which then leads them to your website.

Blogs can drive a lot of traffic to your site with the potential to direct people to your website who never otherwise would have found it!

Blog articles also have the potential to position you as an ongoing resource for people looking for an organization like yours. Whether you’re offering tips, inspiration, or simply organizational news and updates, continually publishing to your blog helps your audience see you as an authority and more than merely a resource provider. This, in turn, helps build trust and shares your mission in new ways, reaching new people.

Blogs Can Drive Engagement Across Channels

Blog articles are a great foundation for a variety of types of content that can be used across digital and non-digital channels. One blog post can have multiple uses!

Repurpose your blog posts (where applicable) as:

Newsletter updates (digital & printed)
Social media posts
Podcasts
Short videos
Downloadable guides
Entries into resource libraries
Use to outline presentations/webinars
Infographics
Case studies
Training materials

Certain quality blog posts can be stretched a long way. In fact, we advise that it’s always a good idea to use your blog posts in multiple ways to reach the widest audience possible!

Even smarter, plan your quarterly blog calendar around how you intend to repurpose your posts.

Make Your Website Work Smarter with Web Integrations

One of the easiest ways to keep your website up to date and working for you is by using web integrations (often also called widgets). These handy tools connect your website with the programs you already use, so you don’t have to enter the same information in multiple places. Post something once — like an event on your calendar or a photo on social media — and the integration automatically updates your site. The result? Fewer manual updates, less room for error, and a website that always feels current.

Integrations save you both a ton of time and make your website more interactive and engaging. With minimal upkeep, you can provide fresh, relevant content that shows your community you’re active and connected.

Some of the most valuable integrations for community organizations include:

Event calendars that sync with your scheduling tools, ensuring community members never miss a program or gathering.
Online forms for registrations, volunteer sign-ups, or feedback. This makes it easy for people to engage with your organization.
Donation or payment platforms that allow for secure, recurring support.
Photo galleries or news feeds that automatically pull in updates from your social media channels.
Resource downloads or document libraries that provide quick access to important information like newsletters, program guides, and more.

With the right integrations, your website can become a dynamic hub for connection, participation, and support, but you need to use the right web design platform to make it happen! Make sure your platform integrates the tools you already rely on and doesn’t force you to depend on outside developers or complicated plugins. The goal is straightforward: help your website run more effectively with less effort. With WeConnect , you’re covered. Our built-in web integrations are used by organizations across the country, all while avoiding the overwhelm!

Time and Money Saving Tools for Your Website

Managing a website for your organization shouldn’t feel like a full-time, overwhelming project. With the right tools for content creation, you can keep your site engaging while saving time and reducing your stress. It doesn’t have to be stressful financially, either. By incorporating sponsorships or ads, your site can cover its own costs.

Digital Content Libraries Save LOTS of Time for Web Designers

Smart web designers understand that if they aren’t careful, they might end up spending all their time designing graphics for their website to update every event, blog post, and more. Instead, they use content libraries to save countless hours on design.

A digital content library is a ready-to-use collection of graphics, web banners, and other resources that help web designers quickly create professional, engaging websites without having to do all the work from scratch. Having access to a reliable content library also means your organization doesn’t have to have a professional graphic designer on staff or worry about things like copyright infringement . Whether you need seasonal designs for upcoming holidays or visuals to promote events, you can quickly find what you need if you use the right content library, so your website always looks polished and professional.

WeCreate is one example of a robust content library built for any organization. It includes thousands of graphics, puzzles, banners, infographics, and more. All of these are designed to save you time when it comes to your own design work. Fresh content is added every single month, too, so users always have new content to work with.

Organizations that partner with LPi and use WeConnect to build and maintain their websites automatically get a free subscription to the WeCreate content library !

If you’re just getting started, WeCreate also offers a free monthly collection of content to non-subscribers, so you can explore a sample of what the content library has to offer. It’s an easy way to see how much time and effort you can save by having pre-designed, professional-looking content at your fingertips, ready to simply drop right into your website design.

Accessibility is Important for Your Community Website

When we talk about website accessibility, we mean designing a site so that everyone — regardless of ability — can use it. Your site should be accessible to people with vision, hearing, or mobility challenges, as well as those who rely on assistive technology like screen readers. In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) encourages organizations to provide equal access to all digital spaces, not just physical ones. Accessibility also extends to making sure that your site works equally with mobile devices as it does on computer screens, ensuring your site is easy to access on phones and tablets, where many visitors will first connect with you.

By making your website accessible, you’re complying with best practices and showing your community that inclusivity matters. Plus, accessible websites tend to be easier to navigate for everyone and perform better with search engines — meaning visitors are more likely to find you, engage, and return.

Ways to make your website more accessible:

Optimize for mobile – Ensure your site loads quickly and displays properly on phones and tablets. Every website should be easily accessible from mobile devices.
Prioritize ease of use – Use clear menus, straightforward navigation, and consistent layouts. These web design basics are key!
Use readable text and colors – Choose fonts, font sizes, and color contrasts that are easy for all eyes to process.
P rovide alt text for images – Add clear descriptions to photos and graphics so screen readers can communicate them to visually impaired visitors.

The website platform you choose to build and maintain your site should make all of the above easy for you. When you work with LPi, our design team builds accessibility in from the start. WeConnect’s accessibility and mobile optimization features are easy to use on your own, too, so that you can keep any new pages or updates you create accessible.

Congratulations! You’re on Your Way to the Best Website for Your Organization!

You’re one step closer toward making a website for your organization that perfectly reflects your mission! We hope this guide has been a good starting point to inspire new ideas, refine what’s already working, and shape the online presence your organization deserves. When you’re ready for extra support, LPi is ready to partner with you to bring your vision to life!

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Want more inspiration? Head over to the “Web & Social Media” section of our blog for practical strategies and expert tips to strengthen your online presence.

Updated 03-05-2026

Fun Matters: Playful Newsletter Content You Can Use to Build Readership

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:30:16 GMT

Newsletters serve many important purposes. In organizations like senior centers, where newsletters may even be the primary communication tool, making them both informative and enjoyable to read is crucial.

While more serious columns and articles may be the mainstay of your community newsletter, lighter content plays an essential role in keeping readers engaged and interested. Here’s why adding lighter elements isn’t just a nice touch, it’s a necessity.

Why Including Lighter Newsletter Content Matters to Your Publication

1. Boosts Mood and Morale

Newsletters filled only with logistical updates or reminders can begin to feel dry or overwhelming. Adding something humorous, nostalgic, or interactive can spark joy, laughter, and positive feelings. For older adults, especially, a lighthearted read can brighten their day and help alleviate feelings of loneliness or isolation.

2. Encourages Engagement

When readers know there’s something fun in each issue, such as a trivia contest, a cartoon, or a joke, they’re more likely to read it right away, rather than setting it aside to review later. It can also make people look forward to receiving the next one. That increased engagement helps ensure that readers also absorb the important information, such as health updates or event announcements.

3. Fosters Social Connection

Lighter content can become a talking point among members. Whether it’s a riddle, a favorite memory inspired by a “throwback photo,” or a funny cartoon, these elements spark conversation and build bonds between community members.

Suggestions for Lighter Newsletter Features

Ready to add some lightness to your community newsletter? Here are some ideas that consistently resonate with readers of all ages, but especially seniors:

Jokes and puns: These are a classic addition to any newsletter. Choose age-appropriate, good-natured humor that’s inclusive and easy to understand. A “Joke of the Month” or “Senior Chuckles” section will bring a smile every time.
Trivia and brain teasers: Add a trivia question, riddle, or short quiz — possibly with a small prize for the first person who answers correctly. Categories like history, music, classic films, or local facts work especially well. Websites like BrainBashers and Brain Teaser might give you some ideas on what to include.
Fun polls or “This or That” questions: Create a brief survey or pose an offbeat question. Have members drop off or email their answers, and share the results in the next issue. You could even ask questions that can help shape how your center operates, such as whether to serve coffee only in the morning or all day.
Recipes and cooking tips: Another suggestion is to share simple, budget-friendly recipes or cooking hacks. Food is a great connector, and recipe sharing often leads to stories and conversation. Ask members to send you their favorites and incorporate one or two recipes or tips each month.
Seasonal fun: Play up holidays year-round with seasonally themed content. Think outside the box: Feature pumpkin jokes in October, Valentine’s Day pet love stories in February, or summer safety tips with a humorous twist in July.

Where to Find Ready-Made Newsletter Content Just Like This

Content libraries are your secret weapon! Instead of creating brand new content for every single newsletter edition, subscribe to a library filled with articles, images, comics, and puzzles pre-made and ready to be dropped into your publication. You won’t have to worry about infringing on any copyrights, and you’ll have fresh content to spice up your newsletter every month.

In LPi’s digital content library, WeCreate , newsletter editors will find all the above-suggested content and more, ready to use in their newsletters. As a bonus, organizations that print their newsletter with LPi receive complimentary access to WeCreate and everything it includes!

Remember, a community newsletter is more than just a bulletin board. Think of it as a tool that connects people. By including lighter, entertaining elements, you’re not just filling space — you’re enriching lives. These newsletter additions remind everyone that community is not just about living in the same place, it’s about sharing moments of joy together.

One final tip is to pay attention to finding the right balance between educational/informational newsletter elements and those that entertain. Head over to the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog to dive deeper into the world of newsletter content, design, and more, so you can better connect with your community.

What Should You Include in Your Community Newsletter?

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:10:46 GMT

Building and maintaining relationships with your local community is vital for keeping your organization thriving and growing. One avenue for promoting consistent engagement is with a newsletter.

Both print and digital versions of a newsletter are great ways to reach people on a regular basis. A well-crafted publication can be one of the most powerful tools for keeping your members interested and informed. It provides a touchpoint that can help everyone feel as if they are a part of something bigger.

What should you include in your newsletter to ensure it truly serves its intended purpose? Here are some ideas that you might find useful.

Newsletter Elements That Help Build Bonds

Monthly Events Calendar

Start with a clearly laid-out calendar of events. Highlight social gatherings, exercise classes, educational sessions, arts and crafts, religious services, and special outings. A visual calendar format helps residents easily see what’s coming up and plan their schedules. Make sure to include the time, location, and any sign-up requirements. It’s also helpful if your digital version has a print-friendly option.

Don’t forget to also include occasional event recap articles! These are great community builders — especially if they include photos of the event and participant testimonials!

Spotlight Stories

Feature residents, staff, or volunteers each month in a brief bio or interview. This human connection helps strengthen bonds and celebrate individual contributions.

Resident Spotlight: Share a story about a resident’s life experiences, hobbies, or recent achievements.
Message From the Director: A short note from the center’s director can help to reinforce a positive tone, share goals, and acknowledge the efforts of the community.
S taff Highlight: Introduce new staff or recognize outstanding employees.
Volunteer Corner: Acknowledge the success of volunteers and inspire others to get involved.

Health and Wellness Information

Share Practical Tips: Provide helpful tips on health, nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. Content could include seasonal advice, reminders for flu shots or vaccinations, hydration tips, or healthy recipes.
Collaborate With Experts: Invite area healthcare experts and community leaders to contribute to a monthly wellness column. They’ll likely be interested because of the positive publicity such a collaboration offers them.

Happenings Around the Center

Recognize Milestones: Recognize residents’ birthdays and significant anniversaries each month. With permission, you could also include photos. Featuring these personal milestones will foster a warm, celebratory community atmosphere.
Welcome New Members : You can also announce new members who have recently joined the community to help them feel welcomed. If space permits, add a line or two about each person’s family, career, or hobbies.
Update the Community: Share any updates related to the center itself, such as renovations, policy changes, new programs, or upcoming guest speakers. Keep members informed about improvements or changes that affect daily life.

Include a Fun and Games Section

Not only does incorporating this type of content make your newsletter more interactive, but it also promotes cognitive engagement. According to an article published by UCLA Health , activities that require your attention and focus stimulate the brain, potentially protecting brain health.

Include a page or section with lighthearted entertainment like:

Crossword puzzles or word searches
Trivia questions (especially related to history or the current season)
Jokes or riddles
A monthly “Did You Know?” fact
And, one of these ideas: Fun Fillers for Your Newsletter.

Important Contact Information

Another essential section for your newsletter is a listing of team member names and contact information. Include emergency numbers for key staff members, as well as titles and job duties such as:

Dining service
Transportation booking
Making reservations for special events

Learn More About the Role of Your Center’s Newsletter

There are many benefits to regularly publishing a newsletter, from increasing trust and transparency to enhancing brand identity. Building Community Through Consistent Communication is a great article to read for more information!

For help with designing and printing your newsletter, visit our website to learn more about how LPi brings community newsletters to life!

Community Newsletters – A Complete Guide

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:11:28 GMT

Newsletters remain one of the most effective ways organizations communicate with their members and the greater community. Your newsletter is the spot people look for important updates, seasonal event announcements, messages from your leadership, information about services, images, recaps of recent events, and more! Done right, it should reflect the personality of your community and reinforce your mission.

Inside this Guide, You’ll Find:

More Than a Mailing: Why Community Newsletters Still Deliver

With trust in online media dropping every day , your newsletter has the potential to become an even more important and credible source of information for your community. Newsletters give you a direct line to your audience, and give them a direct line to you, fostering community and greater belonging . No algorithms to navigate, no outside competition, just clear, focused communication on your terms. In fact, your newsletter can even boost trust in your organization’s online presence — driving traffic to your website and social media from people who are already engaging with you and looking for more.

Newsletters also create multiple touch points when other forms of communication, like a social media post or a banner announcement on your website, might only get someone’s attention once. Instead, your printed newsletter goes home with people and can be revisited repeatedly. The digital version of your newsletter will land in their personal email inbox and be accessed on the cellphone they take everywhere. It will likely sit in their inbox or on their counter, available for multiple revisits! For these reasons, newsletters help your organization stay relevant to folks even after a member has left your building or event.

Digital or Print? Why Newsletters Belong in Both Worlds

Both print and digital newsletters play an essential role when it comes to community communication. A gorgeous, environmentally responsible , full-color printed copy is perfect for handing out at your front desk or mailing to members who prefer something tangible — especially seniors — and makes your organization look professional and on top of your game. A digital version, on the other hand, makes it easy to reach people who are on the go, out of town, or prefer to get their communications online. It should never be one or the other, though, as excluding one type of newsletter can seriously limit your audience! Your newsletter needs to be offered in both print and digital mediums.

The good news? If you print your newsletter with LPi , a digital version is automatically created and distributed for you when you upload your design to print — with no extra work required on your end!

Use this digital version to reach even more of your community online.

Here are a few simple ways to share it:

Email it to your members and include potential members, too. LPi will email it automatically for you every time you publish!
Text a link to members who’ve opted into text updates.
Post it on your social media profiles for wider visibility.
Use LPi’s “set it and forget it” widget to embed the latest issue directly on your website. This way, it updates automatically every time you publish!

Creating both print and digital options ensures your message reaches people, however they prefer to stay connected. If the printer you are working with to make your newsletters doesn’t have an automatic option for this, it’s time to partner with a better printer !

The Content You Should Include in Your Newsletter

Effective community-building newsletters go well beyond a calendar of events — they often include content from a variety of sources. Consider tapping your staff, volunteers, and members for contributions. Engaging with many different viewpoints and perspectives will draw even more people into your publication through stories that help your community grow and thrive.

Consider these additions to your monthly newsletter:

A letter from the director
Member spotlights
Event recaps
Notices of community milestones
Art created by members (visual and written)
Spotlighting community partners
Health and wellness tips
Personal stories from members and staff
Volunteer recognition
Highlighting keynote speakers and others who contribute to your event
Contests and challenges
Puzzles and Games
Recipes
End-of-year recaps and Impact reports

Only you know what matters most to your community, so be sure that the content you choose to incorporate into your publication isn’t just what you, the editor, prefer. Instead, think about what kind of content your members will love. This being said, don’t skip out on the fun stuff! Balancing informative content with fun content is key.

Tips for Organizing Your Content and Layout

Now that you have your content gathered, it’s time to talk about how to present it to your readers. First and foremost, you will want to consider your audience and keep them in mind when designing your cover and layout. For example , if your newsletter goes out to an audience of mostly older adults, you will certainly design it differently than if it were specifically for young families.

To use this example, in a newsletter focused on a senior community, you might consider your design’s visual accessibility. A smart design for this demographic would include contrasting colors, enough space between design elements to easily digest articles and images, and a font size that isn’t too small to read at a glance.

After you consider your audience, it’s important to answer these design questions:

What size and kind of paper is your newsletter being printed on?
Is your brand being used in the design’s font and color decisions?
How many columns are you using on each page? (No more than three, hopefully!)
What content is most important to present first? What comes after that?
Do some pages always contain the same information each month?
Is your cover professional-looking and inviting, or is it too busy/includes too much content?

Remember, your newsletter should feel polished and purposeful. Why? Because if it looks “homemade,” people may gravitate away from it rather than dive in. Your audience is already trained to recognize professional, good design. They see it all around them wherever they go. If your newsletter isn’t up to par when it comes to design standards, your organization will look like it is disorganized and doesn’t care.

Design best practices, like including enough negative space and omitting any images that might be fuzzy or low-quality, are essential no matter who your audience is! A well-organized, professional design helps guide the reader’s eye, highlights your most important updates, and makes your organization feel trustworthy.

If you want a hand with the layout and design process, some companies offer a free newsletter template or a free redesign by their professional designers when you choose to print with them!

For a more in-depth discussion about newsletter layout best practices, head over to read our article: Reader-Friendly Newsletter Layouts .

Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder and Keep Newsletter Costs Low

Designing a clear, engaging community newsletter is a whole lot easier when you don’t have to start from scratch every single month. Many editors spend hours putting together their monthly content, so having access to a content library is crucial to saving time. Whether you need a short spotlight piece, seasonal message, crossword puzzle, inspirational quote, or graphics to make it all pop, having access to ready-to-use professionally written and designed content keeps your newsletter on top of its game… and helps keep your newsletter editor happy and stress-free!

In this next section, we’ll highlight the types of stock content every newsletter editor should have in their toolkit and why. If you're not sure where to begin, WeCreate offers a curated library of content designed to support the voice and mission of community organizations just like yours. All of the following essential content pieces are available in WeCreate — just a click away. Easy to find and even easier to use. Let’s get into it!

A Good Newsletter Content Library Should Include:

1. Written Content:
We’ve all been there — you’ve got one last column to fill, but nothing left to put there. That’s where stock-written content can be a lifesaver. Whether you need a full article, seasonal message, inspirational quote, or a simple recipe, having access to ready-to-use written material helps keep your layout clean and consistent.

2. Graphics:
Designing custom visuals for everything in your newsletter isn’t always realistic. It becomes especially challenging if you aren’t a graphic designer! This is why having access to a library of professionally designed stock graphics is a game-changer. With illustrations, event headers, icons, and more at your fingertips, you can enhance your layout without professional design software, the skills, or the time it takes to create those designs.

3. Stock Photos: The same concept applies to stock photos. Ideally, any images you include in your newsletter would be of your own community and members. Still, it’s not always realistic to set aside the time and expertise to take those images. Stock photos offer a solution so that you can still include photos where you want them if you don’t already have them.

4. Puzzles and Games:
We hear it time and time again from our newsletter customers: “I admit it! I turn directly to the puzzles first!” Including fun elements like puzzles not only allows for a fun way to break up longer written articles but also serves as a great way to engage a wider audience. WeCreate offers a number of puzzle options uploaded each month for those readers craving a new challenge!

5. Infographics:
Break up the text, image, text, image pattern with a beautifully designed infographic. This type of graphic combines written content with a beautiful design to make your newsletter look better than the average publication. Using infographics will certainly help you stand out from the rest!

6. Comics:
Last, but not least, is the humor section! If your content library doesn’t include options for comics, it might be time to subscribe to WeCreate. The comics in WeCreate are one-of-a-kind and can’t be found anywhere else. Round out your content with a smile.

If you’re still not sold on the idea of a content library subscription, you can see the value for yourself in this free sneak peek of the kind of content you’ll have access to in WeCreate . Every month, we feature free selections of downloadable content on our website, available to anyone — no subscription required! It’s a great way to explore what WeCreate has to offer and try out a piece or two in your next issue before you subscribe to the full library. https://www.lpicommunities.com/free-community-art

We should note that all organizations that partner with LPi for their print and digital newsletters receive full access to WeCreate to use whenever they need a content boost. It’s included!

How to Get a NO-COST Monthly (Ad-Supported) Newsletter from LPi

Community organizations that partner with LPi receive their print and digital newsletters at no cost, thanks to support from local businesses! Through our ad-supported model, LPi connects your organization with small businesses and sponsors in your area. Their ads help fund your newsletter, so you can focus on connecting with your members, not your printing budget.

When you publish your newsletter with LPi, you also get access to these valuable tools:

A custom-designed newsletter template tailored by our in-house multimedia team to reflect your organization’s personality. View a few of our sample designs here.
FREE access to WeCreate — our digital content library filled with graphics, photos, seasonal articles, puzzles, and more newsletter-ready written content. We update it monthly, so you’ll always have fresh material to work with.
A digital version of your newsletter, automatically created and published in high resolution on MyCommunityOnline.com . You can link to it on your website, text it to members, send it out via email as a digital newsletter, or post it to social media. Plus, LPi stores your previous editions for easy access.
Real human support. When you work with LPi, you’re never left to figure things out alone. Our customer service team is here to help with your questions, walk you through processes, and celebrate your wins.

We know you’re committed to keeping your community informed and engaged, and we’re here to make that easier! Every article, layout tweak, graphic and photo you include in your newsletter helps bring people together. When you partner with LPi, your newsletter becomes a vibrant, lasting tool for communication and community building. We’re proud to support the work you do.

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To join the many senior centers, civic groups, and local organizations already partnering with LPi or to simply find more resources, visit us online at www.LPiCommunities.com/newsletter-services

Or head over to the newsletter tools section of our blog to find more articles about creating the best newsletters possible!

Pet Parade: Ways to Showcase Furry and Feathered Friends in Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:00:58 GMT

There’s just something about pets that instantly warms hearts and brings people together. Whether it’s a purring cat, a playful and energetic puppy, or a charming parrot that sasses back, animals have a way of lifting spirits.

If you are looking for ways to use your organization’s newsletter to create community , a great avenue to explore is including pet-related content. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to spark conversation and create joy. At LPi , we are no stranger to newsletters that occasionally feature pets. We can help you get started with an ad-supported free-to-you newsletter to build community today!

Incorporating Animals into Your Organization’s Newsletter

Whether your newsletter is for a senior center, neighborhood association, or local organization, here are some creative ways to bring pets into the spotlight — one paw or feather — at a time!

“Pet of the Month” Feature

Sure to become a newsletter favorite, spotlight a different pet each month, whether they belong to a staff member, volunteer, or community member. Include a photo or two, the pet’s name and their owner’s, breed (if known), age, and a few facts, special talents, or funny stories about them.

You might even be able to get a local veterinary clinic or pet store to donate a basket of goodies for each monthly winner. Then, with permission, acknowledge their generosity in your newsletter and on social media. If you run this column all year long, you can ask residents to vote on their favorite pet of the year in December!

Here are some examples from recent newsletters we’ve worked on with a few partnering organizations:

Seasonal Pet Safety Tips

Collaborate with a local veterinarian to share timely, relevant pet care advice based on the season. These short tips can educate readers and promote animal wellness throughout the year. Come up with a fun name for the column, such as “Healthy Pets, Happy People” or “Paws-itive Pet Care Tips.”

A few seasonal topics the vet can offer advice on might be:

Summer: Keeping water bowls full and avoiding hot patios and sidewalks — dogs and cats can burn their paws!
Winter: Wiping your pet’s paws after walks to remove salt or ice-melting chemicals.
Holidays: A reminder to keep holiday treats out of reach! Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats.

If your vet works with more unusual pets, such as snakes or iguanas, ask them for interesting tips on these animals, too.

Seasonal Pet Photo Gallery

You can really have fun with this one! Encourage the public to submit photos of their pets for a rotating gallery section with a different theme for each issue. Ideas include pets in costumes for Halloween or snow-day snuggles in January.

Pet-Friendly Places

Highlight pet-friendly restaurants, parks, shops, or cafes in the area. You could feature lists of parks that have shaded trails and dog-waste stations. Off-leash parks are also great to include.

Remember to mention details such as stores that offer a water bowl near the front door, or patio restaurants with a separate menu for dogs. This helps pet owners plan more inclusive outings and discover local gems.

Pet Care Resources and Local Services

Another idea is a guide with information on nearby animal care services, including:

Veterinarians and 24/7 animal hospitals
Pet grooming salons
Mobile pet services (vaccinations, grooming, nail trimming)
Adoption events and animal shelters

This makes your newsletter both fun and practical, offering valuable tools for responsible pet ownership.

Stories of Pet Adoption or Rescue

Feature short stories submitted by residents or staff about how they met their furry companions — especially rescue animals. These heartwarming tales promote the value of adoption and often resonate deeply with readers.

Celebrate Pet Holidays

Dozens of fun pet-related holidays can inspire content, such as:

National Pet Day: April 11
Take Your Dog to Work Day: Friday after Father’s Day
National Cat Day: October 29
Responsible Pet Owners Month: February

Create themed issues, host small events, or include a festive message and photo feature.

Building Community by Sharing the Joy of Animals

Pets bring laughter, comfort, and unconditional love. By weaving pet-themed content into your newsletter — from “Pet of the Month” spotlights to practical pet care tips — you offer lightness, connection, and a sense of shared joy. Your readers are sure to appreciate and enjoy your efforts.

Find Support for Your Newsletter

Many community-based organizations operate on a small budget with a limited number of staff. This can make important communication tasks like newsletter production more challenging. One of the best solutions out there is LPi’s Newsletter Service . Watch our quick video, download a brochure, and view sample newsletters to learn more about how we can easily bring your messaging to life!

For more community newsletter inspiration, visit the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog.

The Free Beginner’s Guide to Creating the Best Brand for Your Organization

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:36:11 GMT

For years, our design team at LPi has collaborated with organizations across the country, spanning many different missions, to create meaningful branding that reflects who they are and what they stand for. From simple logo refreshes to complete visual identities, we’ve seen firsthand how strong and consistent branding increases trust, boosts recognition and visibility, and brings people together around a shared purpose. Whether you're starting from scratch or updating well-worn materials, this guide will enable even those newest to the concept to build a brand that truly represents your community.

In This Guide:

The True Definition of Branding and Why Your Organization Must Have a Brand

Your organization’s brand is the story that you tell others about who you are, what you stand for, and how you serve. It is expressed through the colors you use, the fonts you choose, the language you speak, and the visuals you share, such as your logo and other graphics and images. Together, all these elements shape how your organization is perceived and understood. The goal of a great brand is to help your community quickly recognize and relate to you, thus wanting to connect further.

Your brand is the cornerstone for your organization’s many communication efforts. A carefully and professionally designed brand will go a long way toward building trust for your organization — for your members and for the greater community! It sets an intentional tone for every interaction you have, whether it be your website, merchandise and swag, newsletter, social media, signage, stationery, and more!

Organizations without a coherent brand immediately communicate to the public that they aren’t professional. In fact, a lack of intentional branding across your organization’s communications can subconsciously tell people that you are untrustworthy and disorganized. Let’s make sure you don’t fall into that category by learning the mechanisms of why good branding helps build trust in your organization.

How Branding Builds Trust

It may not seem obvious at first, but your overall visual identity carries real weight in whether or not people trust your organization . Your thoughtful, consistent brand design will reassure members, attract newcomers, and foster a sense of belonging. Here’s a deeper dive into how branding builds trust:

1. It makes your organization recognizable.

When your logo and overall branding are used consistently across communications, they become a familiar and trustworthy signal to your community. That recognition builds comfort and confidence and helps people know they’re in the right place. People will then begin to connect your brand with reliability and purpose.

2. It communicates professionalism.

A polished brand shows that your organization is intentional, professional, and dependable. Just like how a well-organized event or a welcoming space inspires trust, a cohesive brand design communicates: “We’re established, we’re prepared, and you can count on us!”

3. It reflects your mission and values.

Your visual identity should mirror who you are and what you stand for. Branding gives your mission a visible form that deepens your community’s connection to you.

4. It creates consistency that feels reassuring.

When colors, fonts, and styles shift dramatically from one piece of communication to the next, it causes confusion. Consistent branding, on the other hand, signals clarity and follow-through. It reassures people, even subconsciously, that your organization is trustworthy and reliable.

The Point of a Logo in Branding — How to Know if Your Logo Needs an Update

It’s true that, often, your logo might be the first thing a person sees when it comes to your organization. This is exactly why it must be designed to intentionally shape first impressions. This being said, remember that your logo is only one piece of your bigger branding picture. Think of a logo as the symbol that represents your identity at a glance. While your full brand includes colors, fonts, messaging, tone, and design style, your logo is designed to be a piece of visual shorthand that ties everything together.

A strong logo doesn’t need to tell your whole story, but it does need to spark recognition and work for you to continue to build trust every time it is encountered.

Indications your logo needs a redesign:

It looks and feels outdated.
The design doesn’t align with your current mission, values, or audience.
People don’t easily recognize it — or worse, people mistake it for another group’s logo.
It’s challenging to read or loses clarity when scaled down for things like your business cards or viewing your website on mobile screens.
When it’s printed, it looks blurry or pixelated.
It doesn’t translate well into black and white.
When polled, members or supporters don’t rate it very highly.

If any of these points describe your logo, don’t worry! It’s common for organizations to update their logos and even their branding every so often. Making sure your brand evolves with you as your organization grows is, again, another way to foster trust in your community. Sometimes all you need is a little refresh or a little “fix-me-up” to stay relevant and fresh!

Logo Design Best Practices

Since your logo tends to be one of the most visible parts of your brand, it’s important to get your design right the first time. A strong logo should be simple, memorable, and true to your mission. As outlined in depth in our article “Logo Mistakes Your Nonprofit Won’t Want to Make,” here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

Overcomplicating the design. Trying to include too many shapes, symbols, or details makes your logo hard to read and harder to remember. A clean, focused design has a greater chance of impacting your audience.

Using outdated clipart. Generic, stock-style graphics will make your organization look unprofessional and unknowledgeable. Custom, professionally designed logos better reflect your unique story.

Choosing hard-to-read fonts. Stick to one or two clear and evergreen (timeless) fonts. Ornate fonts or incorporating multiple font styles into your logo can quickly become confusing and difficult to read when your logo is scaled to smaller sizes.

Adding too many colors. While color is a powerful visual tool, using too many colors in your logo can overwhelm viewers , not to mention raise printing costs. Limit yourself to two or three complementary colors.

Forgetting scalability. Your logo should look sharp everywhere — from a business card to banners. Designs with too many tiny details lose impact when scaled down, and logos that aren’t designed with scaling in mind can appear blurry when enlarged.

Ignoring your mission. Logos disconnected from your purpose miss their main goal: to build recognition, communicate meaning, and connect people to your organization. Choose elements that reflect your values and the community you serve.

By avoiding these pitfalls, your logo will become a trusted symbol that represents your organization for years to come!

The Importance of a Brand Book

Once you’ve made your brand decisions and have landed on the best fonts, colors, tone, and logo, the next challenge will be to stay consistent with these choices across your organization’s communications. Trust in a brand can break down if some staff members are using your brand as intended, and while others aren’t.

For example, if your program director regularly changes the colors or fonts that accompany your logo on all their program materials, it will break down your brand consistency and affect the impression of your organization.

Things like resizing the logo to look a little squished or flattened, changing agreed-upon fonts and colors, and using a tone of voice that is inconsistent with the brand in written communications can all affect your organization negatively.

One of the main benefits of having a professional brand is that it makes your organization look organized and, well, professional. If your organization starts using its brand in a haphazard way, all your hard work building positive, trustworthy impressions starts to seep down the drain. That’s the opposite of what you want your brand to do!

To keep everyone on the same page and your brand consistent across all of your communications, a brand book is the solution!

A brand book is typically a PDF that outlines the rules of your brand, how to use it properly, and provides examples of what not to do when branding a communication. It’s where you can find all of your brand information collected into one place. Brand books also include recommendations on how to properly use your brand and can be used to train your staff and volunteers. It is also a super useful tool when working with partnering organizations for reference if your brand is appearing on outside communications. Brand books save everyone the time and energy of trying to remember “what font exactly?” and “is this the right color?” Everything about your brand is kept in your brand book!

Whether you design your brand yourself or work with a professional team like ours at LPi, a brand book is an essential part of the package.

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Redesigning your organization’s brand can feel like a big task, but you don’t have to tackle it on your own. Our goal is always to ensure your brand reflects your mission, values, and the community you serve. Whether you’re making a small change to your current branding or building an entirely new identity for your organization, we’re here to help you share your story!

Updated 03-05-2026

ADA Compliance: What You Need to Know for Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:11:56 GMT

If your organization publishes a community newsletter or is planning to start one, it’s essential to understand the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You’ll need to learn how the ADA applies to your organization’s communications, whether printed, emailed, or shared on your website, and the importance of complying with this law.

ADA Compliance in Communication

Most people associate the Americans with Disabilities Act with physical accessibility, such as making sure aisles are wide enough for wheelchairs and public sidewalks are barrier free for those who use other mobility aids. In reality, the ADA is much more than that. It is a civil rights law designed to ensure people with disabilities have equal access in all areas of public life!

When it was first passed in 1990, the ADA originally focused on physical spaces. Today, however, accessibility isn’t just about parking spots and elevators. It’s also about ensuring that digital and print materials are easy to read, navigate, and understand for everyone, including people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and motor impairments. This is why the ADA Amendments Act was passed in 2008, expanding the law to encompass communications and digital content, such as websites, emails, and PDFs.

Making your newsletter ADA-compliant shows that your organization celebrates the spirit of this meaningful law and is committed to reaching all members of your community.

7 Key Elements of ADA-Compliant Newsletters

For a community newsletter, ADA compliance means ensuring that your content can be accessed, read, and understood by people with disabilities. That includes both digital and print formats. A newsletter that isn’t accessible may unintentionally exclude part of your audience and could potentially violate federal regulations. This is especially notable if your organization receives government funding or serves the public.

Here are the most important components to consider when creating an ADA-compliant newsletter:

1. Use Clear, Readable Fonts

Choose fonts that are easy to read, such as Arial, Verdana, or Calibri. Avoid overly decorative or script-style fonts that are tough on the eye. Also, use a minimum font size of 12 points for online text and 14 points for print newsletters.

2. Maintain High Contrast

Ensure there’s a strong contrast between text and background. Black text on a white background is ideal. Avoid light-gray text, busy backgrounds, and low-contrast color combinations, which can be hard to read for those with visual impairments.

3. Add Alt Text to Images

If your digital newsletter includes images, use what is known as alt text (alternative text) to describe them. This helps screen readers convey the content of the image to users who are blind or have low vision. Keep the descriptions concise and relevant.

Example :
Instead of: image123.jpg
Use: Photo of seniors participating in a chair yoga class at the center.

4. Use Headings and Structure

Break up your content with frequent, clear headings (like “Upcoming Events” or “Health Tips”). This not only helps all readers scan content more easily but also allows screen readers to navigate the text logically.

In digital formats, use proper heading styles (like H1, H2, etc.) instead of simply bolding or enlarging the text.

5. Make Links Descriptive

Avoid using links with vague text, like “click here.” Instead, use descriptive language that tells the reader what the link is for.

Example :
Instead of: Click here for more info.
Use: Read our full August activity schedule.

6. Accessible PDF Design

If you distribute your newsletter as a PDF, make sure it’s an accessible PDF. That means:

Text is selectable (not scanned images)
Reading order is logical
Headings, lists, and tables are properly tagged
Images have alt text
Document title and language settings are included

Accessible PDFs can be created using tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro or by applying proper
formatting in Microsoft Word before converting to a PDF.

7. Offer Alternative Formats

Consider providing your newsletter in multiple formats, such as:

Large-print versions
Audio recordings
Plain text or HTML versions
Braille (if needed for your audience)

Providing choices ensures everyone can access the information in the way that works best for them.

Why ADA Compliance Matters

Finally, there are many reasons to take ADA compliance seriously, but it’s especially important because of:

Legal Obligations: Organizations like senior centers, nonprofits, and public agencies are often required to follow ADA standards. Failure to comply can result in legal complaints or penalties.
Inclusivity: Accessible content ensures everyone in your community — including those with vision loss, hearing impairments, or learning disabilities — can stay informed and connected.
Reputation and Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility builds trust with your audience and shows you care about meeting the needs of all members.

We hope this information helps you better understand your ADA compliance obligations. Tips for Designing Accessible Newsletters for Senior Readers is another good resource with ideas for improving both the appearance and the readability of your newsletter.

LPi Newsletters are ADA-Compliant

If you want help meeting ADA standards while publishing your print and digital newsletter, LPi offers a free, custom newsletter template that is already ADA-compliant! We pride ourselves on working together to help you accomplish your mission while reaching people of all abilities with your message. Learn more about how to partner with LPi for an ad-supported newsletter .

What is a Community Newsletter?

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:18:47 GMT

A community newsletter is an engaging and efficient communication tool for a senior center or retirement community, especially when you stick to a consistent publication timeline . Whether it’s printed, emailed, or both, a newsletter provides an opportunity to share important news, updates, and resources with the center’s members and staff, as well as the broader community.

Think of this tool as a friendly, informative bulletin board that helps build a sense of community. Whether it’s a short weekly update or a lengthier monthly or quarterly communication vehicle, an organization’s newsletter plays a key role in connecting and engaging a target audience.

It can keep older adults informed about events that are coming up, provide helpful resources, celebrate personal milestones, and even educate readers on health-related topics. For staff and volunteers, it’s a great way to keep supporters in the loop while also ensuring consistent messaging.

The Basics of a Community Newsletter

A community newsletter can take many forms. It might be a simple, two-page printout, a full-color multi-page booklet, or even a combination of both. It can also be shared digitally. Regardless of format, most successful newsletters include these essential elements:

Upcoming events: Publish details about classes, support groups, outings, wellness clinics, holiday parties, or lectures. The further out you let people know about planned activities, the better chance you have of increasing attendance.
Announcements: Keeping people up to date on short-term inconveniences or changes in policy can help avoid any ill will. Your community newsletter can be a good way to share schedule changes, introduce new staff or volunteers, and communicate any other important information.

Health and wellness tips: You can include articles on health tips like aging well, managing medications, staying active, or preventing falls. This is an opportunity to connect with local professionals who might be willing to write articles/columns in exchange for positive publicity.
Member spotlights: In a senior center or retirement community where people are always on the move, getting to know one another might be more challenging. You can use your newsletter to publish interviews or profiles of members, spotlight birthdays or anniversaries , incorporate members’ own written stories, or inform readers about other special achievements.
Volunteer and donation opportunities: If your organization is a nonprofit or partners with charitable agencies, including information on how to get involved can give people the opportunity to support the cause. You could also feature your volunteers and their stories in your newsletter. This personalizes the type of support you are asking for and provides great content at the same time!
Community resources: People are always looking for recommendations and referrals for local services. They can be for anything from reliable transportation providers to fun, budget-friendly places to take the grandkids.

Some newsletters may also include crossword puzzles, favorite recipes, photos from recent events, or feedback surveys to keep things fun and interactive. If you have space to fill in your newsletter and don’t know what to add or where to find filler content, the article “Fast, Easy Filler for Your Community Newsletter” has some great ideas.

How Newsletters Benefit Senior-Facing Organizations

Remember that a well-crafted newsletter is much more than just a schedule of events. It’s a communication tool that benefits senior centers in several key ways:

Improves Communication

Many older adults may not regularly use social media or visit websites. A newsletter — especially a printed one — ensures that valuable information reaches everyone, regardless of their level of tech comfort. It can also help reduce confusion about event times, program changes, and available resources.

Increases Engagement

A newsletter invites seniors to participate more fully in your organization. When members see their stories featured or events they care about listed, they’re more likely to get involved. This increases attendance, volunteerism, and overall satisfaction.

Builds Community

Featuring member stories, photos, and shout-outs helps people feel seen and appreciated. For seniors who live alone or are adjusting to retirement, a sense of belonging is critical. Newsletters help create that connection by reinforcing shared values and goals.

Promotes Attendance

Senior centers often offer a wide range of programs, such as fitness classes, meals, legal aid, tech help, and more. The challenge is getting the word out to the wider community about these offerings. A newsletter gives center staff a platform to promote their programs consistently and effectively. It also gives other members an easy way to share what’s going on within the organization. They can share information about an event with a friend through forwarding your email newsletter or handing your printed newsletter to their buddy.

Strengthens Relationships

In fact, newsletters are often shared beyond the members themselves. Your newsletter may reach families, donors, and other local supporters — both current and new! This transparency and outreach help demonstrate the center’s impact and foster goodwill and continued support.

Print and Digital Newsletter Solutions

A community newsletter is a powerful tool that can connect with an older audience in a meaningful way. These publications help members feel involved, valued, and part of a vibrant community!

For a senior center or retirement community looking to boost communication and community connections, LPi offers both print and digital newsletter solutions that are printed and delivered free for organizations, thanks to local ad support! Contact us to learn more so we can get you set up with a newsletter today.

5 Signs it’s Time to Refresh Your Community Newsletter Design

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:30:00 GMT

A well-designed community newsletter reflects your organization’s energy, professionalism, and relevance. But even the best designs can become outdated over time. When you are busy juggling a variety of responsibilities, as most senior center team members are, it’s easy to overlook how long it’s been since your newsletter had a design update.

Here are some signs that your newsletter could use a new look, and tips on how to make impactful updates.

Conducting an Objective Assessment of Your Community Newsletter

The Design Looks Dated

If your newsletter still uses the same layout, colors, and fonts from 10 years ago, it may no longer reflect the modern, active spirit of your community. While you don’t need to chase every trend, a fresh design can signal that your organization is current and forward-thinking.

Consider updating your color palette with brighter, more engaging hues or adding accent colors to break up the pages and draw attention to important sections. Also, take some time to explore how color choices impact your messaging .

Your Logo Needs an Upgrade

Your logo plays a leading role in the identity of your newsletter. If your current logo looks pixelated or overly complicated, or if it’s outdated and no longer reflects your organization’s mission, it’s time for a refresh or even a complete redesign.

A modern logo should be simple, versatile, and instantly recognizable. Once refreshed, your new logo will become the foundation for an updated newsletter design that feels cohesive and professional. If you need help with designing a new logo that perfectly reflects your community, our team has worked with nonprofits nationwide to bring their ideas to life!

The Font Is Tough to Read

One of the most common complaints among readers — especially older adults — is that the text is too small to read easily. If your newsletter uses a font size under 12 points or a hard-to-read script, it will discourage people from engaging.

Consider switching to a font style that experts say is more accessible , such a s Verdana, Arial, or Calibri. G ood typography improves readability and overall user experience, and can be the difference between someone reading the whole issue or tossing it aside.

Content Feels Repetitive or Dry

A great newsletter design will draw people in, but good content is what will keep them coming back. If your newsletter feels like it’s just recycling the same announcements month after month, it may be time to rethink your editorial approach and add some filler that’s fun to read.

Add variety with new features such as resident spotlights, Q&A interviews, trivia, volunteer highlights, and health tips. Use engaging headlines and mix long-form articles with short, digestible pieces. Include photos whenever possible to add personality and visual interest. Don’t forget games, comics, and puzzles!

If you feel lost and don’t know where you could possibly come up with extra content like this for your publication, don’t worry! Content libraries such as WeCreate are the perfect solution. WeCreate is filled to the brim with everything from seasonal and informational articles, recipes, comics, games, graphics, and more, that you can drop directly into your newsletter! All available for you to use as your own to liven up your newsletter and entice your readers.

It Doesn’t Translate Well to Digital

More communities are shifting to or adding digital newsletters to their marketing toolbox. If your current layout doesn’t look good on screens or doesn’t adapt well to mobile devices, it's time for a redesign. Some newsletter services offer an easy-to-access digital version of your newsletter at no extra cost! This way, you can design your print newsletter and automatically have a digital one to email to folks or link on your website, as well!

A responsive design ensures your content looks great whether someone is reading on a phone, tablet, or desktop. Make sure your digital version is mobile-friendly, uses web-safe fonts, and has clickable links for easy navigation.

Ask for Input

If fewer people are reading your newsletter, attending events, or commenting on featured stories, your current format may no longer be effective. If people aren’t taking the time to review it, they may be missing out on what you offer.

Don’t be afraid to seek honest feedback. Survey your members to ask their thoughts on what does and doesn’t work in your current publication. You could also invite people to participate in a focus group and share their opinions.

LPi Newsletter Services

We understand how tough it can be to find time in your busy schedule to take on a project like this. That’s where LPi’s newsletter service comes in. You’ll find quick and affordable assistance with everything from art and content to design support. The best part? LPi’s print and digital newsletters are free for organizations like yours, thanks to ad support!

For more newsletter inspiration and ideas, head over to the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog.

Tips for Building a Stronger Brand for Your Senior Center

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:56:14 GMT

Most people have heard the term branding, but fewer have a true understanding of what it actually means. Whether you’re launching a product, running a nonprofit, or managing a senior center, your brand is more than just a logo — it’s your identity, your voice, and the promise you make to your audience.

A strong brand generates awareness, establishes trust, and sets you apart from other organizations. It helps people recognize and remember you and it gives them confidence in what you offer. But how do you go about building a brand that accurately represents your organization? Here’s what you should consider.

Branding Builds Awareness and Trust

At its core, branding is about creating recognition. When your brand is consistent and professional, people start to associate it with quality and reliability. Over time, this recognition turns into trust. Whether someone sees your logo in a brochure or visits your website, they should intuitively know who you are and what you stand for.

Trust is considered one of a nonprofit organization’s most important assets , and it is especially important when you’re dealing with new audiences or asking for support — whether that’s donations, volunteer time, or simply participation in events. A polished, cohesive brand shows that you take your work seriously and care about your mission.

What Makes a Good Logo?

A logo is often the first impression people have of your brand. It should be simple, memorable, and reflective of your organization’s personality. The best logos are:

Clean and uncomplicated: Avoid clutter. A simple logo is easier to remember and works better across different media.
Scalable: It should look just as good on a business card as it does on a billboard or website banner.
Relevant: The design should align with your mission and values. For example, a playful logo might work for a children’s program, while a more formal design suits a legal organization.
Timeless: Aim for a look that will last. Trends come and go, but your brand should feel relevant for years to come.
Color and typography: Choose colors and fonts that are not only appealing but also readable and accessible. Stick with a color palette and font family that can be used consistently.

It’s also important to avoid mistakes people often make in designing a logo .

Carrying Branding Through Print and Digital Channels

Consistency is key to strong branding. Every piece of communication, whether printed or digital, should reflect the same visual and verbal identity.

Print materials such as brochures, flyers, newsletters, and business cards should all include your logo, colors, and fonts. Keep layout styles consistent and use the same tone of voice in your copy. This builds recognition and conveys professionalism.
Digital branding includes your website, social media profiles, email newsletters, and even your Zoom backgrounds. Use the same logo and color scheme across platforms. Keep profile pictures, banners, and email signatures consistent. On social media, maintain similar language and visuals across posts to create a cohesive presence.

Brand Building Is a Process

Remember, branding is about more than design — it’s about how people feel when they think of you. And developing a strong brand doesn’t happen overnight. It takes thoughtful planning and consistency to create an identity that people recognize, respect, and trust.

A good logo, clear messaging, and consistent application across print and digital channels will help your organization stand out and build lasting connections with your audience.

Updated 03-05-2026

How to Connect and Engage Political Leaders With Your Senior Center

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:30:01 GMT

Getting political leaders involved with your senior center can create a powerful network of support, visibility, and resources that benefit your entire community. Whether it’s your local mayor, your state senator, or your U.S. representatives, building bonds with these influencers has many benefits.

Elected officials often look for opportunities to connect with their constituents — especially those who vote regularly, like older adults. Developing relationships with these leaders not only brings recognition to your center but can also lead to funding opportunities, policy changes, and stronger advocacy for senior-related issues.

Fostering those connections, however, takes time, creativity, and effort. Here are some suggestions to help you get started and use those relationships to your center’s advantage.

7 Tips for Connecting With Political Leaders

1. Start With an Invitation

The first step is to reach out. Many local, state, and national representatives are open to community engagement, but they may not know how to get involved unless you ask. Send them a formal invitation to visit your center, attend a special event, or speak at a town hall meeting. Include background about your center, the number of members, and the positive impact it has on seniors’ lives. Make it clear that you’re offering them a chance to connect directly with a key demographic.

2. Host a “Legislative Breakfast” or “Coffee With a Representative”

If your budget allows, hosting a legislative breakfast or lunch can be a great way to foster bonds. At these informal events, political leaders can mingle with seniors in a relaxed setting. A meal or even a coffee hour is a low-pressure way for politicians to introduce themselves and hear directly from seniors about their concerns. These events can be held quarterly and feature different guests, from city council members to state representatives.

3. Showcase the Impact of Your Center

Use data and personal stories to show how vital your center is. Prepare a short presentation or brochure that highlights programming, services provided, attendance numbers, and testimonials. Make sure this information is displayed prominently on your website and in your newsletters . The more compelling your center’s story, the more likely that political leaders will advocate for you.

4. Involve Members in the Process

Encourage members of your senior center to be part of the outreach. Have them write letters or sign petitions. During visits, have them share personal experiences — a heartfelt story from a member can make a lasting impression on a policymaker. You could even form a small advocacy committee within your center to stay in contact with elected officials and follow up after meetings.

5. Partner on Initiatives

Look for opportunities to align your center’s goals with a representative’s priorities. For example, if a legislator is focused on healthcare or mental health, propose a partnership to promote wellness programs at your center. Joint events or co-branded campaigns can boost visibility for both parties and make your center a hub for community engagement. One easy way to stay updated on what’s happening at the federal level is to subscribe to free newsletters from sources covering elected officials.

6. Recognize Their Efforts

When a politician supports your center — through a visit, proclamation, or policy action — make sure to thank them publicly. Highlight their involvement on your social media and in both your print and digital newsletters . Don’t forget to send out press releases to local television and print media before events. Positive publicity encourages politicians to stay engaged and demonstrates to other leaders that your center is worth their attention.

7. Stay Engaged All Year Long

Try to nurture these relationships year-round, not just during election season. Send regular updates about your center’s activities, invite leaders to seasonal events, and keep them informed about seniors’ needs. Building long-term partnerships helps ensure your center remains a visible and valued part of the community.

Be Consistent in Public Communication

Finally, remember to be consistent with your communication schedule. Whether it’s the newsletter you send to members or outreach to political leadership, staying top of mind is crucial to your success. Read Why Consistent Communication Matters for Your Senior Center to learn more!

From Ordinary to Engaging: The Secret Role of Photos in Newsletters

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 19:49:27 GMT

Every newsletter editor knows how much of a challenge it can be to hold your audience’s attention amid all the distractions of everyday life. People are constantly bombarded with marketing messages everywhere, from ads on their grocery store carts to pop-up messages on their smartphones. Despite this, newsletters continue to remain a cornerstone of communication strategy for organizations and businesses alike! The success of your newsletter, however, hinges not only on what you include in it but on how you present it to your audience. It also relies on finding a balance between content that is entertaining and content focused on informing .

One of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance your newsletter’s impact is to incorporate compelling photos and graphics alongside written content. Data-driven studies support this approach, showing that professional looking visuals significantly improve engagement, comprehension of the content inside, and reader retention.

Let’s take a look at the science behind how images engage readers.

The Need for Images in Community Newsletters

Here are a few of the reasons why visual content is such a powerful tool:

Visual Content Captures Attention

According to researchers, visuals capture a viewer’s attention faster and hold that attention longer than when someone is simply viewing text on its own. In fact, scientists from MIT say the brain can correctly identify and relate to images viewed for just 13 milliseconds!

Human brains are wired to process visual information more efficiently than written information — up to 60,000 times faster than text, in fact! When an image accompanies text in an email, for example, it makes the reader more likely to pause, engage, and actually read the accompanying text information.

Eye-tracking studies conducted by the Nielsen Norman Group further reveal that people tend to scan online content in an F-shaped pattern. This means they often miss large chunks of text, especially if the text isn’t broken up with engaging visual cues. Well-placed images serve as visual anchors, guiding the reader through the content and, thus, improving the readability of your publication.

Increases Engagement and Click-Through Rates

One of the most compelling reasons to add images to your newsletter is the boost in engagement metrics. A study by HubSpot found that emails with relevant images included in the content had a 42% higher click-through rate than those without. Additionally, content that includes visual elements is 40 times more likely to be shared on social media!

Campaign Monitor, an email marketing company, reports that they’ve found that users who include visuals in their emails saw up to a 26% increase in subscriber retention. This is particularly important for brands and organizations aiming to build long-term relationships with their audiences.

Enhances Comprehension and Retention

Adding photos doesn’t just make newsletters look better — it makes them more understandable. Research on the importance of visuals in newsletters shows that when people follow directions with both text and illustrations, they understand them 323% better than when following text-only directions. This same principle applies to newsletters. Readers understand and remember your message better when it’s reinforced visually.

For businesses that offer products or services, including photos of those offerings can clarify what is being sold and why it matters. Nonprofits can use images to tell stories of impact that help donors feel more emotionally connected. Educational newsletters can benefit from charts, diagrams, or instructional images to support learning. Community organizations benefit in all the same ways but also have an opportunity to make people feel like they “see themselves in the organization” by simply seeing images of people they can relate to in their publications. The benefits are massive!

Builds Emotional Connection

Photos have a powerful ability to convey emotion, something that plain text often struggles to achieve. Simply put, emotional content is just more memorable than text alone or with generic photos. A picture of a happy customer, a successful event, or a behind-the-scenes moment can humanize your organization and forge a stronger bond with your community.

The bottom line is that incorporating photos into your newsletters isn’t just an aesthetic choice — it’s a strategic one backed by research. Visual content plays a critical role in communication, from increasing engagement, comprehension, and retention to building emotional connections

Finding Images for Your Newsletter

If your team doesn’t have someone to take photos or create graphics, a content library like WeCreate can help. Designed specifically for organizations, WeCreate offers ready-to-use graphics for every occasion—from holiday banners and seasonal quotes to cover images and stock photos. Each piece is carefully curated by designers to save you time and make your newsletter visually engaging.

Celebrating Community Milestones in Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:40:52 GMT

At LPi, we work with thousands of organizations nationwide to publish amazing custom newsletters. for their organizations. During our tenure, we’ve learned that a organization's newsletter can be so much more than simply a generic monthly update. With a little extra thought, it becomes a resource that celebrates life’s successes, promotes interpersonal connections, and creates an overall sense of community. One way to do this is by including staff, member, and organizational milestones whenever they happen.

From birthdays and anniversaries to personal achievements and community events, these milestones help personalize your newsletter in a way that strengthens bonds among supporters. If you need ideas for creating a newsletter that’s more personal and appealing by using milestones like this, we have some suggestions.

Creating Community Through Your Newsletter

Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries

Recognizing members’ birthdays and wedding anniversaries is a simple yet meaningful way to show appreciation. A dedicated section titled “Celebrations Corner” or “Milestone Moments” would be a fantastic addition to your newsletter. Inside it you could list the names and dates of members celebrating each month.

To keep things engaging, consider further spotlighting one or two individuals each month with a short biography, photo, and quote about what they’ve learned over the years or for what they’re most grateful for. Just make sure you obtain permission from everyone you are featuring first!

Highlight Personal Achievements

Older adults often achieve remarkable personal goals! Your members might win an art competition, walk or run a 5K, publish a story, or be excited about mastering a new skill or hobby. Dedicate space in your senior center newsletter to showcase these accomplishments . A “Member Spotlight” column could feature one person’s story each month, making it easy for others to feel connected and inspired.

Feature Volunteer and Staff Contributions

Everyone associated with a nonprofit organization knows the vital role volunteers play in both special events and the day-to-day work of a nonprofit. Acknowledge the efforts of those who make your organization a vibrant place by highlighting them in your newsletter.

Feature a “Volunteer of the Month” chosen by popular vote, or a “Staff Shoutout” to better introduce different staff members throughout the year. This type of recognition not only honors their contributions but also encourages more engagement from the community.

Share Community Milestones

Include important happenings in the wider local community in a “Community Bulletin” section. Things like senior-related events, health fairs, town meetings, or changes happening in the community would all be great additions to that section. You can also report on past events the senior center participated in, adding photos and quotes from attendees to make the coverage lively and personable.

Encourage Member Submissions

Invite members to submit news, photos, poems, or even family updates. This gives members a sense of ownership and investment in the newsletter and in your community. Consider adding a “From Our Members” column dedicated to submitted content. Not only does this diversify the voices in the newsletter, but it also uncovers hidden talents and stories!

Use Visual Elements

Photos of milestone celebrations, member activities, and other events will make the newsletter feel more dynamic and real. Always obtain permission to publish photos, and try to include captions to enhance context and connection.

If you don’t have a photo of an event or happening, don’t just skip it and publish with no imagery! Dive into a content library like LPi’s WeCreate where you can find an applicable image to use for whatever section you are working on. WeCreate is searchable and has thousands of graphics and stock photos available to brighten up your newsletter for every type of occasion. It’s better to have a beautiful image than to not have one at all!

Maintain a Positive, Respectful Tone

Keeping the tone uplifting and inclusive and celebrating everyone equally will help make your newsletter successful. But a word of caution: When sharing personal stories or milestones, be sensitive and respect people’s privacy. Always confirm details with the individuals involved.

Continue Exploring Ways to Improve Your Newsletter

Finally, we encourage you to keep learning more about how to craft successful newsletters and the role your newsletter can play in creating community. If you head over to the Newsletter Tools section of our blog, you’ll find a plethora of resources! We update it throughout the month with articles that explore topics ranging from color choices and fonts to logos and branding.

Fast, Easy Filler for Your Community Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:21:39 GMT

If your senior center or other community organization has a print newsletter , it’s likely a key component of your marketing efforts. Experts say there are many reasons why print is still an effective communication tool. Newsletters help with everything from building trust to fundraising. If you are like many nonprofit organizations, your team is small, with each person wearing a lot of hats, so keeping your newsletter both engaging and informative each month can be a challenge.

The answer lies in finding ways to create content efficiently. While main feature articles such as upcoming events and new programs are important, having “filler” content that promotes interaction can greatly enhance a newsletter’s appeal and increase reader loyalty.

Here are some thoughtful and enjoyable filler ideas to consider and where to find them pre-made for your newsletter.

Use a Content Library!

Content libraries like LPi’s WeCreate are an essential time-saving tool for newsletter editors. Digital libraries like this provide valuable content such as fully written articles, recipes, images you can use for all sorts of occasions, and more. WeCreate provides new content every month, as well as full access to a vast archive of content for every season, holiday, and event to fill in your newsletter.

Oftentimes, content library services offer exclusive content for subscribers to keep your newsletter unique. For example, WeCreate offers comics, puzzles, infographics, and articles ready to be used in your newsletter that you won’t find anywhere else. Check out the WeCreate free content page for a sneak peek of what the full library holds and to start using it right away!

10 Ways to Fill Out Your Organization’s Newsletter

1. Memory Lane

Invite members to submit short stories from their past — whether they are about childhood, career milestones, military service, favorite vacations, or first loves. You can even publish submissions anonymously if that will make it more likely that people will share. These quick stories help create warmth and nostalgia that can foster connection among readers.

2. Senior Spotlight

Feature a brief profile of a different supporter or staff member in each issue. Include a photo, a few fun facts, and their favorite quote or hobby. This helps build community and encourages readers to get to know each other better.

3. Jokes & Riddles

Lighten the mood with age-appropriate jokes, puns, and riddles. Think gentle humor and classic one-liners. Ask people to send you their favorites to include.

4. Did You Know?

Share interesting facts or trivia, especially from past decades. For example, include fun historical tidbits like “On this day in 1955 …” or curious facts such as “Did you know the microwave was invented by accident?”

5. Word Games & Puzzles

Crosswords, word searches, and even simple sudoku puzzles can be great brain teasers. Free sites like Puzzlemaker and The Word Search make it easy to create your own custom games and puzzles.

6. Book or Movie Reviews

Another fun filler could be reviews of books and movies, both current and classic, or recommendations by staff or community members. Don’t forget to incorporate some from streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu, as well as audiobooks that people may find compelling listens.

7. Volunteer of the Month

If you don’t already, consider having a volunteer-of-the-month corner for your newsletter. While many organizations recognize a volunteer of the year, shining a spotlight on supporters on a more regular basis helps encourage engagement, too.

8. Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries

With permission, list staff and member birthdays or milestone anniversaries each month. Add a congratulatory message or even baby photos if you have consent to include them.

9. Health & Wellness Tips

Include gentle wellness advice geared toward seniors — hydration reminders, safe stretching exercises, seasonal safety tips, or healthy eating ideas. These can be just a few sentences long.

10. Favorite Recipes

Odds are good that most people associated with your organization have a favorite recipe or two they wouldn’t mind sharing. Invite people to submit theirs and include photos if possible.

Making Newsletter Production Easier

Mixing a few of these filler ideas into your newsletter will make it feel more like a community gathering in print. Your newsletter will be more personal, lighthearted, and something readers will look forward to.

If you need additional support in creating your monthly or quarterly issues, LPi’s Newsletter Service offers free design services, plus free access to the WeCreate Digital Content Library .

Fight the Summer Slump with These Community Center Program Ideas

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:59:22 GMT

As temperatures rise, so can the challenge of keeping seniors engaged with your community center during the long, hot summer months. Many older adults may limit outdoor activity to avoid heat-related issues or prevent a chronic health condition from flaring. This can lead to isolation or inactivity for seniors and a slower season for your organization.

Combating this “summer slump” just takes a little imagination and planning. Senior centers can implement a mix of stimulating, safe, and fun programs that boost wellness, foster social connection, and provide relief from the heat during the dog days of summer. With some thoughtful promotion, including on your social media channels , you’ll be able to keep your membership thriving all summer long.

Here are some suggestions to help your team get your planning efforts started.

Ideas to Help Senior Centers Beat the Summer Heat

Indoor garden clubs: Gardening is therapeutic , with proven mental and physical health benefits. But in the heat of summer, outdoor gardening might not be safe. High temperatures can increase a senior’s risk for everything from heat stroke to sun poisoning. An indoor garden club using container plants, herbs, or even hydroponics is a great alternative. You can organize a garden club that works together to share tips and advice on how to grow flowers, vegetables, and herbs indoors.

Fitness classes: Walking, biking, and swimming are popular summer activities for people of all ages. But when the mercury rises, they might not be very enjoyable. You can provide a place for seniors and other members of your community to participate in low-impact indoor exercise options like chair yoga, tai chi, or stretching classes. These programs give people a way to socialize and stay active, while minimizing the risks for heat-related health conditions.

Brain health activities: Summer is a perfect time to host gatherings that stimulate the mind and boost cognitive health. Trivia contests, crossword challenges, foreign language classes, and music classes are a few to consider. Book clubs and guest lecture series are also great choices.

Intergenerational programs: Partner with local schools or camps to bring children and seniors together for crafts, storytelling, or reading programs. These interactions are uplifting and mutually beneficial, giving seniors a renewed sense of purpose and creating cherished memories for both generations.

Creative arts and DIY workshops: Art therapy is both expressive and relaxing. Set up weekly workshops where seniors can try painting, pottery, knitting, or jewelry-making. Not only are these activities fun, but they also help with fine motor skills and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Indoor field trips and virtual travel: Bring the world indoors with virtual travel sessions using documentaries, VR headsets, or themed presentations. You can also arrange trips to local museums, aquariums, or planetariums, where climate control ensures a comfortable experience.

Summer cinema series: Transform your senior center into a movie theater with popcorn and snacks, comfortable seating, and air conditioning. Ask for volunteers to help screen and select movies to show each week or month, depending on how often you’d like to host your movie day.

Healthy cooking demonstrations: Host indoor cooking classes that focus on light, summer-friendly recipes. Recipes that don’t require you to use the oven and heat up the kitchen might be especially appealing. Have a nutritionist or chef from a local business or hospital share healthy menu planning tips and provide hands-on practice making smoothies, salads, or no-bake desserts.

Don’t Forget to Advertise!

Now that you have a handful of great new programs to try out, it’s time to source great looking graphics to advertise them in your newsletter, on your website, event flyers, and your social media feeds. WeCreate can help! Our incredible library of curated digital content has graphics perfect for announcing your new programs. A sneak-peek is available on our free community art page .

Never miss new content by subscribing to our monthly email newsletter ! Inside this newsletter, we send out tips, ideas, and new content announcements to help you build outstanding communications.

Calling All Artists: Using Art in Your Newsletter to Build Engagement With Your Community

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:49:49 GMT

Your newsletter is a communication tool on a variety of fronts. One way it can be especially helpful is by making connections and building bonds with your local community. If coming up with unique ways to reach out through your newsletter feels like a challenge, that’s where art, in all its forms, could be your answer!

Whether it’s drawing, painting, writing, or coloring, artistic endeavors create meaningful opportunities for self-expression and fun. Better yet, adding art created by your members adds vibrancy and warmth to your publications, while spotlighting the talents of your community. The best part? Incorporating art into your senior center newsletter doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive!

Ideas for Using Art to Connect with Your Local Community

1. Coloring Contests

A simple but highly effective idea is to include a black-and-white coloring page to each issue of your newsletter. Invite community members to submit their completed versions for a chance to be featured in the next issue and/or for display at the senior center. Your team or a volunteer committee can select winners based on creativity, color choices, or community voting. Sites like ColorBliss and GenColor.ai make it easy to create coloring pages to add to your newsletter.

2. Cover Art Competition

Your newsletter’s cover is the first thing people see, so why not let your readers help design it? You could sponsor a quarterly or yearly cover art contest and invite the public to contribute original artwork to be considered for the cover. This encourages the community to get involved and gives contributors a sense of pride and ownership.

3. Featured Artist of the Month

Another idea is to highlight a different member of the community in your newsletter each month. Feature their artwork and a short interview. Ask them about their creative journey, favorite techniques, or what inspires them. This personal spotlight not only celebrates their artistic talent but also deepens connections among community members by allowing them to learn more about each other.

4. Intergenerational Art Projects

Consider inviting schoolchildren to participate in joint art projects with seniors. These collaborative works can then be showcased in the newsletter, as well as displayed in an intergenerational art show at the senior center. Not only does this build intergenerational relationships, but it also brings fresh perspectives and energy to the community’s creative efforts. And if you notify your local print and broadcast media, chances are good that you’ll receive some positive publicity.

5. Include Writing Prompts

Don’t overlook the artistic value of the written word. You can include a writing prompt in each newsletter — it could be a piece of art or a few words you share — and invite the public to write short stories or poems inspired by it. These responses can be published alongside the original prompt, building collaborative creativity and multifaceted expression.

Need More Ideas?

By incorporating art into your newsletter, you’re not just enhancing its visual appeal — you’re creating a platform for community involvement, recognition, and joy. Art has the power to uplift and connect, making your newsletter a true reflection of the vibrant, talented community it represents. If you aren’t sure how to incorporate art into the template you’re using or think you might need a redesign in general, our team can help! Customers who print their newsletters with us get a free professional custom redesign of their newsletter template. Learn more on our Newsletter Services page .

If you’re looking for other tips on how to attract more people to your senior center, 6 Ways to Increase Engagement With Your Senior Community is a quick article that you’ll love.

We have an entire blog section dedicated to elevating your senior center’s communication. With articles written about everything from social media strategies to website design trends and newsletter ideas, there’s something for everyone!

Tips for Designing Accessible Newsletters for Senior Readers

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:02:55 GMT

Whether it’s for a senior center or a retirement community, a newsletter is a valuable tool for keeping your target audience informed about upcoming events, activities, and services. When you are designing newsletters for seniors, however, it’s important to keep accessibility in mind. With a few thoughtful enhancements, your newsletter can be more effective for older readers.

Creating Accessible Newsletters for Older Adults

Choose a Readable Font

One of the most critical factors in designing an accessible newsletter is selecting the right font . As people age, their eyesight can change, making it more challenging to read small or complex fonts. For senior readers, use simple, sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana. They are easier to read because they lack the decorative strokes that can make letters harder to distinguish.

Font size is equally important. Avoid using small text. A minimum font size of 12–14 points is recommended for body text. Make headings even larger to make the newsletter easier to scan and increase its visual appeal. Be mindful not to go overboard with too many font sizes, as this can cause visual clutter.

Use High-Contrast Colors

Color can impact newsletter accessibility, too. High contrast between text and background is essential for readability. For seniors with reduced vision, low contrast can make reading difficult. A classic and accessible color combination is black text on a white or light-colored background. If you want to add color for visual appeal, confirm that it doesn’t interfere with legibility. Avoid using bright, neon colors or overly vibrant shades, as they can strain the eyes.

Break Up Content into Shorter Sections

Seniors may have trouble processing dense blocks of text, so breaking content into manageable sections is key. Use short paragraphs and clear subheadings to organize information. Bulleted or numbered lists are also great ways to present information in an easy-to-digest format. This not only helps with readability but also highlights important details, such as event dates, times, or locations.

Incorporate Clear Visuals and Images

Incorporating images into your newsletter can help break up text and make the design more engaging, but it’s crucial that the images are clear and relevant. Use high-quality graphics, like the options found inside of content libraries like WeCreate, and avoid cluttering the page with too many images. If your newsletter is digital, ensure that images are accompanied by alt text —brief descriptions that help people who use screen readers to understand what the images depict.

Optimize for Print and Digital Formats

Many seniors may prefer to read physical newsletters, while others may want to access them digitally. To ensure accessibility for all, be sure to publish your newsletter in both print and digital formats. For print, use a clean layout, with ample white space to avoid overcrowding the page. Digital newsletters should be mobile friendly, as many seniors will access them on their smartphones or tablets. Make sure the design adjusts to different screen sizes, and the text is scalable for easy reading.

If you feel lost when it comes to converting your print newsletter to digital, LPi makes it super simple. Our newsletter service automatically converts your print newsletter to a digital format so that the seniors in your community have all the options and you save time on the process!

Include a Clear Call to Action

Senior readers need to know exactly what actions they should take after reading your newsletter. Whether you want them to sign up for an event, attend a meeting, or contact someone for more information, clear calls to action (CTAs) are essential. Make sure each CTA is straightforward and placed in a prominent location. If your newsletter is digital, use large, easy-to-read buttons or links and ensure they are clearly visible and lead to the correct destination.

Simplify the Language

Using clear, simple language will help all readers understand the content, especially those who may have cognitive difficulties or are unfamiliar with complex terminology. Avoid jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that might confuse readers. Instead, opt for plain language, and if you need to use technical terms, provide explanations.

Test and Get Feedback

Finally, before launching your newsletter, test it with a sample group of senior readers. Gather feedback on readability, design, and overall usability. Seniors may have valuable insights that can help you further refine the design and content.

Building a Communication Strategy That Generates Awareness for Your Senior Center

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 21:41:40 GMT

A senior center serves as a hub for older adults in a community to gather, enjoy activities, and offer support and friendship to one another. To ensure that your organization reaches the people who would benefit most from its programs and services, it’s essential to have an effective communication strategy in place. A well-executed communication plan will not only raise awareness of your center but also build trust within the community.

If you haven’t done this type of planning before, or if you need a refresher, here are some key strategies.

Developing a Strategic Communications Plan That Targets Seniors

Understand Your Audience

The first step in building an effective communication strategy is understanding your audience. While it may seem obvious, senior citizens aren’t a monolithic group. They come from a variety of backgrounds, have varying levels of comfort with technology, and differ in how they like to receive information. For instance, some seniors may favor traditional methods, such as print media or direct mail, while others might engage more with social media and online newsletters.

To make your communications more effective, conduct surveys or hold focus groups to get insights into how your audience prefers to take in their news. By segmenting your target audience based on these insights, you can tailor your approach to address their needs and tastes.

Leverage Multiple Communication Channels

Once you know how your audience consumes information, try to use multiple communication channels to reach them. This comprehensive strategy will ensure that you connect with people where they are, whether that’s in person, on social media, through emails, or in local publications. For example:

Social media: Platforms like Facebook, which has a large demographic of older adults, and Instagram are ideal for promoting events and services. Regular posts, live videos, and event invitations can keep your senior center top of mind.

Email newsletters: It’s a myth that older adults aren’t tech savvy. While some are more comfortable with digital platforms than others, a Pew Research survey found that 90% of adults over the age of 65 use the internet regularly. It’s no surprise, then, that email is one of the most popular online destinations for seniors. Digital newsletters are a direct avenue for sharing updates, event information, and news about your senior center. If your newsletter printer doesn’t automatically offer a digital option for your organization to distribute your printed newsletter digitally to people’s inboxes, LPi’s newsletter service does!

Print media: Older adults may still rely on newspapers and local publications like weekly church bulletins or community newsletters for information. Including a column or advertisement in local print publications can help spread the word. Be sure to build that into your budget. In fact, placing an ad in your local church’s bulletin is a great way to build awareness about your services with neighbors who may perfectly fit your target audience!

Website: Finally, think strategically about how to use your website. Fresh content can help you build a presence with key search engines, especially Google. If your website presents a challenge for you or your team, using a tool like WeConnect that’s designed specifically to manage senior center/community center websites is the solution!

Using a variety of communication methods ensures that your message reaches your audience through their preferred medium, thereby increasing your engagement.

Create Compelling Content

Your communication efforts should focus not only on providing information but also on creating content that resonates with your audience. Instead of merely listing services, consider telling stories about how your senior center is improving the lives of its members. Sharing these through social media, newsletters and on your website can create an emotional connection that attracts new members. So, don’t neglect to incorporate these into your communication plan!

Increase Visibility Through Community Events

Hosting or participating in community events is a great way to raise awareness for your senior center. Whether you staff a booth at a local health fair, organize a senior-focused open house, or participate in local parades, events provide you with opportunities to reach your target audience. Offering health screenings, a speakers bureau, and social gatherings can attract attention and spark interest.

As you build out your communications strategy, be sure to explore the opportunities available near you. The chamber of commerce, agency on aging, and local library can be good resources to help you identify events.

Offer Educational Content and Resources

Many seniors are looking for resources that can help them navigate aging, healthcare, or financial challenges. Partnering with local experts to offer free educational workshops, webinars, or informational sessions on relevant topics like Medicare, eldercare, or managing chronic conditions can position your senior center as a valuable resource. It’s also a great way to help you build relationships with other senior-friendly providers.

Track and Evaluate Your Efforts

A key aspect of any communication strategy is tracking its effectiveness. Use analytics to monitor the success of your social media posts, website traffic, and email open rates. Additionally, gather feedback from attendees to understand how they heard about your events and what communication channels they find most useful. By regularly assessing your efforts, you can refine your strategy and ensure your communications are consistently reaching the right people.

Don’t Sleep on This Free Resource

If you are part of a senior center team that’s trying to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and resources in communications and marketing, we encourage you to subscribe to our Vibrant Community Newsletter. This free monthly email shares advice, ideas, and expert resources that makes community outreach easier and more efficient for senior organizations.

LPi Announces the 2025 LPi Vibrant Employee Award Winner

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:30:06 GMT

LPi’s Vibrant Employee Award is given to those who have exceeded performance expectations while modeling the LPi Core Values — passion, positive team spirit, servant leadership, embracing change, and having fun. All employees are eligible to nominate someone for the award, and all employees are eligible to win!

This year, our big winner is Jake Adams, Marketing Designer! His designs touch nearly every part of our organization, from events for our internal stakeholders to emails to far-flung prospects to customer communications. With every design Jake makes, LPi communicates that much more strongly.

His coworkers praised him in their nominations:

Jake is a dedicated member of the team, always willing to grow and help and support. I recommend him WHOLE HEARTEDLY for this award!
Jake always brings something thoughtful, researched, and measured to the discussion.
He's incredibly insightful as to what needs to be happening, and the best ways to make those things happen. I love listening to what he has to say and learning from his wisdom.

Winners of the Vibrant Employee Award are recognized at an all-hands company meeting and awarded an all-expenses paid trip for them and a guest to a place of their choosing! Upon winning the award, Adams shared, “I’m honored to receive the Vibrant Employee Award and grateful to be part of such an inspiring team. The recognition from LPi motivates me to keep bringing energy, positivity, and passion to everything I do!”

The runners-up for this year’s award were Amanda Holmberg, Payroll & Benefits Specialist, and Nagaraj Vittal, Solution Delivery Manager. Honorable mentions went to Anthony Gurak, Celia Gutierrez, Keely Hockenberry, Jodi Hotz, Ann May, Megan Russell, Laura Standard, and Emily Williamson.

LPi would like to extend a big congratulations to everyone recognized! Great work and thank you for all that you do!

Interested in a career with LPi and a chance to win the next Vibrant Employee Award? Find open positions here: https://www.4lpi.com/current-job-openings

Fun Ideas for Promoting Upcoming Events at Your Community Center

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:15:22 GMT

Community centers are often the heart of a neighborhood, offering a space for socializing, learning, and connecting. However, when it comes to upcoming events, even the most engaging programs can go unnoticed if they’re not marketed effectively. Don’t worry! There are ways to get the word out and ensure your events attract the attention they deserve. You and your team just need to get creative!

Creative Ways to Attract Attention for Your Community Center Events

Don’t Forget the Important Information!

Make sure all the correct information is included in any communication you make about your event! Such as:

o Who the event is for.

o Event name and description.

o Event location and date/time.

o Any “why’s” that might be pertinent information, like “why should people care or why should they attend?”

o Any “how’s” people might need to know — for example, “how should people spread the word?” or “how can people register?”

This information should be included in any communication you make about your event whether it be on your website, social media, or in print like on a flyer or in your newsletter.

If you’re worried about the cost of printing a newsletter to distribute information about events like this, LPi has a no cost option for both print and digital newsletters. There’s no better way to share all the details of your upcoming events!

Leverage Social Media and Digital Platforms

Social media is one of the most powerful tools for reaching your audience . Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can help you connect with people of all ages. Create eye-catching event posts and videos with compelling visuals and catchy headlines and content. For example, post behind-the-scenes footage of your team planning an event, or a countdown to the event, with sneak peeks of what to expect that day.

Create Interactive Flyers

Flyers are a timeless way to promote events but making them stand out requires a little imagination. Consider using bright colors, bold fonts, and engaging visuals like those found in WeCreate, our digital library of art and content that’s packed with ready-made graphics perfect for creating amazing flyers.

You can also take it a step further by designing flyers that encourage interaction. It could be as simple as including QR codes that lead to event sign-ups on a landing page, promotional videos, or even fun surveys that build anticipation for the event. Placing these flyers in high-traffic areas such as coffee shops, local libraries, and grocery stores ensures they’ll be seen by a wide audience.

Engage Local Influencers or Community Leaders

Local influencers and community leaders can play a significant role in promoting your events. Reach out and ask if they would be willing to share event details with their followers. Having a trusted figure vouch for your event helps build credibility, interest, and can encourage others to attend. If you can’t pay the influencer for their promotion, consider asking if they would accept special perks, such as early access to the event or exclusive content, in exchange for their endorsement.

Sponsor Interactive Contests and Giveaways

Everyone loves a good contest, and it can be a fun way to create buzz around your upcoming event. You can host online or in-person contests with prizes related to your event, such as free tickets. Promotional giveaways are another great way to gain attention. You could raffle off tickets for your organization’s custom merchandise such as T-shirts, tote bags, or event-branded items. The bonus is that giveaways motivate people to share information about the event with their friends and family, and winners of your branded material advertise your organization when using what they’ve won!

Recruit Volunteer Sign Spinners

We’ve all probably noticed those human billboards, often referred to as sign spinners, dancing around near busy intersections or in front of local businesses. They definitely catch your eye and make you look. In the final week or so before your event, you could ask for volunteers to take on this task. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. Even a group of three or four people waving and holding handmade signs in front of your center can attract attention.

Collaborate With Local Media and Businesses

Building relationships with local media and businesses can also boost your promotional efforts. Look for businesses in your center’s neighborhood that you could potentially partner with, depending on the type of event you are hosting. For example, if you are planning a talent show, ask a local radio or television personality to guest host for you. That will likely earn you some publicity before and after the event. If you need door prizes or contest prizes, ask nearby restaurants, coffee shops, or stores to donate in exchange for including them in your marketing.

Don’t forget about the businesses that already advertise in your newsletter! If you publish your newsletter with LPi, you likely already partner with local businesses that invest in ads in your newsletter . Start with them when you seek out event collaborations — you already have their support!

Offer Early-Bird Discounts or Group Deals

Offering incentives for early registration or group bookings is another way to encourage people to commit to attending early. People love saving money, and providing special discounts for signing up in advance can create a sense of urgency. Additionally, group deals such as “bring a friend” offers can help fill the event while fostering a sense of community.

Get Help With Art and Content

If your center is like many other senior centers and community organizations, your team members aren’t likely to have lots of free time to generate art and content for each event. One way to get the help you need is by partnering with LPi . Whether you’re looking for assistance with flyers, newsletters, your website, or some other promotional medium, you’ll likely find a solution that meets your needs and budget.

Social Media With Canva Pro

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 22 May 2025 17:29:24 GMT

Your presence on social media makes a difference! With 73% of the US population regularly using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and more, these time-saving tips will help teach you how to use Canva Pro’s graphics in your social media posts and keep your messaging top-of-mind.

There are numerous tutorials online to aid in learning how to easily navigate Canva Pro. We found some of the best ones and organized them so you can hit the ground running. Follow these steps to start using Canva Pro to design and post on your social media.

How to Use Canva Pro to Design and Post on Your Social Media

Search for a social media template & edit your graphics

Inside Canva Pro, you can find thousands of templates available specifically for social media. Canva makes it easy to customize graphics for different platforms with searchable templates designed to meet each platform’s specific requirements. For example, if you want to create an Instagram story graphic for your organization, Canva Pro has templates already sized to perfectly fit the dimensions of an Instagram story.

o Video tutorial: Design for Social Media | Canva Nonprofits

Link to your social media accounts

With Canva Pro, you can connect your social media accounts for a simplified, seamless posting experience. Currently, Canva Pro supports Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, Slack, and Tumblr. Once connected, you can post to your chosen social media accounts right from the Canva Pro app.

o Video tutorial: How to Connect Your Social Media to Canva

Share your graphic to your social media account directly from Canva Pro

Ready to share your creation? Canva Pro allows you to post directly to your social media accounts as soon as you’re finished with your design. This eliminates the extra steps of downloading and uploading graphics and logging into/navigating a different app. It’s a streamlined way to keep your content fresh and consistent without jumping between platforms!

o Video Tutorial: How to post a design from the Canva Editor

o Video Tutorial: How to schedule a social post from the Canva Editor

o Written Tutorial: Share on Social Media and Messaging Apps

Go Beyond the Basics of Canva Pro for Social Media

If you want to dive deeper into the Canva Pro learning experience, Canva provides users with free, more in-depth learning options inside their “ Canva Design School .” We suggest the following short video courses for further learning:

You Can Use WeCreate, too!

LPi offers ready-to-use graphics for every holiday and occasion inside WeCreate , our digital content library designed for nonprofits. Bonus — newsletter customers already have access to WeCreate and all the images and content within! Need help accessing it? Contact Customer Support to give you a hand.

Updated 11-07-2025

Using Color Theory to Create Eye-Catching Communications

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 19 May 2025 15:23:48 GMT

Color is one of the most powerful tools in design, capable of influencing emotions, perceptions, and behaviors. At LPi, we provide communication resources to nonprofits nationwide. Through our work providing newsletters, branding, websites, and content , we’ve seen firsthand how intentional color choices can significantly influence how an organization’s audience connects with and responds to their message.

Understanding color theory — the science behind how colors interact and the emotions they evoke — can help you make intentional, strategic choices that will create eye-catching and effective communications . Here’s a guide on how to use color theory to enhance your designs and better connect with your audience.

Understanding Color Theory Basics

At its core, color theory is based on the color wheel — a circular diagram that shows how colors relate to one another. Colors can be categorized into primary, secondary, and tertiary groups:

Primary colors (red, blue, yellow) are the foundation of all other colors.
Secondary colors (green, orange, purple) are created by mixing two primary colors.
Tertiary colors (e.g., red-orange, yellow-green) are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color.

The relationships between these colors form the basis of various color schemes used in design. These schemes are essential for creating harmony and contrast in your designs.

The Power of Color Combinations

Complementary colors: These colors are opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., red and green, blue and orange). Complementary pairings create high contrast and are visually striking. They grab attention, making them perfect for calls to action or important elements in your communication, like buttons or key messages. However, because they create such a contrast, they should be used carefully to avoid overwhelming your audience. A complementary color scheme works well when you want to highlight something important while maintaining balance.
Analogous colors: Colors located next to each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue, blue-green, green) are harmonious and pleasing to the eye because they share a common hue. Using analogous colors creates a more unified and calming effect, which is perfect for designs that aim to evoke peace, comfort, or professionalism. This scheme works well for backgrounds, subtle text highlights, and areas where you want to keep attention focused without distraction.
Triadic colors: A color scheme that uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel (e.g., red, yellow, blue) is known as a triad. This combination offers both contrast and harmony, producing a vibrant and energetic look. Triadic schemes are great for designs that need to be dynamic but balanced, like brand logos or promotional materials.
Monochromatic colors: A color scheme that uses variations of one color is considered to be monochromatic. It involves adjusting a color’s shade, tint, or tone (e.g., light blue, blue, dark blue). This approach is simple and elegant, providing a cohesive and professional feel. It’s ideal when you want to focus attention on a specific theme or message and don’t want colors to be too distracting.

Using Color Psychology to Evoke Emotion and Build Brand Identity

Colors do more than just look appealing — they also evoke specific emotions. For example:

Red is bold, energetic, and often associated with passion, urgency, and excitement. It’s commonly used in calls to action.
Blue conveys calm, trust, and professionalism. It’s frequently used to build credibility and reassurance.
Yellow is bright, cheerful, and optimistic. It can stimulate creativity and attention but should be used in moderation.
Green symbolizes nature, growth, and health. It’s a popular choice for environmental or wellness brands and is often used to induce feelings of calmness and balance.
Purple signifies luxury, creativity, and spirituality. It’s commonly used in high-end branding or to express a sense of elegance.
Orange is fun, energetic, and inviting. It’s often used to encourage action and excitement, making it suitable for promotions, events, or youth-focused designs.
Black is sleek, powerful, and timeless. It’s widely used in fashion and luxury branding for its sophisticated and professional appearance.

Aligning your color choices with the message and mood you wish to convey can ensure consistency for your brand and its values.

Using Color Contrast for Readability and Accessibility

When designing for web or for print, ensure there is enough contrast between text and background colors to improve readability. A common mistake is using low-contrast color combinations, like light gray text on a white background, which can strain the eyes and make content difficult to read. To make sure your design is accessible, check that color-contrast ratios meet accessibility standards for people with visual impairments.

Additionally, avoid using too many bright colors together, as this can overwhelm the reader. Instead, balance bright colors with neutral backgrounds (e.g., white, gray, beige) to keep the design clean and readable.

Learn More on the LPi Blog

If you found this article of interest, we encourage you to bookmark the “Art and Design” section of our blog and visit often. We routinely share resources to help your organization connect and engage with your target market.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get resources like this delivered directly to your inbox for free!

Updated 11-07-2025

How Senior Centers Can Spotlight Community Partners in Newsletters

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 12 May 2025 14:30:09 GMT

Community partnerships are a vital component of any senior center’s success. Local businesses, healthcare providers, community groups, and fellow nonprofit organizations can offer valuable resources, services, and opportunities to senior center members. Working together can benefit everyone involved .

Highlighting local partners in your senior center newsletter is a great way to foster a sense of community and encourage collaboration. If you aren’t quite sure how to do that or need new ideas for doing so, keep reading!

Senior Center Partnerships: Highlighting Your Collaborative Efforts

Use a partner-sponsored newsletter service
A partner-sponsored newsletter is one of the most effective ways to build local relationships while saving your center money. By allowing trusted local businesses to place ads in your publication, you give them meaningful visibility with your members — and in return, those ads cover your printing costs! It's a win-win: your organization benefits from free newsletters, and local businesses demonstrate their commitment to your mission and values, building trust and loyalty within the community. LPi’s ad-supported newsletter service makes it easy to launch and maintain these impactful partnerships.
Feature partner spotlights
One of the most engaging ways to highlight local partners is through “partner spotlights” in your newsletter. Each edition can feature a different partner or two and provide a detailed look at what they do and how they serve the community. This could include interviews with key individuals from the partner organization, testimonials, or employees who have volunteered their time for your organization. A partner spotlight humanizes the organization, making it more relatable to your readers.
Share upcoming events and collaborations

Local partners often host events or collaborate on programs that could benefit senior center members. Use your newsletter to promote these opportunities, whether it’s a free health screening at a local clinic, a nutrition workshop by a local grocery store, or a fun social outing arranged by a nearby restaurant. Be sure to include event details such as date, time, location, registration information, and any costs involved. By regularly sharing these types of events, your newsletter helps seniors stay connected to the community and gives them more ways to stay active and engaged.

Coordinate special offers for members

Many local businesses and partners are willing to offer discounts or special services to senior center members as a way of giving back to the community. Encourage them to use the ad they place in your newsletter to share these exclusive offers with your members. Whether it’s a discount at a local restaurant, a special deal on a fitness membership, or a free consultation with a local attorney, your seniors will appreciate knowing about these perks.

Partnering with local businesses in this way not only provides value to your members but also strengthens the ties between your center and local enterprises.

Collaborate on educational content

Many local organizations, such as healthcare providers, financial planners, or legal services, may be willing to collaborate with your center on educational content for your newsletter. These organizations can offer articles, tips, and advice on a variety of topics relevant to seniors, such as managing health conditions, financial planning, or preparing for retirement.

By offering a platform for local experts to share their knowledge, you provide valuable information to your senior members while promoting the services of your partners. You can feature guest articles, conduct interviews, or even invite partners to host webinars or workshops, which can be summarized in the newsletter.

Share testimonials and success stories

Nothing speaks more to the value of a partnership than a testimonial or success story. If a local partner has had a positive impact on the seniors in your center, share these stories in your newsletter. Did a senior benefit from a free health screening? Or did someone attend a workshop and learn a new skill? These real-life stories help humanize the partnership and make it more meaningful.

Add a personal touch by including photos of seniors enjoying events or receiving services from local partners, further engaging your readers. Testimonials also give the partner visibility and show that their efforts are making a real difference in the community.

Thank and acknowledge partners

Save space in your newsletter to publicly acknowledge your local partners for their contributions. A thank-you note, whether in the form of a dedicated section or a mention in a broader article, reinforces the importance of their support and builds stronger community ties. This simple gesture of appreciation can lead to more fruitful collaborations in the future, as businesses and organizations see that their involvement has a tangible impact on the senior community.

LPi's Newsletter Service

Whether starting a new newsletter or looking to enhance your existing one, LPi’s ad-supported newsletter service is a perfect solution for building partnerships in your community, while saving you money.

Updated 11-07-2025

Easy-to-Use Design Trends That CAPTURE Your Senior Audience

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 02 May 2025 17:24:05 GMT

While effective communication is crucial for engaging with your organization’s target audience, it can also be challenging. The amount of information we’re exposed to daily can be overwhelming and cause people to tune out your message. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to remember that design plays a pivotal role in communication. Visual elements convey messages, build brand identity, evoke emotions, and help you out-compete the competition for attention.

Staying updated on constantly evolving graphic design trends is a must. Here are some current trends that will promote better communication with your target audience.

Using Design to Enhance Community Communication

Minimalism and Simplicity

One of the most impactful trends in design today is minimalism. This design style focuses on simplicity, where less is more. Clean lines, ample white space, and an emphasis on key messaging can help your brand communicate effectively without overwhelming your audience. By eliminating unnecessary elements, minimalistic design allows for a clearer focus on the core message, making it easier for the audience to absorb and understand what you have to say.

Minimalism is particularly effective in designs meant for web and mobile when your target audience comprises of mostly older adults. Reducing visual clutter makes it easier on aging eyes, ensures that their attention remains directed at the most important aspects of your message.

Bold Typography

Typography is a powerful tool in graphic design. Large, bold fonts, which are popular right now, are often used to communicate the main idea or message. They can be especially effective for organizations who are targeting seniors . Bold typography can also convey confidence and authority, making it ideal for branding, advertising, and content-heavy websites.

Using bold typography in combination with vibrant accent colors against a white background can create a striking visual contrast that immediately draws the viewer’s eye.

Custom Graphics and Video

While photography is still widely used in graphic design, video and custom graphics are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility and unique appeal. Creating personalized design elements for your organization helps give your brand a distinct visual identity. Sharing custom graphics and videos on your social media platforms is also great for encouraging engagement.

If you are looking for a quick-and-easy way to find pre-made custom graphics for your communications, a subscription to a content library like WeCreate is your answer. WeCreate is packed with digital graphics for every occasion, to be used in any communication, as well as written content to enhance newsletters and more! No need to design anything yourself again when you use a tool like WeCreate.

Inclusive and Accessible Design

As awareness about inclusivity and accessibility grows, many designers are incorporating these principles into their work to enable everyone, regardless of ability, to enjoy their content. Accessibility-focused graphic design ensures that websites, apps, and advertisements are usable by individuals with disabilities. This includes designing with sufficient color contrast for those with visual impairments, providing alt text for images, and choosing typography that is legible.

Inclusive design can go beyond simply accessibility by focusing on creating designs that resonate with a diverse audience. This could involve visuals that represent different cultures, genders, ages, and abilities, ensuring that everyone feels seen and valued. This trend helps build a stronger connection between organizations and their audiences by showing that the organization cares about diversity and is making an effort to reach all segments of the population. When people see someone that looks like themselves in your communications, they can more easily envision themselves as part of your organization!

· Authenticity and Realism

With the rise of social media and user-generated content, consumers have become increasingly discerning when it comes to the brands they engage with — and suspicious of those design elements that don’t appear to be authentic. Authenticity is a key factor in creating a deeper connection with your audience.

Authentic visuals not only humanize your organization but also communicate that you are confident in what your organization is and values your member’s experiences. That’s why it’s best to rely on images you create, purchase, or get from a content library like WeCreate , instead of those generated using AI (artificial intelligence).

Get Help With Your Design and Communication Efforts

We know our colleagues in the senior center and community organization fields often wear many hats. It can be tough to keep up with so many responsibilities. If you need a hand with art, design, branding, newsletters, and more, LPi has you covered! Contact us today to learn more!

Updated 11/07/2025

What to Change For a Better Monthly Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:42:30 GMT

Your newsletter is important! As one of your organization’s main sources of communication with your members, you want it looking top-notch — easy to navigate, approachable for newcomers, packed with engaging content, and intentionally designed to be as vibrant and beautiful as your community!

Chances are good that your newsletter editor spends a lot of time carefully creating each publication. With this in mind, we collected some tips from our LPi professional designers that can help you easily give your newsletter a fresh new look. After all, we are as invested as you are in the success of your communications!

Consider the Following Changes for a Better Newsletter

Design

Swap out — Large columns of text that run across the whole page.

Instead — Utilize a two or three-column format for your pages and stick to that throughout. It makes the publication easier to read, especially if it is a text heavy newsletter! You can check out some great examples on our newsletter before and after page.

Swap out — Text box frames, colored lines, and strokes around text.

Instead — Use a light, color-neutral background behind one or two text boxes on the page to separate sections. Highlight a few items by using a vibrant color box if you want something to pop! This creates a sense of order, tailored approach, and a more unified message in your layout.

Swap out — Using too many fonts and colors.

Instead — Stay consistent with your brand colors, not only with the newsletter, but everything you publish or create as an organization. This makes anything you do instantly recognizable to your community and more appealing to newcomers.

As for fonts, find an easy-to-read font and utilize it with regular weight, bold, and italic. It’s fine if you want to use another font family for your headers but stick to that. Don't go inviting more font styles to the party as that can become busy and confusing for your readers. If you are using more than three different fonts, chances are you have some decisions to make about narrowing down your guest list of fonts.

Swap out — Your old masthead.
Instead — Update your information and design! We see so many newsletters using mastheads on the cover of their publication with designs that look like they’re from the 80s. Utilize your brand’s fonts and colors and make sure to include any updated pertinent information. Don’t forget to include information about your organization’s social media profiles, website, and hours you are open or available.

Swap out — Outdated logos.

Instead — If your logo is old and looks outdated, it’s certainly time for a logo refresh or even a brand-new design! We have created logos for countless organizations across the country so we have lots of experience and inspiration and are excited to help get you started if the need arises!

Content

Swap out — Over-packed pages.

Instead — Look to add white space and larger borders between your columns of text and content. Adding more white space helps your reader’s eyes rest and makes the experience of reading your newsletter easier and more enjoyable. Consider what you can remove for a stream-lined reading experience.

Swap out — Stretched images and clipart.
Instead — Choose images that fit the space you want to fill already. Stretching an image to fit a space can cause the image to distort and immediately makes your design look careless. If you aren’t sure about your graphic design skills, we have thousands of professionally designed images specifically made for use in newsletters for you inside WeCreate — our library of communications content.

Swap out — Adding your whole calendar of events to the publication.

Instead — Don’t overload your newsletter with too much content. Choose to highlight specific events and then point to your website’s event page for more. If you need help with your website, our web design tool, WeConnect, makes it incredibly easy to share your calendar online. We can even help you get started with the design work if you need.

Don’t get too specific about the events in your newsletter; simply shout the event out with a sentence or two and a great image. Don’t take up space with all the little details. Instead, use an event landing page on your website for that or add an event flyer as an insert to the newsletter with all the pertinent information there.

A few extras:

Did you know that LPi provides all sorts of options for newsletter content every week inside of WeCreate and that, if your organization is already publishing your newsletter with us, your staff already has access to our entire WeCreate library of content for free ?

Consider dropping some of the following WeCreate content into your newsletter:

New monthly articles
Ready-to-make recipes
Unique comics found nowhere else
Games like word twist, crossword, sudoku, and more
Cover designs and thousands of graphics
Infographics … and more!

If you are already a newsletter customer but need help accessing your WeCreate account to make use of the incredible graphics and newsletter content available to you, get into touch with our customer service so that we can get you squared away!

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Make Your Newsletter Stronger and Build Community

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:42:51 GMT

Your newsletter is a key communication tool for your organization. With a few simple adjustments, you can transform it into a vibrant, engaging resource that your members look forward to each week. Here are six easy ways to take your newsletter to the next level.

Elevate Your Newsletter to Build a Stronger Community By:

1. Offer Print and Digital Newsletters

Offering a digital newsletter isn’t just convenient — it’s essential. A digital version ensures your newsletter is accessible to those on-the-go and connects with those who prefer to consume their news and other information online. With LPi's free digital newsletter service , including a digital newsletter for your members alongside your printed version is seamless. We make it super simple to deliver your newsletter to your member’s inboxes and to host it on My Community Online , our online directory used by organizations like yours nation-wide.

2. Use Professionally Designed Cover Art

Don’t miss the opportunity to grab the attention of potential newsletter readers because you have a weak or outdated cover design. The cover of your newsletter is your first impression to potential readers, so it must look good! You can save time on designing your cover by using one of the many professionally designed cover images available in WeCreate, our library of digital art and content. WeCreate has options for full-page cover images designed specifically to make your newsletter cover look amazing, half page covers, and even quarter page covers to fit your needs.

3. Update Your Newsletter Masthead

Your masthead — the header of your newsletter — sets the tone for the entire publication. Is it outdated or cluttered? Consider rebuilding it with a clean, modern design that includes your organization’s name, logo, and contact information. Need help making it perfect? Our design team offers free newsletter redesigns for all of LPi’s newsletter customers, ensuring your masthead represents you beautifully while communicating key details at a glance. We have worked with organizations across the country to design new newsletter templates that perfectly represent their unique community.

4. Stick to Consistent Branding!

Consistency is key to building a recognizable identity. Limit your fonts to one or two families and use your organization’s colors throughout the bulletin. Avoid overwhelming readers with too many styles. If you don’t already have a brand guide , LPi’s team can help you establish one that includes fonts, colors, and even a refreshed logo tailored to your community’s unique identity. In fact, here’s an article on branding that can help you determine if it’s time for a new logo and brand for your organization or if you want a complete guide, we built a free beginners guide to branding just for you!

5. Use Engaging, Relevant Content

Your newsletter isn’t just about announcements — it’s a tool for community engagement. Include high-quality, relevant content like articles, puzzles, infographics, recipes, and anything else you think could connect your community. A content library like WeCreate can make this easy. For example, every month, WeCreate users get access to written and image content specific to the holidays and themes of the month that can be easily copy-and-paste into their newsletter. WeCreate even has original hand-drawn comics available for your use that can’t be found anywhere else!

6. Embrace Clean, Reader-Friendly Newsletter Designs

A cluttered newsletter can overwhelm your readers. Opt, instead, for a clean layout with plenty of white space to make the text easy to navigate. Break up long columns of text with images or use a two (or three) column format for better readability. Avoid stretching images or using outdated clip art. High-quality visuals make a huge difference. By implementing these ideas, your newsletter will become a more effective tool for communication and community building. Remember, if you want help taking your publication to the next level, LPi serves organizations nation-wide with expert design services, digital solutions, beautiful printing, fast delivery, and a wealth of content to make your bulletin as vibrant as your unique community!

For more newsletter inspiration, tools, and tips, head over to the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

Time-Saving Fundraising Tools for Your Nonprofit Organization

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:00:10 GMT

Fundraising is a necessity for almost every nonprofit. Whether you are a senior center, healthcare organization, or other community service agency, you need to raise money to be able to support your mission. With limited staff and resources, however, managing fundraising efforts can be time consuming and overwhelming. Fortunately, there are a variety of time-saving tools available to help streamline fundraising efforts, increase efficiency, and maximize impact.

Three Steps Toward Better Fundraising

Step 1: Plan Your Communication

When planning a fundraising event or initiative, you're going to need to spread the word. Make sure your communications include:

Your organization’s name.
The dates of your fundraiser.
Details about the initiative. For example: is it a raffle? Are you accepting donations online or only in person? Etc.
How, specifically, to donate.
Any website links for more information.

Step 2: Determine Your Channels

At minimum, we suggest the following ways to reach your community about any fundraising you’re doing.

Your Newsletter – Your print and digital newsletter is one of the most important places to publish information about fundraisers! If you don’t have a regular newsletter going out to your members and community yet, we’ve got you covered. Check out our print and digital newsletter services and the options we have to cover your newsletter costs with local ads!

Flyers & Posters – Printing advertising for your fundraiser and distributing it around your building or neighborhood is also key! We have a guide to creating successful flyers help you get started.

Social Media – Don’t forget to use your digital flyer and post it on your socal media profiles! Encourage your followers to repost it onto their own social profiles, too, for maximum exposure.

Website – It is becoming the gold standard these days to have a landing page specifically for your fundraiser on your website. Even better if you can put a banner or image advertising it on your homepage. If you’re already scratching your head about how to do this part, we have you covered! Start with our article about web design basics for community organizations or hop over to our web services page and learn more about WeConnect, and how easy it is for organizations like yours to build and maintain their websites with updates for fundraising and more!

Member Emails – Don’t forget to send out an email update to your members with all of the information and links necessary for them to participate in your fundraiser too! Consider including your flyer and a link to your fundraiser’s landing page!

Step 3: Find the Right Fundraising Tools

Here are some time-saving fundraising tools your nonprofit organization might want to explore:

Online Donation Platforms
One of the most important tools for any nonprofit is an easy-to-use online donation platform. These allow nonprofits to accept donations quickly, securely, and conveniently. With an online donation page, supporters can donate at any time without the need for in-person interaction. Tools like Donorbox and GiveWP allow nonprofits to set up customizable donation forms, integrate with websites, and automate receipts. These platforms also offer features such as donor tracking and reporting, which can help streamline data management.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Platforms
Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is a powerful way to expand your reach by encouraging your supporters to fundraise on your behalf. It’s often referred to as crowdfunding . Done properly, this approach to raising funds can provide a boost to your bottom line. Tools like Classy, GoFundMe, and RallyUp offer nonprofit organizations with the infrastructure to create custom fundraising pages. These platforms allow supporters to create their own fundraising campaigns, set goals, and share them with their networks.
Fundraising Event Management Software
Eventbrite, GiveSmart, and OneCause are popular tools that streamline event registration, ticketing, and payment processing. They also offer features such as mobile bidding for auctions and automated email confirmations, reducing the manual work involved in event planning.

In addition, event management software also allows you to track attendee data, send reminders, and provide real-time updates on event progress. For virtual events, tools like Zoom and RingCentral can integrate with your event management platform to simplify registration and ensure a seamless experience for attendees.
CRM & Donor Management Software
Managing donor relationships is another key to successful fundraising, and a robust customer relationship management (CRM) system can save your team hours of work. Tools like Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, and Salesforce for Nonprofits help nonprofits track donor information, giving history, and engagement. These systems also automate thank-you emails, donation receipts, and reminders for follow-up communications.
Grant Management Tools
For many nonprofits, grants are a significant source of funding. Grant writing can be a time-intensive process, but tools like GrantHub, Foundant, and Instrumentl can streamline the research and application process. They can help nonprofits identify potential grant opportunities, manage deadlines, and track submission progress.

With the right tools and thoughtful planning, fundraising can be fun! Start small, stay organized, and lean into the resources outlined here that can save you time and stress. Your mission matters — we hope this helps!

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi promotes Matt Inkmann Vice President of Ad Sales

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 22:01:16 GMT

In February of 2025, LPi promoted Matt Inkmann from Senior Director of Ad Sales to Vice President of Ad Sales. With his recent accomplishments still fresh, we couldn’t resist sitting down with Inkmann to learn more about him, his journey, and life at LPi.

Q. Hi Matt! What is your new position and how does it fit into LPi’s goals for the future?
A. I accepted a newly created position at LPi, the Vice President of Ad Sales. I’m now officially a member of the company’s leadership team and will be leading our ad sales teams — inside, outside, and renewals. I’ll be working closely with our leaders to develop strategies that fill our ad space in print, drive digital growth, and expand into new markets.

The cool thing about this unique role is that advertising is the driving force behind LPi’s success as an organization, so I get to directly support the mission of LPi as well as all of our publishing partners! I’m very grateful to be in this new role, and it’s humbling because it’s a big responsibility to lead this team. I take it seriously that we are all working together to build a bright future for LPi.

Q. Of all the companies out there, why LPi?
A . I’ve been with LPi for a total of seven years. My background is in print and digital advertising, and I first joined LPi as an advertising sales manager.

The greatest endorsement I can give LPi is that after LPi sold its WeShare and WeGather products, my team and I moved to the company that acquired them, Ministry Brands — since the teams for those products were part of the sale. That said, I didn’t leave LPi at that point by choice — and when given the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to come back! That speaks volumes as to how special LPi is. Of all the companies I’ve worked for, LPi is the most meaningful to me, and it’s all because of the people and customers who I work with here. The relationships we build and investment we have in each other at LPi are unlike anywhere else I’ve worked.

Q. What makes working in sales at LPi different? Give us a tip when it comes to succeeding in sales!
A. One of the best parts of our business model is that it’s a win-win-win. Our publishing partners get what they need for their communications almost entirely at no cost, advertisers connect with a hyper-local audience that is already invested in supporting them — since their ad supports an organization their audience already loves — and we all get to build careers doing something meaningful. I advise our teams that if they ever struggle with what to say in a sales conversation, just tell the story of LPi. Once people understand what we do, they see how unique and valuable it is.

Another key to success in ad sales? Be human. Making a ton of calls is part of the job, but it’s easy to slip into robotic mode. I always remind our teams: take a breath, reset, and approach each conversation as if you were sitting down with the person at a restaurant. Business owners get bombarded with sales calls every day, but what makes you stand out is how genuine you are and how passionate you are about what you do.

Q. What are you excited about when it comes to this upcoming year at LPi?
A. This year, I’m excited about my expanded ability to work with our teams and drive new opportunities — especially with the launch of our digital products. These open the door for new advertisers and fresh ways to sell advertising that benefit both our customers and our revenue growth.

Two big focus areas are digital expansion and growing our customer base. I’m also looking forward to working with my team on innovative solutions for the church merger challenges in the Catholic space. We have a strong customer base there, and it’s important to nurture those relationships while continuing to evolve.

Q. Tell us a little about your life outside of LPi!
A. I’m a huge sports fan and still play basketball whenever I can. I grew up playing sports and I love competition. You won’t catch me on a treadmill to work out — I’d much rather play a sport like basketball for hours and be around people to stay fit!

I’ve also become really interested in the business side of the NBA, things like contract dynamics, salary caps, and the rules that GMs need to navigate. I’ve even taken courses to understand it better, just because I find it fascinating. One of my bucket-list goals is to attend a national conference for basketball business nerds and really dive into the behind-the-scenes world of the sport.

My downtime is also extremely centered around my family, especially my two daughters, who are 9 and 6. Whether it’s dance parties in the basement or playing Barbies, I cherish every moment with them. Life is busy, so I try to maximize my time with family as much as possible!

Q. Do you have any good book recommendations?
A. One of my favorite books is “Turn the Ship Around” by David Marquet, a former Navy officer. The core message is that great leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. That idea really resonates with me, especially when leading a 200-person team. Making big changes isn’t about telling people what to do — it’s about empowering others to take ownership and lead. We’ve seen that firsthand with the launch of our ad CRM, where we focused on getting the team invested in the process rather than just enforcing change. Leadership at LPi isn’t about just one person — it’s about building the next wave of leaders!

Q. Thank you, Matt! Before we close, is there anyone you’d like to thank?
A. Absolutely! I owe a lot of my leadership growth to Tim Potrikus, LPi’s CRO, who challenges and pushes me outside my comfort zone on a regular basis. His encouragement has helped me grow to the point where I can confidently take on this new role. I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m ready to have a blast as the new Vice President of Ad Sales!

Thank you, Matt, for your time and congratulations on your new position. We’re proud to have you on the LPi leadership team!

Interested in a career with LPi? Visit our careers portal here:  www.4lpi.com/careers

Why Consistent Communication Matters for Your Senior Center

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:12:55 GMT

Senior centers provide a place for older adults to socialize, participate in activities, access resources, and receive support. They fill a vital role in cities and towns all across this country. That’s why it’s important for organizations to have a plan for consistently communicating with both current and prospective members.

A core goal of effective communication is successful community building, which can help combat the isolation and loneliness this demographic often experiences. By communicating consistently, your organization can help ensure that seniors stay connected and engaged.

The Benefits of Consistent Communication With Your Senior Community

We know finding time to reach out to your community isn’t always easy. Senior center teams are often small and juggle many responsibilities. If you are wondering how necessary it really is, keep in mind that frequent communication can:

Promote belonging and inclusion: One of the most important aspects of senior centers is the opportunity for older adults to interact with peers and form meaningful relationships. Regular updates about activities, events, and services help members stay informed and feel included in the ongoing life of the center. When seniors receive timely information, whether through newsletters, emails, or announcements, they are more likely to participate in events and programs, creating a sense of belonging.

Ensure access to important information: Senior centers often provide access to critical resources, including health screenings, educational programs, transportation services, and social services. Ensuring that all members are aware of these offerings is essential for maximizing the center’s impact. Through consistent communication, you can keep seniors up to date on what services are available, how to access them, and any changes to the schedule or availability of resources.

Improve participation: A senior center and its membership thrive when the community is actively involved in its programs and activities, whether it’s fitness classes, social events, or volunteer opportunities. Communication is the key to encouraging participation. Regular newsletters, social media updates , and flyers all serve as reminders for upcoming events and activities.

Strengthen bonds: Clear and regular communication helps build trust and strong relationships between senior center staff and their members. When seniors feel they can rely on the staff to keep them informed, it fosters a sense of security and confidence. Moreover, staff who communicate frequently with members can quickly identify any concerns or needs that may arise within the community.

Identify opportunities for improvement: One of the greatest advantages of consistent communication is the opportunity for members to share their feedback and suggestions. Senior centers that encourage open communication channels—such as suggestion boxes, surveys, or regular meetings—enable members to voice their opinions about the center’s programs and services. This feedback is invaluable in making improvements and ensuring the center continues to meet the community’s needs.

Build Community Through Newsletters

One of the best ways to stay engaged with older adults is through your organization’s newsletter, whether it’s a print version, digital version, or both ! It’s important to look at this type of resource as more than just an events calendar, though. Instead, think of it as a tool you can use more strategically. Your newsletter can draw your readers in and help cultivate lasting connections in your community. If you aren’t sure how to get started, read Creating a Sense of Community Through Your Newsletter for more insight and advice.

Should you need help launching or improving your senior center newsletter, our Newsletter Services are a great place to start. We have a variety of options to meet every need and budget!

Updated 11-07-2025

6 Ways to Increase Engagement With Your Senior Center Organization

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:41:27 GMT

From senior centers to local nonprofits, older adults represent an important demographic for many organizations. Seniors bring a wealth of experience, insight, and potential support. Finding and connecting with this age group, however, requires a thoughtful approach — one that takes their unique communication preferences and needs into account.

From looking to increase participation in a program, to encouraging volunteerism, here are some strategies to engage seniors effectively.

How to Attract and Engage an Older Audience

Understand their preferences: One of the most critical steps to increasing engagement with seniors is to understand how they like to communicate. Don’t make the mistake of lumping all older adults into one group. For example, consider what are referred to as Baby Boomers , born between 1946 and 1964. There is a wide range of differences in this demographic alone. It’s essential to know exactly who you are targeting and how this audience prefers to connect, such as through in-person meetings, phone calls, or emails.
Provide clear, accessible content: When creating materials for seniors, it’s important to make sure the information is clear and easy to understand. Use large, easy-to-read fonts, concise language, and simple layouts in printed materials. If you’re communicating online through your website , consider utilizing text-enlargement features combined with high-contrast colors to help seniors with vision struggles. In-person interactions should also be adapted to accommodate seniors. Speak clearly and avoid presenting too much information at once.
Offer meaningful activities and promotions: Seniors are often looking for opportunities to bring purpose to their lives. Whether it’s through volunteer work, educational programs, or community events, older adults want to feel they are contributing and making a difference. Offering activities that cater to their interests, whether it be arts and crafts, cooking classes, or fitness programs, can also help by fostering a sense of belonging. That’s vital for seniors who might be socially isolated.
Leverage technology in simple ways: While some seniors may not be familiar with new technology, many have good tech skills or are open to learning. By providing easy-to-use digital tools, organizations can increase engagement without overwhelming seniors. Consider offering virtual meetings, workshops, or webinars that can be accessed from home. Ensure these technologies are simple and intuitive to navigate by avoiding complex processes or platforms that could cause frustration.
Be patient and respectful: Building relationships with seniors takes time. It’s important to engage patiently and respectfully. Don’t try to rush older adults into joining programs or making commitments. Instead, set a goal to foster a sense of trust and community over time. Encourage participation through gentle reminders or invitations, but be mindful of people’s boundaries and comfort levels.
Create a sense of community: A key factor for engaging seniors is to create a sense of community. Many people are eager to connect with others in similar stages of life and form meaningful relationships. Hosting in-person or virtual events that encourage interaction and connection can help seniors feel a strong sense of belonging. By cultivating a supportive and welcoming atmosphere, your organization can become a place where seniors feel valued and connected, making them more likely to remain involved over the long term.

Quality Websites Help Build Connections

If your organization doesn’t have a website or has one that is in desperate need of an upgrade, consider using WeConnect, our easy-to-use yet powerful website service. A current, professional-looking website makes it easier to attract and engage your target audience and our team can help you get one designed and ready to go in no time! We even have free webinar demos online you can attend to learn more!

For more inspiration for your senior-focused organization, head on over to the “ Senior Center ” section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi Sales Teams Thrive in Atlanta at Dynamic Sales Conference

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:54:03 GMT

This past February, LPi sales teams from across the country converged in Atlanta, Georgia, for an annual sales meeting. The group was joined by LPi’s senior leadership team, as well as members from other departments. The theme for this year’s meeting was Thrive in ’25 — The Future is YOU! From “Thrive Talks,” where key members shared their experiences and advice, to opportunities to bond with coworkers and strategize for the year ahead, the meeting was a resounding success!

The event this year featured training on new programs, a continued focus on expanding our digital footprint, and celebrations of our recent successes! In fact, by the end of the event, 100% of our sales team was certified to use our new CRM system. The meeting also provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with our LPi colleagues across the country.

“I was thrilled with the opportunity to collaborate with not only my team, but the entire LPi sales team,” explained Mark Daniel, Inside Sales Manager. “From our incredible breakout sessions, to the complete buy-in of our new CRM, and all the way up to the 12th floor and the fun times at Club 901, this conference reminded me why our team is the best in the business.” With over 200 people in attendance, there was something for everyone at this year’s four-day event.

Jeff Tallman, Director of Outside Ad Sales, expressed his delight at the experience. “I was fortunate enough to have a promotion announced in front of the entire audience! The recognition was quite special, and was an extraordinary moment that I will never forget.”

The event also included exciting leadership news! Matt Inkmann, who previously held the role of Senior Director of Ad Sales, was named Vice President of Ad Sales. Congratulations, Matt — we can’t wait to see all you accomplish in this role!

We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to this THRIVING success. Here’s to building on this momentum and creating even more impactful and inspiring gatherings in the years ahead!

Why Print Newsletters Are Still Essential for Nonprofits

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:59:15 GMT

Organizations increasingly turn to online platforms for communication and engagement. Social media, websites, and email newsletters have become staples of nonprofit outreach. One of the main reasons is that they are often less expensive to produce and distribute than their print counterparts. Amid this digital revolution, however, it’s important to remember the key role that print newsletters still play in the nonprofit world.

While digital channels offer speed, cost-effectiveness, and global reach, print newsletters provide unique benefits that cannot be replicated by digital content. This tangible form of communication continues to be a useful tool in strengthening relationships, enhancing visibility, and ensuring inclusivity.

Psst! If your organization operates on a tight budget, remember that LPi can print and distribute your newsletters at no cost! We do this by securing paid ads from businesses in your community that would like to reach your audience. Learn more about our newsletter service and reach out today to get started!

6 Reasons Why Nonprofits Still Need Print Newsletters

Tangibility builds trust: Print newsletters create a tangible connection between a nonprofit and its audience. When people receive something in the mail, they are more likely to engage with it because of its tactile nature. Print materials also create a lasting impression. In fact, studies have shown that people are more likely to remember information delivered through print than digital formats , which can be easily ignored or skimmed over.

Print reaches a broader audience: Not all supporters of a nonprofit are digitally connected or comfortable with technology. While younger generations are often online-savvy, older donors or community members may prefer receiving communications in physical form. For nonprofits that serve a diverse demographic, print newsletters are essential for reaching this more traditional audience who might not engage with digital content.

Opportunity for personalization: Print newsletters offer a unique opportunity for personalization. While digital communication can be customized to include a donor’s name or specific interests, print newsletters can include handwritten notes or personalized inserts, giving a more individual touch. This level of personalization helps build a deeper connection with recipients.

Forge stronger donor bonds: Print newsletters help strengthen relationships between nonprofit organizations and their donor base. When someone subscribes to or donates to a cause, that connection is reinforced by receiving regular updates. For many donors, reading articles in a print newsletter about how their money is being put to good use can help reaffirm that their decision to make a financial contribution was a wise one.

Break from digital overload: We know that people sometimes feel bombarded by digital messages. Print newsletters provide a refreshing break. A newsletter can be picked up and read it at leisure. This distinction can make a nonprofit’s message stand out from the electronic noise.

Effective fundraising tool: Print newsletters can also be a powerful tool for fundraising campaigns. Nonprofits can use them to reach potential major donors to make specific requests, highlight matching gifts, or promote special events. A physical newsletter can include response cards, donation envelopes, and other materials that make it easy for supporters to take immediate action.

Stay Up to Date on Print Trends

If your organization has been relying primarily on digital newsletters to communicate with supporters and donors, figuring out how to get up and running with a print version might feel overwhelming. One article to review for more tips is “ Exploring Current Trends in Print ,” where you’ll find useful advice for getting your print newsletter off to a successful launch.

If you’d like some more one-on-one guidance, remember: LPi’s exceptional newsletter service offers expert guidance, design, content, printing, and distribution. Contact us to learn more!

Updated 11-07-2025

Clear and Concise: Communication Tips for Writing Senior-Friendly Newsletters

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 18:36:23 GMT

Writing newsletters for a target audience of older adults requires thoughtful attention to clarity, simplicity, and accessibility. Because seniors often have vision-related challenges, such as cataracts or glaucoma, it’s important to craft newsletters that are easy to read, as well as engaging and informative.

Whether you’re writing an executive director’s letter, a health article, or a special event announcement, following these communication tips will help ensure that your message resonates with your senior audience.

Tips for Creating a Clear and Concise Monthly Newsletter

Use simple, direct language

The first step in writing a senior-friendly newsletter is to keep the language clear and simple. Avoid jargon, slang, and technical terms that might confuse readers. Older adults might get frustrated and give up reading.

Instead, opt for short sentences with straightforward phrasing. For example, instead of writing “We encourage you to take part in a comprehensive wellness program,” try “Join us for a simple wellness program.” This is especially important for digital newsletters, which people tend to skim more quickly.

Make sure the tone is warm and approachable. Seniors are more likely to engage with content that feels personal and accessible. Use direct, inviting language that fosters a sense of inclusion. Instead of “It is recommended you participate in the event,” use “We’d love for you to join the event!”

Use senior-friendly fonts

Font size and style are essential in senior-facing newsletters. Many older adults have experienced vision changes such as presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects) or other eye conditions that can make reading more difficult. That’s why it’s important to use large, clear fonts — 14 to 16 point is a good size — to ensure readability.

Font styles matter greatly, too. Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman help make reading easier because they are simple and highly legible. Avoid decorative or script fonts, as they can be harder to read. Additionally, make sure there is enough space between lines (use line spacing of 1.5 or double) to avoid a cramped layout that could strain older eyes.

Have clear headings and subheadings

Big blocks of copy can overwhelm the eye. Another best practice is to break up the text into sections with headings and subheadings in bold font. This allows seniors to scan the newsletter quickly and find the information that is most relevant to them. Keep headings short and to the point — such as “Upcoming Events,” “Health Tips,” or “Community Announcements” — so readers can immediately understand the content of each section.

Consider adding bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate, as this helps organize information into digestible chunks. Bullet points are ideal for summarizing key points, like event details or tips, which makes the content more accessible and less overwhelming.

Use high-contrast colors

Color contrast plays an important role in readability for seniors, especially for those with visual impairments. Opt for high-contrast color schemes, such as dark text on a white or light-colored background. Avoid using pale text on light backgrounds, as this can be very tough for older adults to read.

If you include images or graphics, as you should, make sure they complement the text and aren’t too distracting. Ensure any image captions are large enough to be legible and there’s enough contrast to distinguish them from the background.

Include a clear call to action

A newsletter should offer clear guidance on what to do next. Whether you want readers to attend an event, sign up for a program, or read additional resources, your call to action should be easy to follow. Use bold text or buttons that stand out and say exactly what you want the reader to do, such as “Call to RSVP” or “Join us on [date].”

If your newsletter is digital, consider including clickable links or buttons, but be sure to also offer alternatives for those who may prefer printed materials or have difficulty using technology.

Finally, if you are just beginning to develop a newsletter for your senior center or community organization, these communication tips and articles might be of interest.

Take Advantage of LPi Newsletter Resources

We know senior center teams often need a helping hand to produce newsletters on a regular basis. If your team could use support, LPi is the solution . Organizations who print their newsletters with LPi receive a free, custom, newsletter template made by our professional design team. Check out some before and after examples of happy newsletter customers on our website!

Updated 07-11-2025

How to Balance Fun and Informative Content in Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 18:25:29 GMT

Creating a newsletter for a senior center provides you with an opportunity to communicate vital information, foster a sense of community, and engage members in a meaningful way. However, one of the key challenges is striking the right balance between fun, entertaining content and informative material that is practical and useful.

A newsletter that is too heavy on one type of content can lose the interest of its readers, and an overabundance of dry, factual information may make it difficult for members to feel connected or motivated to engage. By carefully balancing both fun and informative content, senior centers can ensure that their newsletters are enjoyable, educational, and valuable for their readers.

The Importance of Balancing Newsletter Content

For senior center newsletters , your goal is likely to provide a combination of entertainment and education that supports the diverse needs and interests of your members. Fun content, such as games, contests, and personal stories , can help members feel more connected to your organization and encourage them to engage socially, as well as emotionally.

Informative content, on the other hand, helps educate members about health, wellness, and center activities, ensuring they have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their lives. Without that balance, newsletters may lose their effectiveness.

So, how can you juggle those two types of newsletter content? We have some tips for that!

Strategies for Balancing Fun and Informative Content

Here are several strategies that senior centers can use to strike the perfect balance between fun and informative content in their newsletters:

Establish a Clear Content Structure

A well-organized layout is essential for ensuring both fun and informative content are given their due attention. A typical newsletter might include distinct sections dedicated to both types of content. For example:

Health Tips and Advice: Offer informative content related to health, wellness, and safety, such as tips for managing chronic conditions, maintaining mental well-being, or staying active.
Member Stories and Social Highlights: Feature fun, heartwarming stories or anecdotes about members’ lives or hobbies, or about recent activities at the center.
Upcoming Events and Announcements: Provide a list of important dates, events, or programs that members should know about, balancing straightforward facts with inviting language that highlights the fun and social aspect of attending these events.

Clearly defined sections allow members to find exactly what interests them, whether they are looking for helpful information or a lighthearted read.

Use Humor to Make Information Engaging

Informative content doesn’t have to be dry or boring. Injecting humor or lightheartedness can make it more enjoyable and easier to digest. For example, when offering health tips, keep the tone conversational and include a few jokes or fun anecdotes — it can make your content feel less like a lecture and more like a friendly chat. Using respectful humor in health-related content can also help to demystify complex subjects, making them feel less intimidating.

Feature Interactive Elements

Interactive elements such as themed crossword puzzles, lively quizzes, and word searches can make the newsletter both fun and engaging. These activities provide mental stimulation while encouraging members to participate and feel involved.

A crossword puzzle related to health terms or a trivia quiz about the history of the senior center could offer lighthearted enjoyment while tying in with the newsletter’s theme. If you want to save time, you could use the already-made puzzles and games inside of WeCreate !

Subscriptions to content libraries like WeCreate offer your newsletter editor an incredible time-saving collection of images, infographics, written content, and items like crossword puzzles and more to simply drop directly into your newsletter! Speaking of visuals….

Feature Visuals and Personal Stories

Visuals like photographs, illustrations, and infographics can help make both fun and informative content more appealing. Personal stories and member spotlights can serve as a compelling way to mix fun with information. For example, a “Member of the Month” profile, featuring a photo alongside a story about the member’s personal journey, hobbies, or achievements, can inspire others and create a sense of connection. This type of content is not only fun to read but also informative, as it showcases how others are involved in the center and how they lead fulfilling lives.

Incorporate Community Announcements and Recognition

While it’s important to keep the newsletter lighthearted and fun, it’s also a good idea to inform members of important announcements and updates about the center’s activities. Recognizing members’ birthdays, anniversaries, or other milestones can also be a fun yet informative way to celebrate the community. This adds an element of joy and personal recognition while keeping the focus on members’ achievements.

More Resources to Consider

If you’d like to read more, we have a few additional resources you might find helpful. “ Top Tips to Captivate Your Senior Audience ” and “ Fun Ways to Incorporate Contests and Challenges into Your Newsletter ” are a great place to start!

Want to dive even deeper? Check out the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

Using Newsletters to Share Health Tips

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:26:39 GMT

Senior centers play an essential role in the lives of a community’s older population by creating opportunities for socialization and recreation. They can also provide crucial resources that support older adults’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Among these resources are newsletters, which can be a powerful tool for disseminating health tips and information to members.

By offering practical, easily digestible health advice in newsletters, senior centers can empower their members to make informed decisions. In an age when misinformation is rampant, guidance on aging from credible sources is more critical than ever for helping people adopt healthier habits.

The Importance of Health Education for Seniors

As people age, they often face an increased number of health challenges , such as managing chronic conditions or coping with mobility issues. It becomes increasingly important for older adults to stay informed about how to manage these challenges effectively. And it isn’t just current medical conditions that can be addressed through newsletters.

Health tips shared through newsletters can provide valuable information on a wide range of prevention topics, such as senior-friendly winter fitness activities or the importance of good hydration. Because some seniors may not be able to seek out health information on their own, your newsletter can be an invaluable source of guidance.

How to Structure a Health Tips Section in Your Newsletter

A senior center newsletter should present health tips in a clear, concise, and actionable format. To ensure tips resonate with members and are easy to follow, it’s important to organize the content in a way that is both informative and engaging.

Here are a few ideas on how to structure this section:

Featured Health Topic of the Month

Each issue could focus on a specific health topic relevant to seniors, such as Heart Health in Your 60s and Beyond or Easy Exercises to Improve Mobility. By concentrating on one subject per newsletter, seniors can deepen their understanding of that topic and learn practical strategies for implementation. A dedicated, in-depth feature helps avoid overwhelming readers and gives them the tools they need to address one health concern at a time.

Actionable Health Tips

It’s essential that health tips are easy to put into practice. Each piece of advice should be simple, realistic, and geared toward the senior population. For example, instead of recommending an intense workout program, offer gentle activities like walking, stretching, or chair exercises. Suggestions for nutritious meal plans, like incorporating more fiber or healthy fats into their diet, can also be practical and helpful.

Weekly Challenges or Reminders

Encouraging small, actionable steps can create a sense of achievement and progress. Senior center newsletters could include weekly health challenges or reminders that prompt members to make gradual changes to their lifestyle. For example, a challenge could involve increasing daily water intake, taking a 10-minute walk every day, or practicing mindfulness for a few minutes each morning.

Such activities motivate members to take part in their health journeys in manageable ways. It could be fun to turn these into small competitions, if you have local businesses who might be willing to donate prizes.

Tips for Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Health is not just about physical fitness; mental and emotional well-being are equally important. Newsletters could highlight tips for managing stress, staying socially connected, and practicing self-care. For instance, seniors can be encouraged to engage in hobbies, practice gratitude, or maintain strong social networks to improve their mental health. These tips could be combined with quotes from members who have found successful strategies for staying mentally healthy.

Including Expert Contributions

One of the most effective ways to increase the credibility and quality of the health tips shared in newsletters is to involve experts in the field. Senior centers can invite healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, dietitians, or fitness instructors, to contribute articles, interviews, or short advice pieces. These professionals can provide evidence-based health tips and address common concerns that seniors might have.

For example, a geriatrician could explain the importance of regular health screenings, while a nutritionist could share healthy recipes or meal planning advice. Including expert contributions not only adds authority to the health tips but also reinforces the importance of professional guidance in maintaining one’s health.

Making Health Tips Accessible and Engaging

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that your health tips reach and resonate with all members — that’s why it’s important to make the newsletter accessible. For members with visual impairments, newsletters can be printed in larger font sizes or offered in audio formats. Using simple language and avoiding medical jargon will help all readers, regardless of their educational background or health literacy, to understand and apply the information.

Visual aids, such as infographics, step-by-step illustrations for exercises, or charts for healthy eating, can also help break down complex information. These elements not only make the content more engaging but also provide a clear visual guide to help members incorporate the health tips into their daily routines.

WeCreate Can Provide Newsletter Support

If your senior center is like most, finding someone on your team who has the time needed to create top-quality newsletters is tough. A solution we invite you to consider is the LPi WeCreate platform . Among its many benefits is premade content for health events and health tips! Contact us at your convenience to learn more.

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Incorporate Member Stories in Newsletters to Build a Sense of Belonging

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:47:15 GMT

As senior centers have grown in popularity, they’ve evolved into essential hubs of social engagement, health resources, and lifelong learning. They can create the sense of belonging that many older adults are seeking. If finding new ways to foster bonds among members is one of your goals for the new year, consider how your newsletter can play a role!

One of the most effective strategies for senior center newsletters is to incorporate member stories. These not only highlight individual experiences but also weave a stronger sense of community, connection, and shared identity. By amplifying personal narratives, senior centers can cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where members feel valued, seen, and heard.

The Power of Personal Narratives

Personal stories are universally compelling. They engage emotions, build empathy, and allow others to see the world from a different perspective. For senior center members, telling their stories provides an opportunity to reflect on their lives, celebrate their achievements, and share wisdom accumulated over decades. Seeing one’s life story shared with others creates a sense of validation and importance, strengthening emotional ties to the center and its community.

These stories often resonate deeply with readers. They not only give other members the chance to learn about and connect with peers but also remind them that they are part of something larger than themselves.

Publishing stories about your senior center’s members can also help break down barriers that might be keeping people from joining. When people relate to the stories they read, they are more likely to reach out!

Building Community Through Shared Experiences

Incorporating member stories into newsletters fosters a stronger sense of community by showcasing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests of those who belong to the senior center. These narratives can be a great way to celebrate cultures, life paths, and personal passions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Through these shared stories, members can see beyond their differences and recognize the common threads that unite them.

For example, one member might share their journey of traveling the world, while another might talk about raising a family and finding fulfillment in gardening. These seemingly different experiences can bridge gaps and spark meaningful conversations between members who may not have interacted otherwise. As members find commonalities between their lives and those of others, they begin to feel more integrated into the senior center community.

Promoting Intergenerational Connections

Including member stories in newsletters also provides a unique opportunity to promote intergenerational connections. In many senior centers, younger generations — whether they are grandchildren, volunteers, or local students — participate in activities or visit regularly. Sharing stories from senior members can engage these younger individuals and give them deeper insight into the experiences that have shaped the lives of older generations. That can foster mutual respect and empathy and lead to greater collaboration across age groups.

How to Integrate Member Stories into Your Newsletter

To successfully incorporate member stories into a senior center newsletter, keep a few key considerations in mind:

Make sharing easier: Creating a comfortable space for members to share their stories is crucial. This can involve one-on-one interviews, group storytelling sessions, or a simple “story submission box” — members can write down their experiences and drop them off in the box. Some centers might even host writing workshops or story circles to help those who are hesitant or unsure how to express their thoughts.

Vary the stories: It’s important that stories are varied and represent a broad cross-section of the center’s population. Ensure inclusivity by featuring members of different ages, backgrounds, and interests. In addition to personal stories, incorporate members’ reflections on current events, their favorite hobbies, or their thoughts on aging, all of which will resonate with the broader audience.

Remember to add images: Visually, these stories can be complemented with photographs of members participating in center activities. Pairing the words with images will further enhance their impact. Include quotes, testimonials, and even a “Member of the Month” feature to keep the content fresh and engaging.

LPi Newsletter Solutions Make it Easy

Because we understand that not every senior center has the resources to create publications in-house, our newsletter services might be of interest. We can help redesign your newsletter or be your newsletter printer. Contact us today to learn more!

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi’s 2024 Hall of Fame – Celebrating a Year of Success

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:28:04 GMT

As we turn the page on another successful year at LPi, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of 2024. It’s been a year filled with growth, innovation, and collaboration across all areas of our company. Each item on this list reflects the unwavering dedication and effort of our teams, who consistently strive to deliver excellence for our customers, partners, and colleagues. Here are some of the achievements that made 2024 a standout year:

Ad Sales Achievements

Growth in digital advertising exceeding expectations : Our team’s commitment to innovation has propelled us beyond our goals in this critical area.
Celebrating our employee’s success with a record number of attendees at the 2024 Circle of Excellence Awards banquet : This event was a fitting tribute to our high-performing sales teams and their achievements.
The integration of AI resources into our Ad Design team’s workflow : This achievement has streamlined processes and enhanced our creative capabilities.

Customer Wins

We opened a new brick and mortar sales office near Olympia, Washington: The location is already a thriving central hub of support for our customers along the West Coast.
Successfully navigating church consolidations : Our team’s adaptability and expertise shone through in these complex transitions.
The beginning of our intentional acceleration of the Senior Center market : A strategic step forward as we expand our impact in this growing segment.

Service Upgrades

The upgrade of our Las Vegas press: This significant enhancement bolsters our production capacity and quality.
Starting the rollout of our new LPi Dashboard for our publication customers : The user-friendly tool is already earning praise from customers and staff alike.

Terrific Tech

The value, growth, and sales seen in the Parishes Online and My Community Online email distributions : These efforts showcased the power of targeted communication and strategic outreach.
Our team worked tirelessly on the long project to successfully launch our new Advertiser CRM System : This game-changing development will improve our workflows and customer engagement.
The start of transforming Parishes Online : Our incremental steps are making a tangible difference, adding value that’s being recognized by our customers.

Employee Achievements and Gratitude

Craig Polack’s decision for his family to say goodbye to owning LPi : We bid farewell to a remarkable 52-year chapter of LPi’s history with the Polack family while eagerly embracing the opportunities ahead.
Provided Situational Leadership Training for all LPi leaders : Empowering our leaders with tools to grow and adapt in a dynamic business landscape.
Standardized hiring and onboarding processes in targeted areas of the company : The standardization ensures consistency and quality with how we bring new talent into our organization.
93 jobs offered to candidates year-to-date : A testament to our continued growth and commitment to building an exceptional team.
Rolled out three Learning Circles for employees to collaborate and learn from each other : Creating spaces for innovation, collaboration, and shared knowledge across the company has been a big win for us this year!

As we celebrate these many accomplishments, we are filled with gratitude for the teams, individuals, and partners who made them all possible. LPi was founded to serve locations in the Chicago area over 50 years ago. Today we serve 5,000 parishes and 1,000 non-profits! Together, we’ve built a foundation of excellence that will continue to propel us forward into 2025. With so much momentum and excitement, we can’t wait to see what’s next for LPi. Here’s to another year of success, growth, and making a difference — together!

Your Logo, Your Brand — Building Nonprofit Trust Through Design

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:39:14 GMT

Establishing a strong brand is essential for nonprofit organizations aiming to build trust within their communities. A cohesive and authentic brand not only reflects your mission and values but also fosters a sense of reliability and connection among members.

Understanding Nonprofit Branding

An organization’s brand goes beyond a logo or visual design — it represents the nonprofit’s identity, mission, work, and the experience it offers to its community. A strong, well-defined brand communicates what the organization stands for and what individuals can expect when they engage with the group. It’s for this reason that the process for creating a brand for your unique nonprofit should be intentional and guided by a clear understanding of your mission, values, and the message you want to convey to your community. We suggest partnering with a professional design team to guide the journey.

LPi has worked with nonprofits nationwide to create unique, impactful brands. Before we dive into how your brand can build trust with your members, it’s helpful to understand the key elements that make a brand recognizable and meaningful to your community.

The Role of Branding in Building Trust

Consistency and Recognition: Consistent use of visual elements — such as logos, colors, and typography — across all platforms and communications helps your brand become easily recognizable. This consistency conveys professionalism and reliability, making it easier for individuals to trust your organization’s presence both online and offline.
Authenticity and Alignment : When a nonprofit’s branding accurately reflects its mission and values, it demonstrates authenticity. This can go a long way toward ensuring there is no gap between your organization’s proclaimed mission and its actions. Closing this gap, even with something as seemingly minor as your branding design, is crucial, as inconsistencies can erode trust. A thoughtfully crafted brand demonstrates your commitment to your mission and identity, reinforcing trust and connection with your audience every time people see it.
Community Engagement : A strong brand fosters a sense of belonging and community. When individuals identify with your brand, they are more likely to engage, participate, and invest in your mission. This engagement builds deeper relationships and trust over time.

LPi Brings Nonprofit Brands to Life

We understand the importance of effective branding in building trust and engagement within your community. Our design team specializes in creating cohesive and authentic branding tailored to the unique identity of each organization that we work with.

LPi branding services include:

Custom Logo Design : Crafting brand-new logos or simply refreshing an outdated design. We work alongside your staff in the process and ultimately provide two to three custom options with multiple rounds of edits to ensure the perfect fit.
Full Branding Packages : Developing comprehensive branding materials, including brand books, newsletter design templates, business cards, social media assets, and more to ensure consistency across all platforms.
Website Integration : These packages combine full branding services with custom website designs, providing a cohesive digital presence that reflects your identity.

Investing in professional branding is a strategic step for nonprofits seeking to build trust and deepen connections within their communities. By presenting a consistent and authentic identity, organizations like yours can effectively communicate their mission, foster engagement, and create a welcoming environment for all.

To explore how LPi's branding services can support your mission and enhance your community presence, join us on our Logos and Branding page or dive deeper with our free beginner’s guide to creating the best brand for your organization .

Looking for inspiration to enhance your organization’s communications with design? Head over to the “Art and Design” section of our blog! Discover a wealth of resources from creative logo ideas and fresh new releases of unique graphics to newsletter design tips, and so much more.

Updated 03-05-2026

LPi Employees Give Back

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:35:30 GMT

This season, as many turn their focus toward giving and volunteering, LPi employees are following suit! One of the many benefits of working at LPi is our employee philanthropic program. We believe that giving back to nonprofit organizations not only enriches the lives of our communities but also enhances the lives of our employees.

Through this program, employees are encouraged to donate 20 work hours per year to a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Best of all, these hours are considered paid time off and don’t count against other PTO benefits.

How are LPi employees using their volunteer time? Recently, some members of the Milwaukee Account Processing Team volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, putting together lunches for families staying there. Meanwhile, the rest of the team stayed back to ensure their volunteering teammates could serve without work getting backed up. What a great example of positive team spirit — one of our core values at LPi!

It sure looks like they had fun during their volunteering time! What a great way to use their volunteer hours!

Interested in giving back to your community? Learn more about the incredible work of the Ronald McDonald House .

How to Avoid These 7 Nonprofit Logo MISTAKES

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:15:40 GMT

An organization’s logo is more than just a graphic — it’s a reflection of your community’s mission, identity, and purpose. A great logo helps communicate your story, unify your members, and create a welcoming first impression for visitors.

Whether you’re refreshing your current logo or starting from scratch, avoiding these common design mistakes will ensure that your logo serves you well for years to come. Let’s dive into a few logo pitfalls that nonprofits sometimes encounter and learn how to steer clear of them.

Common Logo Mistakes and How to Fix Them

1. Incorporating Too Many Elements

It’s tempting to want your logo to say everything about your organization. While it’s great to feel passionate about telling your story, cramming too many details into one logo will unfortunately overwhelm your audience and dilute your message.

Why it’s a Mistake:

Busy logos are hard to recognize and even harder to remember.
Small details get lost when printed on smaller items like business cards or mugs.
Overcomplicated logos may look cluttered and discourage people from engaging.

Best Practice: Focus on one or two elements that are meaningful to your community. A clean, clear design will have a greater impact and better longevity.

2. Using Outdated Clipart

Using clipart in your logo gives off a dated and unprofessional vibe. People these days are accustomed to polished branding everywhere they look — from schools and sports clubs to businesses and online communities. Clipart sends the wrong message about your nonprofit’s vitality.

Why it’s a Mistake:

Clipart often lacks uniqueness and fails to tell your organization’s specific story.
It can unintentionally signal that your nonprofit is stuck in the past or doesn’t prioritize outreach.

Best Practice: Work with a professional designer to create something fresh and custom for your community. Trust the professionals!

3. Choosing Too Many Fonts or Fonts That Are Hard to Read

Unique, ornate fonts can look appealing at first glance, but when they’re too complex, too small, or poorly spaced, they become difficult to read. Remember, your logo needs to be readable by all ages, in all settings, and at all sizes — whether on a billboard, a bulletin, or a social media profile.

Why it’s a Mistake:

Complex or cursive fonts may alienate viewers, especially those with visual impairments.
Multiple fonts within one logo can also create visual chaos.

Best Practice: Stick with one or two clean, readable fonts that balance modern appeal with timeless simplicity. Test your design with your community’s members to ensure clarity success.

4. Using Too Many Colors

Color is a powerful communication tool. It evokes emotions, reinforces your mission, and enhances the impact of your logo. Too many colors, however, can create visual clutter and make the design feel chaotic to viewers. Plus, more colors often mean higher printing costs for materials like apparel or signage.

Why it’s a Mistake:

Logos with too many colors are harder to reproduce in print or embroidery.
Color overload can overwhelm viewers and distract from the logo’s main message.

Best Practice: Choose two or three complementary colors that align with your unique nonprofit identity and the mission you are conveying. Don’t forget to also ensure that your design works in black and white for versatility.

5. Neglecting Scalability

Your logo is meant to appear on websites, social media, bulletins, banners, business cards, and beyond. If your design doesn’t look good at both large and small sizes, its impact will be lost.

Why it’s a Mistake:

Intricate details or thin lines may disappear when scaled down.
A logo that’s not adaptable won’t serve all your organization’s needs.

Best Practice: Ensure your logo is simple and clear enough to work at any size. A professional designer will test its scalability across different platforms and formats while creating your perfect design.

6. Failing to Reflect Your Mission

A great nonprofit logo visually conveys your organization’s mission and values. If your logo lacks meaning or feels disconnected from your identity, it won’t resonate with your community or inspire engagement.

Why it’s a Mistake:

A generic logo misses an opportunity to reflect your community’s unique story.
It may feel impersonal and fail to connect with your members or staff on an emotional level.

Best Practice: Start with your organization’s mission statement. Ask questions like:

What is at the heart of our community?
Are there symbols, actions, or local features that define us?
What feelings do we want our logo to evoke?

Choose design elements that authentically reflect who you are as an organization.

Ready for Your Perfect Logo? LPi Can Help!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help! Our team has worked with organizations across the country to create beautiful, impactful logos that reflect their unique identities. Whether you’re starting fresh or simply need a whole brand refresh, we’d love to help your community shine. Browse our Free Beginner’s Guide to Creating the Best Brand for Your Organization to learn more about what's possible.

Updated 03-05-2026

Creative Event Ideas to Include in Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:02:48 GMT

Senior centers serve as vital hubs for community engagement, social interaction, and enrichment for older adults. To keep members active and engaged, it’s essential to offer a variety of creative events that cater to diverse interests and abilities. The best part? They don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Consider planning one larger event each quarter while keeping the rest simple, manageable, and equally enjoyable.

If your organization is like most senior centers, you likely have a newsletter that you publish regularly. If not, LPi has the tools to get you started with a free, ad-supported, print and digital newsletter!

Newsletters are always a great platform for promoting your events. By creating an events calendar six months or a year in advance, you can use your newsletter for everything from seeking sponsors to recruiting volunteers to help organize the events you have planned.

We know that coming up with creative ideas can be a challenge — so much so that team members say it’s what keeps them from getting started. If your staff is struggling, these suggestions can help enliven your senior center and foster a sense of community among participants.

Creative Community Events for Your Senior Center (or any community organization)

Themed potluck dinners
Hosting a themed potluck can be a fun way to bring seniors together while celebrating different cultures or cuisines. Each month, choose a theme — like “The Big Easy” or “Under the Tuscan Sun” — and encourage participants to bring dishes that fit the theme. This not only allows seniors to showcase their culinary skills, but also provides an opportunity for attendees to share recipes and cooking tips.

Creative arts workshops
Art is a powerful form of self-expression and incredibly therapeutic. Organize workshops that cover various art forms, such as painting, pottery, or crafting. Invite local artists to lead these sessions, or utilize online tutorials to guide participants. Ask local arts-and-crafts stores to donate materials in exchange for being promoted as an event sponsor. By providing all necessary materials, you can enhance participation and allow seniors to unleash their creativity and perhaps discover a new passion.

Movie nights
Creating a fun movie night can dazzle your members and help foster a relaxed environment that allows for socialization and enjoyment of classic films or recent favorites. Consider an indoor movie night on those colder winter days by turning your center into an impromptu movie-theater. During the warmer parts of the year, set up a projector in a courtyard or backyard for an outdoor movie experience! You could let members vote on the movie to be shown and provide popcorn and snacks during the screening.

Book clubs with a twist
Start a book club, but add a creative twist to make it more engaging. Incorporate themed discussions and ask participants to come dressed as their favorite character or bring foods and beverages to share that are spotlighted in the book. This can stimulate lively discussions and deepen connections among members.

Fitness and wellness challenges
Promote physical health by organizing friendly fitness challenges. Offer a variety of activities that cater to different fitness levels, such as walking clubs, chair yoga, or dance classes. Make the program’s goal to stay active and try different forms of fitness. To add an element of fun, track progress on a leaderboard and offer small prizes for participation or achievements. This not only promotes wellness but also encourages camaraderie and support among participants.

Technology classes
In today’s digital age, helping seniors navigate technology can be invaluable. Organize regular tech classes where volunteers or staff can assist attendees with smartphones, computers, or social media. Ask senior center members for specific ideas on what classes they’d like to see you offer.

Gardening clubs
Gardening is an activity that engages the body, mind, and spirit. You could establish a gardening club where members plan out gardens and grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables. If space allows, create raised garden beds that are accessible for all mobility levels. Host workshops with local experts who can share tips on gardening techniques, seasonal planting, and even cooking demonstrations using the produce grown by members.

Trivia and game nights
Engage seniors’ minds and encourage social interaction with trivia and game nights. Organize competitions that cover a range of topics, from history to pop culture. Offering prizes or certificates for participation can add a fun and competitive element. Games like bingo, card games, or board games can also be popular, promoting laughter and camaraderie.

Mindfulness and meditation sessions
Offering mindfulness and meditation activities can greatly benefit seniors’ mental health. Invite local yoga teachers or meditation experts to teach techniques for relaxation and stress relief. These sessions can help improve overall well-being and offer members tools to cope with life’s challenges.

Get Help With Promotional Materials & Communications

We know it can sometimes be tough for staff to quickly and easily create the promotional materials needed for events. That’s where WeCreate can be of assistance. This incredible library of nonprofit communications content is packed with graphics, stock photos, and even flyer templates to make promoting your events as easy as possible!

This quick video is a great way to learn more.

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi’s Las Vegas Press Receives Major Upgrade

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:48:25 GMT

LPi has upgraded our Las Vegas HP printing press from a T230 to T240. What does that mean for LPI? The T230 press was almost at the end of its life. Some parts were going to be obsolete in 2025, and so to stay current, we needed to print faster.

With the new T240 press, we now have the most current operating system available. We can run up to 500 feet per minute (previously 400 feet), which means that our ability to print 25% faster will help ensure we meet tight deadlines for our customers.

It took about two months of planning to make this upgrade happen. HP has a project manager, and Louie Elahi played that role internally — lots of work was done before they arrived. We discovered that we needed to have additional power for the new dryers on the press to dry the paper at the faster speeds, so we upgraded our venting system to account for the extra exhaust.

We also developed an internal plan to move the jobs from Las Vegas to Dallas, which handled much of Las Vegas's workload during the upgrade. Additionally, we redistributed some tasks to Milwaukee. Thanks to our IT team’s expertise, we successfully automated the transfer of jobs between Las Vegas and Dallas, eliminating the need for manual intervention. Great job, IT team!

Prepress and the press teams monitored the work every day to make sure everything was getting printed, and we didn’t miss any jobs or deadlines.

With all that extra work going to Dallas, we needed an additional night shift for both weeks. We had four volunteers from Las Vegas go to Dallas for the two weeks while the Las Vegas press was down. We would like to give a huge thanks to Katie, Zach, Anthony, and Celia for stepping up to help us. Also, a big thanks to Doug and his team in Dallas for welcoming and helping them get acclimated to the Dallas plant. Everyone did an incredible job!

How to Build Your Community Through Consistent Communication

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:18:49 GMT

In today’s interconnected world, the strength of any community — whether it’s a local organization, a neighborhood initiative, or an online support group — often hinges on effective communication. Consistent communication serves as the backbone of community building. It influences everything from recognition and awareness to engagement levels and members’ overall sense of belonging.

For senior centers or aging services organizations, creating a thriving community can impact everything from sponsorships to volunteer interest. Let’s take a look at the benefits your organization can reap by communicating regularly with your members and target audience.

The Benefits of Effective, Consistent Communication

Fosters trust and transparency
At the heart of any successful community is trust. Members need to feel secure in their interactions and confident that their voices are heard. Consistent communication fosters transparency, which is crucial for building trust. When leaders or organizers provide regular updates about decisions, activities, and community goals, they demonstrate respect for their members. This transparency reassures members that they are part of the decision-making process, thereby enhancing their commitment and loyalty.

Encourages engagement
Engagement is a vital element in any community, and the key to fostering it is communicating with yours routinely. Regular updates, newsletters, or social media posts keep members informed and excited about upcoming events and initiatives. By sharing success stories, milestones, and calls to action, you invite participation and make members feel valued.

Engaged members are more likely to contribute actively, whether by attending events, volunteering their time, or sharing their expertise. They are also more likely to invite their peers to join the organization and participate in activities with them.

Facilitates collaboration
Communities thrive on collaboration, and consistent communication helps facilitate this process. Members are more likely to work together effectively when they are aware of each other’s skills, interests, and projects. By communicating consistently, your organization can promote a cooperative culture that leverages diverse talents and perspectives. This not only enhances the quality of projects but also enriches the community experience, as members learn from one another and grow together.

Aids in conflict resolution
Conflict is a natural occurrence in any community. How conflicts are managed, however, can either strengthen or weaken the community fabric. Consistent communication plays a crucial role in conflict resolution. When members are kept informed about community matters, misunderstandings are less likely to arise. If issues do occur, a culture of open communication allows for prompt discussion and resolution.

Builds brand identity
Every organization has a unique brand identity shaped by both its members and its values and goals. Having consistent branding helps your senior center communicate these values and goals to the community-at-large.

Through intentional and consistent branding, people begin to recognize your organization and its work. This includes everything from your logo to the information and visual images you use in your newsletters and emails. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of the image you present to the public and how you elevate each of your marketing collaterals .

We have helped nonprofit organizations all over the country to develop or refresh their brand. If you’re ready for a new logo or brand refresh, we’d love to make your ideas come to life! Reach out today.

Enhances information flow

Effective communication ensures that information flows smoothly among senior center staff and members. In larger groups, information can easily become fragmented, leading to confusion and misinformation. Consistent communication channels, such as newsletters, social media updates, or community meetings, ensure that everyone is on the same page.

By keeping everyone informed, you minimize misunderstandings and create a cohesive community where members can collaborate effectively. This streamlined information flow also empowers members, giving them the tools they need to contribute meaningfully.

Promotes inclusivity
Inclusivity is essential for a thriving organization. Consistent communication helps create an environment where all voices are heard and valued. By encouraging participation from diverse groups and regularly soliciting feedback, you foster a sense of belonging for everyone, regardless of their background or level of involvement.

For more communication tips for senior center staff members, head over to the “Senior Centers” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi Sets Record-Breaking Week: 42.1 Million Pages Printed!

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:42:10 GMT

We have some incredible news to share — recently, our production teams achieved a record-breaking milestone , printing an astonishing 42.1 million pages in a single week! This achievement surpasses last year’s holiday record of 39.2 million pages, representing a remarkable 7.4% increase.

Ken Hause, Operations Director, shared his pride in the team’s accomplishment:

“This reflects the incredible hard work and dedication you all bring to the table. Your hard work, collaboration, and commitment continue to drive us forward, one page at a time.”

The record-breaking numbers highlight the exceptional teamwork across all six production facilities.

Joe Luedtke, CEO, weighed in on this historic achievement, emphasizing how it reaffirms the vitality of print:

“Occasionally, you hear that statement, ‘print is dead.’ Nope! Our customers, through their actions, are telling us the exact opposite. Last week, we printed more pages than ever before in LPi’s history. It wasn’t easy — it took a lot of late-night work and weekend work — but you did it. Thank you for serving our customers so well!”

This milestone is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and collaboration of every team member at LPi. Congratulations to everyone on the production team — your efforts continue to make LPi shine!

Successful Partnerships: How Collaboration Benefits Senior Communities

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:28:18 GMT

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, successful partnerships between nonprofit organizations, healthcare facilities, and social service agencies play a pivotal role in enhancing quality of life for seniors. Collaborations among these groups can lead to innovative programs, greater awareness of local resources, and support systems that cater specifically to the needs of older adults.

If you are part of the leadership team for a senior center, you might be wondering if it’s worth the effort to join forces with other agencies and businesses. Here’s a look at the various forms collaboration can take and how it can benefit the senior community.

How Partnerships Create Better Support For Senior Community Organization

Pool resources and services
One of the most significant benefits of collaboration is the pooling of resources. When senior centers partner with local healthcare providers, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations, they can expand the range of services offered to seniors and work together to improve awareness of all of these resources. For example, a partnership with a local pharmacy could facilitate medication management workshops, while collaboration with a nearby hospital might provide free health screenings.

These partnerships can also help organizations access funding and grants that would otherwise be unavailable. By joining forces, partners can create compelling proposals that demonstrate the impact of their initiatives on the senior population, attracting more support and resources.

Broaden educational opportunities
Collaborative efforts can lead to the creation of educational programs tailored to the unique interests and needs of seniors. For instance, a partnership between a senior center and a local university might result in workshops on technology usage, financial planning, or health management. These programs empower seniors by giving them knowledge and skills that improve their quality of life and foster independence.

Additionally, educational partnerships can help bridge generational gaps. When younger individuals work with seniors in educational settings, both groups benefit from shared experiences and knowledge. By fostering understanding and respect between generations, the community as a whole is enriched. Announcing these opportunities in your newsletters is a great way to get the word out.

Promote social engagement and community
Isolation is a significant concern for many seniors. Research shows isolation can put older adults at greater risk for a variety of health conditions, ranging from depression to diabetes. Successful partnerships can help overcome those risks by creating opportunities for social engagement. Collaborative events, such as community fairs, intergenerational activities, or holiday celebrations, can bring together seniors, families, and community members, helping to combat loneliness.

For example, a senior center might partner with a local school to organize joint events where students and seniors engage in activities like arts and crafts or storytelling. Such interactions not only promote socialization but also enhance community cohesion by creating lasting connections between individuals of different ages.

Don’t forget, if you need professionally designed graphics for any events you might do collabroativley with another organization, we have you covered for every occasion with WeCreate, our library of graphics and content for nonprofits like yours.

Increase volunteer engagement
Partnerships can also help senior center teams recruit and engage volunteers, an essential component of many successful programs for older adults. By collaborating with local businesses and community organizations, senior centers can tap into a larger pool of volunteers. For example, a partnership with a local college might encourage students to volunteer as part of their community service requirements.

Volunteers can assist with a variety of tasks, from organizing events to providing companionship. Their involvement enriches the community and creates a sense of purpose among volunteers, many of whom find fulfillment in giving back.

Tailor health and wellness programs
Collaborative efforts with healthcare providers can lead to the development of tailored health and wellness programs for older adults. For instance, a senior center might partner with a local gym or wellness center to offer exercise classes designed specifically for older adults, focusing on balance, flexibility, and strength.

Moreover, healthcare partnerships can facilitate access to screenings, vaccinations, and health education seminars. This not only enhances the physical well-being of seniors but also promotes a proactive approach to health management.

Address transportation challenges
Transportation can be a significant barrier for seniors. Some become isolated at home when they give up driving, while others continue to drive even after they no longer feel safe doing so. Collaborations between senior centers and local transportation services or rideshare companies can help alleviate this issue.

By establishing safe partnerships, center staff can help coordinate transportation arrangements that allow seniors to attend events, medical appointments, and social gatherings. These partnerships not only help seniors maintain mobility but also encourage greater participation in community life.

Foster a culture of inclusion
Successful partnerships can also foster a culture of inclusion and respect for seniors within the broader community. When organizations prioritize collaboration, they send a message that people of all ages are valued members of society with important contributions to make. This can help shift perceptions and encourage more individuals and businesses to get involved in supporting aging initiatives.

Maintain Relationships through Advertising Sponsorships

Your partnership with these organizations brings opportunities for advertising sponsorships that support your center. This support can provide free printing and delivery services of your printed and digital newsletters from LPi while building consistent community awareness and trust. Having dedicated businesses that you collaborate with place an ad in your monthly newsletters is about more than just providing a printed newsletter sans cost — it’s showing your senior community the places and people they can trust. Work together on showcasing what both your organizations can do for the senior community and beyond!

Looking for more valuable inspiration and ideas for your senior center? Head on over to the “Senior Centers” section of our blog to find more aritcles on how to enhance your senior community.

Updated 11-07-2025

Engage and Inspire With Seasonal Newsletter Themes

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:02:47 GMT

Creating and sharing a newsletter , both print and digital, is a great way to keep the community around you informed and connected. It can significantly enhance communication and foster community spirit. However, keeping up with a newsletter can be a lot of work — especially if it’s just one part of a team member’s job.

One effective method is to utilize seasonal themes. An approach that not only keeps content fresh and saves you time, it also resonates with the experiences and interests of seniors throughout the year.

If you aren’t sure how to effectively implement seasonal themes in your newsletters, here are a few ideas we hope you’ll find useful.

Developing a Seasons-Based Community Newsletter

Let content reflect seasonal changes
The different seasons of the year bring about changes in nature, hobbies, and holidays. By aligning your newsletter content with the current season, you can create a sense of relevance and connection with your readers.

For example, in spring, focus on themes of renewal and growth. You could do this by highlighting gardening activities, spring cleaning tips, or upcoming outdoor events. By contrast, a winter newsletter edition could emphasize warmth and togetherness. Your articles could feature cozy activities like holiday gatherings and indoor crafts.

Share features based on time of year
Consider including feature articles or stories that align with the season. For example, during the fall, you might profile a senior who has a passion for baking autumn treats or whipping up pumpkin beverages. In summer, highlight a member who enjoys fishing or outdoor sports. These profiles not only celebrate individuals but also encourage others to engage with seasonal activities.

Offer seasonal health and wellness tips
Incorporating health tips relevant to the season can also be beneficial. For instance, in summer, provide information on heat safety and hydration. In winter, share advice on preventing falls due to ice and snow. These tips can empower seniors to take care of their health while further aligning your newsletter content with the seasonal theme.

Coordinate newsletter visuals and content
Use seasonal imagery to enhance your newsletter’s visual appeal. Bright flowers for spring, beach scenes for summer, colorful leaves for fall, and cozy winter settings can make the newsletter more inviting. Consider adding seasonal colors and fonts that evoke the spirit of the time of year.

If you don’t have easy access to art for your newsletter, consider using WeCreate . You’ll find a digital library filled with high quality images and content you can use on any platform. WeCreate contains many content options for seasonal flair, such as:

Monthly newsletter cover options that reflect the seasons and relevant holidays.
Graphics with quotes reflecting the seasons but also themes based on the unique celebrations of each month, such as Black History Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, etc.
Puzzles and games with seasonal themes.
Templates for seasonal graphics that you can customize for your organization’s needs.
Lots of images in a variety of sizes for virtually every holiday and seasonal celebration you might want to highlight in your newsletter!

Theme Suggestions by Season

Utilizing seasonal themes allows you to curate specific content that aligns with various holidays and seasonal activities. Here are some ideas to explore for each season:

Spring Suggestions

Gardening tips: Feature articles on starting an herb garden or growing plants in containers or raised beds. Include interviews with seniors who have gardening experience.
Spring cleaning: People are often inspired to simplify their life and home during the spring. Offer tips for decluttering, organizing, and deep cleaning after the long winter.
Outdoor activities: Talk with your local park system to determine if they have any nature walks planned for spring or if they have self-guided hikes.

Summer Stories

Travel and adventure: Highlight possible day trips to local destinations that members could take during the warmer months. Another tip might be to provide readers with intergenerational vacation ideas.
Health and wellness: Share information on the importance of staying hydrated, warning signs of heat-related health problems, and sun safety risks for skin. You could also share summer recipes for fresh, light meals.
Outdoor events: Promote summer picnic menu ideas, suggestions for social gatherings, and any special events you have planned at the center.

Fall Inspiration

Harvest themes: Fall is a great season to spotlight. You could focus on autumn festivals, farmers’ markets, and even tailgating tips for football games. Include a seasonal recipe or two featuring pumpkins and apples.
Crafts and hobbies: Feature DIY projects for fall decorations or knitting patterns for warm accessories.
Preparations for winter: Share tips on preparing homes for the colder months, including home maintenance reminders and tips for having the car serviced before cold weather.

Winter Ideas

Holiday celebrations: Highlight planned gatherings at the senior center, along with stories about how different cultures celebrate the holidays. You could also offer suggestions for celebrating the holidays with the grandkids.
Staying active: Spotlight activities to help people stay fit when they’re stuck indoors during bad weather, such as chair yoga, resistance exercises, or online dance classes.
Reflective stories: Encourage seniors to share memories or traditions associated with the season, as well as ideas for ushering in the new year. These can all foster a sense of nostalgia and community.

Finally, bookmark and utilize websites that spotlight weekly or monthly events and awareness designations, such as Crestline or the National Day Calendar .

Explore Newsletter Services With LPi

LPi offers a range of newsletter solutions tailored to your unique needs. We encourage you to contact us to discuss how we can help your senior center launch or fine-tune an existing newsletter!

For more newsletter inspiration, visit the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

Recognizing Volunteers: How to Feature Volunteers in Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:33:28 GMT

Volunteers are the heart of any community organization, and senior centers are no exception. They bring warmth, energy, and invaluable skills. Recognizing their efforts in your senior center newsletter not only shows your appreciation, but can also inspire others to get involved.

Vaguely asking people to volunteer can be a little risky. The uncertainty of what kind of work there is out there might make people a little hesitant to contact you to find out the details. By sharing the stories of specific volunteers and how they support your organization, however, you make it easier for others to picture themselves helping.

One effective way to accomplish this is to feature volunteers in your senior center’s newsletter . Here are a few tips for getting started.

Promoting Your Volunteer Program in Your Newsletter

Establish a “Volunteer Spotlight” section
Create a dedicated “Volunteer Spotlight” section in each edition of your newsletter. Use this space to highlight one or two volunteers, sharing their backgrounds, motivations for volunteering, and their specific contributions to your organization.

A standard format to use might be:
First name and photo: Start with a photo of the volunteer alongside their name or nickname.
Background: Share a brief biography: Where are they from? What do they do outside of volunteering? What led them to volunteer?
Involvement: Describe what the volunteer does at the senior center — activities they lead, services they provide, or special projects they’ve been involved in.
Personal quote: Include a quote from the volunteer about why they enjoy their work and how they benefit from sharing their time and talent. This personal touch can resonate with readers and foster a sense of connection.
Obtain testimonials from senior center members
Gather testimonials from seniors who have benefited from the contributions of your volunteers. These stories help to illustrate the positive impact that volunteers have on your community, and their testimonials can be powerful motivators for others to follow in their footsteps.
Highlight volunteer achievements
Recognizing specific achievements is a great way to celebrate volunteers. For instance, if a volunteer led a successful event or initiated a new program, share details in your newsletter. You could also commemorate milestones, such as number of hours logged or yearly service anniversaries.
Create a “Volunteer of the Year” program
Each year, consider selecting a “Volunteer of the Year” and dedicating a feature to them in your newsletter. This could coincide with a larger event, like National Volunteer Week . Share an in-depth look at their story, such as their contributions over the years and the impact they’ve made on your center. An accompanying awards ceremony or presentation during a community event can enhance the recognition and make yet another great newsletter article.
Encourage volunteer input
Invite volunteers to contribute to the newsletter themselves. They can write about their experiences first-hand or share tips for others interested in volunteering. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and encourages more volunteers to engage with the newsletter.
Share volunteer opportunities
Feature a section on upcoming volunteer opportunities in your senior center. By showcasing how others can get involved, you not only recognize current volunteers but also invite new ones to join the team. Clearly outline the roles available and any training or orientation sessions coming up. You can find plenty of graphics calling for volunteers in WeCreate, our library of graphics and content.
Acknowledge contributions
In addition to featuring volunteer spotlights, consider adding a “Thank You Corner” in your newsletter. This can be a short but heartfelt section that acknowledges the contributions of all volunteers, offering a warm reminder of how vital their support is to the organization’s mission. This simple gesture not only shows appreciation but also strengthens the connection between volunteers and the impact they help achieve.
Growing Community Through Volunteer Outreach
If you’ve been struggling to grow your volunteer force numbers, we hope featuring and promoting your program in your newsletter will yield positive results. If you want to learn more about why a successful volunteer program can help create awareness for your senior center, How Volunteer Recruitment Can Ignite Community Involvement is a good article you’ll likely find helpful.

For more inspiration for your senior center, head over to the “Senior Centers” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

Tips for Spotlighting Special Guests and Keynote Speakers in Your Newsletters

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 18:18:47 GMT

Whether your senior center or community organization is planning a big event with a variety of speakers or a series of educational workshops, you might be wondering how to get the word out. The competition for people’s time is significant, both in terms of generating awareness and encouraging registrations. One avenue for building interest is to feature your upcoming keynote speakers and guests in your newsletter.

Highlighting keynote speakers and guests in your agency newsletter is a strategic way to engage your audience and enhance the overall appeal of your content. But doing this in a way that attracts and engages your readership can be tricky.

Speaker biographies can be dull — if you just publish the bios, your readers likely won’t give them more than a cursory glance. If you spend a little time learning more about each of these upcoming guests, however, you can make these profiles worth reading. Here are some effective tips to ensure these features stand out and resonate with your readers.

The Best Ways to Highlight Keynote Speakers and Presenters in Your Communications

Craft compelling biographies
Start with well-crafted biographies that capture the essence of each speaker or guest. Highlight their achievements, unique perspectives, and relevance to your audience. Use engaging language that paints a vivid picture of who they are. Instead of simply listing credentials, share anecdotes or key moments that showcase their personality and expertise. This approach not only informs but also connects with readers on a more personal level.

Utilize visual elements
Incorporate high-quality images of the speakers or guests. Visuals are powerful tools that draw attention and create a connection. Consider using candid shots, professional headshots, or images from previous events. Infographics can also be effective, summarizing key points about their background or contributions in a visually appealing manner. A clean and organized newsletter layout can help highlight these visuals without overwhelming the reader.

Feature video clips
If you offer a digital version of your newsletter, try to include short video clips of keynote speeches or interviews. Videos provide a dynamic way to showcase the speaker’s charisma and style, making them more relatable and memorable. This multimedia approach caters to different learning preferences and can significantly increase engagement. Just ensure that the videos are brief, ideally around one to two minutes, to maintain the reader’s attention.

Include quotes and key takeaways
Pull out impactful quotes or key takeaways from the speakers’ past presentations. This not only emphasizes their expertise but also provides immediate value to the reader. Consider creating a “Quote of the Month” section featuring these insights, which can inspire and provoke thought among your audience. Additionally, summarizing their main points can give readers a taste of what to expect, further piquing their interest.

Create a Q&A section
Incorporate a short Q&A segment to pose relevant questions to the speakers or guests prior to the event. This interactive approach allows them to share insights that might not be covered in their biographies or speeches. Choose questions that reflect the interests of your audience, ensuring that the responses are both informative and engaging. This format also adds a personal touch, allowing readers to feel connected to the speakers.

Highlight each speaker’s relevance
Make a clear connection between the speaker’s expertise and the interests of your audience. Explain why their insights matter in today’s context, whether its addressing trends related to your organization’s mission, personal development, or innovations in health and wellness. This contextual framing not only boosts the speaker’s credibility but also reinforces the value of your newsletter, showing that you prioritize relevant content.

Encourage audience interaction
Finally, foster a sense of community by encouraging readers to engage with the speakers or guests. Invite them to submit questions for an upcoming event or participate in polls related to the speaker’s topic. This not only increases engagement but also makes your audience feel valued and involved in the conversation. Additionally, this can be great insight to share with your planned speakers prior to the event.

More Ways to Promote Community Events

If you are looking for a few more ideas for spreading the word about a speaker series or event, we have a few you might find helpful. Visit Creating a Promotional Calendar for Your Community Events for more suggestions!

Don’t forget — our free, ad-supported, print and digital newsletter service for nonprofits like yours comes with a professional redesign of your layout (or fresh new design if you don’t already have a newsletter)! Learn more about how we can elevate your communication with your members on our website.

Updated 11-07-2025

Covering Past Events: Tips for Writing Engaging Recaps

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:24:13 GMT

Using your senior center newsletter to help build bonds with your neighbors and greater community often yields great results. People like to read about local activities and look through the photos of recent events. It helps them feel a sense of connectedness, especially when they recognize some of the faces in the images.

Whether you’re reviewing a concert or musical performance, sharing highlights of a community meeting, or just writing a summary of an event, your goal is to capture the essence of the event. However, even for the most experienced writers, striking the right voice and tone can be a struggle.

If you or your team is having difficulty mastering these stories, these tips can help you craft a compelling read.

How to Write Recap Stories for Your Newsletter

Understand your audience
Before you start writing, consider who your audience is. Are they attendees of an educational workshop, looking for a refresher? Or are they people who missed the event entirely? Think about who you are targeting and tailor your language and depth of detail accordingly. For example, if you’re writing for attendees, you might focus on key takeaways and personal anecdotes. For those who couldn’t attend, provide more context about the event and its significance.

Begin with a hook
People are bombarded with information on all fronts, from social media to the ads on grocery store carts. That’s why it’s important to begin your recap with an engaging opening that captures the reader’s attention. This could be an intriguing quote from a speaker, a surprising statistic, or a vivid description of the venue. A strong hook sets the tone and encourages people to continue reading your summary.

Focus on key moments
Identify the highlights of the event. What were the standout moments? This could include powerful speeches, memorable performances, or significant announcements. By focusing on these key moments, you help readers grasp the overall impact of the event without overwhelming them with every detail. If you’d like to share more details, consider creating a new post for your blog and linking to it in the recap. That allows readers an avenue for learning more without losing those who just want to see the basics covered.

Use a clear structure
A well-organized recap is easy to read and understand. And a clear structure is generally the best way to keep a reader’s attention, especially if they are reading online. Consider including the following sections:
Introduction: Briefly introduce the event, its purpose, and its importance.
Body: Delve into key moments, including anecdotes and quotes. If the recap is lengthy, use subheadings to break up sections.
Conclusion: Summarize the event’s main takeaways and possibly hint at future events or actions inspired by the occasion.

Incorporate quotes and anecdotes
Quotes from speakers or attendees can lend authenticity and depth to your event summary. They capture the atmosphere and emotion of the day, making your writing more relatable. Anecdotes about personal experiences can also engage readers, helping them feel a connection to the event, even if they weren’t present.

Add context and background information
Providing context helps your readers better understand the event. This might include information about the speakers, the history of the occasion, or current issues that relate to the themes discussed. This background can help frame the event within a larger narrative, making it more meaningful.

Be concise but descriptive
While it’s important to be thorough, avoid unnecessary fluff. This can be a tough balance for a writer to achieve. Aim for clarity and conciseness, ensuring that every sentence serves a purpose. Use descriptive language sparingly. Remember, vivid imagery can enhance your writing, but too much can distract from the core message.

Enhance engagement with visuals
Whether it’s a print newsletter or a digital version, break up blocks of copy with headings, images, and other graphics to prevent the eye from being overwhelmed. If possible, include images, videos, or infographics that complement your text. Visuals can provide readers with a richer understanding of the event. A well-placed photo can evoke emotion and help readers visualize the atmosphere, making your recap more engaging.

Edit and revise
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of editing. Review your recap for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy. A well-polished piece not only enhances your credibility but also improves reader engagement. Consider having someone else read it for a fresh perspective. If you don’t have someone on your team who can fill the role of editor, try using sites like Grammarly or ProWritingAid .

Consider Professional Newsletter Support

If you need some assistance with your organization’s communication efforts, one solution to consider is LPi’s newsletter service . It’s designed to support both print and digital newsletters and comes with a subscription to WeCreate , an extensive library of graphics and other content ready to be used in everything from your newsletter to your website, and even social media! Explore everything from sample newsletters to an introductory video right here on our website . Discover if our free, ad-supported newsletter service is the perfect fit for you!

Want more newsletter inspiration for your organization? Check out the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

Creating a Sense of Community Through Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 17:17:05 GMT

Using your senior center or organization’s newsletter to build a sense of community can be an effective strategy to promote engagement. A well-crafted newsletter not only informs but also inspires and connects members, which in turn helps to foster a strong communal identity.

What can you do to help your organization’s newsletter create a greater sense of community? Here are some suggestions help maximize the impact of your newsletter.

How to Maximize the Impact of Your Community Newsletter

Highlight member contributions
Spotlighting individuals within your organization can create a sense of belonging. Feature stories or interviews with members to showcase their achievements, experiences, or insights. This not only recognizes their contributions but also encourages others to share their own stories. Consider a “Member of the Month” section. By highlighting a different member in each issue, you can help foster personal connections.
Create a collaborative section
Encourage community engagement by adding a collaborative section to your newsletter. Use this space to publish articles, photos, and other updates submitted by members. You could also include a “Letters to the Editor” feature — it’s an opportunity for nonprofit agencies to share information on their mission and goals, local business leaders to discuss topics of interest to the public and more. A word of caution, though: Discourage political posts and topics that may lead to negativity and disagreements.

Need help with the design aspect of this suggestion? We provide a free, professional yearly redesign of our customer’s newsletters. To learn more about our free ad-supported newsletter service for nonprofits like yours, head over to our website.
Share upcoming events and activities
Keeping members informed about upcoming events is vital for building community. Consider adding a neighborhood calendar page to your newsletter to promote social gatherings, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Highlighting these activities encourages participation and provides members with chances to connect face-to-face. If you want to have ready-to-use professionally designed graphics at your fingertips to promote events, check out WeCreate. Our extensive library of content has graphics and flyer templates created for organizations like yours for just about any event you can think of. WeCreate even has blank calendars to customize and drop right into your newsletter!
Feature community resources and support
The digital version of your newsletter can also serve as a valuable resource hub. Share articles, guides, and external resources relevant to your community’s interests. Highlight local businesses or organizations that align with your mission, especially those who may already advertise inside your newsletter, fostering a sense of solidarity and support. By positioning your newsletter as a go-to source for information and resources, you strengthen the community bond.
Celebrate milestones and achievements
Recognizing milestones — both organizational and individual — is another great way to promote a sense of community. Celebrate anniversaries, accomplishments, and fundraising goals in your newsletter. Include a section for member achievements, like promotions, awards, or personal milestones. Celebrations boost positivity and remind members they are part of a collective journey. Include a contact person’s name and email address in the newsletter to make it easy for the public to share their achievements.
Cultivate a welcoming voice
The voice of your newsletter should reflect the values of your community. Use inclusive language that resonates with your audience. A warm, approachable tone can make readers feel more connected and eager to engage. Personal anecdotes, humor, and storytelling can humanize your content, making it relatable and inviting. Encourage readers to send you suggestions for topics to write about, future events you could host, and even their favorite funny memes.
Utilize visuals
Incorporate visuals such as photos, infographics, and illustrations to enhance your newsletter’s appeal. Visuals can capture attention and convey messages more effectively than text alone. Share images from events, member highlights, or community projects to create a vibrant, engaging experience. When your readers see photos of people they know in your newsletter, you are much more likely to gain their interest.
Analyze and adjust
Make a habit of regularly assessing the effectiveness of your newsletter. For a digital version, it’s somewhat easier to do. You can use analytics tools to track open rates, click-through rates, and engagement levels. For the print version, consider including quarterly surveys to understand what resonates most. Adapt your content and strategies based on the feedback you receive to ensure your newsletter continues to serve its purpose effectively.

Contact LPi for Newsletter Support

Whether your organization is just starting a newsletter or rethinking an existing one, LPi can help. We offer assistance with both print and digital newsletters. Contact us today to learn more!

Updated 11-07-2025

20 Ideas for the Best Community and Nonprofit Merch

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 17:17:40 GMT

Nonprofit merchandise can be a fantastic way to foster community spirit, celebrate your organization’s milestones, and make your members proud. Before you rush into creating a collection of branded items, it’s crucial to ensure your nonprofit’s logo and overall branding are polished and professional. A well- designed logo is more than just an image — it’s the visual identity of your organization. Your logo is what people will associate with your mission, values, and community. Without an intentional brand, any merchandise you create may fail to leave a lasting impression.

Why Branding Matters for Your Nonprofit

Your brand represents the story you tell and the connection you create with your members and extended community. It goes beyond the logo, encompassing your color scheme, fonts, and overall visual style. When your brand is consistent and professional, it becomes more meaningful. Members are more likely to proudly wear or use “merch” that looks thoughtfully designed rather than rushed or, even worse, outdated.

Before printing your logo on mugs, t-shirts, or any other items, ask yourself: does your brand reflect the values and mission of your organization? Is it appealing and modern? If not, it might be worth refreshing your logo to ensure it resonates with your current and future community. Once you’re confident in your brand, you’re ready to create merchandise that truly makes an impact!

How to Create Customizable Merch

Leverage Local Resources — First, check if any local businesses in your community are involved in custom printing maybe they are already advertising in your newsletter . Building relationships with nearby vendors not only strengthens your ties with the local economy, but also allows you to collaborate with people who understand your mission and the people you serve.
Choose Ethical Partners — It’s important to select companies that align with your mission. Ensure the products you’re purchasing are ethically sourced and produced by workers treated fairly. Consider the environmental impact of your choices as well — sustainable materials and practices reflect your commitment to stewardship for your community.
Make it Meaningful — Remember, your organization’s merch isn’t just about slapping a logo on random objects. Choose items that reflect your mission, events, and community involvement. Personalized and thoughtfully selected merch fosters deeper connections between the people who call your community home.

Now that you’ve refined your branding, let's dive into 20 fresh merchandise ideas that can help you share your mission with pride:

Top 20 Nonprofit Merchandise Ideas

Branded Apparel (T-shirts, Hoodies) — A timeless classic that offers members something cozy and stylish to wear.
Reusable Tote Bags — Perfect for carrying books or a change of clothes for the gym, these are a sustainable alternative to plastic bags.
Insulated Coffee Tumblers — Keep your drinks hot or cold while you’re on the go, all while sporting your logo.
Ceramic Mugs — For the morning coffee or tea drinker who wants to start the day with a reminder of their community.
Baseball Caps or Beanies — Great for any outdoor events, not just yours!
Eco-Friendly Water Bottles — Promote hydration and sustainability with stylish, reusable bottles.
Keychains — A small, practical token that members can carry with them daily.
Stickers — Stickers are often one of the most popular merch options for members of any organization! Stick them anywhere to advertise your awesome nonprofit!
Greeting Cards & Bookmarks — Beautiful designs that members can send in the mail or while reading their favorite books.
Holiday Ornaments — Unique decorations for people to use during a variety of holidays, you can find ornaments and decorations for almost any occasion!
Calendars — Featuring key dates for your events, celebrations, and inspiring messages for the year ahead.
Lawn Signs — Great for promoting your events or supporting community initiatives.
Reusable Grocery Bags — Durable and eco-friendly, perfect for members who love shopping local.
Custom Journals and Notebooks — Encourage members to reflect or take notes during events.
Dog Bandanas — Fun, personalized bandanas for member’s pets, celebrating all creatures great and small!
Canvas Art Prints — Images of your community, events, campus, or even encouraging quotes to brighten member’s homes.
Socks — Keep it fun with cozy socks featuring your logo.
Window Decals — Subtle yet effective, these removable clings can be placed on car windows or home windows to show member pride or even advertise specific events.
Car Flags — A fun way for members to display their pride on the go. These can be used for special events, parades, or simply to show ongoing support while driving around town.
Custom Aprons — Ideal for events like picnics, bake sales, or any occasion where meals are shared.

Remember, when it comes to merchandise, the key is to stay true to your organization’s identity. Make sure your branding is intentional and professional, and select items that reflect the heart of your community. Whether for fundraising, gifts, or outreach, these items will keep your nonprofit’s mission front and center while building connections that last.

Don’t know where to start? Feel lost when it comes to design and communications? We can help!

LPi offers communication resources to organizations like yours to aid with everything for your website, newsletters, other publications, and even branding. We love bringing your organization and your mission to life.

Updated 03-05-2026

The Power of Personal Stories and How to Feature Them in Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 15:06:03 GMT

Marketing and advertising industries often focus their attention on youth, beauty, and the latest trends. We see it everywhere, from ads on Facebook to print campaigns in local newspapers. This often results in the faces and voices of older adults going unseen and unheard. However, seniors’ stories and life lessons hold immense value.

First, they can provide potential new members of your senior center with images and tales they can relate to. Older adults might feel more confident attending events and activities when they see and hear the stories of people like them. Sharing these stories can not only help your target audience feel connected, but also demonstrate their resilience, culture, and history to the community at large.

Your senior center’s community-facing newsletters can be an excellent avenue to showcase these narratives. Here are a few tips to effectively incorporate the personal stories of senior citizens into your community newsletter.

Senior Center Marketing: Building Awareness Through Storytelling

Identify your storytellers
Before reaching out to any seniors you’d like to include in your newsletters, think about the focus of the stories you want to feature. You could explore themes such as life lessons, historical events, or hobbies. Another option might be to feature experiences during different periods of time, such as the Great Depression or World War II.

To elicit genuine stories, it’s crucial to talk with older adults you trust. They may be people who are already members of your senior center or those you are hoping will join. Take the time to introduce the topic and fully explain your intent. Assure them that their stories will be told respectfully and thoughtfully. Building this rapport will encourage them to open up and share more meaningful insights.

Conduct thoughtful interviews
Once you’ve identified potential storytellers, it’s time to prepare for interviews. If you’ve never done this before, it might seem a little daunting. The key is to be organized and to approach these conversations with empathy and curiosity. Using open-ended questions typically allows people to express themselves freely, such as:
What is your fondest childhood memory?
Can you share an experience that changed your perspective on life?
What advice would you give to younger generations?

Listen attentively and encourage them to elaborate on their experiences. Take notes or record the conversation (with permission) to ensure accuracy when writing.

Create meaningful engagement
After collecting stories, it’s time to write and develop visuals. Aim to transform raw interviews into compelling narratives. Start with an engaging hook that captures the reader’s attention, and use vivid descriptions and quotes to bring the story to life. Highlight emotions, lessons learned, and the impact of those experiences.

For example, instead of writing “She lived through the Great Depression,” paint a picture of the situation. You could write “At the tender age of 10, Ruth stood in line for hours, clutching her mother’s hand, waiting for a loaf of bread that would sustain them through the week.” This draws readers into the experience, making it relatable and impactful.

Complement your written stories with visuals. Photographs of seniors in their youth or at family gatherings, or that illustrate moments related to their stories, can create a more immersive experience for readers. If possible, encourage seniors to share these images and provide captions that explain their significance. If you don’t have original images at your fingertips, consider a content library with graphics and stock photos like WeCreate, designed specifically to assist centers like yours with communication tools.

Consider Regular Newsletter Features
Think about creating a regular column dedicated to senior stories or organizing themed editions that focus on specific experiences or milestones in their lives. This consistency can help build anticipation among readers and create a space where seniors feel comfortable sharing their narratives.

Remember, incorporating the personal stories of senior citizens into your community newsletter is a powerful way to celebrate their contributions and highlight wisdom. By capturing their narratives, you honor their experiences while fostering connections at the same time.

If you need assistance creating a newsletter you feel confident will represent your senior center positively in the community, we encourage you to learn more about our newsletter services or contact our team. We’re always happy to help!

For more content about crafting the perfect newsletter for your community, visit the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Incorporate Contests and Challenges into Your Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:00:38 GMT

Publishing an engaging newsletter for your senior center is a great way to improve community interaction and participation. One avenue for making it a little livelier is to incorporate contests and challenges regularly. Not only do these types of activities foster a sense of excitement, but they also promote socialization and healthy competition among seniors.

Here are a few ideas for including contests and challenges in your senior center newsletter.

Choose the Right Type of Contest or Challenge

The first step is to decide what types of contests or challenges will be most popular with both your current members and your target audience in the community. Getting your team together to brainstorm can help generate ideas. A few suggestions to help you start are:

Art contests: Encourage older adults at your senior center (or the community at large) to submit artwork, poetry, short stories, or any other types of creative work. You can feature them in an upcoming newsletter and ask people to vote for their favorites.
Trivia challenges: Develop trivia questions related to history, popular culture, or even the senior center’s history or that of your town. These can be both fun and educational and may even spark memories that lead to reminiscing. Post questions in your newsletter and have people answer online or drop off their responses in a box set up at the center.
Photo contests: Invite seniors to submit photos around a specific theme, such as “Cutest baby picture” or “Nature’s beauty.” You can feature them in the newsletter and maybe even in a display at the center. Ask people to vote for their top three and watch your engagement soar!
Fitness challenges: Organize a challenge in which participants track the steps they take over a specified period of time, such as a week or a month. Include in your newsletter all the details on how to join the challenge, as well as any prizes that will be awarded. You can utilize your social media throughout the contest to encourage people to keep moving.

Determine and (Clearly Communicate!) Contest Rules

Once you’ve chosen the type of contest, it’s essential to set very specific guidelines for each type of challenge you undertake. This ensures everyone understands how to participate and what is expected. A few factors to consider are:

Eligibility: Specify who can enter. Is the contest only for members of the senior center or for specific age groups, or is it open to all?
Submission details: Clearly communicate how and where participants can submit their entries, and be sure to include deadlines.
Judging criteria: Explain how entries will be judged. Will it be by a panel of staff, a voting system among members, or a combination of both? Once you’ve decided, make sure to share that information with your contestants.
Prizes: To motivate participation and make the contest more fun, consider offering small prizes such as gift cards, certificates, or even a featured profile in the next newsletter. Be sure to connect with area businesses that might be interested in donating raffle baskets or other items because of the publicity they will gain.

Highlight Past Participation and Winners

Create a section in your senior center newsletter dedicated to showcasing entries and winners from past contests, as well as other challenges coming up. Include photos and quotes from winners and participants, as spotlighting participation may encourage others to join in future challenges. Check out some ideas to consider for flyers and graphics for whatever you dream up next!

Pro-tip: Use this space to ask for feedback from participants. What did they enjoy? What could be improved? Do they have any ideas for future contests? Your team can then utilize this information to refine future contests, ensuring they remain appealing and relevant to your audience.

Make Your Newsletters Shine

If you need more ideas and inspiration to improve the visual appearance of your community newsletter, LPi can help. In the Art & Content section of our website , you’ll find everything you’ll need to be successful, from banners and clip art to photography!

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Organize a Volunteer Recruiting Campaign For Your Organization

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:14:35 GMT

Volunteers often play a crucial role in supporting the operation of senior centers and other nonprofit organizations. Not only do they help with events and routine tasks, but they can also help generate awareness about the organization within the local community. If you’ve been thinking about putting together a volunteer recruitment campaign, we have some tips you might find useful. We’ll start by outlining a solid plan and end with making certain you take time to thank your volunteers regularly. Now, let’s dive in.

How to Organize a Volunteer Recruiting Campaign

With careful planning and execution, you’ll likely attract people who believe in your cause and are willing to support your organization. Plenty of evidence shows that when volunteers share their time and talent, they receive as much as they give. Both the senior center and the volunteers benefit from the partnership.

Here’s an overview of the steps you should take to organize an effective campaign:

Define your goals and objectives
Before launching your campaign, clearly define what you want to achieve. Outline specific objectives, such as recruiting a certain number of volunteers to assist with particular jobs. By clearly understanding your goals, you’ll be more likely to create a successful campaign strategy.
Determine your target audience
Identify who your ideal volunteers are based on your organization’s needs. Consider demographics such as age, profession, interests, and skills. Tailor your outreach strategies to this audience. For example, if you need a tech-savvy volunteer to teach a basic computer class and another to help answer phones, target places or online platforms where people with these talents are active.
Craft compelling messages
Create messaging that clearly communicates why people should volunteer with your organization. Highlight the benefits for volunteers, such as developing skills, expanding their social network, and making a meaningful difference. Use storytelling to illustrate the experiences of current volunteers or those who have benefited from your programs.
Develop a recruitment plan
Once you have an idea of who you are targeting and what you’d like to say, it’s time to outline a more detailed plan. Give thought to how you might want to reach people. For example, do you want to use social media, make visits to nearby senior living communities, or place ads in your local newspaper? You’ll also need to create marketing collaterals, such as flyers and postcards. Finally, consider hosting a volunteer recruiting fair. Ask current volunteers to attend and offer entertainment and refreshments.
Simplify the application process
Make it easy for individuals to express interest in volunteering. On all your promotional materials, provide a clear call to action directing people to an online volunteer application form or your organization’s contact information. Ensure the application process is straightforward and can be accessed from both desktop and mobile devices.
Measure success and make adjustments
Monitor the effectiveness of your campaign by tracking metrics such as the number of applications received, conversion rates, and volunteer retention rates. Analyze which strategies yielded the best results and adjust your approach accordingly for future campaigns.
Show your appreciation
Lastly, make certain you have a solid volunteer appreciation program in place. Celebrate milestones along the way, acknowledge them in newsletters or social media posts, and provide ongoing support and training opportunities. If your budget permits, have a year-end volunteer appreciation event or get your volunteers some swag or a special volunteering gift!

Consider WeCreate for Your Volunteer Recruitment Marketing Needs

If you choose to create flyers, postcards, social media posts, or other collaterals for your volunteer recruitment campaign, we encourage you to explore the LPi WeCreate library of content. It’s a cost-effective solution that is easy to use, even for those with no design skills! You will find thousands of professionally designed graphics, flyer templates, stock photos, and more. Using a content library like WeCreate will free up your time to focus on actual volunteer engagement!

Updated 11-07-2025

How Your Newsletter Can Reach Seniors Through Their Adult Children

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:56:23 GMT

Adult children of seniors often play a pivotal role in their parents’ lives. They may help senior loved ones manage their health and personal care needs, assist with household tasks, and encourage them to maintain social lives. Many times, it’s the adult child’s influence that persuades aging parents to make important decisions they might otherwise put off.

If your organization is trying to connect with seniors, it often helps to also engage their family members. When trying to capture the attention of your senior’s adult children — who are likely busy juggling careers, families, and more — an effective method of engagement is through a community newsletter. Newsletters that provide relevant, informative, and engaging content can be delivered directly to an adult child’s email inbox or printed and sent to their home where they can dive in on their own time.

Newsletter Content Strategy for Connecting with Adult Children

Include This Content

Determine Relevant Topics
Think about what types of content will be of interest to several generations of a family. A few topics you might want to consider are:
Health and wellness: Articles offering tips for successful aging, managing chronic conditions, and promoting mental well-being might be useful. Include advice from local experts or personal stories that resonate with both seniors and their adult children. For example, showcase how a senior and their adult child attend Wednesday chair yoga or volunteer at special events together at your center.
Spotlight community events: Another idea is to highlight upcoming events, workshops, and social gatherings the adult child and senior could enjoy together; it can be a great bonding experience. And, don’t forget to share photos of past events so they can read about those, too.
Incorporate educational content: Offer practical articles on financial planning, legal matters, and senior transportation options. Adult children often seek advice on these topics to support their parents effectively. These pieces of content are great opportunities to invite local experts to write for your newsletter.

Be Mindful of Writing Style and Tone

What you say and how you say it is a factor in how many people will read your newsletter. A few goals to set for your project might be:

Keep it clear and accessible: Use simple language and avoid jargon to ensure the newsletter is easy to read for all audiences.
Express empathy and support: Adopt a compassionate tone that acknowledges the challenges and joys of aging, and the role adult children play in seniors’ lives. Offer practical solutions and resources without being overly clinical or patronizing.
Be inclusive: Recognize the diversity within your local community. Feature stories and photos from different cultural backgrounds and family dynamics.

Create a Thoughtful Design and Layout

In a crowded inbox or mailbox, your newsletter must attract attention so it isn’t overlooked. Some tips for achieving this are:

Use your brand: Your organization will benefit from a clear and concise brand. Your audience should quickly recognize you from the colors and fonts you choose as well as by your logo. Never underestimate the power of branding! If you need help creating a brand for your organization or even simply refreshing an old logo, we can help!
Visual appeal: Use a clean, reader-friendly newsletter layout with readable fonts and ample white space. Incorporate images of seniors participating in activities or enjoying community events to visually connect with readers.
Navigability: Organize content into sections with clear headings and subheadings, and include a table of contents or summary at the beginning for easy navigation. Get more tips inside our recent article: 9 Design Tips to take Your Newsletter From Good to GREAT!
Digital accessibility: Your newsletter should be distributed as both a print newsletter and digitally. Having both options will help you capture a more robust audience and also give your readers a chance to revisit the newsletter in whatever format is more convenient for them. Newsletters made with LPi have excellent print and digital options. Learn more about our newsletter services here.

Promote and Encourage Engagement

Adult children often worry that an aging parent is spending too much time at home alone. Your organization can be a great solution for addressing that concern. Keep in mind the following ways to encourage family members to get involved and turn them into ambassadors for your organization:

Welcoming call to action: Make sure your content is welcoming and that it invites adult children to subscribe to the newsletter and share it with others who might benefit. Include links to social media pages or a dedicated website for additional resources.
Feedback loop: Invite readers to submit questions, suggestions for future topics, or personal stories. Acknowledge and respond to feedback to foster a sense of community involvement.
Recognition: In each issue, highlight people who are contributing to your organization’s success, whether they’re staff or volunteers. This can motivate others to participate.

Consider Distribution and Outreach

Reaching adult children and seniors can be a challenge. Here are a few things to consider:

Use a multichannel approach: Besides email, consider distributing print copies in locations that may be frequented by adult children, such as coffee shops, libraries, and popular community organizations. Be sure to utilize social media platforms and websites to reach a wider audience.
Collaborate: Partner with local businesses, healthcare providers, or service organizations to sponsor or promote the newsletter . This can help increase your budget for the project and expand your reach among adult children. In fact, LPi’s newsletter services are often FREE for our partnering organizations because they are supported by ads that are purchased by the local businesses who already champion your community.

So, if you’re ready to transform your newsletter into something readers of all ages will love, look no further! We offer a budget-friendly way to create top-notch content that informs and engages your audience while simultaneously communicates your unique mission. Let’s make your newsletters shine!

Updated 11-07-2025

Scaling Your Organization's Impact with Outsourced Marketing Solutions

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:36:04 GMT

There’s no getting around it — since the rise of digital communication, especially social media, marketing has become increasingly complex. With options ranging from Facebook and Instagram to Google ads and email newsletters , creating and implementing an integrated marketing plan can feel overwhelming. But, when it comes to connecting with your target audience, effective marketing is a necessity — not a luxury.

The challenge for busy senior center staff can be navigating how to allocate resources to handle all these tasks. Smaller organizations are rarely able to build robust marketing strategies completely in-house. This is where outsourcing marketing services can play a pivotal role.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Marketing Tasks

Here are a few ways that finding outside marketing support can help your in-house staff better achieve their goals.

Frees up more time for your mission
Outsourcing some, or all, of your marketing efforts allows your in-house team to remain focused on their own responsibilities. Your staff members can spend more time working on community outreach, event planning, and other important goals. This not only improves operational efficiency but also enables teams to spend more time building closer relationships with visitors, members, and the community at large.
Takes advantage of expert knowledge
By outsourcing marketing, teams can tap into a pool of specialized expertise that may not be available internally. Marketing agencies and consultants often bring years of experience, along with updated knowledge of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. This expertise extends beyond basic marketing principles to include niche skills, such as SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay-per-click advertising) , content marketing, and social media management. By leveraging this expertise, you’ll likely achieve better results in a shorter time frame.
Reduces marketing costs
For many senior centers, hiring and maintaining full-time, in-house marketing staff can be prohibitively expensive. Outsourcing marketing services is a cost-effective alternative, as you’ll only pay for the specific services your team needs, when you need them. This eliminates overhead costs associated with full-time salaries, benefits, training, and equipment. Outsourcing also allows you to scale marketing efforts up or down based on needs, ensuring flexibility and optimized budget allocation.
Gives you access to advanced technologies
Marketing agencies and consultants often invest in state-of-the-art tools, software, and analytics platforms to enhance their service offerings. By outsourcing, teams gain access to these advanced technologies without the upfront costs or learning curve needed to implement them in-house. These tools enable better targeting, tracking, and optimization of marketing campaigns, giving your team valuable insights into consumer behavior and campaign performance. You’ll be able to more easily determine which tactics are working and which ones need to be adjusted or discontinued.
Offers fresh perspectives
External marketing professionals bring fresh perspectives and creative innovation to the table. Working with different clients across diverse industries exposes agencies to a wide range of challenges and opportunities, fostering creativity and outside-the-box thinking. This can inject new life into your marketing strategies. By embracing innovation, outsourcing enables teams to stay ahead of competitors and capitalize on emerging trends.

Explore Marketing Services with LPi

LPi offers a range of solutions tailored to your needs. We help nonprofits like yours effectively communicate their mission through:

We invite you to contact us to learn how we can support your organization’s needs!

Updated 11-07-2025

Visual Magic — How to Elevate Your Senior Center's Newsletters, Marketing, and Social Media

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:47:25 GMT

These days, most of us are bombarded with marketing and advertising messages at every turn, from grocery store carts to social media ads. It can be tough for senior centers and community organizations to be noticed. But your center also has a unique advantage: being able to tell stories.

The seniors who attend your meals, events, and activities provide you with visuals that other industries struggle to obtain. They can make all the difference in helping your messaging stand out from the crowd.

So, how can you incorporate more visuals into your marketing and outreach efforts? We have a few ideas we think you’ll find useful.

Engaging Seniors Through Visual Marketing

When it comes to visuals in marketing, most of us likely think of pictures. And while they are important, there are other visual elements to consider, too.

Images: This is the most popular and easiest option for incorporating visuals into your collaterals. Just make sure the event photos you feature are appropriate and flattering to all.
Quotes: Another easy way to add interest to your social media pages or print materials is to create a graphic that highlights a quote. It could be an inspirational quote or a few words from a staff member, volunteer, or visitor.
Memes: Depending on where you want to add visual interest, a meme might be a solution. You could launch a #FridayFunny hashtag on your Facebook page and post an entertaining meme at the end of each week. Or you could add a cartoon or two to every issue of your print newsletter. Just be sure you are aware of copyright laws so you don’t run into any legal issues.
Videos: Next to photos, videos have become one of the most popular forms of visual marketing. You’ll find them in use everywhere, from Amazon to your local hospital. Don’t think your videos have to be sleek and professional to be successful. There are many inexpensive ideas for adding video to your marketing. You might interview people who volunteer at your center or livestream an art workshop or musical program. You could even post a video of your center director inviting people to an event. Share links or directions for finding your video library in relevant print publications.
Infographics: While not as popular as they once were, these can still be a good way to engage people. They provide you with an opportunity to pair a little written content with clip art or other images that work together to tell one big story.

Finally, remember that every visual you put out there represents your center. So give careful thought to what you share or create before you publish it.

WeCreate Digital Library for Content Needs

From clip art to social media images and stock photography, WeCreate, LPi’s library of digital content, is a great resource for all of your center’s visual communication needs. It’s an easy-to-use and affordable option, especially for community and senior centers with small teams. Contact us today with questions about the process and pricing!

Updated 11-07-2025

Top Tips for How to Captivate a Senior Audience in Your Communications

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:55:53 GMT

Staying connected and engaged with your audience is important whatever your line of business, and that includes senior centers and community centers. While most organizations have a core group of members and visitors who always show up, there are likely others who are interested but not yet as invested. You might be able to change that by finding creative ways to stay top of mind (TOM) with them.

With TOM advertising and marketing practices, your goal is to remind your target audience of upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and other reasons they should visit — in ways that don’t leave them feeling annoyed or oversold. To help you avoid that trap, we’ve assembled a list of ideas. You can work a few of these into your integrated marketing plans each quarter.

Staying Engaged with Your Senior Center Audience

Send seasonal recipes: If your senior center is like many, meals are one of the services your members and visitors enjoy most. Pick a few recipes that are a hit with guests and have them printed up on cards with your logo. You can send them out by USPS, email them, or place them at locations popular with older adults in your community. Our library of content, WeCreate , has over 100 recipes available to get you started!
Personalized email: Depending on your team’s tech abilities, running drip marketing email campaigns every few months is another idea. It can be as simple as a graphic that coordinates with an upcoming special event or an image of a few volunteers pitching in on a project.
Print and digital newsletters: These remain one of the single best tools you can incorporate into your outreach efforts! Seniors like saving print collaterals to refer to when needed, such as to look up the date of an event or the name of a team member. And having your newsletter available digitally makes it even more accessible to your community. If you are interested in getting a newsletter started, LPi has a free ad-supported newsletter service that will provide you with design support, a content library, and more!
Local print publications: In many cities and towns, small local papers continue to be very well read. Invite staff from your local paper to attend events. If they aren’t available, offer to write stories for them, and attach photos with your submission. Another option is to buy space for what is known as an advertorial — a longer-style ad that tells a story and usually includes an image.
Handwritten notes: Many people, especially this generation of older adults, like receiving personalized, handwritten letters or notes. You can send an invitation for an upcoming event or a quick note after an event to let an older adult know you are happy they could attend.
Text messages: With permission, you can gather cell phone numbers of adults in your target audience to use in marketing. While you don’t want to abuse the privilege of having their personal information, a few text message reminders about activities or special events might help increase engagement or attendance.
Simple giveaways: Purchase giveaways with your logo and phone number on them. They don’t need to be elaborate or expensive. Small but useful items such as pens, sticky notes, measuring tape, notepads, or even nail files will likely be appreciated.
Facebook and other social media: While it can be a time-intensive task, posting on Facebook and other visual social media platforms can be another avenue for sharing your stories in a low-key manner. Make sure to post after an event and include a few photos. And if you are promoting a program or an activity people need to RSVP to attend, set it up in the Events tab with all the details and necessary links. Check out the “Web and Social Media” section of our blog for inspiration.

Let LPi Help You Share Your Message

LPi has a variety of solutions to consider, whether it’s support with print and digital newsletters, branding and design services, or launching a new website. See what we could do for you !

Updated 11-07-2025

Are You Using These Current Trends in Your Senior Center's Print Marketing?

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 16:30:34 GMT

While print marketing has been impacted by the shift to digital, print collaterals are still incredibly useful in plenty of ways. This is especially true when you are targeting an audience that includes older adults.

If you are a senior center or community center, we have a few ideas for you to consider making a part of your integrated marketing plan.

Print Marketing Trends That Connect with Older Adults

Storytelling: In a crowded media space, it takes a little more creativity to be noticed. One way to do that is with storytelling. Pick a few of your most faithful visitors and interview them. Ask them what they love about your organization and why they keep coming back. Then use those stories to create articles for your newsletters and direct mail postcards. The same strategy could work for volunteers if you are working on recruiting more. Ask those who currently donate their time and talent what benefits they receive from volunteering.
Vibrant Design: It is incredibly important to be sure that your printed material is designed well. Elements like vibrant color, professional-looking graphics, and large photographs are essential to creating the materials that will capture the attention of your audience. Try using a tool like WeCreate, our online library of art and content for both print and digital communications. Inside WeCreate, you will find stock photography, relevant graphics for any occasion, flyer templates, and even a variety of written content. Using content from WeCreate can save you time and help your designs look professional, improving your engagement.
QR codes: One disadvantage of print materials over digital is how difficult it is to incorporate links. People have become accustomed to clicking a link in a Facebook post or digital newsletter to find more details. A workaround for this is to add QR codes to all of your print materials. Platforms like QRCode Monkey or Uniqode make that easier to do.

Special Offers: If you want to get an idea of whether your print collaterals are being read, incorporate special offers into the copy. For example, add a starburst with language that encourages the reader to bring your print newsletter or direct mail postcard into the center for a free gift. It doesn’t have to be anything overly expensive — maybe a canvas tote bag or mug with your logo on it. Another idea is to have people bring the print piece to your center to be entered into a contest of some kind. Offer a more substantial prize, such as a basketful of bestselling books or grill supplies with a grocery store gift card, to make it worth the trip.

Finally, don’t overlook the strength of coordinating online marketing and advertising campaigns with print efforts. For example, if you have a large-scale special event coming up, email a drip marketing piece in addition to sending a printed flyer to your mailing list. You’ll likely receive more bang for your buck.

Solutions to Help Your Center Connect with the Community

We know that many of our colleagues who work in senior centers and community centers are part of a small team of professionals. Finding time to work on creating marketing collaterals isn’t always feasible. That’s where LPi can be of help . We offer newsletter services, free art and content, and website development to make it easy and affordable for your organization to connect and market to your target audience. Contact us today to learn more!

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Market to Older Adults on Social Media

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:26:06 GMT

As more seniors find their way to social media, it’s become a great avenue for marketing to this demographic group. Many have the time and interest to explore platforms ranging from Facebook and Instagram to Pinterest and YouTube.

While social media can be a cost effective and fun addition to your senior center’s marketing toolbox, it’s important to keep a few things in mind as you create your messaging. That’s especially true if you don’t have experience promoting products or services to an older audience. We have a few suggestions to help you make the most of your social media marketing efforts.

Connecting With Seniors Through Social Media

Promote your events and services on multiple channels
Facebook is one platform where you’ll definitely find older adults in your targeted city or town but, don’t think that’s the only social media channel seniors are utilizing . In fact, you’ll find this demographic group on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and more. It’s worth your time to learn more about each of these platforms and test how they might perform best for you.

Be mindful of your language and avoid jargon
Unlike younger demographic groups, seniors are often turned off by jargon, acronyms, and foul language on social media. As you are crafting your messages, be mindful of your language. It might even be helpful to have a few people in your target audience review your content before you post it.

Have one clear call to action
This advice holds true for any age group. Make sure that you have only one call to action (CTA) for each post and that it is clearly communicated. When you give people too many options, they may end up not taking any action at all. You should also avoid using the same CTA over and over again. Create unique ones or alternate among a series of CTAs.

Share written and visual content
It’s a popular misconception that older adults are only interested in written content. In reality, they consume all forms of content. According to AARP research, almost 60% of all seniors watch and share videos on social media. So it’s probably worth creating a few simple videos (you can just use your cell phone) to share each month. It can be as easy as a team member inviting people to an upcoming event.

Don’t forget to use an image whenever you post something that isn’t a video. Save time by using a stock image library like WeCreate that is custom curated with the needs of centers like yours in mind. Using a library of content like this, packed with images for every event and communication you can think of, will save you time designing your own graphics or taking your own photos and elevate your communications to always look attractive to your followers.

Tailor your messages to the channel
If you are new to social media marketing, it might be tempting to create a few messages to post for the week and then copy and paste them to each of your channels. While you can promote the same event or program on multiple platforms, you’ll want to tailor what you say to each audience. For example, Instagram users seem to respond more favorably to videos that have a few lines in the caption to reinforce the message. By contrast, you might have more luck on Pinterest with photos and links to your website.

Wherever you decide to post and engage on social media, we wish you all the best as you curate the perfect community for your center online!

For more social media inspiration, head on over to the Web and Social Media section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

A Checklist of Newsletter Basics for Senior Centers

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:07:08 GMT

Newsletters are an ideal way to tell the story of your senior center and share it with your target audience. Older adults are likely to appreciate a thoughtfully-designed, well-written publication—whether print or digital—that keeps them informed.

We created this checklist to make it easier for you to launch your senior center newsletter or objectively evaluate your existing newsletter. It’s full of tips that will likely help you reach and connect with older adults.

How to Make Sure Your Newsletter Is Senior-Friendly

Have you created a new cover page? You’ll want to make sure each edition of your senior center newsletter has a unique cover. This signals to readers and website visitors that this is a new issue with information they haven’t read before. Make it eye-catching so it stands out in a cluttered mailbox or inbox. Need help with your cover design? Content libraries like WeCreate have cover image options for every month to utilize as your own!

Did you select a senior-friendly font style and size? Sans serif fonts, which do not have decorative tails or tapers, are typically the most readable. They also tend to be larger in height and width. Helvetica, Frutiger, Optima, and Futura are good fonts to consider when you are targeting a population with aging eyes. For digital newsletters, explore the possibility of offering visitors the option to enlarge the font size.

I s there a strong contrast between your background and ink colors? While it might seem more fun to use bright colors for backgrounds or fonts, they can be tough on older eyes. Though it’s not as exciting, most experts say a white background with dark-colored text is best. Understanding how your color choices can impact your messaging can help you get ahead of the curve.

Is the copy broken up with headlines, extra spacing, and images? Large blocks of copy that aren’t interrupted by photos or headlines can overwhelm readers. This is especially true for people who may have some form of vision loss. So, make sure to incorporate headlines, subheads, images, and plenty of white space into your newsletters. Reader-friendly newsletter layouts are essential for reaching your audience with the information they value. In fact, organizations who print their newsletters with LPi get a layout design (or redesign) made by our professional graphic designers for free!

Did you include team member names and contact information? This is another newsletter must. You’ll want to let readers know who does what on your senior center’s team, along with details on how they can be reached. It might be as easy as creating a graphic with this information and adding it to each issue of your newsletter.

Are there personal letters or columns from team members and volunteers? Stories help connect your senior center with your desired audience. It’s one reason why letters and regular columns from key team members are so important. Encourage staff to use a conversational tone to make their pieces feel more personal.

Do you have an editor or a proofreader? One final tip is to make sure you enlist the services of an editor or experienced proofreader. It’s the best way to avoid embarrassing typos. Remember, once you publish and send a newsletter, either print or digital, there’s no going back.

Work Smarter With Newsletter Services Offered by LPi

The best way to connect with older adults and businesses in your local community is by telling the story of your senior center. Newsletters are a great way of doing that, but they can also be a time-intensive project each month for team members who are already busy. LPi’s newsletter services help solve that problem. We support organizations in producing free print and digital ad-supported newsletters!

Use the “Get in Touch” button on our Newsletter Services page to contact us and learn more.

Now that you’ve checked off everything on this list, head on over to the Newsletter Tools section of our blog and dive even deeper into everything you need to make your newsletter stand out.

Updated 11-07-2025

Empowering Communities: Tracy Earl Welliver on Best Tricks for Nonprofits

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 19:16:31 GMT

Tracy Earl Welliver, senior product director at LPi, shares insights into how his team bridges the gap between traditional print and modern digital communication to support mission-oriented organizations. With over a decade of experience at LPi, Tracy oversees a national team dedicated to empowering senior centers, municipalities, community centers and a variety of other nonprofits in their communication efforts. Join us as we delve into Tracy's journey, LPi's expansion efforts, and the vital tools LPi offers organizations nationwide.

Q. Hi Tracy! Please tell us a little about how long you’ve been with LPi and how it’s going.

A. I’ve been with LPi for 10 years now and directs sales and consulting strategy for our products in the church and senior center markets. I oversee a national team of communication consultants and so far, it’s going really well! We had our best month ever in April so it’s safe to say we’re going strong.

Q. That’s great! What makes you excited for the future?

A. Currently, I’m excited about the opportunities we have out West. At the moment, most of our senior center partners are located along the Eastern part of the United States but we have printing facilities in Dallas and Las Vegas, so we have a lot to offer the Western part of the country!

Our goal is to help as many different entities get information about their mission out to the world. Whether it be senior centers, municipalities, or community centers, we are proud of the support and services we provide and excited to continue to explore more opportunities out West. In fact, the more we grow our business, the more proficient we are in terms of printing and providing newsletters and communications solutions to our partners. So far so good!

Q. Why do print communications matter today?

A. Print communications are still incredibly important for any organization that wants to have something concrete that they can physically hand directly to someone who’s interested in what they have to offer. Printed materials, like newsletters , guarantee that you are providing information to someone in a way that doesn’t require the recipient to jump through digital hoops just to get it. It’s also true that many of our partners serve a demographic who still prefer print.

Q. How do digital communications play a role in an organization’s communication strategy?

A. The most effective communication strategy is always going to be the strategy with multiple channels. It’s important to make it easy for people to access information through whatever form is easiest for them. We make sure our partners have options by offering them digital distribution of their newsletters, our website platform, WeConnect , which is super easy to use, and easy-to-access digital content through WeCreate to make sure that it’s effortless to make all of their print and digital communications look professional. We also frequently have partners take advantage of our branding and logo services to better communicate their identity. All these services play a major role in aiding our partners to better communicate with those that they serve.

Q. What inspires you for this work? 

A. I think what’s exciting is that we are a company that works with many different nonprofits, senior centers, churches, community centers, and more, who are all mission oriented.

We love that. We want to specifically work with mission-oriented organizations — nonprofits that serve people who appreciate and rely on their services. That’s an exciting thing for us at LPi. In fact, we currently have LPi employees whose family members are served by some of the centers we partner with. It’s great because they get to experience first-hand how beneficial these organizations are to their lives and the lives of their loved ones! I love that we are a mission-oriented company exited to work with mission-oriented partners.

Q. What makes your team and coworkers stand out?
A. Our team is made up of veteran consultants, some who have been with us longer than others, but all who are highly skilled and knowledgeable. One was even a former customer of ours! We have people on our team that not only represent us well, but they do really understand and champion what we offer because they’ve been around long enough to see how powerful and effective our partnerships are. These are folks who are passionate about providing communication solutions to our partners and people we are proud to work alongside.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Tracy. We are grateful for you and your team and excited to witness your continued success at LPi!

Does the work Tracy describes in this article sound interesting to you? Explore our current job openings and discover if a career at LPi might be perfect for you.

Tips to Create a More Environmentally Friendly Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 18:59:35 GMT

Most of us want to keep our planet healthy and avoid contributing to environmental distress. For people responsible for their senior center’s or senior living community’s outreach efforts, it can be a bit of a balancing act.

We know that digital newsletters can reach a wide audience while saving paper, but what about seniors who prefer print newsletters? There's something substantial about the feel of paper between your fingers, and print newsletters serve an important role in senior center communications.

For these reasons and more, print newsletters remain popular. So, what can you do to make your newsletters environmentally friendly? We have a few suggestions that we implement with our newsletter services at LPi .

Ideas to Make Your Newsletter Kinder to the Environment

Offer digital: Don’t assume just because your target audience is older, they aren’t receptive to receiving an email version of your newsletter. Ask members what their preferences are, and stop sending print copies to those who are okay with digital only. It may help to explain that digital community outreach publications save paper, ink, and the fuel associated with delivering them. With LPi, your newsletters are automatically made available on MyCommunityOnline.com , allowing your members to sign up to receive each new issue via email.
Print on sustainable paper: Another way to make sure that your print newsletter is as kind as possible to the environment is to be mindful of what type of paper it is printed on. LPi prints using paper from an award-winning company that is certified sustainable.

Use water-based ink: As the name implies, water-based ink is water soluble. Compared with traditional petroleum-based ink, it is much easier on the environment. In fact, the 55-gallon drums we use are 90% water! The ink we use to print newsletters is also completely free of any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as glycols, esters, alcohols, ethers, and hydrocarbons. LPi is committed to using zero VOCs in our operations.
Keep your mailing list clean: People move around a lot. That fact can make it tough to keep your mailing list up-to-date. While it can be a tedious job, you’ll save money on postage and printing costs, so try to stay on top of it. Check for duplicates often and delete them when you find them. If you receive returned copies of your newsletter in the mail, look for the post office label with the new address. That can help you decide whether the address should be updated or the name should be removed from the list. If your printer handles mailings for you, ask them for help.

Use a printer who is committed to recycling: We are proud to say that LPi only has 1% paper waste across all of our facilities nationwide. Even better, that paper waste is recycled! Additionally, the barrels that our ink comes in are also recyclable and reusable. Once empty, we send them back to be refilled, thus significantly reducing our use of plastic.

LPi Has Free Newsletters and Newsletter Resources!

Learn more about LPi’s ad-supported print and digital newsletter services on our website!

We also encourage you to spend a little time exploring the articles in the “Newsletter Tools” section of the LPi blog . We cover topics ranging from how to write a letter from the director to tips for designing a reader-friendly layout.

Updated 11-07-2025

Fun Fillers for Your Senior Center Newsletters

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:09:30 GMT

Newsletters are a great way to stay connected with members of your senior center or residents of your senior living community. With some thoughtful planning, you can make your piece both informational and entertaining. It’s a combination that is likely to increase the odds that, in a cluttered mailbox, your newsletter will be read and enjoyed.

One tip to keep in mind is not to inundate print readers and website visitors with copy. While it might all be good information, large blocks of written content can overwhelm the eye and put people off. Instead, break your newsletter up with fun fillers that provide visual interest and images that give the eye a place to rest. We recently published a simple guide on reader- friendly newsletter layouts if you want to dive deeper!

As for your content, make sure your newsletter includes a variety of material. Join us as we explore some fantastic options for newsletter content.

Filler Ideas to Make Your Newsletters Fun to Read

Images : Photos are always fun to see, especially if they are from activities you’ve held at your center or community. People typically enjoy searching for themselves and other friends in the pictures. (Just make sure to include only those images that are flattering to everyone in the photo, so no one has hurt feelings!)
Interesting or funny facts: This is another great way to keep your newsletter from being too copy heavy. For example, did you know that in Switzerland it’s illegal to own just one guinea pig? (They are social creatures who suffer when they are alone.) Or how about crows? Surprisingly, these often-misunderstood birds are capable of holding a grudge. You can find tidbits like these on free websites like The Fact Site and Mental Floss .
Look back in history: Readers might also be amused to see historical facts that correspond to the month the newsletter is published. Consider the average ages of your senior center members or senior living community residents in choosing the years to revisit. For example, if your residents are mostly in their late 70s and you are publishing the newsletter in July, share stats from the summer of 1948 or 1949. HistoryNet is a good site to visit to search for facts by date or simply use the ”This Day in History” content available inside our digital library, WeCreate.
Monthly contest: One more idea that can encourage more in-person visits is to incorporate a monthly contest. Include an entry form in a spot that makes it easy to tear off or print out. Readers can fill it out and drop it off at your location. Prizes don’t have to be expensive, and you might even be able to get local businesses to donate them. A car wash gift card, a basket of fruit, or even a bouquet of flowers can entice people to enter.
Recipe of the month: Every few months, invite staff, residents, and members of your senior organization to submit short, simple-to-prepare recipes to add to your newsletter. While you likely won’t have space for anything too long, dips, appetizers, salads, and even baked goods can all work. It’s another way to help people feel more connected to your organization. You could also make use of the numerous recipes we have available in WeCreate , our library of art & content — ready to be dropped directly into your newsletter!

Use LPi's WeCreate to Fill Your Newsletter Pages

Speaking of WeCreate, we know that in an already-busy workday, the idea of putting together an ongoing newsletter might feel a little overwhelming. There’s no doubt that it can be time-consuming. One way to streamline the process is to take advantage of WeCreate, LPi’s digital library of art and content. It includes everything from newsletter templates to photography, illustrated quotes, puzzles, and more! All of WeCreate’s content is specially created with organizations like yours in mind. Simply drop images, articles, and more directly into your newsletter to look professional, stay relevant, and save time!

For more newsletter inspiration, be sure to browse the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

The Unique Appeal of Print Newsletters for Senior Centers

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 31 May 2024 19:20:14 GMT

If you are a part of the community relations team or life enrichment activities team at a senior center or senior living community, you may be wondering if print newsletters are still a good way to connect with the public. In the digital age, it’s easy to assume that an e-newsletter is all you need. While they are a good marketing tool, print newsletters still appeal to many people.

As you weigh your options, there are a few factors you’ll want to keep in mind.

Why Print Newsletters Are Popular with Older Adults

A few of the reasons print newsletters remain popular with seniors include:

Distraction-free reading: We all know how it goes. You jump online to research a topic or look for a phone number, and then an interesting ad pops up. Or you decide to “quickly” check Facebook. Before you know it, you’ve wasted an hour and haven’t even accomplished what you signed on to do. By contrast, holding a print newsletter in your hands gives you the opportunity to sit down and read uninterrupted.
Longer shelf life: Another benefit is that you can hang on to a newsletter and revisit articles and calendars in it. That’s especially helpful if it’s a quarterly newsletter, for example, that highlights three months’ worth of programs and activities seniors can participate in.
Often easier on aging eyes: Let’s face it, staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can be tough on the eyes. For older adults who are more likely to live with a vision issue, that’s important. And websites aren’t always optimized for older visitors — small font sizes and poor contrast between font and background colors often make it tough to read online. Even if a senior has to use a magnifying glass to read, that’s simpler to do with a print newsletter.
More private and secure: A closely related issue is privacy concerns. It’s no secret that Google uses retargeting to sell your online information to companies that, in turn, target you with social media ads. It’s led people to be suspicious that their personal information, held electronically by online stores and other websites, might be compromised. In fact, researchers say 71% of consumers are worried about privacy.

If you decide to move forward with a print newsletter, you’ll likely need some ideas on how to develop it and what types of content to include. Things to Include in Your Print Newsletter is a quick read to help you get inspired. Even more tools are within easy reach in the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog.

LPi Newsletter Resources

Are you interested in printing a FREE monthly newsletter for your organization? LPi makes it possible with our ad-supported newsletter services ! We even offer free custom-designed newsletter templates so that your publication looks professional and inviting — Learn more here!

Updated 11-07-2025

Understanding a Modern Senior Citizen Audience

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 17 May 2024 10:30:00 GMT

When your target audience is older adults, you might be wondering what strategies are best for connecting and engaging with them. Marketing to seniors is definitely different than trying to sell to younger generations. Crafting your approach starts with learning more about what works and doesn’t work with this age group.

The baby boomer demographic group — people born between 1946 and 1964 — is second in size only to millennials. They account for 20.58% of the population in this country. It’s estimated that 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. By 2030, everyone in this demographic will be 65 or older.

So, what can you do to more effectively reach seniors? We have some suggestions.

What to Know to Reach and Connect With an Older Audience

Avoid slang words and cultural references
While older adults may be somewhat familiar with the latest slang and cultural references, especially if they have grandkids, it’s best to avoid using them. You don’t want to risk turning them off if they don’t grasp the references.

Instead, craft clearly written content that is free from jargon they may not understand. When in doubt, before you send any marketing materials out, have someone in your target audience’s age group read the copy.

Don’t assume seniors aren’t tech savvy
It’s an outdated notion that older people aren’t comfortable with technology. While some may struggle, vast numbers of seniors have embraced all forms of tech products. Apple Watches, for example, are popular with older adults. They use them for everything from monitoring their daily steps and activity to text messaging and tracking health conditions.

Older adults are also connecting with friends and family via email and social media, as well as using video chat services to keep in touch. Facebook, FaceTime, and even YouTube are popular platforms. Keep those in mind as you plan your marketing efforts.

Use seniors in your imagery
When creating marketing materials and communications targeting older adults, be sure that the images you choose to use reflect the seniors you are marketing to. People are more likely to focus on images of people that they can relate to or who look like them so, avoid using teens or young adults in your material’s accompanying images. Instead, use images with people who are in your target audience’s age group.

You can save time by using a digital art and content library resource like WeCreate. Inside WeCreate, you’ll find images for every occasion and generation to use in your communications. From professionally designed images featuring seniors for holidays, events, and more, to articles and puzzles that can be used to make your communications look attractive to your senior audience.

Have a simple, clearly articulated call to action
Another important element of each marketing piece, whether it is a blog article or an e-newsletter, is the call to action at the end. Have one clear request for what you would like your audience to do next. Make sure it aligns with how much trust you’ve built.

For example, someone who has already shared their email address with you might be willing to call and volunteer to help with a special event. By ending an article in your email message with the phone number for your event organizer, you might help engage seniors who have time for and interest in volunteering.

Be respectful and not patronizing
No matter how well-intentioned it might be, the language you use can seem patronizing. Don’t talk down to seniors or make assumptions about their situation. Being older doesn’t equate to being in poor health or having deficits such as hearing loss. Age is just a number.

You’ll also want to avoid using terms seniors really dislike. Elderly and the elderly are two examples of commonly used words and phrases that annoy older adults. Even spry, grandmotherly, or feisty may be negatively interpreted.

Don’t rush your audience or take a fear-based approach
One final tip is not to rush older adults or use fear-based marketing strategies. That is a big turnoff for many. They tend to equate such tactics with the many scams and types of fraud that often target seniors.

Use honest and transparent language in your marketing collaterals. While it might take longer to gain your audience’s trust, it’s worth the investment of time. And it’s likely the only option you have for connecting and engaging with this demographic.

Learn More About Digital Marketing to Seniors

If you’d like to learn more about attracting seniors and building relationships with them online, visit the “Senior Centers” section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi Employees Welcome New Senior Centers from Senior News Publications

Wed, 15 May 2024 14:08:43 GMT

As of May 10, 2024, LPi has expanded our newsletter services to several new senior centers who were previously serviced by printer Senior News Publications. Thirty-five print accounts and their advertisers are now being serviced by LPi. Our team has worked diligently to ensure the process of onboarding the new accounts is seamless.

LPi has been serving senior centers and other nonprofits across the country for decades — designing and printing their newsletters and providing solutions for web and digital communications.

The senior centers will now have access to MyCommunityOnline.com, a digital presence for their community where members can subscribe to receive digital copies of newsletters to their email inboxes. They will also be given access to WeCreate, a digital content library which houses newsletter, web, and social media content, providing endless possibilities for print and digital communications.

“LPi sees it as a privilege to continue serving these new partners and helping them communicate their mission to each community. Kelly Kennedy is our experienced Communication Consultant in the Northeast, and she stands ready to work with each senior center to ensure they have what they need to serve the senior population. We have over 50 years of experience at LPi, and we are ready to serve,” commented Tracy Welliver, LPi’s Senior Director of Product Sales.

We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to everyone involved who made this acquisition possible!

How to Take Your Community Newsletter From Sleepy to Sensational

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:15:27 GMT

Connecting, engaging, and maintaining relationships with your target audience is becoming more challenging. As social media platforms shift their algorithms to favor paid subscribers and other complicated rules, it can be difficult for organizations to find their way into their followers’ news feeds. That’s why building your own mailing lists and communicating consistently with them is more important than ever.

One of the best ways to do that is through newsletters. Whether it’s print, digital, or both, the key to your newsletter’s success will be making sure it is valuable and engaging. You’ll want to create a thoughtfully designed publication with content that is well-written, educational, and entertaining.

How to Create a Newsletter People Actually Want to Read

As you put together your newsletter, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Consider Your Audience: How does your audience prefer to receive your newsletter? Mailing physical copies to your community is a great way to reach people but it isn’t the only way! Those who partner with LPi have access to both physical and digital distribution of their newsletters to members.
Craft content with intention: Best practices when it comes to newsletter content is to aim for a mix of 90% educational/informational copy and 10% self-promotion/donation requests. So, think about what interests your target audience and seek out writers and other contributers who can share their expertise. For example, if you are targeting adult children whose parents are considering a move to a senior living community, have someone write about overcoming family caregiver guilt or about the dangers of isolation for an older adult.
Consider how to entertain and engage: Think about how you can entertain and engage your readers. While you’ll certainly want to have some “meaty” articles in your newsletter, it’s also helpful to lighten things up. Maybe have a cartoon in each issue or a joke of the month. You might also want to ask someone with a good sense of humor to write about the trials and tribulations of successful aging.
Remind your team that looks matter: While designing a newsletter can be a challenge if you don’t have a team member with those skills, it is important to make the publication visually appealing. We are all bombarded with mail and email on a daily basis. To ensure your piece doesn’t get lost in the shuffle, you need a design that makes it pop. Tools like WeCreate, our library of content specifically curated for newsletters like yours, is a great resource for graphics, templates, and even cover designs! Don’t forget to cash in on the free newsletter design service for organizations who partner with LPi for their newsletters !

Looking for more inspiration for your organization’s newsletter communications? Find more newsletter content inside the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

LPi Celebrates Employee Accomplishments in Mexico

Fri, 03 May 2024 17:34:41 GMT

This April, 165 LPi employees and guests spent four nights at The Iberostar Grand Paraíso all-inclusive resort near Cancún, Mexico celebrating their outstanding accomplishments!

A record 82 employees earned recognition as part of LPi’s “Circle of Excellence” by achieving their annual sales goals in 2023. They were awarded a stay at the resort with a guest of their choice.

During their stay, guests had the option to participate in activities like a sunset cruise, snorkeling,

visit to the Tulum ruins, a spa treatment, golfing, and more!

Jon Becker, Area Sales Director for LPi, and main organizer of the Circle of Excellence trip, shared that this year’s event was a fantastic experience. “We were really fortunate— the weather was great, and I was thrilled!” he said. “From the Welcome Cocktail Reception to the Awards Banquet and beyond, we had a wonderful time.”

Every employee who achieved the Circle of Excellence award is recognized by name at the Awards Banquet by LPi CEO Joe Luedtke, and celebrated by members of the leadership team and their peers. This formal banquet serves as the pinnacle point of the week-long event and everyone shows up in style!

As for any employee who might want to attend next year’s event, Becker explained, “We don’t cap attendance — anybody can earn the trip based off their team’s criteria! We want as many participants as can make it!”

During the Awards Banquet, an announcement was made that next year’s Circle of Excellence trip will take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! We’re looking forward to hearing even more employees say “¡Ganamos! ¡Hurra!” (Hurray! We Won!) next year.

*****

Interested in learning more about sales opportunities and how you can land a spot at next year’s Circle of Excellence? We’re expanding our team! Learn more about our open careers here: https://www.4lpi.com/careers

How to Create a Compelling Senior Center Newsletter Cover

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:25:46 GMT

Newsletters are a popular tool for keeping your audience connected with your organization. Whether you are a life enrichment director responsible for putting together a monthly activities publication or the director of a senior center, newsletters are a great, inexpensive resource to share.

Putting together a newsletter that attracts and engages your target audience requires a thoughtful strategy. That’s true for both print and digital versions. One element that can greatly impact whether yours gets read is the cover.

Most of us have overflowing mailboxes and inboxes. Making your newsletter stand out from the clutter is important. Your cover’s appearance can literally be what makes people decide to open it — or not.

We have a few suggestions that will help you create compelling newsletter covers.

Tips for Making Your Newsletter Covers Stand Out

Choose colors that catch the eye
It probably comes as no surprise that a colorful cover attracts more attention than black and white. In fact, there’s considerable research that explores the psychology of color and what colors people respond to most. For example, red is known to attract the eye and spur people to take action. But colors like yellow and gray can be less appealing and tougher on aging eyes. Whatever colors you select, you’ll want to make sure they coordinate well with your existing branding.

Create an identity for your newsletter
The initial design of your newsletter can set the tone moving forward. Make sure it conveys what you want it to and helps bring your vision to life. When you are targeting an older audience that you hope will become or stay involved with your organization, you’ll likely want a publication that communicates cheerfulness and hope. Consider working with a partner that can share ideas and expertise —that investment will more than pay for itself with higher readership.

Change it up with each new edition
While consistency is important in brand recognition, the cover of each edition should be different enough that people realize it’s new. That generally means changing the images and creating enticing new headlines. For example, if you are a life enrichment director in charge of keeping residents and families engaged in programs and activities, incorporate artwork and copy that tie in with the month or season.

Incorporate attractive images
Another suggestion is to include senior-friendly images. You can save lots of time finding beautiful, professionally-designed images with tools like WeCreate. The library of images and content available inside WeCreate gives newsletter editors everything they need to create an engaging newsletter. Use banners, clip art, digital images with quotes, seasonal greetings, office information, and more — all ready to be dropped directly into your newsletter!

Include teasers for what is inside
You’ll also increase interest in the newsletter by adding teasers to the cover. Spend extra time writing headlines that pique the reader’s interest without giving too much away. You can do the same with photos — match images to topics inside to help draw people in.

Skip all the work and let us create a cover template for you!
We have great news! Everyone who publishes their newsletters with us at LPi receives a free, professionally-designed newsletter template that includes a beautiful, customized cover as well as interior pages. LPi’s design team works with centers who publish with us to achieve their design hopes and dreams, streamlining the process to save editors time and energy. Learn more about how to publish your free ad-supported newsletter with LPi here and get started today!

Bookmark the LPi Blog For More Newsletter Ideas

If you found this article helpful, check out the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog. There, you will find all the content you need to help you create the best newsletters possible for your community!

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Get a Free Monthly Print & Digital Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:22:51 GMT

Did you know that there’s a way that your senior center or nonprofit can print FREE monthly newsletters to distribute to your members? No need to pay for printing, shipping, or even a beautiful and professional design! As a bonus, whatever you publish is also automatically compiled into a digital newsletter and emailed to your members — all for free!

How? LPi’s ad-supported newsletter service is the ticket!

LPi Provides Free Newsletter Services for Nonprofits!

Is it really free?

Yes, our newsletter service is free because it’s ad supported. This means that we partner with your senior center to find local businesses whose ads cover the cost of printing and shipping.

Ads sales start with local business recommendations from your center’s director and staff. This partnership provides a great resource to your community — you get a free newsletter, and your community gets hand-delivered knowledge about local resources and businesses that support their community!

Are there examples to view?

Every LPi newsletter customer gets a free custom newsletter template for their center! Want to flip through some digital examples? We have five newsletters of varying length available for you to click through and investigate on our website.

What else is included?

Art and Content:
When a center chooses to partner with us, they get free access to WeCreate, our extensive library of images and articles, ready to be used in your custom newsletter. Find colorful graphics, inclusive imagery, messaging for holidays, and more! Even better, WeCreate is constantly being updated with new assets for your improved communications.
Digital Newsletters and an Online Directory:
My Community Online allows your visitors to access your newsletter online — both via web and email! Your digital newsletter is updated each month when you submit it for printing, then it is automatically emailed to your members. We find that many senior center member’s families like to get a digital version and your advertisers do, too!
Customer Service and Support:
We provide responsive, reliable services that includes high quality print, dependable deliveries, flexible deadlines, and a support team that understands your center’s needs. Between our online support resources and the friendly people providing customer service at LPi, you are always set up for success.

What’s the process like?

After filling out the inquiry from, your staff will be put in touch with an LPi communications consultant. Your consultant will help you narrow down the specifics and guide you through the various options to customize your newsletter to fit your needs —including your page quantity, frequency of publishing, and more. If your center already has a newsletter, we take that into consideration, too, and work to incorporate any content or design elements that you want to keep into your new publication!

The ad sales team will then work with your center to set you up for advertising success. They spend time getting to know your organization, community, and the surrounding businesses to be sure that they properly represent you when selling your ads. Before this step, start thinking about businesses that have reached out to you, or have shown interest in your community in the past. Get a running start by compiling this information to aid your ad sales representative in the process. Successful ad sales depend on both LPi’s ad sales team and your participation.

Is Your Organization Ready for Your Free Newsletter?

Get started today by visiting our Newsletter Services page . Fill out and submit the “Get in Touch” form that can be found there so that we can get you started!

If you want more newsletter inspiration, head over to the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog where you’ll find articles like:

…and more!

Updated 11-07-2025

Senior Center Newsletter Creation 101

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:30:00 GMT

In a recent blog post, we shared some ideas on what to include in a senior center newsletter , from contact information to a director’s report, and current news. We hope it helped you think through the content you’ll likely want to create for each issue.

Today, we’re offering up some tips to make your newsletter reader friendly. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your publication isn’t turning readers off.

Dos and Don’ts for Creating a Newsletter Targeting Seniors

Here are our suggestions to help you attract and engage more readers for your senior-facing newsletter:

Don’t: Use a font that is tough on aging eyes. Choose your font style and size thoughtfully. Sans serif fonts are usually the most readable because they are often larger in height and width. Examples to explore are Helvetica, Frutiger, Optima, and Futura.

Don’t: Send out a poorly designed newsletter. Remember, this publication represents who you are to the community. While you likely don’t need an expensive designer, you do want to make sure it looks polished and professional. If design isn’t your strong suite, a brand new design or simply a refresh of your old design is included in our newsletter service! Let us get the design perfected for you so that you can focus on the content. See some before and after images of newsletters we’ve worked on here!
Do: Change your cover with every issue. While you may want to keep some things the same, such as a header with the newsletter title, mixing it up makes it easier for faithful readers to recognize when there is a new issue available. Remember, LPi has numerous cover art graphics designed for every occasion in WeCreate, our library of content . They are ready to be used in your publication and for all of your communication needs.
Do: Create a boilerplate with contact info. Displaying team members’ names and contact information in a prominent, consistent spot is always a good idea.
Don’t: Make the copy too text heavy. Almost nothing puts readers off more than facing big blocks of copy that overwhelm the eye. Instead, break up text with images, subheads, and just plain white space.
Do: Have consistent columns, such as a letter from the director and reports from various committees. Seeing regular updates like these helps people feel connected during times they can’t be there.
Don’t: Use too many background colors. While a white background might not seem as exciting or visually appealing as bright colors, it’s easier for seniors to read. That’s especially true when you pair it with a font in a contrasting color, like black or dark blue.
Do: Make quality content the priority for your senior center newsletter. While that might mean your publication needs to be smaller, it’s better than having a lot of poorly written copy. Don’t for get that LPi has hundreds of professionally written articles and recipes in WeCreate for you to use.

Do: Enlist the services of proofreaders and editors. Once you publish your newsletter, it’s too late to correct grammar mistakes and typos. (And we’ve seen some that are downright embarrassing!) It’s always good to have a few extra people carefully review the newsletter before it goes out.

Our final tip is to investigate budget-friendly options for creating your own newsletter.

LPi, for example, has options for free ad supported newsletters that make it easy to engage your community. Visit our Print and Digital Newsletter page to download a brochure, watch a quick video, or see examples of successful newsletters that we print every day for nonprofits like yours across the country.

Want more newsletter inspiration? Visit the "Newsletter Tools" section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

Are These 7 Things in Your Senior Center Newsletter?

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:23:34 GMT

When you are preparing to launch a newsletter for your senior center or aging services organization, it’s common to feel a bit overwhelmed. Before you dive in too deep, remember that LPi specializes in helping communities like yours create free, ad-supported, impactful print and digital newsletters every day! We help you start out strong with printing, design support , options for branding services , and even a content library of professionally designed graphics and relevant articles for you to use in your publication.

You might wonder what should go in the newsletter and worry about overlooking something important. Fortunately, there are no hard-and-fast rules to follow. Give some thought to the image you want to put out into the community and let that guide what you include.

Some organizations try to entertain their readers with a humorous newsletter. Others adopt what’s known as a reporter tone, meaning they keep it professional and avoid including too much fluff. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to ask for feedback from members and supporters until you find your voice.

As you are planning, we have some ideas for what you should consider adding to your newsletter. We also have a few suggestions that might help give your publication a little personality.

Essentials to Include in a Senior Center or Community Newsletter

Recent news: One tip you might find useful is to lead with the news. Include stories about what your team and your followers have been up to. If there is a lot of news, ask different people to write short articles.
Upcoming events calendar: You’ll increase attendance at special events and programs if you let people know in advance what you are planning. Depending on the format, having a way for people to sign up to attend can also be helpful. If your website doesn’t make that easy to do, use the Events tab on your organization’s Facebook page.
Team members and contact info: It’s also a good idea to include a boilerplate piece of content or artwork that lists key staff members. Add their titles and possibly email addresses. If you don’t want to publish email addresses, make certain to include a main phone number for the organization.
Letter from the director: This should probably be another standard part of your publication. Reading a real letter from someone in a leadership position can help people feel more connected to your organization. Don’t forget to include a photo! Learn more in our article, “ What to Write in a Letter from the Director.”
Opportunities for involvement: While it’s always good to extend a general invitation for people to join you for an event or activity, it’s especially helpful to give them some very specific ideas on how to get involved. For example, do you need people to help bake cookies at the center for a Mother’s Day event? Or maybe you’ve launched a project to send mail to our soldiers overseas and need volunteers to make cards? Include details about those types of activities in your newsletter.
How to donate: If you are a nonprofit organization, don’t forget to tell people how to make a donation to support your cause. And the easier you make it to do, the more likely it is that they will. Share a link to your online donation platform or a fundraiser you have on Facebook. For those who prefer to write checks, also list the information they’ll need to do that.
Lots of photos: Finally, don’t forget to take plenty of photos of everyday activities, as well as special events. Add as many as you can to your newsletter. Not only does that show people what happens at your center, it also increases the odds they’ll recognize a friend in a photo. That will likely make them more inclined to stop by.

Other Ideas to Consider for Your Newsletter

Finally, here are a few other ideas you might like to make a part of your publication every now and then:

A volunteer spotlight every month or two
Committee reports and updates
Motivational quotes
Funny cartoons/memes

Space permitting, the ideas listed above can help to personalize your newsletter even more.

For more content about crafting the perfect newsletter for your community, visit the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog.

Updated 11-07-2025

What to Include in Your Newsletter's End-of-Year Recap

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:52:02 GMT

As the year draws to a close, you and your team might be reflecting on what you accomplished over the last year and making plans for the next. It’s always a good idea to review what programs and services worked and where you need to make improvements in the months ahead. And it’s not just staff that values this information. Your followers and supporters are probably just as interested.

Whether you are a community agency or a large corporation, people like to read about what the organizations they support have been up to over the last year. In fact, recap articles and posts are some of the most-read marketing collaterals out there. Even lifestyle bloggers say some of their best-read posts are year-end roundup articles.

End-of-Year Recap: Why to Consider It and How to Share It

Why should you share a recap with the public? There are a few reasons to consider taking the time and incurring the expense:

Providing these details builds confidence and reinforces your commitment to transparency. Both are vital for community-driven organizations.
Doing so helps supporters feel connected to your agency and your mission.
Sharing your goals for next year may help attract new volunteers and members who are looking for different opportunities.

How you distribute your end-of-year recap can vary according to your audience preferences. Some organizations find sending a year-end letter through the postal service yields positive results. Others utilize a blog post or e-newsletter to share this information. If you aren’t certain, you could even try a hybrid approach.

Look through your contact list and see who has and hasn’t opened your digital collaterals. For those supporters who don’t seem to open and read your emails, it might be worth sending them a hard copy of the information you plan to share digitally. That can also be a good way to clean up your mailing list.

If you decide this is something you’d like to do before 2023 is over, here are a few tips you might find useful in developing an end-of-year recap.

The Last Year in Review

Much of what your supporters might like to read is information you and your team probably pull together at the end of the year already. A couple of suggestions on how to format it for easiest review include:

In a month-by-month listicle, highlight what you accomplished and what events took place.
Include any milestones you met, such as fundraising goals, meals served, activities held, or volunteer hours accumulated.
Quantify progress and success whenever possible. It makes for a quicker read, which means supporters will be more likely to review it.
Remember to say “thank you” to those who supported your work. This can be done as an introduction or a conclusion to your list of accomplishments.
Don’t forget to use professional looking imagery. We have graphics available inside of WeCreate for just about any program or news you can dream up — ready to help make your end-of-the-year recap look amazing.

Look Forward and Share Goals

Finally, don’t forget to share a little insight into your plans for the next year. You’ll likely want to stick to a higher-level overview and avoid providing too many details, which might be overwhelming to read. Here are some suggestions on what to include:

What do you hope to accomplish in 2024? Use bullet points to list a few of your goals.
Do you have any major events or activities planned? Even if it’s no more than a reminder to save the date, it will help you start to promote 2024.
Are there volunteer opportunities coming up? You might want to include them, as people may be looking to make some changes as the new year begins.
Lastly, offer a little information on which areas each team member is responsible for. Encourage supporters to reach out to those individuals with any questions.

Where to Find Community Outreach Articles

If you are looking for more marketing tips and strategies to help increase awareness of your organization, the LPi Blog is a great place to start . Click the Subscribe button to have new articles delivered every other month right to your inbox!

Updated 11-07-2025

Learn More About On-Page SEO (Part 2)

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:23:22 GMT

In the first part of our series on search engine optimization (SEO) , we covered what SEO is and then shared a broad overview of its different components. While much of the optimization process is a bit too technical for the average marketer, you can take steps to attract more site visitors by enhancing your on-page SEO. And that’s what we’ll be tackling today.

What Is On-Page SEO?

On-page SEO is a phrase used to describe changes you can make right on the website to improve its position in the search rankings. Many of the ranking signals that Google prioritizes are considered to be on-page SEO. While there is much speculation about what does and doesn’t improve rankings, content is one factor that Google repeatedly says is important.

Fortunately, this is an area that can be influenced by those involved with marketing and promoting an organization. By learning more about on-page SEO, you’ll be able to create the quality content that search engines are looking for.

Creating SEO-Optimized Content

It’s no secret that Google is very tight-lipped about much of their ranking process. But reliable SEO experts say the following elements are important to helping your website increase and maintain good visibility:

Use well-researched key phrases: Keywords have gotten a bad rap over the years. Some people go as far as to say they aren’t even important. In reality, incorporating relevant keywords and phrases will likely always play a role in on-page SEO. That doesn’t mean stuffing keywords into every other sentence. It does mean incorporating them in a manner that maintains the visitor experience. Using synonyms can also help improve SEO without being repetitive.

Make it friendly on the eyes: Google and other search engines want to make sure their results page delivers content that matches the intent of the query. Not only that, the website must also provide an experience that is visually appealing and easy on the eyes. You’ve likely found yourself on a website before that seemed to have good content but was so disorganized and tough to read that you just hopped off. That means you should pay attention to details such as:
Maintaining adequate white space so the eye isn’t overwhelmed by big blocks of copy.
Using photos and other visual images to break up copy. Subheads help with this, too, while also supporting keywords.
Choosing font styles and sizes that ensure a positive visual experience. If your primary website target is older adults , you’ll want to have a large font option that’s easy to find and utilize.
Making the website easy to navigate. When visitors can’t find the information they are seeking quickly, they’ll likely leave the site.

If you need help with your design, WeConnect is an easy-to-use, powerful platform to make your organization’s website a breeze to keep updated. We also have a team of designers available to help you get started!

Create engaging, relevant titles: Too many times, writers and web developers spend considerable effort developing great content, but then throw up a title that is just plain bland. Many of your visitors decide whether or not to click through to your site based on the title and accompanying description on the search engine results page (SERP). Make sure your titles are both interesting and relevant to the actual content. Don’t forget to include keywords.

Don’t skip meta descriptions: Just as good titles are important, so are meta descriptions. While the snippets on Google’s and other search engines’ results pages don’t always use your copy word for word, well-crafted meta descriptions do get their attention. This information from the Google Search Console can help you learn more.

Use internal links: When you have a website for a business or other organization, your inbox often fills up with messages from people trying to convince you to hire them to build external links. While incoming links from trustworthy sites are helpful, don’t overlook internal linking opportunities. They help keep visitors on your site longer and show off the depth of your organization’s knowledge and expertise.

Include alt text for visual images: Finally, don’t neglect this detail. Alt text stands for alternative text. It allows visually impaired people to understand what is being shown in the image while also helping search engine bots understand the image contents. Alt text will also appear on a page when the image is slow to load or fails to load completely. After you carefully select visual images for your web pages or blog posts, make sure to add alt text for each one.

One last suggestion is to explore what goes into developing quality content. It’s one of the most important steps you can take in your SEO strategy. Digital Content That Connects With Older Readers is a good article to help you get started!

Visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog for more digital inspiration.

Updated 11-07-2025

Should Your Senior Center Start a YouTube Channel?

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 23:16:33 GMT

YouTube has become a powerful marketing tool. Some use it as a standalone business platform, and others use it to promote their organization. But there’s no denying how popular it’s become. YouTube’s impact report shows how far it has come since its launch in 2005. Today, it has 2.5 million users worldwide. And through its creator options, it added a whopping $3.5 billion to the U.S. economy in 2022 alone.

The platform’s ability to reach people is a big advantage for companies and agencies that utilize YouTube for marketing. Second only to Google, YouTube is the most used search engine. It receives more searches per month than Microsoft Bing, Yahoo, AOL, and Ask.com combined. That’s an impressive feat, and one that likely makes it worth your time to set up a channel for your organization.

But there are other reasons why leadership teams should consider incorporating YouTube into their marketing plans. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Benefits of a YouTube Channel for Your Community Organization

Social media penetration: YouTube is ranked the second-most- popular social network. The only platform that has more users than YouTube is Facebook. Yep, it’s even more popular than Instagram and WhatsApp.
Broad audience: According to a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, 82% of adults say they use YouTube. They’re doing everything from laughing at funny cat videos to learning how to play the guitar or change the oil in their car.
Mobile-friendly: In our fast-paced society, most of us rely on our smartphones when we need to jump on the internet. YouTube’s mobile-friendly design makes it easier for users to view videos on their smartphones or other devices.
Daily views: It’s hard to forget this statistic once you’ve read it: In 2019, people watched one billion hours of YouTube videos every day. They cite how-to videos as the most popular.
No fancy equipment needed: While you won’t have to look far to find slick, expensively produced videos on the platform, it’s not a requirement. Creators of simple but thoughtfully constructed videos can rank just as well. That makes YouTube a budget-friendly option for smaller organizations.
Easy to share: Finally, YouTube makes it very easy to share video links or embed videos on your website. You can incorporate them into newsletters, social media posts, and even text messages.

Resources for Starting a YouTube Channel

If you are like most people, getting started is the challenge. Fortunately, there are a variety of online resources to make the process easier. Here are two to explore:

How To Create A YouTube Channel! (2023 Beginner’s Guide): In under 15 minutes, this video clearly and concisely covers the basic steps for getting a channel rolling.
Create a YouTube Channel : This resource was created by Google, the parent company for YouTube. Through a combination of videos and written instructions, it walks you through the start-up process.

Additional Solutions to Support Your Organization’s Growth

If you are looking for other avenues to grow your community organization, LPi can help. We offer print and digital newsletters , website building tools , design services for your organization’s website, logo, and brand design, a library of art and content for you to use in your organization’s communications called WeCreate , and advertising solutions !

Want more web inspiration for your nonprofit? Visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

Search Engine Optimization Basics (Part 1)

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:25:45 GMT

Is one of your goals for the new year to learn how you can drive more traffic to your organization’s website? Whether you’re updating an existing website or building an entirely new one, finding ways to attract site visitors is important. But it’s a topic that people often find confusing and more than a little overwhelming.

Search engine optimization, most commonly referred to as SEO, is complex and constantly evolving. The terminology alone is intimidating, and an SEO expert is typically needed to help with the more technical aspects of creating and implementing a strategy. But learning more about the industry is usually a good idea for anyone involved with marketing and promoting a business or brand. This is especially the case when it comes to creating or overseeing ongoing content, such as blog articles or guides.

In this article, part one of a two-part series on search engine optimization, we’ll tackle some of the basics of SEO. Then, in part two of our series, we’ll dig into on-page SEO in more detail. That includes sharing some suggestions on what you can do to optimize the content on your organization’s website. While Google doesn’t disclose a comprehensive list of factors that help a website rank, they do say content is a driving force.

Getting to Know SEO

Let’s start with a brief explanation of search engine optimization. In the simplest of terms, SEO is the process of improving a website to give it the best possible visibility with search engines. While there are smaller search engines, such as Bing and Yahoo, Google continues to be the most dominant of all. Despite Microsoft Bing’s recent growth , Google continues to capture nearly 84% of the market.

There are three basic types of SEO:

Technical SEO: The architecture of your website is vital. It needs to be easy for search engines to access, crawl, and index the entire site. An SEO expert’s goal is to make sure an organization’s website offers a thoughtfully designed experience — everything from the speed with which each page loads to how mobile friendly it is. If you already feel lost, you’re in luck! We can help you with your website design . Our team of multimedia designers are experts at making sure your organization’s website offers that intentionally thoughtful experience that is needed to get you noticed!
Off-page SEO: This includes things that aren’t actually a part of your website but help build your brand , such as logos and your organization’s brand, customer service, public relations, social media , reviews, and claimed listings on directories or list services. These items can create synergy that helps improve your SEO.
On-page SEO: This is the practice of optimizing the website content and code for both humans and search engines. You’ll want to learn more about the tasks associated with each of these. They range from making sure your content is designed with an online reader in mind to writing a meta description for each page you post. In part two of this series, we’ll cover both of these in greater detail.

WeConnect Supports Effortless Websites

If you are looking for an easy way to develop a new website for your agency or organization, WeConnect offers a simple solution . Sign up for a free demo to learn more!

For more website inspiration, visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog or head over to PART 2 of our SEO series.

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Develop a Quarterly Calendar for Your Blog

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:34:06 GMT

If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know we understand and appreciate the value of having a blog on your organization’s website . Not only does it help with search engine optimization (SEO), it also allows you to easily share interesting information with your target audience. It’s a great way to connect with current and potential members without appearing too salesy. If you don’t have a blog on your website yet, our team of designers can help you update your website to include a blog among other professional features.

While many leadership teams are familiar with blogs, few actually understand how to fill them with a continuous stream of useful and engaging content. Failing to plan a blog calendar and strategy can result in an inconsistent series of articles that doesn’t help you attract or retain followers.

Here are some tips to help you learn more about the different types of blog posts, and some suggestions for creating a quarterly calendar.

Exploring Types of Blog Posts

Your organization should typically plan to incorporate various types of blog posts, including:

Seasonal blog posts: This category comprises topics that occur on a regular basis. You might want to write about different holidays, the Super Bowl, allergy season, or flu shot clinic times. These posts should cover themes and subjects that people are usually interested in only during certain months of the year.
Evergreen blog posts: When you are creating a list of evergreen topics, you’ll want to think about issues or activities that apply to your target audience any time of year. For example, blog posts about healthy aging tend to perform well and attract attention. As do topics related to managing/saving money and planning for vacation. They are timeless and generally continue to drive traffic to your blog and website for years.
News and organization updates: Blog posts that fall into this group can really give an organization a chance to shine. It’s a way to promote your team members’ expertise, any successes or awards you’ve received, and special events you have planned. You could also use these posts to spotlight volunteers and recruit new volunteers. This could be your spot for low-key brags about who you are and what your mission is.
Cornerstone blog posts: A cornerstone blog is a broad, foundational article that links to shorter related articles. For example, if you are trying to attract older adults to your organization, a good cornerstone blog might be a longer article on successful aging. It could reference best diets, fitness programs, finding purpose, and morning meditation. You could then create blogs on each of those topics that link back to your cornerstone post. This type of post might initially seem difficult to develop, but doing so will help you build a solid content strategy for your blog.
Expert interviews: People often try to educate themselves by turning to the internet. They might be searching for information on topics ranging from how to fix a broken doorknob to where to find a new doctor for an aging parent. Using your in-house expertise and that of your local community, you can add interview-style articles to your blog. This not only helps position your organization as leaders, but also gives you a chance to work with professionals who can raise awareness of your organization.
Trending topics: This category is more a fun way to add interest to your blog than a strategy to improve long-term SEO. It will give you an opportunity to tag on to hot topics that people are talking about. You’ll just want to make certain you don’t wade into anything controversial, which can often be difficult with trending stories.

So, how can you go about creating a calendar for your blog? We have a few pointers you might find useful.

Tips for Developing a Quarterly Blog Content Calendar

First, decide on how frequently you’d like to post articles to your blog. Be realistic about this. It’s easier to add more topics as you go than to repeatedly fail to meet deadlines. Once you have determined how many monthly articles your team can handle, the next step is to lay out topics for at least one quarter at a time.

A few factors to consider are:

What in-house expertise do you have? Do you have team members with strong writing skills and others who can edit? Both are key in publishing a quality blog.
If you are launching or relaunching your blog, it’s helpful to start with a volume of articles, rather than just one. Some organizations have found it works well to create a cornerstone article and a few supporting evergreen articles.
For those who will only be publishing a few articles a month, it’s usually best to focus on evergreen and seasonal blog posts. Skip trending topics.
Be consistent in your schedule. That helps readers know when to expect something new from you.

Finally, keep in mind that your social media channels can be a great way to promote blog articles. If you haven’t yet ventured onto Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms, Using Social Media to Promote Your Community Organization has some tips you’ll likely find helpful.

Updated 11-07-2025

How to Engage Seniors on Digital Platforms

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:30:00 GMT

Engaging older adults on your digital platforms requires a solid strategy that includes understanding the dos and don’ts of attracting and connecting with a very specific audience. We have a few tips we think will help you improve your organization’s digital engagement with seniors.

Tips for Attracting and Engaging Seniors on Digital Platforms

Understand generational values: Businesses and organizations sometimes make the mistake of thinking of seniors as one large, generic group that they know well. The reality is, the category of older adult encompasses a variety of subgroups, each with its own unique characteristics. That’s why it’s important to identify and learn as much as you can about your intended audience. For example, what is important to a 65-year-old newly retired teacher can be vastly different than a 70-year-old retiree who continues to work a few hours a week. Once you know which subgroups make up your audience, you can create detailed personas that will help you better target each one.

Experiment with different types of content: While it can be tempting to assume that seniors are mostly interested in one type of content, that’s not necessarily true. Skip making assumptions and experiment with different types of content instead. For example, while blog posts and Facebook posts are usually popular with visitors of all ages, videos and podcasts are also well-liked and highly consumed. Try varying the types of content you post on your digital platforms and see how they perform. Use the analytics for your website and social media platforms to evaluate what is connecting best.

Create digital copy that educates: It’s a misperception that older people can’t master technology and aren’t interested in trying. But your senior site visitors might need copy that includes educational tips on how to utilize the digital platform. For example, a blog post might be more useful if it incorporates a call to action that thoughtfully explains what to do next. If you are offering a free guide that further explains the main focus of the blog post, make sure you include step-by-step directions for downloading it. The more detailed the instructions, the better.

Make content visually appealing: From age-appropriate graphics and photos to a prominent navigation menu, attractive content will keep older visitors on your platform longer. Use a content library with professionally designed images for organizations like yours to use in their communications like WeCreate to save time!

A few more tips to increase the visual appeal of your copy include selecting a font that is senior friendly, incorporating plenty of white space, keeping paragraphs short, and being generous with your use of headings and subheads. For video and social media, the idea is the same. Make it appealing. Tell and show a story.

If your staff doesn’t include a team member who has the time and experience to tackle your digital marketing needs, LPi can help. Visit our Art & Content page to learn more about our services and how we can help support your goals.

For more articles and inspiration for centers like yours, visit the "Senior Centers" section of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

Everything You Need to Know About Designing a Senior-Friendly Website

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:42:57 GMT

Having a mobile-friendly website is a must for businesses of all types. It’s a marketing essential that connects organizations with their desired audiences. However, if you set a goal this year to create a new website or revamp your old one, the process might have you feeling a little overwhelmed.

Without the right support, it can be a big project to tackle. It can also be a lengthy one , depending on how large you’d like your new website to be. Remember, you don’t have to tackle it all on your own! Our website building tool, WeConnect , is easy to learn and efficient to use and our design team is available to help you build your new site if you want help!

For organizations looking to make their site easy for older adults to visit, there are additional considerations to be aware of. As you plan your strategy, here are a few tips to keep in mind that will make navigating your site a more positive experience for seniors.

How to Design a Senior-Friendly Website

Pay attention to font choices: This tip is at the top of our list because it’s so important. Older adults are more likely to have vision issues that make it tougher to read online content. Font size and style matter greatly to seniors. A size of at least 12 points is best. Also, select a font style that isn’t difficult to read. Skip those that have a lot of flourishes. Times New Roman and Verdana are two to consider.
Use high-contrast color combinations: As we get older, it can become more difficult to distinguish text that is similar in color to the site’s background color. A better option is to use high-contrast color combinations. A white background with black type is usually best. You can increase visual appeal by using vibrant colors as accents instead of choosing them for your primary fonts.
Keep navigation simple: Simplicity is key for a website that will be used primarily by seniors. Make it easy to figure out where to go to find what they need. Don’t complicate the site’s navigation by requiring too many decisions. It also helps to use single-click navigation whenever possible.
Watch the jargon and slang: When you are creating website content for older adults, be sure the writer and editor you work with know who your target audience is. Seniors may not be familiar with technical terms that are easily understood by younger generations. The same is true of slang. Skip using cultural references and language that older people likely won’t know.
Limit scrolling: Seniors tend to read every word on the page, versus skimming like younger site visitors do. Scrolling — especially horizontal scrolling — can be more difficult for older adults, so keep that in mind. Instead, try to create content that fits nicely within the confines of the screen.
Break up blocks of copy : Landing on a web page that has big blocks of copy can overwhelm the eye, no matter what your age. For seniors, however, it can be even more difficult to read. In fact, it’s so off-putting that many people hop right off the page. That’s why you want to break up copy by using shorter paragraphs, more headings and subheads, images, and white space.
One final tip: Pay special attention to the design of your home page. This is an essential element of your website, regardless of your intended audience. It can either help you capture a visitor’s attention and keep them on your site longer, or it can cause them to hit the back arrow and go somewhere else. Why Your Website’s Home Page Is Important is a good article to help you learn more!

For more articles and inspiration for centers like yours, visit the "Senior Centers" section and the "Web and Social Media" sections of our blog!

Updated 11-07-2025

Understanding How Colors Impact Nonprofit Messaging

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:30:00 GMT

The power of color psychology is well-documented. It can do everything from summon up feelings of hunger or thirst to convey feelings of peace and calm. When used in marketing, color theory should be thought of as a combination of science and creativity.

The Impact of Color

Understanding what individual colors represent and how you can use them in your organization’s brand as well as in your digital and print marketing materials is essential. Color choices influence a target audience’s mood and behavior and help your community tell its story. In fact, choosing the best colors to represent a community is a significant part of the process when we work with organizations to create their brand design or even just refresh their logo.

If you aren’t quite convinced of the powerful impact color has on people, here are a few statistics that might change your mind:

When making buying decisions, 93% of consumers focus on visual appearance only.
Color can increase brand awareness by as much as 80%.
Up to 90% of first impressions are linked to color.

By spending a little time learning more about color theory and the power of color, you can increase the impact your marketing efforts have on your target audience.

Learn the Science Behind Different Colors

Here is a quick overview of some of the most popular colors and what feelings they evoke:

Blue: Often cited as the world’s favorite color , blue conveys respect, loyalty, security, calm, and trustworthiness. You’ll often see it used by health care institutions and insurance companies.
Red: As you might suspect, this color evokes passion, energy, excitement, power, and adventure. It’s often used as a warning or to indicate danger, such as in police lights or stop signs.
Orange: At the opposite end of the color likability scale is orange. People frequently say it’s their least favorite color. It can be used to reflect adventure, creativity, courage, and an overall sense of quirkiness. You might find it paired with other colors in logos for ad agencies or other art-related organizations.
Green: Growth, life, nature, freshness, and prosperity are represented by the color green. Like blue, it’s a favorite of hospitals, as well as natural food stores and health-focused grocery stores.
Yellow: If you are looking to find a color that expresses youth, positivity, happiness, intelligence, and innovation, yellow might be a good choice. It’s a favorite of chain restaurants, children’s companies, travel-related businesses, and snack foods.
Black: A serious, sophisticated color, black is a staple in most marketing libraries. It represents security, power, and authority. The color is popular in the fashion and car industries, but it’s rarely used in health care settings. That’s because it may be linked to death and grief.
Purple: Another color that suggests wisdom and sophistication is purple. It can also evoke a sense of spirituality and imagination. Some say it represents superiority and royalty, too. Many consider it to be a feminine color.
White: Cleanliness, purity, simplicity, and innocence are all linked to the color white. It also conveys innovation and uniqueness, which is why companies like Apple, Chanel, and Tesla utilize it in their logos.
Pink: When you are trying to invoke feelings of femininity, imagination, creativity, caring, or playfulness, consider using pink. Shades of this color are popular among fashion brands, magazines, ice cream companies, and upscale household appliances.

If you are looking for more insight on developing marketing collaterals that connect well with your desired audience, Creating Successful Flyers and Reader-Friendly Newsletter Layouts are two articles that might be helpful to review! For help creating or updating your brand or logo, get into touch with our design team.

Updated 11-07-2025

Creating a Promotional Calendar for Your Community Events

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:34:44 GMT

An often-underrated component of creating successful events is developing a strategic promotional calendar. Unless your event is so spectacular on its own that word-of-mouth will fill every seat in the place — and let’s face it, that rarely happens — your team will need to establish a plan for informing your community about each program on your schedule.

Here are some tips to help you create a successful promotional schedule for your community center’s upcoming events.

Special Events Promotional Checklist

Identify your intended audience: Consider who you are trying to reach with each event on your calendar, and where they spend their time. Simply put, target your marketing efforts toward who you hope will attend each event. If your goal is to draw in a crowd that is younger than the people who typically engage with you, utilizing multiple social media channels may be the best way to reach them. Seniors, on the other hand, are more likely to read the local paper, watch the evening news, or even skim through a flyer they pick up at the library or receive in the mail. The one social media channel older adults do seem to engage with is Facebook. So, keep these tips in mind as you plan.

Set a realistic budget: Before you can plan a marketing and public relations campaign, you’ll need to know how much you can spend. Keep in mind that if you are a nonprofit organization, you might be able to offer media partner sponsorships in exchange for coverage. That can help stretch your budget. Some smaller publications will also allow you to submit an article for publication with the purchase of an ad. It’s another way to get more reach for your dollar.

Think strategically: Not every event needs a full-scale promotional plan. Identify which ones you think will help you raise more awareness of and interest in your community center, and spend the majority of your resources on those. Then take some time to consider how to make the most of your resources. For example, it might be helpful to enlist the services of a high school or college student who needs internship hours. They may be able to assist in developing digital assets or another task. You could have them work on the smaller programs to free up staff time to work on the larger ones. Or you could ask for sponsorships from area businesses and individuals in exchange for publicity or other perks.

Ask for volunteers: Busy team members may think they don’t have time to put together a committee of volunteers who might slow them down. While it’s true that working through committees can be time-consuming, there are advantages. One primary benefit is that you can leverage the professional and personal networks of committee members. That can be helpful on a variety of fronts, including fundraising, seeking raffle prizes, inviting guests, and more. Let your local United Way agency know you are seeking volunteers, along with senior groups at local churches, members of the chamber of commerce, and more. Don’t forget to announce it at events and publish an article in your own newsletter.

Don’t skimp on communications: You may only need to communicate about your event in your organization’s newsletter or you may need to share the event on your website, social media, and more. Either way, using professional imagery is fundamental to making a good first impression with your target audience. Spend the time to design your own imagery or simply use our ready-made content library, WeCreate . Inside WeCreate you can find beautiful graphics for print and digital use created especially for non-profits like yours. Choose from thousands of images that support all types of events and center communication needs.

Evaluate and reevaluate: One final tip is to make a point of reviewing the successes and failures of each event and looking for opportunities for improvement. Have team members do the same. And if you feel comfortable doing so, ask a few attendees if they would be willing to share the good and the bad with you. Soliciting feedback gives you an opportunity to identify problems and resolve them before the next year.

Subscribe to the LPi Community Blog For More Tips

If you are a director or a team member of a community center, we invite you to subscribe to the LPi Community Blog . A few times each month, we share new articles on topics designed to help you connect with friends and neighbors.

Updated 11-07-2025

Monthly Event Ideas to Incorporate into Your Organization’s Calendar

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:22:16 GMT

We all know that in-person programs and events are a great way to connect with your community. They can draw people into your community center who wouldn’t otherwise find you. Piggybacking on seasonal or themed days/months, such as American Heart Month or National Ice Cream Day, is a quick way to attract attention. It’s also a good idea to come up with interesting and creative events to incorporate into your planning.

We put together a list of fun, intergenerational ideas that might help your events calendar get noticed all year long.

Great Ideas for Community Center Events

Events that honor your area’s heritage: There is so much you can do with this idea! Most communities have rich histories that might not be well-known to local residents. Think about the roots of your city or town, and what you can do to spotlight how the area got its start. Talk with city planners or the librarian who covers the history section at your library. You might even find this has the potential to become an annual event.

Fundraisers for local charities: Many nonprofit organizations have a core group of loyal supporters who attend as many events that benefit the charity as possible. One way to bring more people to your center is by organizing a fundraiser and hosting it at your location. Your agency could even share the money raised with several area nonprofits. The event could be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. A car wash combined with a baked sale couldn’t be any easier, especially if you get scouting troops to help do the dirty work. A craft beer tasting or fall soup competition might provide you with an opportunity to get nearby businesses involved.
Host a seasonal farmer’s market: In recent years, farmer’s markets have surged in popularity . People love buying local produce in an open-air market close to home. But it’s not just fruits and vegetables that bring shoppers in. They are also buying baked goods, cut flowers, seasonal plants, handmade soaps, and more. While organizing a weekly market will require an investment of your team members’ time, it might be an effective strategy for making lasting connections with your community.
Offer skill development classes: Another suggestion is to offer classes that are free or nominally priced. While art workshops are a good way to allow local residents to get to know you, offering classes that build skills might attract a different audience. Computer training on topics of interest to seniors, such as tips for using Facebook safely or email basics, might be especially beneficial.
Incorporate wellness events: People of all ages are interested in health and wellness topics ranging from activities that nurture the spirit to hands-on workshops for family caregivers. You could incorporate a few of these into your schedule each quarter. CPR workshops, a health fair, a meditation class, and even a skin care program led by a dermatologist might be well-received.
Host an open mike night: You can lighten up your monthly schedule by organizing programs such as an open mike night. This is another event that can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. Make sure you set clear rules ahead of time on the types of acts that are welcome and any parameters they need to follow. For example, if there will be children or teens in attendance, make comedians aware foul language and inappropriate behavior won’t be welcome.

Hold author nights: While you may not attract big-name authors like Stephen King or James Patterson, inviting local and regional authors to come and talk about their book can make for an interesting program. As more authors are self-publishing, you’ll likely find many who are excited about the opportunity. If your team is social media savvy, you could also reach more people by going live on Facebook or Instagram during the event.

We hope this helps give you some fresh ideas as you finish up your programming calendar for next year. If you need graphics to support any of these calendar items, we’ve got you covered with WeCreate, your digital library for every content need . If you stop back later this month, we’ll be sharing a few tips for promoting your calendar of events!

Updated 11-11-2025

Print Material Ideas that Spread Your Message

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:02:03 GMT

While there’s no denying that digital marketing has surpassed traditional forms of marketing for most types of businesses and organizations, it’s a myth that print has gone away entirely. In fact, depending on your target audience, print materials are still popular. They help with brand recognition and event promotion, especially if you are targeting older adults as part of your efforts.

Let’s take a look at what kinds of print materials you might consider working into your marketing budget for the upcoming year.

How to Use Print Materials to Communicate Effectively

Maintain a weekly or monthly newsletter for your organization: LPi prints full-color newsletters to share upcoming activities, center happenings, and photos of vibrant communities across the United States. Keep your community updated with all your latest news and information.

Create brochures/flyers: Another good resource for your print collateral toolbox are general brochures and flyers. Most designers can offer you both print and digital versions for a reasonable cost. That allows you to provide potential referral sources, such as libraries and physician’s offices, whatever format works best for them. If you are designing these yourself, don’t forget about all of our template options for you to easily adapt to your community’s needs in WeCreate, our library of ready-made content for print and digital !

Use business cards generously: While it’s easy to send contact information electronically by email and cell phone, business cards are still a good resource. As print costs have come down over the years, the design options have expanded. You can easily add more details about your organization on the back, too.

Send direct mail postcards: This is another marketing piece to keep members of your organization engaged while also attracting new ones. In addition to sending postcards to your current mailing list, you might explore buying a list from a credible mailing house or marketing agency. Feel free to enhance your designs with art already made for every occasion inside of WeCreate .

Consider investing in small giveaways: When you are trying to stay top of mind with your target audience, it helps to have small giveaways that have practical uses. Refrigerator magnets with a list of important local phone numbers are one idea. And you can never have too many pens, Post-it notes, measuring tapes, or jar openers.

Mail branded thank-you cards: In a world of emailed wedding invitations and texted birthday messages, it might seem like thank-you notes aren’t very engaging. But that is the very reason they are. Nothing can replace a heartfelt note and a few words of sincere thanks. Make it a practice to send out a few each week to staff members’ homes, volunteers, vendors, and others who’ve helped. If you lack experience with branding or just want to learn more, we published a free beginner's guide! It covers topics ranging from logos to brand books! Whether you're starting from scratch or updating well-worn materials, this guide will enable even those newest to the concept to build a brand that truly represents your community.

Updated 11-11-2025

Newsletter Ideas to Use All Year Long

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:45:00 GMT

Over the last few months, we’ve covered a wide range of topics related to newsletters, from writing a “From the Director” column to reader-friendly newsletter layouts . We hope you’ve been inspired to create a newsletter or expand an existing one. This month, we are tackling ideas you can incorporate into your newsletter all year long. Some standing columns and sections you can use regularly will make it a little easier to develop this important marketing tool.

Year-Round Newsletter Ideas

When you are responsible for creating a monthly or quarterly newsletter for your organization, it can be tough to come up with new and interesting topics on a regular basis. By incorporating a few standing columns or returning sections, you can involve more people in the process. It also helps make the newsletter engaging and more likely to be shared.

Here are a few ideas we hope will enhance your print or digital newsletter while making it a little less time consuming to produce:

Employee Spotlight: Featuring a team member in each newsletter is a great way to recognize those who go above and beyond to support center members. You can ask employees to nominate peers or even ask visitors to your community center to help determine who to spotlight. This might also be a good place to showcase interesting things team members are doing outside of work, such as raising funds for a dog rescue organization or volunteering for an Alzheimer’s walk.

Volunteer Feature: If your community center relies on volunteers, as most do, you could do a profile of one of them each month/quarter. By featuring a diverse group of people involved in a variety of projects, you might also encourage others to donate their time and talent to your center.

Recipe of the Month: Sharing a recipe or two each month that ties into the season can be another fun project! LPi has a collection of flavorful and fun recipes in WeCreate , ready for you to use. Or encourage employees, volunteers, and visitors to submit their favorite recipes, including the story behind it. Was it a holiday cookie handed down from a grandparent or favorite teacher? Or maybe a punch recipe that’s always served at family bridal or baby showers? The details will make the recipe more interesting.

Scam Alert: From fraudulent contests claiming you’ve won big to fake “gas company” inspectors trying to gain access to a person’s home, scams, cybersecurity breaches, and crime are everywhere. You might work with the local Better Business Bureau or a similar organization to provide a helpful feature sharing information on current scams to look out for in the area.

Health Tip of the Month: A good way to get members of the medical community involved with your organization is to ask them to contribute to your monthly newsletter. Maybe have someone from a cardiologist’s office write an article in February for National Heart Month, or ask a registered dietician to share information on salt and sodium intake during Stroke Awareness Week. You’ll be providing good information to readers while also building relationships with health care providers.

Committee Reports: If your organization has volunteer committees for different projects and tasks, ask them to provide quick updates to include in your newsletter. That can be a good avenue for raising awareness of what your organization offers.

Don’t forget that LPi has lots of articles and content for your newsletter on a variety of seasonal topics from health and wellness to technology, we’ve got you covered. These can be found in our digital art and content library, WeCreate .

If you don’t have a team member with the skills to create a newsletter, or if time constraints prevent you from doing this in-house, LPi can help. Read more about our digital and print newsletter services and how we can support your community center.

For more content about crafting the perfect newsletter for your community, visit the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog or dive into our free, complete guide to community newsletters. Happy publishing!

Updated 11-11-2025

LPi Ad Sales Managers Meet in Boston for Annual Summit

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:22:38 GMT

This past September 18-20, LPi ad sales managers, directors, and senior directors from across the country converged on Boston, Massachusetts for their annual summit. The group was joined by LPi’s senior leadership team this year and the theme for the meeting was “Back to the Future.”

“The primary purpose of this annual meeting is to foster collaboration among the sales manager team, directors, senior directors, and senior leadership,” said Bill Ames, the manager of the Coastal Raiders sales team at LPi. Ames, who also directed the logistical planning for the event, explained that “the goal is to share best practices, explore opportunities, and strategize for the year ahead.” The meeting also included breakout sessions covering topics like digital advertising and effective user reports, among others.

A highlight of the event was the guest speaker, Michael Allosso — an award-winning communications expert and self-awareness specialist who coaches CEO’s, teams, and individuals in leadership excellence. His selection was based on employee feedback, and his presentation centered on the importance of making everyone feel heard and seen in their activities and contributions to LPi.

Of the conference, Ames reflected, “You, on your best day, will always be determined by the company with which you choose to surround yourself. The Boston meeting provided a great opportunity to engage both our peers and the leadership team as we celebrated our wins, discussed our obstacles, and planned for our best days to come.”

In the spirit of the “Back to the Future” theme, this conference successfully catapulted LPi’s ad sales leadership teams forward with renewed vigor and a commitment to excellence. Our sincere appreciation goes out to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. Here's to many more fruitful gatherings in the years to come!

Ideas for Promoting Your Organization’s Events

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:17:11 GMT

Hosting special events is a great way to draw people to your center and build a sense of community. From small programs, such as card tournaments, to larger scale events, such as health fairs or concerts, the options for community outreach are numerous.

One fear that often holds people back from doing these types of events is that no one will come or attendance will be embarrassingly low. If you and your team are concerned about that, we have some ideas for promoting your event and a suggested timeline for ensuring success.

Seven Inexpensive Ways to Increase Event Attendance

Connect with influencers: Create a list of your supporters who are well-connected in the community or have a big presence on social media. Ask them to be informal ambassadors of the event and help spread the word. If you are a nonprofit organization, as most centers are, people will be more inclined to help. Also, encourage any speakers or entertainers to share event details with their audience.

Utilize community calendars: Don’t overlook digital and print media, as well as television and radio stations, that have community calendars. If you don’t already have a spreadsheet or tracking tool for these potential partners, enlist the help of a volunteer to set one up. You’ll want to email or call them to find out their deadlines and preferred method of submission.

Donate tickets: Local radio stations love to have contests that award prizes to listeners. Pick a few stations that your target audience listens to and offer some tickets to the event for them to use as a giveaway in exchange for the publicity.

Send out media alerts: Similar to press releases, these informational messages go out to local media to inform them of events and news. You’ll likely want to send one out as soon as tickets go on sale, and another closer to the event date. Keep in mind, media outlets don’t want to be your unpaid sales team. Position your message so it clearly shows what’s in it for viewers/listeners.

Use social media to highlight raffle baskets/auction items: Use the visual nature of Facebook and Instagram to your advantage by taking pictures of any raffle prizes/baskets or auction items that will be up for grabs. Not only does it give you an opportunity to thank the donor, but it will be an enticement for potential attendees.

Distribute event flyers/posters: In the digital age, we often forget that offline marketing activities still work. That’s why you might want to create flyers to distribute around town in places your target audience visits, such as libraries, grocery stores, hair salons, restaurants, and more.

Have signs made: Another simple way to get the word out is to have signs made to put up outside your community center. Include details, but not so many that they can’t be read from the road when people are passing by. Add a website address and phone number to make it easier for people to find out more.

Sample Timeline for Promoting Your Community Event

Depending on the size and scale of your community center event, you may need to start promoting it months ahead of time:

Four months prior to the event
Consider creating a dedicated logo or image to use in marketing the program.
Send out invitations or save-the-date cards to current supporters and those who have attended past programs you’ve offered.
Start posting details and behind-the-scenes photos, including when tickets will go on sale.
Add a dedicated page to your website and create a Facebook event for it.
Begin creating flyers and other print/digital promotional materials.

Two months prior to the event
Plan your social media strategy , including any contests or giveaways.
Talk with influencers, vendors, and speakers about helping spread the word.
Pitch partnership ideas to media outlets whose primary demographic is your target audience.

One month before the event
Post teaser photos on social media to give potential attendees a sneak peek at prizes, auction items, and more.
Distribute flyers/posters to key locations around the area.
Submit your event to community calendars, both online and print.
Place signs in front of the community center and any other high-traffic areas.

Two weeks prior to the event
Begin creating urgency around ticket sales by doing “last call” posts on social media and in an e-newsletter.
Encourage local radio stations to use free tickets for contests/promotions.
Do a live social media activity showing why people should attend and how to purchase tickets.

One week before the event
Send out media alerts to local print, television, and radio stations.
Host another live social media activity and include speakers or entertainers however possible (i.e., a quick Zoom call or Facebook Live with the musician or speaker).

Have an awesome event but don’t have the expertise to create the engaging graphics and images you need promote it? We’ve got you covered with thousands of ready-to-use, professionally designed imagery inside of WeCreate, our library of content for communities just like yours. Our team cans also assist with website building, logos and branding , free newsletters , and advertising if you find yourself in need.

Updated on 11-11-2025

LPi promotes Tim Potrikus to Chief Revenue Officer

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:39:04 GMT

Recently, LPi promoted Tim Potrikus from Vice President of Sales to Chief Revenue Officer. Considering his recent achievements, we thought we’d ask him a few questions about himself and his time at LPi to get a look into the life of our newly appointed CRO.

Q. Hi Tim! How long have you worked for LPi and in what capacity?

A. My initial start was in 1992 as an LPi “Marketing Rep” (it was the old job title for today’s Communication Consultants) and then Marketing Manager. The job was to sign new accounts, retain renewals, and assist a team of five others in Hartford, Connecticut. From there, I took on a special project for LPi in Salt Lake City, Utah. When the project ended, I was offered jobs in Minneapolis and Milwaukee, but both were cities to which my wife didn’t want to move. LPi supported me through a search for a new job which I held for several years. I was invited back to LPi in 2004 when my original boss was planning on retiring as VP/Director for the Hartford location.

Q. Please tell us a little about yourself and what you do for fun.

A. My wife, Lisa and I spend the winter months in our RV in Florida with plans to travel across the U.S. particularly into the Southwest in a year or two. In the summer, we take it to any live music we can find, from Boston Symphony and their Popular Artists Series (think James Taylor, Brandi Carlisle, Train) in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, to festivals like Green River with up-and-coming artists along with older bands. We love having all our stuff with us when we go, and we bring along the Jeep and our electric bikes for trips once we’re set up.

Q. Word on the street is that you come from a big Catholic family and belong to a small church that is an LPi customer?

A. I’m one of 11 kids, my wife is one of four, we have two of our own. Our two, Sarah and Eric, are both doing well in their own lives in Worcester, Massachusetts and Atlanta, Georgia. Our travel schedule/lifestyle means that I don’t participate in our local parish as much as I used to — I served several years on the finance council and as a trustee of the parish, but we’ve left that to the next generation of volunteers who are home year-round.

Q. Thanks Tim! Lastly, what’s your favorite thing about working for LPi?

A. I’ve always taken my roles at LPi to heart. I know the decisions that I and others on the leadership and management teams make affect the lives of 350 families who count on us to run the company successfully. I’ve enjoyed being part of a company that truly embraces its employees for all they are — all they can do — and all they can achieve. It is a GREAT PLACE to build a career!

Congratulations, Tim, on your new position. We’re proud to have you on our leadership team!

Updated on 03-25-2024

How to Create Successful Flyers

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 01:51:59 GMT

No matter what type of program, service, or event you are planning, chances are good that you’ll need to create flyers. They can be used for everything from pitching a potential sponsor to distributing to area businesses and community boards. With the variety of inexpensive design platforms you can utilize online, it’s easier than ever to make this a DIY project.

If you haven’t done this before or want some tips to make your flyers more appealing, read on!

Designing Flyers That Capture Attention

Our first tip is to connect with an online platform. While there are a variety of options out there, many aren’t user friendly or budget conscious. One solution that is easy to use and not hard on the budget is WeCreate. This digital library allows you to make high-quality, colorful content or simply grab a pre-designed image carefully created and curated by a team of in-house designers who work directly with communities like yours.

We’ve all seen those flyers that are so busy you don’t know where to look first. Or the ones with tiny text or tough-to-read fonts. That’s why our next tip is to learn a few design basics and apply them whenever you create anything, whether it’s a flyer or an image for social media:

Open with a catchy headline: It’s important to grab people’s attention right from the start. So be sure your first line is memorable and enticing. In most cases, you’ll want to bump up the font size so it stands out a little, too.

Stick with one or two fonts: While it’s fun to play around with different fonts, a rule of thumb is to stick to using no more than just two of them in your flyer. Century Gothic, Verdana, and Helvetica are the fonts most experts say are easiest on the eyes.

Break up content: Another fatal design mistake is putting big blocks of copy on the page without anything to break it up. That overwhelms the eye and may result in your flyer ending up in the trash can. Try to make your copy succinct and use subheads, borders, and images to give the eye a rest.

Consider complementary colors: Just as using too many fonts or including too many graphics can leave the reader wondering what to read first, so can too many colors. Designers often recommend using two or three complementary colors, meaning those that are opposites on the color wheel, when developing your flyer.

Keep it simple: This tip applies to both the design and the copy. Make it simple and easy to understand. If the program or event you are promoting involves a lot of detail, create a page for it on your website and share the link on the flyer. That will not only make your flyer more visually appealing, but also drive traffic to your website.

Don’t skimp on printing: While printing costs can feel a little painful sometimes, especially if you have a small marketing budget, try to go with the best you can afford. Inexpensive printers or cheap-looking papers can detract from the professionalism of your piece.

Include contact information: There’s nothing worse than reading a flyer and wanting to sign up or learn more, only to find there isn’t any contact information. Make sure your flyer includes a phone number, email address, and website.

Finish strong: Lastly, have a strong call to action (CTA) at the end. Tell the reader what you’d like them to do. While you’ll need contact information just in case they have questions, try not to confuse them by offering up more than one CTA.

We hope these tips help you create flyers that make promoting your programs and events easier!

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Create a Mass Mailing to Promote Your Organization

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:30:18 GMT

If you’ve decided to start a print newsletter or send out postcard invitations for an upcoming event, exploring ways to deliver them might be on your to-do list. Before the advent of digital marketing, direct mail was an extremely popular form of communication. While it’s not as widely practiced as it used to be, direct mail campaigns can still be highly effective.

For those who are tackling mass mailings for the first time, we have some tips to help you save both time and money.

Ideas for Making the Most of a Direct Mail Project

Apply for a bulk mail permit: Your first task is to obtain a bulk mail permit. A quick and easy way to do this is to apply online through the USPS Business Customer Gateway .

Clean up your mailing list: Another important step is to clean up your mailing list. Depending on how big your list is and how long it’s been since you’ve tidied it up, this can be a sizeable project. Check for duplicates, incomplete addresses, and more.

Consider whether you need to buy or rent a list: Bulk mail requires a minimum of 200 pieces. If your list isn’t that large or if your goal is to expand your reach, it might be worth buying or renting a list. Just be sure to make your purchase through a reputable list broker that knows your market or from a local mailing firm.

Share your budget constraints: A good designer will be able to come up with designs and formats that are budget sensitive, so don’t hesitate to share yours. Make sure to ask each designer you are considering whether they have experience designing for bulk mailings. Their expertise can make or break your budget.

Know bulk mail requirements: Another important step in planning your mass mailing is to have a thorough understanding of USPS bulk mail requirements . For example, there are size limits, a requirement for the return address, and more.

Choose an experienced printing company: Printing firms that offer mail services can pre-sort and pre-process your bulk mail campaign. The post office offers significant price breaks for doing so, since their staff will not have to do this work. The savings can be passed on directly to you. But there are rules and procedures that must be followed, and a printing firm with mailing services will know how to handle this process effectively.

Consider delivery time: While timing the delivery of a mass mailing isn’t an exact science, it’s worth trying to have yours arrive on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. These seem to be the days when people pay the most attention to direct mail pieces they receive at home.

Try a split-test mailing: As you are getting to know your target market, it may be beneficial to split up your mailings and see which one is more successful. It will require a little more expense up front, such as more money for design fees, but it can help you refine your efforts over the long run.

Finally, make sure your mass mailings incorporate your community organization’s branding. If you need a little help in that area, visit our Branding and Design page to learn more or read our Free Beginner’s Guide to Creating the Best Brand for Your Organization .

Updated on 11-11-2025

What to Write in a “Letter from the Director”

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 13:00:01 GMT

When you are putting a newsletter together for your community organization, making it inviting and appealing is important. One way to add a more personal touch is by incorporating a letter from your director or the leadership of your organization. Hearing directly from leadership about what is happening at the organization and plans for the future will keep readers engaged and even inspired!

How to Write a Letter From Your Leadership

Be mindful of voice and tone: It’s important to adopt a voice and tone that matches the intent of your newsletter and your audience. For most community organizations, that means casual and friendly. A formal style is best used for more serious companies or topics that require gravity.

Keep the letter clear and concise: Because of space constrictions, you’ll likely find yourself limited to a fairly stringent word count. Keeping it brief is also a good way to ensure your audience stays engaged. No one likes to read a long, rambling article or letter. A good approach is to write an initial draft and then edit it as many times as necessary, until your letter is clear and concise.

Make it about the organization: We’ve probably all read long, boring leadership-style letters that seem more about the person than the organization. It’s an easy trap to fall into but will likely put readers off. As you write the letter, remember to focus on the organization, team members, and volunteers. Think of “we” instead of “me.”

Inspire readers to connect: While it’s usually good to include at least a few words about what you’ve accomplished since your last communication and your plans for the next few months, stories are what really help people feel connected. Try to share an uplifting event or situation in your letter.

Include a photo: Another way to help your target audience feel more engaged with your organization is to include a photo of yourself with the director letter. People like to be able to put a face with a name. It’s probably a good idea to have a professional photographer take a head shot — just make sure it’s not too formal.

Add contact information: Don’t forget to incorporate your name, title, and contact information in your letter. Some find it helpful to set up a general email address for this purpose. That helps you avoid having the inbox of your primary email address overwhelmed with spam or sales pitches. Just make sure you or someone on your team regularly checks the email attached to the leadership letter.

One last suggestion: after you publish a few times, ask people for feedback. While criticism can be tough to hear, encouraging people to share ideas for improvement, as well as what they like, will help you write stronger director letters in the future.

If you are struggling to get a newsletter up and running for your organization, you might find our Print and Digital Newsletters services helpful! Contact us today to learn more about how easy it is to get a beautiful, free newsletter for your nonprofit started with LPi!

Updated on 03-25-2024

LPi Announces The 2023 LPi Vibrant Employee Award Recipients

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 22:09:39 GMT

The LPi Vibrant Employee Award honors those who have exceeded performance expectations while modeling the LPi Core Values — passion, positive team spirit, servant leadership, embracing change, and having fun. All employees are eligible to nominate someone for the award, and all employees are eligible to win the award.

2023's winner is Sarah Van Lieshout. Sarah started with LPi almost two years prior, serving as a Learning & Development Specialist. Her coworkers praised her in their nominations including statements with sentiments like,

“Her training sessions each week have set this entire company up for success for years to come!”

“Sarah has gone above and beyond for every single new employee here at LPi. She is so very helpful, smart as a whip, and pays close attention to detail.”

“Since I started with LPi, Sarah has been simply amazing. She was always there for me personally to answer my 1,000's of questions and that same attitude carried over to the employees on my team she has helped train and onboard. She makes the extra effort to ensure all new hires feel welcome and excited to be with LPi.”

Winners of the Vibrant Employee Award are recognized at an all-hands company meeting and awarded an all-expenses paid trip for them and a guest to a place of their choosing. Upon winning the award, Van Lieshout shared, “I'm so incredibly surprised and honored to receive this award. LPi is full of some of the most passionate and mission-driven individuals I've ever met. This only further excites my passion for continuing to help others reach their goals through learning and development.”

The Runners-up for 2023's award were ad graphic designer Amanda Carroll, and Salesforce admin Eleanor Polat. Honorable mentions included employees Mark Daniel, Colleen Feldner, Kristee Flynn, Dave Larsen, Becky Marszal, Karen Mueller, and Teresa Perkins.

Congratulations to everyone mentioned!

Interested in a career with LPi and a chance to win the Vibrant Employee Award? Find open positions around the country here!

Updated on 03-25-2024

Reader-Friendly Newsletter Layouts

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 12:00:03 GMT

Recently, we shared a free guide to everything your community orgazation needs to know about print newsletters. We covered topics ranging from why you should consider creating one, what to include, how to make sure it looks professional, and how to get one printed for free . This week, we’re tackling all things related to print newsletter design . We’ll answer some of the questions people often ask about what a reader-friendly newsletter layout should include and guide you through the process.

Design Tips for Print Newsletters

What is the standard size of a newsletter?

The standard size of a print newsletter is 8.5 × 11 inches. This not only makes the publication easy to mail, it also cuts down on printing costs. If your newsletter budget is fairly generous, you can play around with less-traditional sizes.

How do I decide what content to lead and end with?

As is true of digital publications, you want to grab a reader’s attention quickly and make a connection. So, lead with your best stories or events. Don’t save the good stuff for the end — you might lose the reader before they make it there!

But it’s also important to finish strong. It often helps to suggest what action you’d like the reader to take next, such as “Call us to learn more about reserving a spot in one of our upcoming workshops!”

Is design the most important element?

While the design is definitely important, content is what keeps people reading. Spend some time on titles and headlines to make them enticing. Make sure the copy is easy to read and not overly complex. If the topic is a complicated one, break it down into sections with different subheadings.

Does font style and size really matter?

Many people underestimate just how important it is to choose the right font style and size. Though playing around with artistic fonts is fine for some print items, this isn’t one of them. You need something that is pleasing to the eye in a size and style that can be easily read, especially if you have older adults in your target audience.

Sans serif fonts (fonts without tails at the ends of letters) are often used for headlines, while serif fonts (fonts with tails) such as Times New Roman are usually employed in body copy. The general recommendation for size is 10 to 12 points.

Are some color choices better than others?

Color can play an important role in a print publication. It often sets a mood or tone for the piece. For example, green represents nature, harmony, and growth, while red conjures up love and fire. Blue is known to be soothing and convey a sense of trustworthiness.

Spend time exploring the significance of different colors before picking a primary color that reflects your organization. Make sure it works well with the color or colors in your logo. After you’ve settled on a main color, most organizations will want to have one or two more complementary colors. That helps make the newsletter more appealing to the eye.

If you’d like to see a few examples of print newsletters that connect and engage, check out the before and after images we have on the newsletters section of our website ! For more articles about crafting the perfect newsletter for your community, visit the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Things to Include in Your Print Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:00:00 GMT

With so much marketing attention being paid to digital efforts these days, it’s easy to overlook that people still do read offline. From books to local papers and newsletters, print publications continue to be a source of information and entertainment. For example, while e-readers and platforms like Libby are popular, print books still outsell digital by a ratio of almost four to one.

If you are trying to build a community, whether it be for a religious community, a nonprofit agency, or another organization, a print newsletter might be a worthwhile investment.

Why Create a Print Newsletter?

There are a variety of benefits to publishing a newsletter for your members or potential members. It can help you:

Stand out from other organizations: Since many agencies and businesses have shifted their focus to e-newsletters exclusively, you’ll have less competition for people’s attention. You can leave a stack at your local library, doctor’s office, or coffee shop without being one of many doing so.

Avoid being part of the inbox clutter: From the grocery store to the online shop that sells skincare products, many organizations flood people’s inboxes with offers. By adding an offline version of your newsletter, you distinguish yourself from that clutter.

Share more detailed information: Online visitors read differently than those who consume information offline. While there’s definitely value to creating a content-rich website, it’s important to know that people tend to skim online instead of reading every word. When you want them to pay attention to details, it makes sense to create a written publication.

Stay top-of-mind: Another advantage to print is that it tends to have a longer “shelf” life and stick around longer. People might cut out a section they want to read again or post a list of dates to remember on their refrigerator. That helps keep your organization or business top-of-mind longer.

So, if you’ve decided to give a print newsletter a try, you might be wondering what type of content to include. We have some suggestions to help you get started.

Content Ideas for Your Newsletter

It’s best to balance routine information and columns with storytelling in your newsletter. A good way to achieve that is to incorporate scheduled events alongside more personal articles:

List upcoming activities and special events
Share team members’ titles and contact information
Talk about volunteer opportunities (one-time and long-term)
Include a letter from the executive director
Write a volunteer spotlight story or two
Always add photos/images to catch the eye
Publish the organization’s address, phone number, and website
Have team members contribute stories on a revolving basis

A few final tips to make sure your newsletter represents your business or organization in a professional manner:

Utilize a professional editor. If you don’t have someone on staff, you can probably find a freelancer who will work with you for a reasonable hourly fee. You’ll want them to review the newsletter for spelling, grammar, and the overall voice and tone.

Ask for input from those who are in your target audience. Make sure to ask them for open, honest feedback and any ideas for improvement. It’s one of the best ways to make sure the newsletter is valuable to readers.

Don’t skimp on visual design. Just like you may need to hire a freelance editor to review your newsletter before publication, it may be necessary to enlist the services of a graphic designer. Not in the budget? No problem! Simply use a tool like WeCreate which provides beautiful designs already made for you to use .

If you need a helping hand getting your print newsletter up and running, LPi is your solution. Read more about our print services for newsletters or dive into our free guide to all things community newsletters! We'd love to help you bring your ideas to life!

Updated on 11-11-2025

Using Social Media to Promote Your Community Organization

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:00:01 GMT

Social media can be a great resource for promoting a community organization. It’s often free or low in cost, depending on the platform. It can help you create awareness, build community, and publicize events. If you are a nonprofit, you might even be able to accept donations through the platform.

If you aren’t very familiar with the different social media channels or tools to make it easier to utilize them, we have a few tips you might find useful.

Understanding the Different Social Media Platforms

Facebook: This is probably the one people are most familiar with. It attracts followers of all ages. You can set up your own page, complete with events, photo albums, and an About Us section. You or any supporter can also set up Facebook fundraisers and have the money you raise transferred to your bank or sent to you via check. Your Facebook page can also be set up to accept donations or payments from people who attend your events. To help you determine if your organization qualifies to fundraise on Facebook, read Eligibility Requirements for Facebook’s Fundraising Tools .

X (formally Twitter): While X's constant changes can make it more challenging to navigate sometimes, there is still value in using it. You can tweet out updates or links to special events and help drive more traffic to your website or blog. It seems people often look to X for more in-the-moment types of news, so consider updates like that!
Instagram: This channel is a popular one, but content creators really need to be comfortable creating and posting informal videos. While they don’t have to be professional or overly complicated, videos do rank better in Instagram algorithms. It’s a shift the platform made in an effort to compete with TikTok and attract a younger audience.
YouTube: While political organizations have made some people skeptical of YouTube, it’s still a great option for community organizations. You can video and share exercise classes and workshops that take place at your community center and allow people free access to them. It’s another good way to attract attention and draw people to your center.

There’s no doubt social media offers many benefits. One drawback is that it can be very time-consuming. But there are a variety of tools that might make it a little easier.

Helpful Social Media Applications and Tools

If you are looking for a few tools to support your social media program, here are a few of the most popular:

WeCreate : Get access to downloadable images, graphics, and photography that is already created with your needs in mind with this library of content curated specifically for use by organizations like yours. There are thousands of professionally designed digital assets just waiting for you to make them your own for all of your social media needs!
Buffer : This software application can be accessed via a mobile device or on your computer. It does everything from schedule social media posts to suggest best times to post and provide reports. You can use the free version or choose from several plans that offer more features at very reasonable monthly fees.
Social Champ : This social media management tool lets you automate many tasks, including the time-consuming job of scheduling. It also integrates with other essentials, including Canva, WordPress, Dropbox, VistaCreate, Flickr, and Bitly.

One additional article on our blog that may help you improve your social presence is Utilizing Different Types of Social Media Posts . It discusses how to incorporate Facebook and YouTube into your marketing strategy.

Check Out the LPi Blog

If you are a director or a team member of a community organization, you'll certainly find the LPi Community Blog to be helpful. We share articles throughout the month on topics ranging from where to find free digital photos to why you might need an e-newsletter.

Want more social media inspiration for your staff? Visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog!

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Write Better Emails For Your Organization

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 21:07:20 GMT

With the rise of emojis and abbreviations commonly used for texting, many people have become complacent about written communication. These shortcuts have even worked their way into emails that people send personally and professionally. While it might be fine to adopt casual language in emails with friends, it’s likely not a good idea for professional interactions.

From the subject line to grammar and spelling, your email can tell a story about you. Here are a few tips for making sure your email communications represent you in the best possible light.

Tips for Creating Effective Emails

Spend time on the subject line: When a recipient’s inbox is full, the subject line can influence if and when the email gets read. You might be able to improve the odds your email will be read more quickly by crafting an intriguing subject line. Make sure it’s clear, compelling, and concise.

Pay extra attention to the opening lines: Just like the subject line, the beginning of your email can make or break it. You’ll want to briefly describe your reason for writing. Don’t make it too slick or salesy. That is a turnoff for most readers.

Edit copy to be concise: We probably all know people who send lengthy, rambling emails. You might find yourself groaning a little when their name pops up in your inbox. That’s why reviewing and editing every email you send is so important. Look for words you can cut and opportunities to use more precise language.

Consider the timing: Research shows that email open rates start to increase around 6 a.m. and typically peak between 9 a.m. and noon. Some people try to send emails during these times. Others believe they have less competition for inbox space later in the afternoon. You could experiment with both and decide which way is best for your particular audience.

Have a call to action near the end: Another mistake people often make with email is not being clear about what you want recipients to do. You’ll likely have a better response if you include a strong call to action near the end of your message. It might help to make it a standalone paragraph so it doesn’t get lost in the main body of the email.

Conclude on a positive note: Like the subject line and your opening, how you wrap up an email is important, too. End on an upbeat note unless that would be inappropriate for the content. A few examples are “Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you have any questions!” and “Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon!”

Conduct a final proof: Don’t rely on spell-check to catch all your typos and mistakes. It just won’t. That’s why it’s important to proof every email slowly and carefully before you send it. If it’s an especially important one, you might even ask a detail-oriented friend or colleague to look it over, too.

Are you also responsible for creating a monthly email newsletter for your organization? If so, save time with our automatic email tool My Community Online . Your members can subscribe to receive your digital newsletter straight to their email inbox without you having to lift a finger when you submit your newsletter for printing. If you aren’t currently printing with LPi, learn more here .

If you’d like to learn more about email and how to segment your audience, our blog article, Tips for Targeted Email Messaging should be your next read!

Updated on 11-11-2025

From Blank Canvas to Vibrant Inspiration: LPi Reveals Stunning New Office Mural

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:20:09 GMT

We are proud to announce that our main offices in New Berlin are looking a little different these days! Why? We’ve installed a mural in one of the most trafficked areas of the building — right outside the bathrooms and next to the kitchen/break room.

The idea to install a big mural was spearheaded by the HR and Marketing departments. Candy Underwood, Vice President of Human Resources, tells the story.

“Our marketing team is THE BOMB! They created a bunch of potential designs. Every single design was beautiful yet distinctive from the others. Our HR team of six was given the heavy burden of deciding which one to pick. We met as a team, reviewed each design carefully, and then used a highly-validated, scientific approach to make our decision — On the count of three, we showed our hands with our fingers indicating which number design was our favorite. All six of us chose this design! Literally, a “hands-down” winner. The Marketing team took it from there — refining the design, finding a vendor, and managing the installation. A big thank you to our graphic design manager, Evan Vogel, and his team!”

The final design chosen was originally created by LPi graphic designer Gaby Lazcano. Jake Adams, of the marketing design team, collaborated with Gaby to ensure that this piece was the best it could be. The image is centered around sharing the LPi core values in a fun and engaging way. It incorporates our brand colors, logo, and a U.S. map with the locations of all our offices marked.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who played a part in helping this beautiful mural come to life!

Why Your Website’s Homepage Is Important and How to Make Yours Better

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 15 May 2023 14:00:04 GMT

The old saying “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” holds true. And the first impression people have of your business or community organization is often your website’s homepage. It’s why you should carefully consider what does — and doesn’t — belong on this page.

Without a strong, early connection that compels visitors to stick around, your bounce rate will be high. That’s the percentage of people who visit only one page. They leave without clicking on anything or going to a second page. Not only does that mean you are losing people, but some experts also believe a high bounce rate might indirectly impact ranking.

If your community or senior center is getting ready for a website redesign, we’ve collected a few elements that you’ll likely want to include on your new homepage. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, our design team specializes in working with communities like yours to create beautiful websites .

What Should Go on a Website's Homepage?

Strong start: Depending on who you listen to, people give websites an average of 3 to 7 seconds to grab their attention. So, the first thing you’ll want them to see is a headline with a simple, clear message. No extra words or gimmicks.

Brief summary/description: Next, you’ll want a sub-headline that summarizes who you are or what you do. Again, keep it simple and free from jargon. Your goal is to keep people engaged and on your site.

Calls to action: Unlike other pages on a website or posts on a blog, where too many calls to action (CTAs) can overwhelm visitors, they are vital on your homepage. Experts usually recommend two or three above the fold and one more below it. (If you aren’t sure what “above the fold” means, the linked article provides a good description.)

Visual interest: Part of keeping visitors engaged with your site is making an emotional connection. One of the best ways to do that is with a great photo or short video. You don’t want something so complicated or large that it makes your homepage slow to load. That’s a sure way to lose a new visitor — they may get impatient and hit the back arrow to return to the search engine results page. We’ve got you covered with thousands of already-designed images especially for communities like yours in WeCreate .

Benefits/impact showcase: You’ll also want to be sure to highlight the benefits your organization or business offers. This is not a sales pitch, but rather an opportunity to spotlight the impact you make. Photos with a caption or two might be all you need.

Free offer: As you make your way below the fold on the homepage, it’s often a good idea to offer a piece of content for free, like a short guide or checklist that relates to what you do. That will entice your visitors to stay actively engaged with your page. Keeping it ungated , meaning no name or email is required to download it, might be best.

Navigation menu: Because you want people to click on links to read more about your organization, it’s essential to make it easy to do so. Feature your menu or navigation elements prominently on your homepage. Be sure they stand out from other elements on the page.

Footer information: While you don’t want the footer to be too cluttered, it is a good spot for more details. You’ll likely want your contact information and email address here. Another good item to include in this section is a form to subscribe to your e-newsletter. Finally, if you are a nonprofit, add images/logos from any accrediting bodies you belong to or links to your results page on Great Nonprofits or Charity Navigator.

This list should help you feel confident as you meet with your web development team. And if your budget permits, you might want to give your About Us page a makeover, too. It’s one of the most popular pages on a website!

For more website inspiration, visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog!

Updated on 11-11-2025

Web Design Basics for Community Organizations

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 01 May 2023 12:00:19 GMT

If your marketing and communications plan for 2023 includes creating a new website, you aren’t alone. Research shows that an estimated 175 websites are developed every minute worldwide! With that kind of competition, it’s important to make sure yours stands out from the rest while also telling the story you want to convey.

As you begin your planning efforts, we have a few suggestions to keep in mind. We also have a seasoned web design team ready to help you achieve all of your community's website goals if you want to save time and energy!

Tips for Creating a Website for Your Community Center

Get a feel for what you like: The visual appeal of your website is important. As a community organization, you might not have the funding that for-profit organizations or large nonprofits do. But you can compensate by visiting their websites and making note of what you like and think might work for your organization. Ask a few others involved with your community center to do the same. This can be a good first step before you meet with web developers.

Make it mobile friendly: Most people visit websites on tablets and smartphones. They often do so while waiting at an appointment or watching television and, don’t overlook trends like refrigerators with touch screens! People might use their mobile device to view your community calendar while they are cooking or waiting for their morning coffee to brew. Unfortunately, small organizations often haven’t caught up with mobile trends. Their sites can be tough to view and navigate on a device. Put this on your list of concerns to discuss with whomever you hire to create your website. We have additional tips for creating mobile-friendly sites here !

Color and font choices matter: Think about who your primary audience is. While you might be trying to attract an intergenerational crowd, if seniors are your primary market, learn more about what works for older eyes. For example, we know that simple fonts in darker colors that contrast with lighter backgrounds are easier to read. Lots of space between copy, especially if you have big blocks of content on a page, also helps with readability. If you don’t already have a logo and brand guidelines for your organization, consider developing one with our team ! This way your logo and style choices can be uniform throughout your organization’s communication efforts.

Learn more about platforms: There are many platforms to choose from when looking for the best web-builder for your community’s website. Whatever platform the agencies you meet with recommend, take a little time to read reviews about it and learn more about the pros and cons. Also, make sure the web developer is aware of any third-party services you work with, such as Stripe, Donorbox, or Mailchimp. Our powerful and easy-to-use website builder WeConnect even offers live demos of the product , where you can watch the build process and ask questions.

Keep it simple: We’ve all visited beautiful sites that have lots of bells and whistles. The downside to these is that they can be difficult to navigate. Simple is usually best, especially when your primary audience is older adults. Be sure to let the agency know about elements you need, like a Donate button or a Subscribe feature. Or maybe it’s a registration form that makes it easier for members to sign up to attend special events or programs. Also be certain the web developer can link to any social media platforms you have, like Facebook or Instagram. (And if you haven’t yet set up a Facebook page, this article has tips on using the social media site to connect with your community.)

Don’t skimp on hosting: It can be tempting to opt for the cheapest hosting service you can find. Unfortunately, that’s usually not the best solution. An unreliable provider can mean downtime for your website, as well as slow loading times. You might also run into problems with security and bots. An inexpensive web host might not include automatic backups of your site, either. This is another area where you’ll want to do some research before making a decision.

Remember, your website conveys to the world who your organization is. Make sure it represents you well! Visit our Effortless Websites page to learn more about telling your center’s story online.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Tropical Recognition for EXCELLENT Employees

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 17:40:09 GMT

183 LPi guests made their way to the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Florida in April, 2023, to celebrate outstanding accomplishments made by the sales team.

73 employees were recognized for their work at the annual “Circle of Excellence” trip. The location varies annually, this year the guests were greeted by Florida’s turquoise waters full of dolphins as they met, shared, and relaxed on sunny shores.

Organizer Jon Becker, Area Sales Director for LPi, shared that the Circle of Excellence trip is an opportunity to recognize salespeople who have successfully earned qualifying criteria. Becker says that the criteria and goals vary by department. While all the goals pose a level of challenge, they are also intentionally planned to be attainable with some effort.

Says Becker, “And we don’t cap attendance — anybody can earn the trip based off the criteria! We want as many as we can!”

To further encourage newcomers, first-year sales people are provided with a separate, simpler set of criteria. Becker shared that a modified version makes the Circle of Excellence more attainable, and the salesperson can then interact and be encouraged by more seasoned employees.

Besides the warm weather and beach, Matt Inkmann, Senior Director for Ad Sales, relates that a highlight of the Circle of Excellence is the Awards Banquet, a formal event where each salesperson is recognized. LPi CEO, Joe Luedtke, takes the time to announce each earner, who is greeted with support and applause.

“I took a brief pause during our awards banquet to look around the room and take in the scene,” said Inkmann, “in that moment I saw a room full of Circle of Excellence winners not focused on receiving their own award but genuinely thrilled and cheering for all their colleagues that were being recognized. That is the spirit of this team and the Circle of Excellence experience.”

And for 2024? The team is already excited for the next location — Cancun, Mexico!

It sounds like there may be more than 73 attendees at that location, according to Becker, “After just one quarter in 2023, we are trending higher for COE attendees then we were last year at this point!”

The future of sales is bright, just like the Mexican sun!

Interested in learning more about sales opportunities and how you can land a spot at next year’s Circle of Excellence? We’re expanding our team! Learn more here: LPi Careers.

Updated on 03-25-2024

How to Create the Best Blog for Your Organization and WHY You Should Start One Today

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:00:04 GMT

A content marketing strategy that can help improve traffic to your community center’s or nonprofit's website is creating and maintaining a blog. Not only does it help build the size of your website, it also sends a signal to search engines that you are still around and the site hasn’t been abandoned. And there are plenty of other ways organizations can benefit from blogging.

If you haven’t already started a blog, here are a few great reasons to dive in followed by some tips to get you started!

The Benefits of Having a Blog on Your Website

Brings more and targeted traffic : There’s no doubt about it, having a blog improves your visibility. According to the experts at HubSpot, having a blog can increase traffic to your website by 55% . That statistic alone likely makes developing a blog worth your time.

Positions you as an expert: Most senior centers and community organizations have a wide range of professionals and volunteers who have expertise in a variety of different fields. They can all make great writers for your blog! You’ll benefit from being seen as the experts in key areas ranging from good nutrition to healthy aging.

Gives you social media content: Having a blog will give your social media coordinator quality information to share. While it’s always a good practice to share social media posts and links to news and events happening outside your organization, having unique resources of your own creates value and credibility.

Encourages engagement: Blog posts also encourage engagement with visitors. They are more likely to be shared with friends and family if the topics are relevant and valuable. For example, an adult child might read a post on fall prevention and send it to her siblings to review, too.

Grows your email list: A strong email list is an invaluable asset to your community organization. It gives you the ability to reach out and communicate directly. No worries over whether your Facebook post or tweet will reach people or if they’ll find and visit your website. You control what goes out and how often. Having a blog creates another opportunity to encourage subscribers . You can provide added value by offering a unique piece of gated content that visitors receive in exchange for sharing their email address.

How nto Properly Starting a Blog For Your Organization

First, if you don’t already know if your website has a blog feature or how to add one, you’ll first need to determine that by talking with your web developer. Many sites have this ability, even if it hasn’t been enabled yet. While your tech support consultant or ad agency is working on that, you and your team can decide on what content you want on your blog. If you feel lost, we can help!

Tips to help you get your blog up and running:

Locate writers and editors: Consider what resources you have on your team or in your volunteer base. While everyone thinks they are a great writer, you’ll likely find only a few who are. Those people can contribute to your blog on a regular basis. You’ll also need a person or two who can act as editors. They’ll review and finesse every article before it’s published. If you don’t have this talent available, and most organizations won’t, consider outsourcing it to a freelancer. It’s an important part of presenting a professional blog to the world.

Develop a strategy: You’ll also need to decide what the goals of your blog are and how to best achieve them. That includes everything from how often you can realistically publish new articles to what topics each person will write about. One tip is to moderate how much content you create at first. Remember that your team members and volunteers will be doing this in addition to their regular duties. Don’t burn them out in the first few months.

Use Professional Imagery: Your readers will expect your blogs to include professional-looking digital imagery. Some pieces may call for graphic images, some for photography, and some for a mix of both. You can save a ton of time and effort in this area by subscribing to a pre-curated library of content, like WeCreate , that is especially designed to be used in blogs and other digital media.

Create a quarterly calendar: While some blog publishers create content calendars for six or twelve months at a time, you’ll probably find it more helpful to start with a quarter. Sit down with your team to throw around ideas for topics. Consider seasonal topics that people always search for (e.g., sunscreen basics for summer or snow shoveling safety for winter). Then factor in your team’s areas of expertise and include those. Before long, you’ll have a great list to work from. As you go forward, you’ll want to check your analytics and social media engagements to see what is and isn’t connecting with people. How to Plan a Content Calendar for Your Newsletters and Blog has more tips you’ll likely find useful.

One final resource you might want to review with anyone on your team who will be involved in writing and launching the blog is Gated Versus Ungated Content . It will be helpful as you try to use your blog to expand your email list.

Need guidance with your new website or website redesign? Reach out to us! Our team of designers is well versed in the creation and cultivation of community websites like yours using our effortless website tool, WeConnect .

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Make Sure Your Organization's Website is Mobile-Friendly

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:00:17 GMT

Regular readers of our blog know that we place great value in digital marketing. Community organizations need to invest in online resources, whether it’s an e-newsletter full of great content that’s published on a routine schedule, or a website optimized to attract visitors. One of the opportunities we continue to see for enhancing your website experience is making sure it’s mobile-friendly.

Plenty of small organizations still haven’t taken this step. While it doesn’t happen as frequently as it used to, when people look them up online, especially from their smartphone, it often doesn’t go well. Only sections of the website appear, and the navigation is challenging at best. That leaves visitors feeling frustrated and makes them more likely to drop off your website.

There are two avenues you can pursue to avoid this. One is with a responsive website, and the other is a mobile-friendly website. Today we’ll talk about what a mobile-friendly website is and how you can create one. We can also assist your endeavor to make your website as user friendly as possible with our effortless website tool, WeConnect.

What Is a Mobile-Friendly Website?

A mobile-friendly website is designed to work exactly the same way across devices. Unlike a responsive website that changes (responds) based on the device being used to view it, a mobile-friendly site has static content and modest navigation.

In the simplest of terms, nothing on the site changes or is unusable, whether you are using a computer or mobile device. Features like navigation drop-downs are used sparingly, as they can be tough to maneuver on mobile devices. Flash animation isn’t used, either.

What should you consider in the design of a mobile-friendly website for your small community organization? We have a few suggestions you’ll likely find useful.

Tips for Designing a Mobile-Friendly Website

Check out the competition: As is recommended with any new marketing project of significant expense, begin by looking at what your competitors are doing. You might also want to find community organizations or senior centers in other locations and look at their websites. What do you like? Just as important, what don’t you like? Have a few people on your team, and possibly even some of your organization’s members or visitors, give their feedback. That will help you get some ideas to share with your web developer.

Create for mobile experience: In the past, web developers encouraged clients to focus on how a website would appear on a desktop or laptop because that’s where most traffic came from. Today, it’s just the opposite. According to TechJury , mobile phones generated 60.66% of website traffic in 2022, while desktops and tablets accounted for 39.34%. It’s a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. Keep that in mind as you create your new site or update your existing one.

Prioritize content you see first: When it comes to viewing content on a mobile device, you have to grab visitors fast. While experts don’t quite agree on the numbers, most say you have 3–8 seconds to capture someone’s attention online. Journalists have long used the phrase above the fold to describe the top section of a newspaper. It literally contains the stories you see when the paper is folded in half. Online, that translates to the content visitors engage with before they scroll down.

Avoid feature dumping: Along those same lines, it’s best to avoid throwing too many features into your above the fold content. While you might be proud of them, it’s better to save them for lower on the page. Don’t slow things down with anything that takes too much time to load, or copy that doesn’t get right to the point. All the features you are proud of can come later on the page or on another page. Showcase the benefits instead. Confused about what to focus on?

Updated on 11-11-2025

Digital Content That Connects with Older Readers

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:00:01 GMT

If you are trying to develop a content marketing strategy, you’ve no doubt explored the idea of utilizing guides, e-books, and checklists inside your organization's blogs and newsletters. These are good resources for attracting attention and even building your membership. Given the breadth of talent on staff at many community organizations, you probably have a wide range of experts available to contribute as well!

While you might need to hire a professional writer or designer to execute your ideas, the investment is probably worth it, especially if you select an evergreen topic for your resource. The term evergreen means that people will be able to use the content for months and possibly even longer. Read on the learn more about digital content and what to create.

Should my Digital Content be Gated or Ungated?

Should content be gated or ungated is one of the first issues you’ll want to tackle. For each incentive or resource you create, you will ask people to perform a different action to gain access.

You might want a quick checklist to be ungated, meaning a website visitor doesn’t have to enter their email address to download it. The next step up might be a short guide or a more comprehensive checklist that requires an email address. Finally, a long guide or e-book might require a name, email address, and possibly even a phone number.

Once you determine what audience you are trying to attract — new visitors, return visitors, or frequent flyers — you can better focus your content.

Content Ideas to Engage an Older Audience

When your goal is to attract and build engagement with seniors, you’ll want to keep a few factors in mind:

Watch your language: People don’t necessarily think of themselves as old or frail at any age. That’s why it’s important to watch the language you use in your content. It’s usually best to adopt a young-at-heart voice.

Skip the slang and jargon: Whether it’s tech speak or trendy slang, unfamiliar terms and phrases can easily turn people off. Consider having a few people in your target age group review anything you write before publishing it.

Ensure easy navigation: While it’s a misperception that older adults aren’t able to use technology, most are looking for websites that are easy and straightforward. Be sure your site’s navigation isn’t overly complicated.

Create visual appeal: You’ll want to make certain your design is friendly to older eyes. Large fonts, contrasting colors, and lots of white space are musts for senior website visitors. We have you covered when it comes to graphics, stock photography, and articles already optimized and ready to drop in to your content with WeCreate!

The above tips apply to both your website and any guides or e-books you create.

Topic Ideas That Attract Senior Citizens

While older adults are usually interested in the same topics as younger adults, there are some guides and checklists that tend to be especially attractive to a senior audience. Here are a few ideas you might consider as part of your overall content marketing strategy:

Older driver safety tips and courses, best cars for seniors, and adaptive driving aids
Healthy menu planning for one or two, and how nutritional needs change with age
Senior-friendly fitness activities, both indoors and outdoors
Intergenerational activities and suggestions for entertaining the grandkids
How to find a doctor who has experience working with senior patients
What Medicare does and doesn’t cover and what secondary insurance is
Businesses that offer senior discounts
Health screenings to discuss with your doctor at every age
Making new friends and rebuilding your social circle after retiring
Safety tips for older adults returning to the dating scene

We hope this information helps you create content that attracts and engages the senior audience you desire.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Encourage People to Subscribe to Your Email Newsletter

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 19:14:40 GMT

With organizations and businesses constantly competing to be noticed on social media, finding other ways to reach your target audience is essential. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms may be great for sharing photos and highlights of activities happening at your centers, but it’s also important to encourage people to connect with you on a platform you control.

In past blog articles, we talked about email newsletters and why you need one . Now we’ll share some ideas you can use to build your own email subscriber list. We’ve included a few quick and easy tips, along with some that will take a little more time but will pay off in the end.

How to Build Your Email Newsletter Subscriber List

Don’t overcomplicate it: Ask potential subscribers for only their email address and maybe their first name. Include a line of copy to reassure them that you won’t sell or share their information. People will be more likely to subscribe if they aren’t required to give up a lot of personal information.

Make the Subscribe button obvious: Feature your Subscribe button prominently on pages and blog posts. Make sure it’s large and in a color that contrasts with the background.

Issue a clear call to action: End blog posts with a call to action (CTA) that encourages people to subscribe. A simple line or two with a link to your subscription form is usually best. Change up the wording of your CTAs so they’re not too repetitive. Language like “If you found this blog article of interest, sign up to receive our updates delivered right to your inbox” is a good way to wrap up an article.

Go old school: With so much focus on digital, it’s easy to forget people still read offline, too. Create signs to promote your email newsletter that you can display at your center and local library, and at special events. Pass around a sign-up sheet on a clipboard during lunches and special programs. You can use WeCreate, our library of ready-to-use graphics to save you time creating these promotional materials.

Use MyCommunityOnline : Install the newsletter widget on your website to instantly update your newsletter immediately after you submit to print. By making your printed newsletter available on your website, you are helping visitors find your information and they can easily subscribe to receive every new issue via email.

Finally, offer people something of value in return for subscribing. Guides, checklists, and webinar invites — often referred to as lead magnets — are all great tools for building your subscriber lists. While they are a bit labor intensive, they usually pay off in the end.

Creating Lead Magnets That Attract Email Subscribers

A lead magnet can entice visitors to your website to share their email address in exchange for access to a document or an invitation to an event, either in person or virtual.

Make it relevant and valuable to your audience

Think about who you are trying to attract and what their interests are. Then consider the strengths and skills of your team members, board of directors, and volunteers. Do you have any experts who could help you write a guide or create a useful checklist? Maybe a travel advisor could share suggestions for affordable summer getaways for older adults, or your program team member could create a checklist of intergenerational summer activities.

Offer information not readily available

If you are asking a person to enter their email address in exchange for a resource, be sure it’s something unique. It should be more than a topic they could explore on their own with a few targeted Google searches. Even if it’s not a lengthy guide or checklist, make it valuable by utilizing the expertise connected to your organization.

Ensure it’s easily and instantly accessible

Our last tip is to make sure whatever you offer to potential subscribers can be accessed easily and right away. For example, have the team member or consultant who handles your website set it up as an instant download. Once the visitor enters their email address and hits Subscribe, they should be able to access the document or invitation.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Plan a Content Calendar for Your Newsletter and Blog

test@4lpi.com (Web Team) — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 15:57:20 GMT

A common mistake some marketers make is failing to create and work from a content calendar. It often leads to too many articles related to some topics and no attention at all devoted to others. That can make for a poor visitor experience and a less than stellar presence in Google search engine results.

While it definitely is an investment of your time upfront, the extra effort will be worth it in the long run. If the idea of mapping out your content for months and quarters at a time seems overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips for outlining and creating a custom content calendar.

Suggestions for Creating a Great Content Calendar

Review past and future events: Sit down with your team to look at what events and activities you already have on the books for the months ahead. Also take a look back at the past years’ activities to see what events you remember being successful.

Check the analytics: If you have the ability, look back at your website’s analytics for the last year or so. Do the same for your Facebook page and any email campaigns you sent out. This information can give you a good sense of what topics your members and visitors are most interested in.

Outline the big picture: Create an overarching list of ideas and topics based on upcoming center events and those that were popular in the past, as well as content that has a history of engaging. This will provide a broad outline of what the upcoming year could look like. Also, if you haven’t already done so, create categories for your blog.

Get down to details: Next, it’s time to break topics down into quarters, months, and weeks. This is where the details matter. Conduct some online research to see what your competitors have been talking about online. For any topic you are considering, do a Google search to see what’s already been written. Then try to come up with working titles — you can finesse them after the articles are written.

Mix it up: An ideal content calendar will be a mix of evergreen topics (i.e., senior-friendly fitness activities) and seasonal or trending topics. Many content marketers find it helpful to plug evergreen and seasonal topics (i.e., preventing dehydration during the hottest days of the summer or preparing your house for winter) into their content calendar but also leave openings for trending topics that pop up.

We hope these tips will allow your team to work more efficiently while also capturing more online attention and ranking higher with Google.

Resources for Content Marketers

Finally, if you are trying to piggyback on some of the media attention garnered by special months and themed days, we have some resources that might be useful in your planning. We also have a couple of websites that might help polish your content if you can’t afford a professional editor.

WeCreate: All of your communications will likely need images so, save yourself some time and use the resources in WeCreate — our art and content library . We have thousands of assets, created specifically for centers and communities to use, ready for you to download and place directly into your content.

Crestline: This great site highlights awareness months, weeks, and days. It will give you plenty of ideas for marketing events and topics ranging from Rubber Duckie Day in January to Older Americans Month in May.

Wikipedia: The List of Month-Long Observances on Wikipedia outlines both serious topics and more fun ones. You’ll find everything from American Heart Month (February) to Mustache March and National Pizza Month (October).

Grammarly: Earning plenty of positive reviews, this site touts itself as a writing assistant . It offers features such as grammar check, writing suggestions, and spell check. Both free and premium plans are available.

ProWritingAid: Many consider the ProWritingAid site to be a step up from Grammarly. Users have access to proofreading, spell check, vocabulary enhancement suggestions, style improvement recommendations, and more. It does have a free trial, but the premium version is pricier than Grammarly.

If you’ve found this article useful, we encourage you to bookmark the LPi Community blog and visit often. We regularly share information and tools designed to help your nonprofit become a valued resource for your area.

Updated on 11-11-2025

What to Know About Digital Photos and Graphics and Where to Find Them

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:00:00 GMT

If you are responsible for your organization’s blog, social media, or email newsletter, you’ve likely wondered just how important it is to add images. It may seem like an unnecessary step, one you are tempted to skip when your to-do list is long. Research shows, however, that adding photos is a must when it comes to your online content.

Why Are Photos Important to Your Online Content?

Add Interest to Your Story: Many people are more inclined to read an online story or post when there are images attached to it. Photos catch the eye and make visitors more likely to slow down and at least skim the copy.
Reinforce Your Content: Images can also help reinforce the narrative you are trying to develop with your web copy. As you transition from one thought to another, you can reinforce the ideas through photos.
Break Up Large Blocks of Copy: Visitors can be visually overwhelmed when they see a lot of copy on a page. By placing photos throughout your blog, you help break that up and make it easier on the eyes.
Improve Rank with Google: In recent years, Google has made it more obvious that they value images in web copy. By utilizing and optimizing images , you may be able to improve your rank in Google search engine results.

Now that you have a better understanding of why you need images, you’re likely wondering how and where to find photos and graphics that enhance your messaging. We have some suggestions you might find useful.

Where to Find or Create Digital Images

Use Ours: LPi has a tool specifically designed for nonprofits like yours called WeCreate . This incredible time-saving resource includes an entire library full of stock photos and professionally-designed graphics just waiting for you to use so you don’t have to spend hours searching for, or designing them yourself! Our graphic design team carefully creates images especially for organizations like yours to use for all sorts of reasons — holidays, events, classes, management needs, and more! If we print your newsletter, you already have access to WeCreate! If not, learn more about our newsletter services and all their perks here, or simply subscribe to WeCreate on its own today so that you have access to these resources. Users have permission to use any of the images found in the library for blog posts, websites, and social media or print material!
Take Your Own Photos : One great benefit to running an organization like yours is that it has a built-in stream of photo opportunities. Make a point of taking photos of both informal and planned events and gatherings. Just be sure to get permission from anyone in pictures you’d like to use, possibly even having them sign a photo release.
Create Your Own Graphics: User-friendly platforms, such as Canva or PicMonkey , make it easy to put together your own images. You can create a collage or simple infographic using pre-made templates. Another idea is to pull one of the most meaningful quotes out of your copy and use it to create a graphic.

One final suggestion is to be aware of copyright regulations with respect to using photos. Using the photos and images in our WeCreate library can help you easily avoid any copyright problems.

Market Your Organization to the Community

If you are trying to increase awareness for your organization, a solid marketing and community relations plan is a must. Check out these tips for writing a basic marketing plan to get started today!

Updated on 11-11-2025

9 Design Tips to Take Your Newsletter from Good to GREAT!

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Looking for simple tweaks that can make a big difference in your newsletter design and layout? We help design and print newsletters for thousands of nonprofits across the country so we’ve compiled nine suggestions from the LPi graphic design team that can improve your newsletter for increased readership!

Newsletter Design Tips to Elevate Your Communications

Stay consistent in your newsletter design. For instance: pick three fonts to use throughout your newsletter and stick to those three. Imagine a newspaper — there’s the fancy font calling out the title at the top of the paper, the bold, colorful letters of the titles, and the smaller print of the paper itself. The practice of consistency can make your messaging feel more cohesive.
Lean into art. Break up swaths of text with appealing, seasonally appropriate images. In the spring months, consider photos of cheerful spring flowers! During the holidays, invoke warm memories with images of baking and togetherness. Images make your piece more inviting. Looking for some great options? Check out WeCreate, a digital library for communities like yours filled with graphics and content that is pre-designed and ready to be used in all of your communications!
Consider what you can eliminate. Just like a good house cleaning can help you feel more peaceful, a well-planned newsletter that isn’t crammed with text can be more appealing to readers. Consider moving things like staff information to inside pages so your front page is open for more important informational content or beautiful art and graphics.
Colored text boxes > outlined text boxes. Using text boxes with a black line or “stroke” or “border” outlining the text box makes your newsletter look outdated. For a fast tweak that modernizes your design, consider removing the border and setting the background color of the text box to something with a light color. This will add a pop of color to your design while continuing to separate pieces of text from other parts of the page.
Update stale clip art. Does your fitness instructor graphic still have 80’s shoulder pads and a big ol’ perm? Old clip art communicates stodgy programming and poor attention to detail. Breathe some fresh air into your newsletter with modern takes on classic favorites. Use a tool like WeCreate to make the search for updated imagery easy for yourself!
Bring in photos. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” right? Adding photos to your newsletter tells a fascinating story about what your events look and feel like. Also, when folks see themselves in your pages, it helps them feel like they are a valued part of your community.
Consider a three-column layout. Want to try something that’s a little more visually appealing? Try a three-column format instead of a two-column format in your layout. This might look like a narrow column on the left of a page, and a wider column that takes up 2/3 of the page on the right. The “Rule of Thirds” is popular in design for its ability to bring a sense of balance into a layout.
Reign in wild fonts and colors. Standardized fonts and colors make your newsletter look more polished and professional then mismatched “fun” fonts. Let your programming and images be the most exciting part of your newsletter … not unexpected font treatments.
Even small steps can make a big difference. Considering an overhaul is a daunting If you’re in need of some changes, give yourself permission to start small. Maybe first you redo your first page. Next month, you standardize your fonts. After that, you start including more images. Whatever your steps are, starting somewhere will help you reach your end goal more quickly.

Your updated design will communicate more than simple information to your community, it also says: “We’re professional, friendly, and responsive!”

If you are looking for help with your newsletter or even an overhaul for your brand , LPi can help. We love working with nonprofits to dial in their communications! For more Newsletter inspiration, visit the “ Newsletter Tools ” section of our blog or dive into our free guide to community newsletters.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Tips for Targeted Email Messaging

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:12:00 GMT

In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II was the first head of state to send an email.

Since then, most businesses in the developed world have followed suit. As of 2021, the number of email users worldwide was 4.03 billion. In the United States, 90% of citizens aged 15-64 use email, and 84% of citizens 65+.

These numbers come with heavy implications for community centers. In many ways, email is an important communication method often overlooked via several common excuses, for example: “Our audience is too old,” ignores the fact that 90% Americans are using email as a primary form of digital activity.

Most of your community has email addresses, and they check their email. But what can you do to get them to open your emails? Try targeted email messaging.

What is targeted email messaging?

To understand targeted email messaging, it’s helpful to look at a sample scenario. Picture this:

There are two women who live in your neighborhood. You have the email address for one, Sarah, because she took a yoga class over the summer. On the other hand, you have Kathy, who takes every art class offered — pottery, painting, drawing, etc.

You have three messages to email this week:

New schedule for winter yoga classes posted
An invitation for a new pottery class
An informational message about a Women’s Health Fair for next month.

If Sarah (our fitness aficionado) gets too many emails about art, she may stop opening your emails. And, if Kathy (our artist friend) gets too many emails about yoga, she may stop opening your emails.

That’s where targeted email messaging enters.

Why does targeted email messaging work?

Targeted email messaging allows you to place each person into categories that they will find relevant and meaningful. Common categories or “audiences” or “segments” could center around class style, ages, or other demographics. For instance, all members of fitness-related classes could be informed about fitness, and everyone who went on a trip in the last year could be on another list for upcoming trips.

Of course, there are times when it’s necessary to email every member of your community, for example, a power outage or a cancellation. But resisting the urge to email every member with every detail means that your messages will be regarded with more value in the long run.

How? Because then your members know that you’re speaking more directly to them. So, they trust you more, they respond more, they engage more.

How to get started with targeted email messaging:

Think about the messages that you’re already sending and ask yourself if the message matches the audience. Remember: people want information relevant to them and to their situation. The fire-hose method of communication is often ineffective, it’s better to send to fewer folks who are interested in the message than to many who may not be interested.
Define your segments. Creating more personalized campaigns will result in more effective communications. Put Sarah on the “Fitness Class” mailing list and Kathy on the “Art Class” one, for instance.
Work with an Email Service Provider. Mailchimp , Constant Contact , and other email systems allow you to manage your email addresses and audiences in a professional manner with friendly interfaces.
Provide relevant content. Most readers check their email nearly daily, so keep your content short, sweet, and to-the-point.
Talk about benefits to your reader. Answer the question, “why am I getting this?” Subjects and headlines like, “Join us for the Women’s Retreat” or “Pancake Breakfast this Sunday” let the reader know what you’re trying to communicate.
Have fun! A friendly tone is welcoming, caring, and personable, and says that your community center is, too!

Updated on 11-11-2025

What Is an Email Newsletter and Why Do You Need One?

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 22:05:00 GMT

Email marketing is a cost-effective avenue for connecting and engaging with potential clients and customers. And a digital newsletter, often referred to as an e-newsletter , is one of the most popular forms. It’s a way to reach people wherever they are. It doesn’t matter whether you are a major health care system or a neighborhood senior center — e-newsletters provide you with a good opportunity to stay top of mind with your target audience.

Taking advantage of email newsletters has many benefits, and the good news is that it won’t cost you a lot.

Why Should Your Center Use Email Newsletters?

While there are many reasons to put together an email newsletter, here are a few of the leading ones:

Stay in touch with current members: Most people have busy lives. It’s easy to forget about events and activities that we might like to participate in. Because most people check their email often, sending out newsletters can be a great reminder of what your senior center has to offer.
Target different groups: One more advantage is how easy it is to segment your list and create different newsletters for different groups. For example, have one newsletter that goes out to your volunteers and another with upcoming activities and events for current members.
Nurture people who haven’t yet joined: You can also use email newsletters to unobtrusively stay connected with people you are hoping will become members. Testimonials, photos, and open houses are good items to include. And it sure beats repeated (and annoying!) phone calls to encourage a prospect to join.
Manage your own list: Unlike with followings on social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram, you actually own your list. Having people's email addresses keeps you from being at the mercy of tech companies that control those private networks.

How to Start Your Email Newsletter

If you like the sound of having your own email newsletter, it’s surprisingly easy to get started:

1.) Choose a platform

Deciding which platform to use for your newsletter might be the toughest part of this process. That’s because there are so many different options, including some that are free until you reach certain numbers of subscribers. Constant Contact and MailChimp are two of the most popular. Each gives you an opportunity to set up a free account and offers tips and guides for launching your e-newsletter. We’ll cover this topic in more detail in our next blog post.

2.) Build your subscriber list

This part of your process will require thoughtful planning and repeated reminders. Because of the volume of emails many of us receive, people have gotten more reluctant to share their email address. One way to encourage it could be to create a guide or lead magnet that you promote on your website. They can download it at no cost in exchange for providing their email. Just make sure not to ask for too much information or visitors will likely skip it. And don’t forget to place Subscribe buttons on your website and blog pages, and to talk about it at in-person events. For more ideas, head over to our article, "How to Encourage People to Subscribe to Your Email Newsletter."

3.) Save time with WeCreate

You will, undoubtedly, want beautiful imagery in each of your newsletters. We do the work for you with WeCreate, our extensive library of ready-to-use graphics, photographs, and even image templates made especially for you to drop into your publications. You’ll never be lacking in images for all occasions — heading and announcement banners, holiday images, event graphics, administrative designs, and stock photography to name just a few.

4.) Be sure to get permission

Finally, a word of caution. You’ll need permission before adding anyone to your email marketing list. Otherwise, it’s considered spam and can get your email flagged. Read more about CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business before you get started.

Don’t forget to bookmark our communications blog and stop back often for more tips and tricks to inspire and elevate your organization's communications!

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Make Better Flyers For Your Events

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Have you ever heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder”? When it comes to an event, having a work smarter goal can save you some major headaches over the course of your event planning and execution. We all know that having professional looking flyers and advertisements for your event or program is essential to people attending or signing up, but let’s be realistic — how many graphic designers do you actually have on staff to make them? If your answer is NONE then, this blog is for you!

Event Flyer Best Practices

We outline a few best practices, give you some examples, and share about a template tool that can save you loads and loads of time!

Don't Use Too Many Words!

The single worst thing anyone can do when trying to design an effective flyer is to put way too much information on it. Remember, a flyer is not a brochure. Flyers are not meant to share every single little piece of information about a program or an event. All of your event’s little details can be outlined in a program, webpage, or brochure that your flyer ultimately directs people to. The purpose of a flyer is to grab a person’s attention, create interest, and invite a call to action. That call to action might be to register, visit a website to learn more information about something, pick up a brochure/program, or to simply show up! Before creating your flyer, ask yourself what the most basic important information is that needs to be communicated.

The specifics that are most likely to be needed on your flyer include your event’s:

Location
Date
Time
Cost
What’s Included in the price
Who the event is for/Who is invited
Contact Information
Cut-off date for registration or RSVPs
QR code to a web page with more info or instructions on how to learn more

Information that you may be tempted to include but should probably be put in a web page or brochure instead includes:

Full event schedules
Menus
Speaker/Presenter Bios
Arrival or location instructions
Letter-like event descriptions. For example, something like —
“Join us for our winter dance fundraiser where everyone can have a lot of fun and raise money for the Covington Food Bank”
should, instead, simply say —
“Winter Dance” with “A benefit for the Covington Food Bank” on the line below.

The Psychology Behind Good Design

Did you know that our brains are wired to be attracted to some types of layouts and designs and repelled by others? Some tips that will attract people to your flyer design are:

Use a larger font!
Using a font that is too small can cause people to actually look away from your flyer due to the image being way too busy. Our eyes seek out big, bold images and when words on a flyer are too small and too many, people often won’t even try to read them.
Give things space!
Don’t try to squeeze too much information in your flyer by smushing everything together. Busy images with little space to let the eye rest can actually cause people anxiety and create an environment where they actively look away from the flyer to avoid the mess of images and words instead of being drawn into it.
Use intentional colors!
Using too many colors or colors that don’t go well together can create the same type of anxiety for the viewer as using too many objects or words can. Did you know that it used to be a common practice in fast food restaurants to color the walls with multicolored wallpaper and mix all of the primary colors together inside their restaurants because the psychological effect of the constant bombardment of many different colors was that people would feel uncomfortable and would eat and then leave the restaurant more quickly? This way the fast-food chain could keep things moving fast! This is the opposite of what you want to be doing with your flyers, so, choose 2 or 3 complimentary colors and stick with those. Don’t go overboard!
Remember that hierarchy matters!
The most important elements should be seen first so they will be the largest, and boldest. It wouldn’t make sense to have the time and cost be the largest part of a flyer — instead, the name of the event and any information that might hook the viewer should be your focal point.

Our Best Time-Saving Flyer Design Tip

Let’s give you a major leap forward into the “work smarter” arena and introduce you to the LPi ready-made flyer template tool. WeCreate, our ever-expanding collection of thousands of graphics, stock photos, and design templates, provides subscribers professionally-designed downloadable content to use inside any print and digital communications!

In WeCreate, we have a collection of flyer templates made by our design team that you can very simply customize and use for your own events! New flyer template designs are added to the collection every single month. Need access to this time-saving resource? Learn more here!

Updated on 11-11-2025

Community Event Spotlight: How to Host a One Little Word Workshop

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 15:00:00 GMT

The One Little Word Project was created in 2006 by author and blogger Ali Edwards. Her idea was to use one word to describe and set her intentions for the upcoming year. Edwards believed it would better enable her to stay focused and on track as she went about her busy daily life.

Since its creation, the One Little Word Project has become a true movement, being adopted by individuals and groups alike. Workshops are a popular way for people to better understand this concept and how to select and stick with their one little word. They are a great opportunity for your community center to hold a series of events throughout the year.

Steps to Hosting a One Little Word Workshop

While a variety of online resources are available to help your community center present a workshop, there are three primary objectives you’ll want to achieve:

1. Choose a word for the year.

The first part of your workshop should focus on helping attendees select their word to live by for that year. The team member who teaches this portion of the project should be comfortable encouraging people to find a word that is personal and meaningful to them. It could be a word that invites change, propels the person forward or slows them down, brings focus, or inspires hope.

For those who struggle with this part of the workshop, it might help to share words that have worked well for others in previous years. A few suggestions to share with attendees could be:

Growth
Peace
Adventure
Balance
Enjoy
Bloom
Believe
Optimism
Breathe
Family
Community
Confidence
Persist
Relax
Engage
Grateful
Faith
Friendship
Hope
Generosity
Kindness
Listen
Nurture
Simplify
Treasure
Thankful
Wellness

Once everyone has chosen a word that expresses their hopes for the new year, the next step is to find ways to create visible reminders. By seeing the word throughout the day, people will be reminded of what they’ve decided is most important to them.

2. Make the word more visible

Attendees can create visible reminders of their one little word in a variety of ways:

Signage: Depending on the word an attendee selects, they might be able to find it on a cutout wood sign at a craft store. If not, they can purchase one from a custom Etsy store or through a local artist. You could research options ahead of time to share at the workshop.
Keychain : Most of us use a keychain of some type every day. Another idea is for attendees to order one with their word on it . Seeing it over and over can serve as a reminder to focus on what they identified as their priority for the new year.
Morning journal: Another idea is to encourage attendees to adopt the practice of morning journaling. They could start each day by writing down their word and the progress they are making toward keeping it top of mind.

3. Discuss a check-in schedule

The final part of your workshop could be to discuss the idea of gathering on a regular basis to check in. These meetings could allow attendees to hold one another accountable or help each other explore their one little word in more depth. They might also be an opportunity to host arts and crafts projects that feature attendees’ words.

Promote Your One Little Word Workshop

If you decide to move forward with hosting a workshop at the end of the year, consider sending out a media release to your local publications and television stations. How to Write a Media Release to Promote a Center Event is a good article to review if you don’t have prior experience writing them.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Ideas for a Thoughtful Neighborhood Outreach Program

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:00:00 GMT

While it’s important to focus much of your community center’s marketing efforts on attracting people to your location, promoting your mission in conjunction with your neighbors is essential, too. It’s a great way to raise awareness of your organization while also helping other local businesses achieve their goals.

If you need some ideas for building a thoughtful neighborhood outreach program, read on!

How to Connectwith Your Community Center’s Neighbors

A neighborhood marketing plan should include ideas for attracting both individuals and families, as well as other businesses and organizations that call the area home. These suggestions might be helpful in creating a strategic plan:

Survey current members: Word of mouth is one of the best ways to attract new friends and clients. Your current supporters can help you do just that. Survey them to ask about their involvement in other local organizations, clubs, churches, and more. Their connections can help open new doors for you. Your members can act as ambassadors or liaisons between your community center and leadership at these groups.
Conduct a direct mail campaign: While direct mail isn’t as fruitful as it used to be for some types of businesses, community outreach is one area where these campaigns are very much still effective! You can buy a list that targets the general population or certain demographic groups. Check out the article, "How to Create a Mass Mailing to Promote Your Organization" to really dive in!

Create a speakers bureau: If you don’t already have one, setting up a speakers bureau is a good way to attract both individual visitors and business and community leaders. You can recruit speakers for topics and workshops ranging from health issues to travel programs and creative art projects. You can also offer to have your staff members speak on their areas of expertise at local events.
Use online avenues for connecting: Many community organizations and neighborhoods are active online. They use various social media platforms to share everything from hours and sales to upcoming events. By following other businesses and groups on Facebook and subscribing to their e-newsletters, you can learn more about them and identify opportunities for potential partnerships. Senior living communities, bookstores, libraries, hospital auxiliary groups, and local government offices are all likely to have a digital presence and are good places to start.
Organize community-wide special events: Another way to build your brand and raise awareness of your organization is to host special events. Festivals, fundraisers , and themed parties are all great reasons to invite neighbors to your community center. Don’t overlook creative opportunities to partner with other businesses and organizations. For example, you could coordinate a scavenger hunt or a progressive dinner where each business hosts a different course of the meal.

Tips for Marketing on Facebook

If you haven’t set up a Facebook page for your community center yet, or if you aren’t sure how to navigate it effectively, How to Use Facebook to Connect with Your Community will be of interest. It has tips to help you make the most of this free platform, from setting up events on your Facebook page to encouraging followers.

Looking for professional looking social media posts and stories, flyer and postcard templates? Dive into WeCreate , our vast media library for all this and more!

Organizations that print newsletters with LPi have full access to WeCreate for free! If you don’t publish with us, reach out to us to get started. You can also purchase a subscription to WeCreate here .

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Utilize Different Types of Social Media Posts for Marketing to Seniors

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Over the past few months, we’ve talked a lot about marketing and how to reach older adults to promote senior center activities and programs. While some old-school strategies, such as articles in local newspapers, still work, so do digital activities.

It’s a myth that older people don’t use computers or aren’t tech savvy. In fact, seniors are using email, Google and other search engines, and social media platforms more than ever before. According to a recent Pew Research study , Facebook and YouTube are the most popular forms of social media among seniors.

If you are wondering what types of social media posts to use in marketing to older adults, we have a few ideas.

YouTube Marketing to Seniors

Older adults are YouTube’s fastest growing demographic group. They are using the video platform for entertainment, to master new skills, and to learn more about products and services. These are all interests you can cater to by showcasing your senior center’s daily schedule.

Take a look at your programs and activities schedules. Which ones are most popular among center attendees? Can you capture any of them to post on your YouTube channel? (And if you don’t have a channel set up already, this tutorial will be useful .) Do you have a speaker coming to explain Medicare open enrollment to the community? Or a chair yoga series just getting started? Events and activities that are popular offline will likely be equally well-liked on your YouTube channel.

Once you have your channel set up and feel confident that you’ve identified some opportunities for creating videos to share, you’ll probably want to develop a marketing strategy just for YouTube. This guide covers everything from branding to engaging with your audience.

Using Facebook to Target an Older Audience

Pew researchers also found that 62% of internet users aged 65 and older are regularly on Facebook. That makes the platform a great way to connect with seniors. But there are a few factors to keep in mind when deciding what types of posts to share with older adults on Facebook:

Values: Honesty, integrity, loyalty, and a strong work ethic are all values associated with seniors. For example, an estimated 10 million baby boomers are veterans. That translates to 40% of male boomers. Make sure your posts match this generation’s values. Keep your messages honest and direct, no matter what the topic.
Trust: It might be tempting, especially if your senior center is a nonprofit always struggling to raise money, to share your needs on Facebook. While occasional posts about a center’s wish list or a special fundraising effort are likely okay, asking too frequently might make your organization seem too financially motivated and less trustworthy.
Visuals: Facebook’s algorithms prioritize visual posts. Research shows posts with images can increate engagement by as much as 80%. One thing to keep in mind is that older adults tend to see themselves as 5 to 10 years younger than they really are, so keep that in mind when selecting pictures. Don't forget that WeCreate, our library of content for nonprofits like yours, provides users with professionally designed digital content that they can use in any of their communications — including social media posts! Not using WeCreate's resources yet? Learn more about this incredible tool here!
Simplicity: While you might want to test a few versions of posts to see which have the best results, you’ll likely find you have better engagement with simple posts. Those that are long or overly complex might be tough on aging eyes, especially for seniors who are signing on via a smartphone.
Action: Finally, don’t forget to tell your Facebook audience what step you would like them to take after reading your post. Maybe it’s clicking a link to an event or to a blog on your senior center’s website. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s one clear call to action.

Setting Up a Facebook Page

Creating a Facebook page for a business or organization is different than setting up a personal profile. If your senior center hasn’t yet created one, it’s probably time to make that a priority. You’ll likely be surprised to discover how many of your current members are regularly on the popular social media platform. Setting Up a Facebook Page for a Community Organization will walk you through the process step by step.

Want more social media inspiration for your staff? Visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog!

Updated on 11-11-2025

Tips for Hosting a Monthly Health Series

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:00:00 GMT

As the country continues to work on putting the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, people have become keenly focused on overall health. They are hungry for reliable information about eating well, exercising, building immunity naturally, disease prevention, and more. Now that public gatherings are happening again, this interest in wellness might make it an ideal time for your senior center to host a series of health talks.

These types of events are a great opportunity to bring older adults, health care professionals, and community leaders into your center. They can be inexpensive to host, while still providing a valuable service to the public.

How to Plan a Health Series for a Senior Center

Here are a few factors to consider as you begin planning for a health series:

Frequency: First, think about how often you would like to host a speaker. Many organizations find a monthly gathering to be ideal, but quarterly could work too. Think about the labor and expenses you’ll incur and use that as your guide.
Day and time: Setting and sticking with a consistent day and time for the event also helps. For example, hosting a luncheon on the second Tuesday of every month helps potential attendees plan. Also take time into account. If your target audience is older adults, morning or mid-afternoon might be better than evening, especially in the winter when it gets dark outside earlier.
Fees: While these types of events are often offered to the community free of charge, if you offer a meal you may need to assess a small fee. Another option to help avoid charging attendees is to solicit sponsors. You might target a few overall series sponsors, such as a local retirement village or hospital, or find different sponsors based on the topic to be presented.
Registration: You’ll also need to decide whether you will require people to make a reservation. If you are serving a meal, preregistering will be important. You can accept reservations by phone or create an event on your Facebook page. For those who prefer an online registration option, this article about event registration tools has some suggested platforms you might find useful.

Finally, you’ll want to recruit health care professionals to share their knowledge. Here are a few suggestions to get started.

Ideas for Selecting a Health Care Series Topic

The topics you select for your presentations will be critical for the success of your series. Here are a few suggestions to make your program unique and interesting:

Dental care and the connection to overall wellness
Tips for seniors to select a primary care physician
Understanding Medicare
Menu planning tips to prevent disease
Hiring and supervising an in-home caregiver
Local fitness programs for older adults
Important health screenings by age and gender
How to improve your quality of sleep and why it’s important
Healthy ergonomics for computer and tablet users
Natural remedies for managing osteoarthritis
Senior-friendly ways to manage stress
Inflammation-fighting foods to incorporate into your diet
Low-impact forms of exercise you can do year-round

One final tip to make planning go more smoothly is to check around town to see what, if any, health series you might be competing with. You’ll want to make sure to avoid scheduling and topic conflicts.

Promoting Your Health Series

When it comes time to promote each event in your health series, you’ll likely want to utilize traditional and digital avenues. The Events tab on your Facebook page is one option, another is to send out emails to your members and supporters lists, and don't forget to put it into your print newsletter, too. Don’t forget to also garner attention from media sources. To connect with local print and broadcast media, follow the advice in How to Write a Media Release to Promote a Center Event .

Updated on 11-11-2025

Tips for Hosting a Health Fair at Your Senior Center

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 14:30:00 GMT

With more attention than ever being paid to health and wellness, it’s a great time to host an event at your senior center that promotes both. The good news is that if your senior center has enough space, you can do so at minimal expense or maybe even make money off the event. The key is to give yourself ample planning time.

If you’ve never put together this type of public event before, we have a few tips to make your health fair go smoothly.

How to Organize a Community Health Fair

Form a planning committee: The first step should likely be to establish a committee to help organize your health fair. An event of this size probably requires a team of at least 6–8 volunteers. You might even want to further break up your committee into smaller groups, such as a promotions committee and a vendor committee.
Pick a day: Survey committee members to narrow down a few good days and times. But before you settle on a date, check with other organizations (e.g., the Chamber of Commerce) and local community calendars for potential conflicts.
Create a floor plan: Determine how much space you have for vendor booths. Decide whether you want them to be all the same size or different sizes. If you decide to charge for booth space, this will impact how much you charge.
Establish a budget: Next come the decisions about money. Do you want to charge vendors for a booth space or offer it at no cost? Does your senior center have the funds to pay for advertising, giveaways, and incidentals like tablecloths and snacks? If you’d like to make the event free for vendors, consider recruiting sponsors to help offset costs.
Talk to your attorney: It’s an unfortunate reality, but things do go wrong despite your best efforts to keep everyone safe. Place a call to your attorney to see if you need to create an official vendor contract and if there are any other concerns to be mindful of as you plan.
Invite health and wellness organizations: Have your committee create a list of potential vendors and rank them by priority. If space is tight, start by issuing invitations to those you feel would contribute most to the event. Give them a deadline to respond by. Once you know which of your top priorities can attend, you’ll be able to fill in with others.
Ask vendors to provide a service: While not every organization that attends will be able to accommodate a request, ask if they are interested in and able to share some type of service at their booth. For example, maybe have one vendor with a nurse doing blood pressure checks and another offering chair massages.
Consider offering demonstrations: If space permits, schedule a few demonstrations throughout the day. Ask a popular area chef to do a healthy cooking presentation or invite a physical therapist to demonstrate good ergonomics while seated at a computer. Another idea might be to ask an expert from your local department of public safety to speak on emergency preparedness.
Develop a promotional plan: You’ll need to create an integrated public relations and marketing plan to get the word out about your health fair. It might be helpful to try to line up a media sponsor, ideally a local television station, to start promoting the event. How to Write a Media Release to Promote a Center Event has some good tips for writing a media alert. You’ll also want to start sharing information on your Facebook page to build interest. For example, as a new vendor signs up, share the news on Facebook. Additionally, don't forget to advertise in your newsletter a few months ahead of time! Don't have a newsletter yet? We can get you started with a free ad-supported newsletter for your nonprofit!
Create a timeline: Finally, create a very specific timeline for the days leading up to the event and for the day of the health fair. It should include everything from who will help set up tables to recruiting volunteers for crowd control, parking, and other necessary tasks. Also make sure to include confirmation of all vendors and demonstrators a few days before the event.

We hope these tips help you put together a health fair that is well-attended and beneficial to the community!

Updated on 11-11-2025

Christmas in July: How to Plan Ahead for the Holidays at Your Community Center

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:00:00 GMT

July rings in the second half of the year. For many businesses, this is the time to plan holiday activities. It may seem too early, but having extra time for planning is essential to executing great holiday events.

Quick Checklist to Prepare Your Holiday Game Plan

You can map out your holiday strategy to increase your membership and receive more funding. Here’s how:

1. Set an overall budget.

Setting your budget is crucial. Funds must be allocated for marketing and operational costs. With your team, discuss which marketing channels to use and how much to spend on them.

For example, if you’re running Facebook ads, estimate how much it will cost for the duration of the holidays. List all the expenses you expect to incur, including costs associated with your senior center programs, and put a figure on them.

2. Plan and schedule programs.

With ample time for planning, you can get creative and try some new activities for seniors . Quilting, knitting, baking, and decorative card-making workshops aren’t just fun. They also provide an opportunity for your members to craft handmade gifts for their loved ones.

If you’re not sure what programs to include, survey your members. Once you get some suggestions, decide which activities to add to your list.

3. Create PR plans.

A solid PR plan can foster a positive image of your organization as a community where older people belong.

When devising a PR plan, identify four key components:

Target audience
Message
Marketing channels
Content

For example, how would you showcase your organization’s many benefits to seniors not familiar with your center? A compelling Q&A video interview with your longtime members could engage viewers.

Other PR ideas you can try include:

Inviting a local leader to speak at your senior center
Recording and sharing a “day in the life” video
Publishing organization milestones, achievements, and relevant anniversaries
Running a competition among members (e.g., line dancing, art, cooking, etc.)

4. Plan your marketing.

While your PR plan will help manage your reputation, your marketing will increase your membership. Try new marketing techniques in addition to the tried-and-true methods you already use. Make it easy for people to find you online and off-line.

Word of mouth can also entice people to attend your senior programs. If you provide a positive experience to your current members, they will promote your organization to their friends for free.

5. Review your marketing, promotion, and communication materials.

Finally, check your marketing calendar one last time. Have you gathered everything you need for your holiday campaign? Have you planned when to send emails, post on social media, or publish blogs on your website?

Posting content regularly is one way to stay connected with your audience. Make sure you have your holiday-themed events and marketing content ready for the season.

Aim for a Less Stressful Holiday

Stretching from Halloween to the New Year, the holidays are busy for businesses and customers alike. With appropriate planning, your senior center can wade through the bustle with less stress and more success.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Tips for Getting Community Leaders Involved with Your Senior Center

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 14:30:00 GMT

Good connections are important for the success of any community-based organization. Influential people in your area can become ambassadors for you. This is why it’s important for your team to build ties with trusted community leaders.

Leaders like politicians and pastors typically attend local events as guests or even speakers. But how do you get them to work with you? Here are some tips.

How to Invite Community Leaders to Join Your Senior Center Programs

1. Politicians
Ideally, your first option is local politicians. Reach out to the town’s mayor, council members, city manager, or town hall administrators. Since community outreach is part of their role, they are willing and happy to get involved.

Check your mayor’s website to find out the process for submitting this type of request. Extend invitations at least two weeks before the event and include a brief background of your organization. Share the key details of your event such as the date, location, and purpose, along with the subject and speech length. This will give your speaker time to prepare.

2. Directors of aging-related organizations
People who run aging-related organizations are also likely to accommodate invitations to community gatherings. The Area Agency on Aging director in your county and heads of local caregiver services, elder care resource centers, or similar foundations are options to consider. They can educate your senior members on navigating support services available for their use within your area.

Since you’re serving the same demographic, talking to these people about community involvement is easier. They’re naturally open-minded and supportive, so feel free to invite them to your programs or ask for suggestions to improve your center. In turn, you can support them by sharing details of their upcoming events on your social media.

3. Church leaders
People serving the Church have vast knowledge about spirituality and other meaningful topics. They can talk about life purpose, give counseling, or teach catechism at your senior center. Once or twice a year, a priest can come over to hear confessions.

Establish rapport with a priest, pastor, or nun. Let them know you enjoyed their homily and thank them for their dedication to their work. After establishing that connection, invite them to your center.

4. Educators
There are two ways principals, teachers, and school administrators can help your organization: recruiting student volunteers and being volunteers themselves.

School leaders can make your senior center events more enjoyable and informative. Teachers and principals, for example, can teach supplemental technology classes. Your members may be interested in learning how to use apps to track health or learn a new language.

When inviting educators, emphasize how their contribution as volunteers can make a difference in the lives of your senior members and the community in general. People respect educators, so involving them in your organization’s happenings can help establish a good reputation.

5. Local business owners
Successful entrepreneurs can share their inspiring stories with your members who are looking to start a business. ( Older adults account for an increasingly large part of new businesses!) They can also advise on pursuing business ventures, managing finances, and turning passions into a career.

Get ideas on who to invite by asking your membership. For instance, find a restaurant your members love to visit. Then call and speak with the owner. Let them know their restaurant is a favorite among members and ask if they would be interested in a meet and greet at the center.

The Role of Community Leaders in Your Senior Center

Senior centers can create a wonderful community by encouraging people with leadership roles to get involved in local senior programs. They can volunteer, speak at an event, or participate in outreach programs. If older adults are happy, it means the whole community is doing an excellent job of promoting a good environment for them.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Market Your Organization to Older Adults

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Marketing to seniors has changed since most older adults have come to rely on the internet for everything from looking up store hours to shopping for a gift for a grandchild. Your organization might be losing out on opportunities to connect with seniors if you rely solely on traditional marketing methods.

By integrating your senior center’s offline and online outreach efforts, your message will connect with a greater number of older adults in your area. Here’s a quick look at how you can do that.

Five Ways to Market to an Older Generation

Online marketing can help your organization remain successful in the ever-changing marketing landscape. Five of the most effective strategies to market to seniors include:

1. Improve local SEO.

Google revealed that seniors spend as much as six hours per day online. This is your cue to invest in a solid digital marketing plan, and a good jumping-off point for that is learning about SEO.

If your website appears on the first page of search engines each time someone enters “senior center near me,” it means more leads. But how do you rank on search engines? Understanding user intent can help. Is your target audience searching for information, advice, or products?

Keyword research can help you understand a searcher’s goal when using search engines. For example, an adult child may enter the keywords “senior center for my parents.” Once you’ve generated keywords, you can create and publish intent-based content, like blogs, to improve local ranking.

2. Optimize your website.

Your website is an online portfolio that introduces seniors and their families to your organization. You need to simplify the design and user experience to make sure it’s easy to navigate.

Some changes you can make (if you haven’t yet) are:

increasing the font size for readability
adding white space to make your content more scannable
installing a text-to-speech feature to help seniors with vision loss

3. Expand reach with social media.

You can use social media to share exciting events, such as ongoing programs and behind-the-scenes happenings. Facebook has nearly three billion users, so make sure to set up a Facebook account . Instagram and Twitter are also popular among seniors.

Using social media is an excellent strategy to connect with your target audience. But you can do more with it besides engaging your readers. For instance, if you need ideas for new senior programs, ask your followers on social media for their suggestions and input.

4. Leverage email marketing.

It’s easier to sell to people you’ve connected with before. If you have an existing email list, send newsletters about upcoming programs and recently published blogs to those on the list. You can also invite seniors to follow your social media accounts in your email messages. We've got a guide here!

Email marketing allows you to personalize your messages, making it easier to convert the people on your mailing list to attendees at your senior center programs. And the expenses involved are minimal, especially if you utilize a free platform, such as MailChimp or Constant Contact .

5. Include video marketing.

Our brain processes visuals much more easily than text. That’s why you might want to consider including videos in your marketing. They are entertaining but can also be educational and informative. Videos don’t have to be flashy or expensively produced, either. For example, you could share a video montage of daily events to give potential members a look at what happens at your senior center.

6. Always have a printed newsletter.

One thing has never gone out of style for nonprofit organizations like yours — the print newsletter. Make sure your newsletter is intentionally and well designed and includes content older generations are interested in. For example, include information about your events, services, staff/volunteers, and topical articles. If you don't have a great newsletter yet and want to print a free add-supported one with us at LPi, learn more here!

Integrated Campaign to Effectively Market to Seniors

By combining traditional marketing with digital platforms, you’ll be well-positioned to achieve your goals. One final tip is not to forget to pay attention to branding as you integrate your outreach efforts. Read “ What Is the Difference between Branding and Marketing a Senior Center? ” for some ideas you can use to educate the community about your senior center.

For more articles and inspiration for centers like yours, visit the "Senior Centers" section of our blog!

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Write a Marketing Plan for Your Senior Center

Mon, 23 May 2022 17:20:00 GMT

Growing any business starts with a marketing plan, and that includes a senior center. If you want more people to know about your community, your marketing arsenal should include a plan that documents the steps to reach your target audience.

The benefits of a marketing plan are endless. With it, you can increase your membership and manage your senior center more easily. Without it, you could miss out on many opportunities for growth.

But how do you write a marketing plan? Here are some tips to help you!

Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Organization

1. Set your goals and objectives

First, be clear about what you want to achieve in your marketing efforts. Is it to increase participation in events, followers on social media, or website traffic? Do you want more members? List your goals and break them down into achievable objectives or small tasks.

If one goal is to increase membership, your objective could be to launch an event. A media release can help get the word out about your event and attract more attendees. Use your goals and objectives as maps to guide you to success.

2. Know your target audience

A basic marketing plan includes information about your target audience. Since your target market is seniors, what are they like? Do they engage in fitness or creative activities? Are they involved in church events? Write what they value the most, what piques their interest, and where to find them.

Many senior centers prefer traditional marketing methods, like newspaper ads and direct marketing pieces. But these days, a combination of online and off-line strategies is ideal. If you have an in-depth understanding of your audience profile, you can tailor your marketing message to attract the right people.

3. Study other senior centers

Apart from knowing your audience, you should also get to know your competitors. By looking at what other senior centers and organizations targeting older adult do, you gain a broader marketing perspective. That can help you figure out outreach opportunities you might be missing.

For example, another senior center may have more followers and higher engagement on Facebook. You can use this insight to look at your social media pages, find gaps in your marketing, and fine-tune your strategies. Don’t forget to include whatever information you find in your marketing plan.

4. Identify your USP

Describe what makes your senior center unique from others. You should be able to cite at least one thing that makes you a better choice. Perhaps you offer a food pantry, have a meal program, or have daily fitness programs. Identify your unique selling proposition (USP) and use it to direct more attention to your community.

5. Specify your marketing strategy

Next, write a step-by-step plan to achieve your goals. Enumerate which marketing vehicles seniors are likely to respond to. For instance, if they love to join events, you can host events that allow them to socialize with other seniors in the area.

Use various marketing channels, including emails, blogs, and videos to get a response from your target audience.

6. Set your marketing budget

Last, you want to include your budget in your marketing plan. You may need to hire a freelancer to write a quality blog post for your website or a part-time marketing manager to implement your strategies.

As you move forward, you’ll want to make sure to track and reconcile expenses. It will also allow you to continuously evaluate the return on marketing dollars.

Get Your Marketing Right with a Plan

A marketing plan helps you be proactive rather than reactive in your marketing efforts. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated or sophisticated. What’s important is outlining key elements. These include your goals and objectives, your audience’s profile, research about your competitors, USP, and marketing budget.

After planning, you need to execute your strategies to realize your goals. Whether it’s using Facebook to connect with your target audience , hosting more events, or email marketing, implementing your plan is the way to expand your senior center.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Write a Media Release to Promote a Center Event

Mon, 09 May 2022 14:00:00 GMT

A media release is a practical strategy to promote your senior center. Unlike other marketing methods, it is cost-effective and can reach more older adults in your local area. If well-written, a media release can get you coverage for your events, build your community’s reputation, attract more members, and improve your SEO.

But how do you write a media release that attracts more event attendees? First, you need to define your target audience. Determine the type of people most likely to attend the event so you can create a media release that directly appeals to them.

We’ve rounded up some writing tips to help you craft a media release that gets seniors to look forward to your events.

How to Write a Media Release For Your EventThat Attracts Attendees

1. Start with a catchy headline.
First impressions matter, so your headline needs to pique the media’s interest and get people to keep reading your announcement. It’s important to make the headline catchy, but not overly dramatic. You’ll also need to make sure it accurately depicts what the information ahead will be. No clickbait headlines!

To make your event searchable online, limit the headline to 70 characters. Make it brief but meaningful. You can include your community’s name, the event name or theme, and the event location in the headline. Also, maximize Google search results by adding keywords.

2. Follow with an informative summary.
The summary or lead answers the 5 W ’s (who, what, when, where, and why) about your senior center event. Write one to four sentences about the event, its date and location, who it is for, why people should attend, and what they can gain from it. Keep the summary brief but meaningful.

3. Drop details in the body.
This is where you supply the complete information about your event. This includes the date and time, the target attendees, and the names of distinguished guests or speakers.

If you’re organizing an annual event, you can include some highlights from previous years. Embed high-resolution images or videos to make your media release engaging. Simply put, the body is where you expand on the 5 W ’s and present facts, quotes, and visuals to make the event more compelling to the media and the readers.

4. Condense the boilerplate to 100 words.
The boilerplate describes your community. When writing this section, talk about your organization’s objectives, mission and vision, and services. You can use the About Us page of your website as a guide to share what you do. Don’t go beyond 100 words since readers tend to see the boilerplate as an advertisement and lose interest. Also include the link to your website and your community’s contact information.

More Tips for a Successful Media Release

Be straightforward with your writing.
Remove fluffy words and unnecessary punctuation and aim for about 300 to 800 words. More importantly, be informative rather than promotional when writing a media release.
Know the right time to send the media release.
If you send your media release too early, people’s interests will quickly die down. If sent too late, you probably won’t hit the desired number of attendees. The sweet spot is to send your media release to publications two to three weeks before the event.
Pick a publication that has your target attendees.
Send your media release to the right publication to ensure it gets distributed to the right audience. You may use press release distribution services to streamline your media release distribution.
Provide the right point of contact.
Help your readers by sharing the correct contact information of the person to whom they can direct their questions.

Key Benefit of a Media Release

Using a media release is the quickest way to secure media exposure. Whether you’re promoting in-person activities, virtual fundraising, or other social events, you need a well-written media release to convince people to join your events.

Following these tips can help make your event a success and increase your memberships.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Inexpensive Ideas for Recognizing Volunteers

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Volunteers play a key role in the success of nonprofit organizations, including community centers and senior centers. People who donate their time and talent, from assisting with outreach programs to helping with special events, allow organizations to grow and thrive. Chances are you really appreciate your volunteers so, here are a few inexpensive ideas for helping you recognize their contributions!

Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Organization's Volunteers

Say "Thank You" in your newsletter: Feature individuals or volunteer teams in your newsletter frequently and include a blurb about the great work they do! Remember, we provide free print and digital ad-supported newsletters for organizations like yours so if you don't have a newsletter yet, get into touch with us so we can get you started! Learn more here.
Thank-you box: Set out a stack of inexpensive cards and a box to put them in. Ask those who attend events or take advantage of your programs to write thank-you notes. You can ask for notes addressed to specific volunteers or general words of thanks to share.
Social media features: While you’ll likely want to ask permission first, set up a series of social media posts featuring your volunteers. Talk about the contribution each person makes to your organization and add photos.
Fun awards: Another fun way to say thanks is by hosting an “awards” ceremony. Make them fun awards instead of serious ones, though. For example, present a volunteer who can always be counted on with a bottle of glue and a certificate naming them “The Glue That Holds Us Together.” Or give “The Fire Extinguisher” award to a volunteer who stays calm amid chaos.
Movie night: You could also host a movie night for volunteers. Come up with a creative title such as “Thanks for Always Popping in to Help” and serve ‘pop’ and popcorn. Just make sure you have enough staff to serve the volunteers!
Advertisements: If your budget permits, take a group photo of your volunteer crew and place it in an ad in your local newspaper. If that’s too expensive, ask a vendor to sponsor the ad in exchange for placing their name/logo at the bottom.
Car wash: Who doesn’t love a clean car? Have your center’s staff wash volunteers’ cars. You can invite them to come between certain hours or ask them to prebook times throughout the week to keep your parking lot from getting too crazy.
Ice cream truck: Find a local ice cream truck that does parties and book them for an afternoon. Invite volunteers to select a treat of their choice, compliments of your organization. It’s an inexpensive but fun way to say thank you.
Yard signs: If you have a connection at a print shop, this is a great way to honor your volunteers. Have yard signs made for every volunteer’s home. They can be as simple or as elaborate as your budget permits. Online vendors like VistaPrint or Signs.com might be an affordable option if you can’t find a local source.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How Your Organization Can Use Facebook to Connect with Your Community

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:00:00 GMT

A few months back, we shared a step-by-step guide for setting up a Facebook page for your senior center. While the process can be a bit tedious, the benefits you’ll reap make the effort worth the frustration. If you missed the article, you can read it here .

Once you have your page established, the next step is to explore all the ways you can use it to highlight and promote your center. It’s a great platform for posting photos, sharing updates and information, and advertising upcoming events.

A good way to begin might be to review your activities calendar and the photos your team has recently taken and determine which ones might be good for Facebook. Don’t forget to include not only planned events but also photos and posts on the informal socializing that happens every day. If you offer special services, such as a meal program or transportation, those are great to highlight, too.

List Your Events on Facebook

The Events section on your senior center’s Facebook page allows you to set up events in three different categories:

Public events
Private events
Group events

You can do everything from uploading photos for the event to accepting payment (if your senior center qualifies). Learn more about Facebook’s paid online events program here . You can also use the “Share” and then “Invite friends” feature on your newly created event to ask people to attend.

Connecting with Seniors on Facebook

A myth that seniors aren’t tech savvy might leave you wondering if it’s worth your time to include Facebook in your marketing efforts. The reality is that older adults have been the fastest growing demographic on Facebook for years now. While younger adults still make up the primary audience, many have moved on to and are more faithful to newer social media platforms. For seniors, Facebook is their preferred social media channel.

What the older adults who support your senior center might need, however, is a little encouragement to follow and engage with the senior center on Facebook, and to understand the importance of sharing your posts with their friends. A few ways you can help educate them might include:

Encourage follows: Ask for a show of hands over lunch or at the start of a program at the center to find out who is on Facebook. Let them know about your new page and ask them to follow you.
Ask for shares: Also ask center visitors for their help in spreading the word about your Facebook page. You’ll want to specifically ask them to share, like, and comment on your posts. That’s because older adults tend to visit and read Facebook posts without engaging.
Work around Facebook filters: Facebook says they want to encourage natural interactions and engagements. That’s why they created algorithms that often filter out posts that use the words “share,” “like,” and “comment.” So, you’ll want to limit the number of times you use those phrases. Instead, use graphics that contain these words to help prompt action.
Capture attention: A few more tips for ensuring your posts do well are to ask questions and post photos and links. Doing so will help your posts look and feel more appealing.
Give offline reminders: You can reinforce your social media marketing efforts by providing seniors who visit with offline prompts, too. Place a reminder in your newsletter and encourage them to RSVP to events on Facebook. Make postcards or magnets with your Facebook username on it to hand out.

Finally, if you have a team member or volunteer who is willing and able to teach, offer classes to walk people through setting up a Facebook account if they don’t have one yet.

Happy posting!

Updated on 11-11-2025

What Is the Difference Between Branding and Marketing a Senior Center?

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Whether you are trying to build membership and attendance for a newly opened senior center or an existing one, getting the word out is essential. Because most centers have limited finances, few have the budget for a full- or part-time marketing person to help them grow. Sound familiar?

The task often falls to team members who aren’t knowledgeable about the ins and outs of marketing. A question that often comes up is: What is branding, and how is it different than marketing? One challenge is that these terms are often used interchangeably when, in fact, they are two distinct processes and strategies.

In broad terms, branding is who you are as an organization. Marketing is the method of selling your senior center and telling the story of who you are. If you are a director trying to learn more about branding and marketing and how they work together, this information will be helpful.

What Is Branding?

Branding is an internal process. It is all the decisions you make about who you are and what you stand for in your work. In essence, branding is a representation of your organization’s values. Some elements involve establishing conscious strategies, while others reflect your team’s choices and behaviors in a typical day.

You’ll often hear people say they are working on building their brand in the community. But that’s not really an accurate depiction of how it works. Your name, logo, and other marketing symbols can represent your brand. But it’s the actions you take that truly build the brand —everything from the attitude and customer service of team members to the cleanliness of your center to the programs and services you offer.

For example, do you have a food pantry that serves area seniors? By offering that service, you demonstrate a commitment to senior nutrition and a recognition that older adults’ budgets can be limited. The same is true if you offer a sliding-scale home-delivered or pickup meal service. Because these programs aren’t money makers, older adults understand that the center provides them to meet a need. They mean that you are invested in serving the area’s seniors and improving their well-being.

How Marketing Informs the Community

Marketing is an external-facing process. It’s the various tools and strategies you can use to inform the community about your center. A few that you’ll likely find useful and affordable include:

Running email marketing campaigns to existing members
Setting up a Facebook page to share news and photos
Creating regular blog articles for your website
Arranging in-person visits to influencers in aging services
Partnering with other organizations that serve seniors
Hosting events at the center that are open to the public
Conducting paid Google or Facebook ad campaigns
Sending direct mail using lists you purchase in targeted demographic areas

The best approach to help your team get started is to create a comprehensive marketing plan for your senior center. A good strategy is to make sure your plan includes SMART goals. It’s an acronym that stands for: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. This guide from industry expert

HubSpot might be useful for learning more about SMART marketing .

You’ll also find more marketing-related articles on our blog, on topics ranging from setting up virtual tours to maximizing your presence on Google. Check them out in our Center Toolkit !

Thinking your center could benefit from a refresh to your branding? Our dedicated designers love helping you stand out! Learn more about our branding services and see some examples of work we've recently done here .

For more inspiration, visit the "Art and Design" section of our blog!

Updated on 03-21-2024

Ways to Recruit Volunteers of All Ages

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Volunteers are one of the most valuable resources a community organization can have. They donate their time, talent, and often money to help ensure the success of a cause they find important. Research shows that nearly 100 million people volunteer their time each year, providing an estimated value to nonprofit organizations of $150 billion.

What can you do to increase your volunteer force and attract people of all ages and backgrounds to your organization? We have a few tips you might find helpful for volunteer recruiting.

How to Expand Your Volunteer Base

Let’s start with a few basics you’ll need to have in place before you head out to recruit more volunteers. Think about what tasks you need assistance with and how often you need help. Do you have volunteer job descriptions ? What about a calendar if the work is time-bound? Knowing what types of volunteers you are looking for will give you ideas on where to find them.

A few easy strategies that may help you grow your talent pool fairly quickly include:

Ask for referrals: Take a few minutes to talk with your current volunteers and let them know you could use additional help. They may have friends and family who would be interested.
Take advantage of social media: Does your community organization or senior center have a Facebook page or other social media account? Create and schedule posts that explain what your organization needs, along with some of the benefits of volunteering. Don’t forget to add photos! It might also help to highlight current volunteers, especially those who are doing the tasks you need more assistance with. Another idea is to write an article for your blog. These tips for creating a quality blog post might be helpful.
Reach out to businesses and groups: If your needs are project-based and intermittent, partnering with area businesses and civic groups can be a win-win for both of you. Some businesses give employees time off each month or quarter to complete service projects. They might be individual projects or those that a group of employees works together to complete. Likewise, local civic groups often host or participate in community service projects. You might find that people who join you for a one-time activity are interested in sticking around to help on a regular basis.

Because the competition for volunteers can be fierce, you might have to be a little more creative to capture attention. A few suggestions for standing out could include:

Host a recruiting event: While it can be a lot more work and expense, hosting a special recruiting event will probably be worth it. An ice cream social, light lunch, or evening happy hour are a few ideas to try. It can be as simple or as elaborate as your budget allows. Promote the event to existing members and volunteers, and encourage them to share it with their own network. Send a news release to local media and ask for their help promoting it.
Offer virtual volunteer options: Because of lingering COVID-19 concerns, many people might be interested in volunteering but fearful of in-person encounters. One solution is to think about what types of volunteer needs you have, and which ones might be completed virtually. It might also help to offer virtual volunteer recruiting calls using platforms many people are already comfortable with, such as FaceTime or Zoom.

One final suggestions are to develop an email strategy that incorporates volunteer opportunities on a regular basis and to frequently post volunteer job openings in your print and digital newsletter. Don't have a great newsletter yet? We can help you get started! Learn more about our free ad-supported newsletter services here!

Updated on 03-21-2024

Setting Up a Facebook Page for a Community Organization

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 21:00:00 GMT

Whether it’s for a senior center, community food bank, local service organization, or other nonprofit, creating awareness about programs and services is vital. A useful strategy when you are on a limited budget is to promote your organization on social media. Facebook, in particular, has many features that make it ideal for community agencies. Here’s what you should know about setting up and maintaining a Facebook page, from scheduling events to sharing photos.

Tips for Setting Up a Facebook Page for an Organization

You must have a personal Facebook account before you can set up any type of business page. So, if you don’t already have a profile of your own, you’ll need to take care of that first. Visit How do I create a Facebook account? for a step-by-step tutorial.

Once that’s taken care of, navigate to https://www.facebook.com/pages/create . From there, the next steps in creating a Facebook page for your organization are:

Name your page: It’s probably best to use the organization name that people are most familiar with.
Select a category: This one can sometimes be a little tricky. This article on best practices for determining a category will help.
Enter a description: The information you enter here will appear on your Facebook page’s About tab. Much like the About Us page on a website, this is a section of your page that people will review often. Give careful consideration to the information you share here. It’s good to include your mission and goals, along with how people can contact you.

After you’ve completed these steps, click Create Page. Your page is now ready to be customized further. Here are some additional steps we suggest:

Add photos: Next up is to add a profile photo and cover photo. The profile picture requires a square photo, your logo might be a good option. The cover photo size can sometimes present a challenge as it must be 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall. An action shot of a program or special event would work well.
Create events: This is a great feature for community organizations. You can even let people register online. This article will help you learn how to set up your Events section .
Enable donations: If you are a nonprofit organization, you can accept donations through your Facebook page. There are some restrictions, including that some countries aren’t eligible and U.S. organizations must have 501(c)(3) status. Read more about Facebook’s Fundraising Tools here .

What to Showcase on Your Organization’s Facebook Page

The first tip is to post to your Facebook page every day. Some organizations do so multiple times a day. A rule of thumb for better engagement is known as the 70/20/10 approach. Here’s what that breaks down to:

70% of the posts you create should bring value to your followers. These posts should inform, inspire, or entertain.
20% of posts should be shared content. They might be from other organizations you partner with or helpful local resources.
10% of the posts shared with followers can be promotional. They might be fundraising appeals or requests for volunteers for your organization. You’ll want to limit these so your Facebook page visitors don’t feel as if you are constantly selling to them or asking for money.

The good news is that Facebook has a publishing feature that allows you to schedule posts in batches. But remember, it is still important to engage with your audience. So even if you schedule a week’s worth of posts at a time, your team should still read comments and respond to them.

Want more social media inspiration? Visit the "Web & Social Media" section of our blog. Happy posting!

Updated on 04-23-2024

How to Write a Quality Blog Post

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:00:00 GMT

Attracting visitors to your organization’s website allows more people to connect and engage with you. It might be a retiree who has relocated to your area to live closer to family and is looking for a senior center to join, or a youth group looking for volunteer opportunities for community service projects. Getting found online can help you grow and flourish, and a blog can do just that for your organization!

If you're already scratching your head about how to add a blog to your website or, you don't have a website yet, check out our web services to see how our powerful website builder, WeConnect, can get you on your way to an incredible web presence for your community!

How to Write a Great Blog Post

Establish an editorial calendar: Start by creating an editorial calendar. Plot out the topics you will need to find an author for in the weeks and months ahead. Try to outline at least one weekly blog article for the next quarter. Think about the talents and credentials of your team members and volunteers. Do you have someone who is an expert on nutrition? Or a volunteer with experience training dogs? Both can make for interesting blog topics.
Mix up the topics: Evergreen topics are those that people are always searching for, no matter the season. If done well, they can garner you traffic for years to come. Good examples of evergreen topics for blog posts targeting older adults might be fall prevention and medication safety. Add to those articles some more seasonal subjects.
Recruit an editor: Things can last forever on the internet. A blog post can be liked and shared by many in a short amount of time. That’s why it’s important to have a great editor carefully review your blog articles before posting. If you don’t have that type of talent in-house, check with your local community college. Many offer editing certificate programs, and you may be able to see if a recent graduate is interested in freelance work or volunteering.
Learn about SEO: Search engine optimization, referred to as SEO, is a process you can take to increase your website’s visibility on Google. While Google makes changes frequently, there are some basics you can master that stay somewhat the same from year to year. Two of these guidelines are using subheads every few paragraphs and adding quality photos. Another is including keywords and phrases. Length is an often-debated topic, but it’s generally believed blog articles should be no fewer than 500 words. This article can help you learn more.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Create a Virtual Tour of Your Organization

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 20:00:00 GMT

People have grown accustomed to digitally previewing places they are considering visiting, whether it’s a hotel, an assisted living community, a senior center, a restaurant, or a potential daycare center. Most company and organization websites have photos, menus, calendars, and more. Some have also learned the value of posting a virtual tour.

But what can you do if your budget and technology skills are limited? Is it still possible to create a virtual tour for site visitors?

Fortunately, there are a variety of solutions even for those who don’t consider themselves to be masters of technology. Most require only a 360-degree camera and a little bit of creativity.

Note: If we're already a step ahead of you here, and you are still stuck on how to even create the best website for your organization, our website services can give you the lift you need!

Apps to Help You Create an Inexpensive Virtual Tour

Here are a few free or inexpensive options you can explore for putting together your own virtual tour:

My360: This software allows you to take pictures with your 360° camera and turn them into a virtual tour . Then you can embed the tour on your website. Sign up for a free trial to see if this option is a good fit for you.
Kuula: Another easy-to-use virtual tour app to consider is Kuula . You can do everything from including floor plans to adding audio in the background.
DiveIn Studio: The good reviews this virtual tour platform receives make it another one to consider. One bonus feature is that it allows you to provide an interactive tour experience for visitors.

As you are exploring options, it’s also a good idea to give some thought to how you can put your best virtual foot forward.

Tips for Creating a Positive Virtual Tour for Your Organization

A few other tips that will help you develop a virtual tour that connects and engages visitors are:

Conduct a walk-through: Start by walking through the space you want to highlight. Take an objective look around. Do windows need cleaning? Are the blinds broken? What would a new visitor take away from viewing these rooms? If you don’t think you can be objective, enlist a few friends to do the walk-through. Be sure to choose people who aren’t as emotionally invested as you are.
Make a punch list: Builders often use what is called a punch list to record the details needed to finish up a project. Add even the little things, like dusting the lamps or changing a burned-out light bulb. This document can help you work your way through the tasks that need to be completed.
Stage the rooms thoughtfully: While you don’t want to give an inaccurate impression of your community or business, it’s important to showcase what you offer in the best possible light. Depending on your type of organization, these staging tips may be helpful .
Create a list of needed shots: Finally, before you start the video, make a list of rooms and the spaces within them that you’d like to capture. It might be helpful to put them in the order you want to film them. That way, you won’t forget something important and have to start over or do extensive editing afterward.

Updated on 11-11-2025

What Organizations Should Consider Before Discontinuing a Program or Class

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 20:00:00 GMT

As the director or program coordinator for a senior center or community organization, you likely are engaged in a considerable amount of planning. There’s much to be done, from budgets to workshops and services.

For people involved in community outreach programming, the details of organizing and promoting classes can be labor intensive. That’s why it’s so tough to put a lot of work into a program, only to have it fail. You might discover the hard way that no one is interested in signing up or that attendance is lagging among those who did enroll. It’s easy to take the program’s lack of success personally.

Before you write the class off completely, take the opportunity to figure out what may have gone wrong. One avenue for doing so is to survey members, formally or informally, for feedback. Especially make a point of talking with those who signed up and then dropped out. Here are a few pointers to help you evaluate what went wrong.

Why Was Your Community Program Unsuccessful?

A few factors to discuss with members to determine why a program wasn’t the success you hoped it would be include:

Is the time bad?
Something as simple as scheduling a program, even a virtual one, during the evening news or a popular television program can derail a class or program.

Is the location a barrier?
If the program is being held away from the center, is the location easy to get to? This is especially important for members who rely on public transportation or ride-sharing services .

Does the problem seem to lie with the instructor?
It’s an unfortunate reality programming staff encounters from time-to-time, an instructor who is supposed to be very knowledgeable on a subject turns out to be a dud as a teacher.

Is the class content different than what was described?
If those who enrolled begin dropping out, another issue to consider is whether the class description lines up with what is actually being offered. It’s possible that the instructor veered away from how the class was promoted.

Are the fees or supply costs a barrier?
While most senior centers and community organizations work hard to offer classes free of charge or at a nominal fee, that’s not always possible. If special supplies are involved, too, it might be a matter of finances. Make sure your survey includes a question about cost.

Did the class just run its course?
Finally, the class might have simply been around long enough that people lost interest. They may have learned all they wanted to and are ready to move on to something new.

How to Cancel a Program or Class

If low enrollment or declining attendance is making an offering more work and expense than you can justify, it’s best to just be honest and let people know. If it’s a class that involves a project, give the instructor and enrollees time to wrap up. Let them know you’ll talk with other members to see if there might be a way to bring the course back in the future based on feedback you receive.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Why Your Nonprofit Needs Email Marketing

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:00:00 GMT

If you’ve been holding off on starting an email marketing program, there’s no time like the present to get started. Whether you are the director for a senior center or a volunteer for a community-based organization, there is great value in building an email list and staying in touch.

Let’s take a quick look at the many reasons why email should be an essential part of your marketing plan.

Benefits of Email Marketing For Community Organizations

Helps you keep in touch: The competition for people’s attention is fierce, from 24/7 cable news to social media platforms. Email makes it much easier to stay top of mind. You can send out a quick reminder that it’s time to register for a special program, or let people know when a new service is launched. Email allows you to nurture your contacts without interrupting their day.
More reliable than social media: We’ve probably all heard of an individual or organization that carefully built their followers on a social media platform, only to have their account hacked or suspended for something that seemed innocent. And some of the most popular platforms, especially Facebook, have algorithms that can make it difficult for business-related messages to appear in a follower’s news feed unless you pay to boost the post. By capturing emails and building a newsletter list, you maintain control.
Avoids high cost of postage: With postal fees soaring, mailing even a simple postcard to a large list of members or customers can be cost-prohibitive. If you have a printed newsletter that weighs more, it can be a real budget buster. Even those with limited tech skills can master email marketing, especially if you have someone set up a template and list for you. Some platforms, such as Mailchimp and MailerLite , make the whole process much easier to navigate.
Less expensive than direct mail: It’s not just postage you’ll save money on by moving to email marketing. The costs associated with printing and production for direct mail have escalated over the past few years. Even if you aren’t ready to completely give up your offline mailings, you may be able to cut back and save by mixing email campaigns with direct mail.
Quick to produce: By mastering email, you can also cut down on the time it takes to create and send out messages and invitations to your members and supporters. That gives you more freedom and flexibility with everything from last-minute program changes to updates during a crisis.

If you decide you’d like to learn more, there are several highly rated companies that have free or inexpensive virtual classes you can take. HubSpot is a popular one, as is Udemy’s Mailchimp for Beginners.

Updated on 11-11-2025

Do This Before Launching a New Program For Your Community Organization

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 20:00:00 GMT

If your team is trying to establish systems and guidelines for a new program that will soon be launched, these suggestions might be of interest.

How to Develop a New Community-Based Program

While details will vary greatly, depending on the type and size of the new community-based program or service you are designing, this general framework may help identify the systems and guidelines that will likely be required.

Know the consumer: Who will the consumers of your new program be, and how will you connect with them? Have your team sit down together and create personas for the different types of people you anticipate being interested. Once you’ve done that, it becomes easier to determine how you will reach out to make them aware of this new opportunity for support.
Screening process: Will your new service be open to anyone in the community, or will there be criteria that must be met? If it’s the latter, how will you determine the requirements, and which team members will be responsible for conducting the screening? It’s important that the process be fair and equitable for a diverse population. Also make certain your screening system includes future plans for objectively evaluating the program’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
Size restrictions: Do you anticipate a slow start-up or one that will likely take off in a hurry? That’s important to know if you can’t handle a large influx all at once. If you’ve conducted a feasibility study during the planning phase of your project, anticipating initial requests and ongoing growth might be easier. If not, How a Feasibility Study Can Benefit Your Projects is a good resource to review.
Community launch: How will you get the word out to your local community? Do you have good relationships with local media and influencers? Will you need to devote part of your start-up budget to advertising? What time frame have you identified for pre-promotional planning? These are all questions you’ll want to address and establish guidelines for moving forward. Remember, after the initial launch, most programs need ongoing awareness campaigns to keep the program top of mind for potential participants.
Participant feedback: Have you thought about or created a system for soliciting feedback from participants? You’ll likely want to have a process for doing that on a daily basis, as well as a more formal evaluation at the six-month and/or one-year mark. Initially, it might be something as simple as a suggestion box in the lobby or an email address people can use to send input on how well things are going and opportunities for improvement.

Hopefully, this information helps you create systems and guidelines you feel confident in as your program grows and evolves!

Updated on 11-11-2025

Copyright Violations are a Big Deal — Here’s Why

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 20:00:00 GMT

Imagine that you’re on the hunt for an image to accompany the upcoming season of classes, or you found a great resource that you want to share with others on your center website. You notice the copyright watermark in the corner or see the bit of text in the bottom of the PDF stating that nothing is to be copied or shared without permission. But it’s just the perfect thing that you need, and you have such a small audience — “just this once,” you think. And then it happens: you get caught.

From large corporations like Disney or Amazon, to local creators selling content on Etsy shops — copying, sharing, or utilizing without image or content permission can be a big deal. Depending on how it’s used, you could end up with a cease and desist letter or be sued. Here is the lowdown on copyright violations, as well as why you should avoid them and how.

Copyrights Aren't as Ambiguous as You Think

The definition of copyright is “the exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.” In simpler terms, copyright is the right to copy. This means that the original creators of products and anyone they give permission to are the only ones with the exclusive right to reproduce the work.

As a nonprofit, there are many ways that you may find yourself in violation of a copyright without even realizing it, such as:

Copying an image you found on the internet and using it in your newsletter, website or email, whether you have permission or not.
Playing a movie for your members without permission from the company that created it (think a community-wide outside movie night of a popular Disney film).
Uploading a resource you personally paid for to your website so others can access it, such as a book or other paid content, even though distributing is prohibited.

What Can Happen If You Violate a Copyright

It can be a misconception that anything found on the Internet can be used freely. This is not true. The U.S. Copyright Office has a range of definitions and facts for people to understand what a copyright is, and how to avoid infringing on someone else’s work. According to Purdue University, copyright infringement penalties can range from actual dollar amount damages to paying attorney cost and fees, to even jail (in extreme cases).

How to Avoid Copyright Violations

It’s easier than you think to avoid getting caught with a copyright violation. Check out some of these websites for resources that are available for the taking (and sharing!).

WeCreate: If you’re an LPi newsletter customer, you already have access to images and content for anything you may need. With WeCreate , you’ll find the latest in stock photography, clip art, articles, recipes, and more. So, if you’re searching for an inspirational quote for this week’s social media content, or a nice wellness article that you can share on your website, look no further! Not interested in a WeCreate subscription yet but still want access to some freebies? Check out the WeCreate monthly free art page here . It is packed with content that nonprofits can use freely in their communications!

Wikimedia Commons: You may be familiar with Wikipedia , a free content, online encyclopedia written and maintained by a community of volunteer contributors, but have you heard of Wikimedia Commons ? A collection of 75,451,290 (and counting!) freely usable media files to which anyone can utilize.

Search for Free Images
You can find a ton of free images to use for whatever you need — just head on over to Unsplash , MorgueFile , and Pexels . Royalty-free and available for all uses (even commercial), you’re bound to find what you’re searching for with just a few keystrokes.

Pay for Images
If you’re looking for a perfect image for a flyer to about your upcoming festival, avoid the search on Google and go right to image websites that offer attractive, high resolution images for a price. They can range in cost from as little as $5 to up to $45, but it’s cheaper than the alternative. Try Adobe Stock and Shutterstock for some great images that you can purchase for whatever you need.

Updated on 11-11-2025

How to Maximize Your Organization's Google Search Results

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 20:00:00 GMT

When you think of Google, your center listing might not be the first to come to mind. However, getting your organization's website to show up when someone searches for one nearby is one of the most beneficial ways you can grow your membership.

Keywords, meta descriptions, backlinks, rankings … there are so many things you can do to be featured more toward the top of a Google search page. If you’re frustrated with where your center ranks, check out here are some practical steps you can take to maximize you website's Google search results.

Don't have a website you are proud of yet? Our team creates amazing websites for nonprofits just like yours. Learn more about our incredible easy-to-use yet powerful website builder, WeConnect here!

How to Make Sure Google Shares Your Website in Search Results

Have You Claimed Your Page on Google?

If you have yet to do so, the first thing you’ll want to do is claim your listing on Google . Officially called “Google My Business” page, this is a way for you to officially lay claim to and customize your search results.

If you search for a specific business or organization, you’ll notice on the right-hand side what Google calls a “knowledge panel.” If you don’t claim your listing, this will be created automatically by Google. Claiming your page will allow you to be in control of what’s there, such as adding an official description, address and contact information, photos, links to social media channels and more.

While it can be a process, it is very doable. You’ll need a Gmail account, and then just follow the steps for verification through automated phone call, or postal mail. Once you’ve claimed your listing, you can help speed things along by requesting that Google index your website (basically scan your website and stick it in search results faster). If you’re interested in moving forward, check out this deep dive from Google on exactly how to do it.

Best Practices for SEO

Like the foundation of your home, your website needs a strong footing in order to be taken seriously by Google. That is why it’s extremely important that you work on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Each page that makes up your website needs its own title and summary (called the meta description), as well as any keywords that you think people would use to find a center like yours.

Now, descriptions are no longer counted in the algorithm that Google uses to rank your pages, but they are critical for how Google uses them in the display of your search results. The meta description (summery) should be less than 160 characters, so you’ll want to make sure that all your important information fits inside that number.

Here is an example of one parish that has created custom, targeted SEO. Remember, each page should have a different description.

Keywords: Community Center, Milwaukee, East Side, Activities, Gathering (for even better results, make sure the same words are found within the copy on the same page).

Meta Description 1: Website (under 160 including spaces): Red Oak is a vibrant community center nestled in the heart of Milwaukee. We strive to serve the physical, mental and emotional needs of our neighborhood.

Meta Description 2: About Us page (under 160 including spaces): Whether you’ve been a member of ours for years, or are visiting our center for the first time, we hope that you feel welcome and at home here.

Title Tags:
Home | Red Oak Community
Health & Fitness | Red Oak Community
Become a Member| Red Oak Community

Google Reviews — Not JUST for Restaurants

Finally, you may not be aware, but Google is one of the best places to search for reviews of various businesses, organizations, and yes, centers! One way to look at this is to utilize it for member and staff testimonies. Do you boast an amazing game night? Young at Heart Club? Are your staff members inspiring and passionate in all they do? Whatever you choose to highlight, Google is a great way to get the word out!

The more positive reviews, the higher you rank in search results. No matter what is posted, be sure to respond within three days. Not only is this best practice, but it also shows people who find your listing on Google that your center is alive and thriving.

Still on the table with if you think our website builder, WeConnect, is right for you? Check out our brochure to see how your website can look amazing but also be made simple and easy for your team to manage!

Updated 11-11-2025

Ideas for Low-Cost Intergenerational Spring Activities at Your Community Center

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:00:00 GMT

If you’ve ever watched a young child or teen spending time with a senior, you’ve likely noticed how much both seem to enjoy the interaction. Younger children can be especially drawn to older adults. Many aging experts believe friendships that span several generations offer many mental and physical health benefits. They can aid in preventing depression and other health conditions among older adults, most notably those with mobility challenges that limit how active they can be. By offering intergenerational activities at your community center, you can help build such friendships.

Here are a few ideas that might help you incorporate intergenerational activities into your community center schedule.

4 Inexpensive Intergenerational Community Event Ideas

1. Organize a movie night

Technology has made it much easier to host your own movie night. It can be a fun way to relax and enjoy a few laughs together, whether you stream a favorite family movie indoors at your community center or set up a “movie theater” outside using a projector and white screen. If you aren’t able to borrow or rent the equipment, it can be purchased fairly inexpensively online. This review of the best projectors will help you make a quality purchase.

Don’t forget the bottled water, soft drinks, bags of popcorn, and snack station. Candy, nachos, chips, and pretzels are a few easy treats to offer on movie night.

2. Host a scavenger hunt

Weather permitting, another fun intergenerational activity is a scavenger hunt. They are low in cost and high in fun!

Think about the style of scavenger hunt you would like to host. Do you want to give participants a list of items to find? Or perhaps have them find clues pointing them to different attractions in the neighborhood where they can take photos? When you are making plans, consider how easy it is for the elders in the group to get around.

If you would like to go a little more high-tech with your scavenger hunt, an app like GooseChase can be a solution. Whatever avenue you choose, don’t forget to line up prizes for the winning teams!

3. Organize a craft fair

Unlike traditional craft fairs where vendors sell their products, this type of intergenerational event could give visitors the opportunity to make their own arts and crafts. Have volunteers staff stations with different activities at each. You could offer birdhouse construction, fiber arts, stepping-stones, ornament painting, and more.

It might be possible to solicit in-kind donations from area stores or charge a small admission fee to help cover expenses.

4. Plant a community garden

Gardening is an enjoyable and healthy hobby at every age. If your community center is looking for a good intergenerational activity, planting a garden together might be one to consider. It is inexpensive and easily lends itself to group activity.

If your community center doesn’t have yard space to dedicate solely to a garden, there are other options. You could try installing raised beds or creating a container garden full of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Elevated gardens and containers are easier for older gardeners. Whatever you choose, it can be an opportunity for multiple generations to grow and nurture something together.

Those new to gardening might find it helpful to read Raised Bed and Container Garden Tips .

We hope this list of intergenerational events gives your organization some helpful ideas! Don't forget to pop your events into your monthly or weekly newsletter! Don't have one? LPi provides free ad-supported printed and digital newsletters for nonprofits like yours. Learn more here!

Updated on 11-11-2025