Digital Asset Management (DAM) Software for Nonprofits
Why Branding and Content matters and how Digital Asset Management (DAM) Software can help Nonprofits to win the hearts of Donors and Volunteers.
Branding is key to nonprofits, content helps to build a brand and a Digital Asset Management system helps to scale content while always staying on brand.
No one will donate to a charity without trusting that their money will be put to good use. A strong brand and transparency are the foundation of a strong nonprofit. NGOs that share monthly or annual reports, use content to showcase how they’re making an impact and stay top of mind with beautiful emails and a strong social media presence win over those that hardly ever share anything about their cause.
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In this article, we’ll go into:
- What a Digital Asset Management system is and how it helps scale your content while always staying on brand.
- What to consider when selecting a Digital Asset Management solution that fits your needs.
- How to get started with implementing a DAM.
What is a Digital Asset Management System and what are the benefits?
A DAM helps you store, organize and share all your digital assets from within one single source of truth.
Digital Assets are for instance: logo, social media posts, PowerPoint presentations, icons, flyers, etc.
Storing/organizing digital assets: you most likely do on your laptop(s), SharePoint, Google Drive, DropBox, etc. Meaning, there is not one single source of truth, no one person knows exactly where all files are stored, what the latest version is, if an asset is 100% on brand, who created it, etc.
With a Digital Asset Management platform, you can store all your digital assets on one platform, in the cloud, add permissions to users, see who created an asset and easily check if an asset is on-brand.
Sharing digital assets: you most likely do by sharing a DropBox link, sending files via WeTransfer or email, etc. This makes it time-consuming and the one receiving the files, making adjustments and sending them back, never knows if she is working on the latest version.
With a digital asset management system, you can share a link of a file and make changes in real-time.
How a Digital Asset Management system helps you scale your content while always staying on-brand
For this particular benefit, we’ll take Lytho’s Digital Asset Management software with her create & publish feature into account.
Next to storing, organizing and sharing, Lytho’s create & publish feature helps you to create templates, share them with any user and help any user to create branded content at scale. Within the template, you decide which elements users can move around, change, add new elements and which elements should stay fixed.
This means, that any user:
- Can create beautifully branded content without the need of an expensive design tool or knowledge.
- Can create a new piece of content within one minute.
- Can help scale on-brand content creation and put your nonprofit on the map!
Nonprofits often work with volunteers that don’t necessarily have design know-how or expensive design tools installed on their laptop. But as you can see, this is a problem of the past with Lytho’s create & publish feature. This is why you will require the services of non profit asset management in order to keep a steady budget.
Digital Asset Management implementation plan [Checklist]
As you can see, a Digital Asset Management system is one of those tools that, once you get started with, you can never go back. But how do you get started?
Here’s a Digital Asset Management Checklist:
Self-assessment questions to make the business case:
- How many pieces of digital assets do you have (approximately)?
- How many of these pieces of assets are not on brand?
- How many systems do you use to store your digital assets?
- How do you share your digital assets at the moment and how much time does it usually take?
- With how many people do you share your assets with?
- How do you create branded content at the moment?
- How many people are able to create branded content at the moment?
- How much time does it cost to create one piece of content at the moment?
- How many people can help create branded content after using Lytho’s create & publish feature?
- What are your biggest bottlenecks?
- Using too many systems?
- Losing digital assets because no one knows where they are?
- Losing too much time downloading/uploading/sharing digital assets?
- Having too many pieces of content not being on brand?
- Not being able to utilize the power of all employees/volunteers to create content?
- In which areas can a Digital Asset Management system benefit you best (store, organize, share, create)?
- What would the business value be in investing in a DAM system (rough estimation)?
Comparing Digital Asset Management vendors:
- Which Digital Asset Management tool would best fulfill your needs?
- How will the vendor help you to set everything up?
- How much of what is discussed in this article can the DAM on your shortlist actually do (Lytho’s create & publish feature is pretty unique)?
- How do they calculate your business case to invest in a DAM system?
In short
A Digital Asset Management system can be very powerful and can help in many ways. Now, you can hopefully better assess your situation and see if you would like to invest your time in learning more about how a DAM can help you.
If you have any questions, share them in the comment section below.
FAQ
What is Digital Asset Management (DAM) software?
DAM software is a tool that helps organizations store, organize, and manage digital assets like photos, videos, documents, and other media files in a centralized repository.
Why do nonprofits need DAM software?
Nonprofits need DAM software to efficiently manage their growing collection of digital assets, ensuring easy access, organization, and distribution for various needs such as marketing, fundraising, and reporting.
How does DAM software benefit nonprofit organizations?
DAM software benefits nonprofits by saving time in searching for assets, improving collaboration, maintaining brand consistency, and ensuring secure storage and access to digital content.
What features should nonprofits look for in DAM software?
Key features include user-friendly interfaces, robust search capabilities, permission controls, integration with other tools, and scalability to accommodate growing asset libraries.
Can DAM software help with compliance and security for nonprofits?
Yes, DAM software can help ensure compliance with data protection regulations and enhance security through controlled access and usage rights for digital assets.
How does DAM software integrate with other tools used by nonprofits?
Many DAM systems offer integrations with content management systems, social media platforms, and marketing tools, streamlining workflows and content distribution.
What are the cost considerations for nonprofits when choosing DAM software?
Nonprofits should consider upfront costs, subscription fees, and potential additional costs for extra features or storage. Many vendors offer nonprofit discounts or special pricing.
How can nonprofits effectively implement DAM software?
Effective implementation involves proper planning, staff training, setting clear guidelines for usage, and regularly updating the system to align with organizational needs.
Are there specific DAM solutions tailored for nonprofit organizations?
Some DAM solutions are specifically tailored for nonprofits, offering features and pricing structures that align with the unique needs and constraints of nonprofit organizations.
How can DAM software impact a nonprofit’s storytelling and fundraising efforts?
DAM software streamlines the process of finding and using compelling visuals and multimedia, enhancing storytelling and fundraising campaigns by making them more engaging and impactful.
How does DAM software facilitate collaboration among nonprofit teams?
DAM software enables teams to easily share and access assets from different locations, ensuring that everyone is using the most up-to-date and approved materials.
Can DAM software help with brand management for nonprofits?
Yes, DAM systems help maintain brand consistency by storing brand guidelines, templates, and approved assets in a central location for easy access by all team members.
How can nonprofits choose the right DAM software for their needs?
Evaluate factors like ease of use, customization options, storage capacity, customer support, integration capabilities, and cost to find a solution that best fits your nonprofit’s needs.
What types of digital assets can be managed using DAM software?
DAM software can manage a wide range of digital assets, including images, videos, documents, audio files, presentations, and graphic design files.
How does DAM software support remote work and virtual teams in nonprofits?
With DAM, remote teams can access and manage digital assets from anywhere, enhancing collaboration and productivity regardless of geographical barriers.
What should nonprofits consider regarding data backup and recovery in DAM systems?
Ensure the DAM system has reliable backup and recovery protocols to protect against data loss and maintain continuity in the event of technical issues.
Can DAM software aid in measuring the impact of a nonprofit’s marketing efforts?
Some DAM systems provide analytics to track asset usage, helping nonprofits understand the effectiveness of their marketing materials and campaigns.
How scalable is DAM software for growing nonprofit organizations?
Look for DAM solutions that offer scalability to accommodate increasing amounts of assets and additional users as the organization grows.
What training or support might be necessary for a nonprofit team using DAM software?
Nonprofits should account for initial training to familiarize the team with the DAM system and ongoing support for troubleshooting and updates.
How can nonprofits ensure the security and privacy of their digital assets in a DAM system?
Choose DAM software with robust security features like encryption, user access controls, and compliance with data protection standards to safeguard sensitive digital assets.
What are the challenges nonprofits might face in implementing DAM software?
Challenges can include budget constraints, resistance to change from staff, and the need for adequate training to ensure efficient use of the system.
How does DAM software contribute to a nonprofit’s content strategy?
DAM software provides a structured way to organize and retrieve content, helping nonprofits plan and execute their content strategy more effectively.
Can DAM software help in tracking the usage rights of digital assets?
Yes, many DAM systems allow tracking of usage rights and licenses for digital assets, ensuring that nonprofits use content legally and ethically.
What role does artificial intelligence play in modern DAM systems for nonprofits?
AI in DAM systems can automate tasks like tagging and categorizing assets, improving searchability and saving time for nonprofit teams.
How can DAM software assist in event management for nonprofits?
DAM software can store and organize event-related assets like promotional materials, presentations, and videos, streamlining the planning and execution of events.
Is cloud-based DAM software preferable for nonprofits? Why?
Cloud-based DAM offers accessibility from anywhere, reduced need for internal IT infrastructure, and often comes with scalable storage options, making it suitable for many nonprofits.
How can DAM software improve donor engagement for nonprofits?
By efficiently managing assets used in donor communications, DAM software helps create more personalized and impactful engagement materials.
What considerations should nonprofits have regarding mobile access to DAM software?
Mobile access is essential for teams on the go, allowing them to access and share assets remotely, increasing flexibility and responsiveness.
How does DAM software support a nonprofit’s social media strategy?
DAM systems can streamline the process of finding, organizing, and sharing media assets across social platforms, ensuring consistency and efficiency in social media marketing.
Can nonprofits integrate DAM software with other fundraising and CRM tools?
Many DAM solutions can integrate with CRM and fundraising software, enabling seamless access and use of digital assets for fundraising campaigns and donor management.
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