What Is Digital Strategy Anyway?
In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, organizations—especially nonprofits—must be intentional in how they use digital tools, platforms, and data to engage their audiences and achieve their goals. We understand that right now, as we are all navigating new challenges and uncertainties, focusing on digital strategy may not seem mission critical. Though, we are here to advocate for digital strategy being a top priority and essential for mission-driven organizations to thrive in the current climate.
But what does that actually look like in practice?
At Message Agency, the Digital Services division of Tech Impact, we operate at the intersection of research, strategy, storytelling, and technology to help mission-driven organizations maximize their impact.
In a recent webinar, we explored the core components of digital strategy and tackled some of the biggest challenges nonprofits face in the digital space.
Digital Strategy: More Than Just a Website
Many organizations think of digital strategy as simply having a website, social media presence, or email marketing plan. But true digital strategy is about alignment—ensuring that your digital efforts are intentionally designed to support your broader organizational goals.
A strong digital strategy includes three key components:
Technology – The platforms and tools you use to reach and engage your audience.
Audiences – The people you are trying to connect with, including their needs and behaviors.
Organizational Goals – Your North Star, guiding all digital decisions to ensure impact.
Common Challenges Nonprofits Face
Many mission-driven organizations struggle with limited resources, whether it’s time, budget, or technical expertise. Here’s how nonprofits can address these challenges:
Challenge: Limited Time
- Prioritize high-impact channels
- Use management tools for efficiency
- Automate where possible
- Leverage AI to streamline efforts
Challenge: Limited Budget
- Take advantage of free tools
- Apply for the Google Ad Grant
- Focus on organic engagement instead of relying solely on paid ads
Challenge: Limited Knowledge
- Attend more webinars and training sessions
- Subscribe to industry newsletters
- Experiment with new tools and approaches
The Key to Success: Knowing Your Audience
One of the most important takeaways from our discussion was that understanding your audience is the key to saving time, reducing costs, and increasing your digital effectiveness. The better you know who you’re trying to reach, the more strategic you can be in your digital efforts.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Digital strategy is not a one-and-done process—it’s an ongoing practice of testing, learning, and refining. What are your biggest digital challenges? What tools do you struggle to use? How can we support your efforts?
We’d love to hear from you. Let’s work together to create digital strategies that drive real impact!