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  • Saying ‘Thank You’ to ChatGPT Costs Millions in Electricity

    Saying ‘Thank You’ to ChatGPT Costs Millions in Electricity


    It costs millions of dollars to be polite to AI.

    OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed last week that OpenAI’s electricity bill is “tens of millions of dollars” higher due to people being polite to ChatGPT.

    Last week, an X user posted: “I wonder how much money OpenAI has lost in electricity costs from people saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their models.” The post has been viewed 5.7 million times as of press time.

    Altman replied the following day: “Tens of millions of dollars well spent—you never know.”

    A survey released in February by the publisher, Future, found that 67% of people who use AI in the U.S. are polite to the chatbot. Nearly one out of five respondents of that group (18%) stated that they say “please” and “thank you” to AI to protect themselves in case of a possible AI uprising. The remaining 82% said they were polite simply because it was “nice” to be that way to anyone, AI or human.

    Being polite to AI may serve a functional purpose. Microsoft design director Kurtis Beavers noted in a Microsoft blog post that “using polite language sets a tone for the response” from AI. In other words, when you’re polite to AI, it is likely to respond in kind.

    Related: New Google Report Reveals the Hidden Cost of AI

    However, that politeness has an energy cost. According to a May 2024 report from The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), it takes 10 times more energy to ask ChatGPT a question or send it a comment than it takes to run a standard Google search without AI overviews summarizing results at the top of a search page.

    Researchers at financial advice site BestBrokers found that ChatGPT needs 1.059 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity on average every year. That would amount to an annual expenditure of about $139.7 million on energy costs alone for the AI chatbot.

    AI also requires substantial amounts of water to cool the servers that power it. Research from the University of California, Riverside shows that ChatGPT requires up to 1,408 milliliters of water, or about three 16.9-oz bottles worth, to generate a 100-word email. It takes 40 to 50 milliliters of water to generate a three-word “You are welcome” response from ChatGPT.

    Related: Is ChatGPT Search Better Than Google? I Tried the New Search Engine to Find Out.

    Meanwhile, OpenAI can afford the tens of millions of dollars in AI electricity costs. Earlier this month, the startup raised $40 billion at a valuation of $300 billion in the biggest private tech deal ever recorded. OpenAI noted at the time that it had 500 million global weekly users, up from 400 million in February.





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  • Tighter margins, higher stakes: The case for investing in customer loyalty

    Tighter margins, higher stakes: The case for investing in customer loyalty


    It’s no secret, 2025 is off to an eventful start with tariff uncertainty, nagging inflation, and global supply chains in flux. From retailers to the hospitality industry, these economic challenges hit margins hard and force business leaders to have tough conversations around pricing and budgets. 

    In this post, we make the case for investing in customer loyalty as a long-term strategy to protect revenue, reduce churn, and increase customer lifetime value. 

    The economics of customer loyalty  

    In a margin-squeezed economy, investing in customer retention is a far more efficient growth strategy than chasing new acquisition (important too!). In fact, retaining an existing customer can cost 5 to 25 times less than acquiring a new one.  

    Repeat customers are also significantly more valuable: in retail, they can generate 3–10 times the value of a first-time buyer, and in hospitality, they often spend more and drive referrals.  

    Just as important, reducing churn by even 5% can boost profits by 25% to 95%, making loyalty a critical margin-preserving tool in high-volume, low-margin industries like retail and hospitality. 

    Happy customers are willing to pay more 

    With price increases almost inevitable, loyalty offers another major advantage: price elasticity. When customers have a strong emotional connection to a brand, they become less price sensitive. They’re less likely to comparison-shop or abandon their cart over a small price difference, and more willing to pay a premium for the experience, reliability, and consistency they’ve come to trust. 

    Alchemer’s Research Solutions Team recently conducted a brand loyalty market research study and found that 80% of participants would be willing to pay more for a product or brand they love. That’s not just a nod to brand preference—it’s a bottom-line opportunity. 

    In retail, this translates to fewer markdowns, stronger margins, and higher average order values. In hospitality, it means guests who book directly, upgrade rooms, or return for repeat stays. Choosing your property again and again, even if you’re not the cheapest option in town. Ultimately, loyalty softens the blow of rising costs and turns price pressure into pricing power. 

    Loyalty and feedback go hand in hand 

    Loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through intentional listening and consistent follow-through. In industries where customer expectations are high, and competition is fierce, feedback is your most direct and reliable line to what truly matters to your audience. 

    When you opt for structured, ongoing feedback loops, not just one-off surveys or occasional reviews, you move from guesswork to clarity. You uncover pain points before they escalate into churn. You surface unmet needs that, when addressed, turn a satisfied customer into a loyal advocate. And most importantly, you demonstrate that customer input isn’t just collected, it drives real change. 

    In a time when customers have more choices than ever, showing that you’re listening, and proving it through action, is one of the most effective ways to deepen loyalty and differentiate your brand. 

    How to invest in loyalty during challenging times  

    When margins are tight and resources are limited, the smartest loyalty investments are the ones that deliver clear, measurable impact. Alchemer gives organizations the tools to build meaningful, data-driven relationships with customers by turning feedback into action at every stage of the customer journey. 

    1. Meet customers where they are: With multi-channel feedback tools, you can collect insights across every customer touchpoint—whether it’s a mobile checkout survey, an in-app feedback prompt, a kiosk at checkout, or a post-stay email. From web and mobile to SMS and email codes, Alchemer makes it easy to gather feedback in the moments that matter most. 
    1. Go from insights to action, fast: Alchemer’s end-to-end platform allows brands to not only collect data but route it to the right teams instantly. With integrations into CRMs, marketing automation, and support tools, feedback doesn’t just sit, it powers real decisions and real change. 
    1. Optimize loyalty programs with real-time input: Loyalty programs only work when they evolve with your customers. With the right mobile feedback tools, it’s easy to meet customers in the moment, whether they’ve just completed a purchase, redeemed a reward, or stayed at your property. These real-time insights help you refine rewards, remove friction, and deliver the experiences your customers actually want, keeping them loyal and active. 

    Ready to see how Alchemer can help? Request a demo or read how we can help you build a brand health tracking program! 



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  • SwiftUI Apprentice | Kodeco

    SwiftUI Apprentice | Kodeco


    SwiftUI Apprentice is a series of epic-length tutorials where you’ll learn to build three complete apps from scratch,
    using Apple’s new user interface technology: SwiftUI! Each app is more advanced than the one before, and together,
    they cover everything to make your own apps using SwiftUI. By the end of the book, you’ll be experienced enough
    to turn your ideas into real apps you can sell on the App Store. These tutorials have easy to follow step-by-step
    instructions and consist of more than pages and illustrations! You also get full
    source code, image files, and other resources you can re-use for your own projects.

    If you’re new to iOS and Swift, or to programming in general, learning how to write an app can seem incredibly overwhelming.
    That’s why you need a guide that:

    • Shows you how to write an app step-by-step.
    • Uses tons of illustrations and screenshots to make everything clear.
    • Guides you in a fun and easy-going manner.

    You’ll start at the very beginning. The first section assumes you have little to no knowledge of programming in Swift for iOS but still
    shows you how to build an entire fitness app from scratch using SwiftUI.
    SwiftUI Apprentice doesn’t cover every single feature of iOS; it focuses on the absolutely essential ones.
    Instead of just covering a list of features, SwiftUI Apprentice does something much more important: It explains how all the
    building blocks fit together and what is involved in building real apps. You’re not going to create quick example programs that
    demonstrate how to accomplish a single feature. Instead, you’ll develop complete, fully-formed apps, with beautiful,
    professionally-designed user interfaces, that are good enough to submit to the App Store!

    How is this book different than SwiftUI by Tutorials?

    Our other book on building apps with SwiftUI, SwiftUI by Tutorials, is designed for developers who have a solid background in iOS development and are looking to make the leap from building apps with UIKit, to building apps with SwiftUI.

    This book, SwiftUI Apprentice, is designed to teach new developers how to build iOS apps, using a SwiftUI-first approach. Its goal is to teach you fundamental development practices as you build out some fully-functional and great-looking apps!



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  • Building Robust ViewModels | Kodeco

    Building Robust ViewModels | Kodeco


    All videos. All books.
    One low price.

    Learn iOS, Swift, Android, Kotlin, Flutter and Dart development and unlock our massive
    catalogue of 50+ books and 4,000+ videos.

    Learn more

    The largest and most up-to-date collection of courses and books on iOS,
    Swift, Android, Kotlin, Flutter, Dart, Server-Side Swift, Unity, and more!

    © 2025 Kodeco Inc



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  • She Quit Corporate Life to Build a Nearly $3 Million Franchise

    She Quit Corporate Life to Build a Nearly $3 Million Franchise


    Sarah Ross spent years working in corporate accounting, following a path that felt predictable — but ultimately unfulfilling. The long hours, rigid structure and lack of autonomy began to wear on her. Though she appreciated the stability and had a knack for numbers, Ross started to question what it was all for and who was really benefiting from her effort.

    “I felt, if I’m working 14-hour days, it should be for me instead of somebody else,” she says. That realization marked the beginning of a major career pivot.

    But Ross knew herself well: “I was too risk-averse to start something from the ground up,” she says. “I felt comfortable running the back-office side of a business. So I decided to go the franchise route because I knew I needed coaching on sales and marketing.”

    Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

    Becoming the contractor who “gets the job done”

    After researching her options, Ross landed on Fresh Coat Painters, a residential and commercial painting franchise. She says three factors drove her decision: affordability, a promising territory and confidence in the product. Ross also had firsthand experience with unreliable contractors and saw an opportunity not just to run a business, but to fix a problem she — and many others — understood all too well.

    “Having been a female homeowner myself and dealing with some unreliable, undependable contractors, I felt like I could be that dependable contractor,” she says. “The one that shows up [and] gets the job done.”

    Ross was also drawn to the growth potential in the U.S. home services industry, which was valued at $212 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $893 billion by 2031.

    Related: How a Police Officer Started a Pet Care Business Making $3 Million a Year

    Hire the best and treat them fairly

    Ross launched Fresh Coat West Austin in Texas in 2015 and brought in revenue of about $300,000 in the first year. Ten years later, she’s grown the business to $2.8 million — and she’s aiming to hit $3 million this year. One of her key strategies for growth is building deep local relationships.

    “We’re heavily tied to the real estate market,” she says. “So the relationships we built with realtors helped us. Post-Covid-19, we had a bump in business, then it slowed when the market cooled. Now, we’re starting to see things trend back up.”

    Ross also credits the demographic growth of her territory as a major advantage — the Austin metro area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But the real driver, she says, has been consistency — showing up for customers and earning trust over time.

    Another crucial factor is her commitment to her team. The painting industry has high turnover because, unlike many other trade professionals, painters usually aren’t required to be licensed. That lack of regulation can lead to inconsistent skill sets and poor treatment by some contractors, so Ross has developed a keen eye for identifying great painters and keeping them. “Treat them fairly, pay them on time and show them respect,” she says. “That’s somewhat of a game changer for them.”

    Related: 64 Million U.S. Households Have a Pet. Here’s How This Top-Ranked Franchise Is Making Busy Owners’ Lives Easier.

    Connecting with clients

    As a woman business owner in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Ross has found her identity to be a strength. “We mainly do residential repainting,” she says. “When we’re quoting, it’s often to female homeowners and they’re almost pleasantly surprised when [a woman shows up]. It helped me stand out.”

    Fresh Coat has intentionally sought diversity among its franchisees and team and its top leadership sees this as a strength. “My predecessor was also female,” Fresh Coat CEO Laura Hudson says. “About 30% of our owners at Fresh Coat are either female owners or husband-wife owners, so we have a pretty strong female presence, which is important because it’s about 70% women customers that you’re talking to.”

    Ross’s leadership style has also evolved as the business has grown. Early on, she says she approached problems with a more analytical mindset, typical of her accounting background. Today, she’s more focused on being solutions-driven and people-first. “If something’s wrong, I’m not going to sit on my hands,” she says. “I’m going to try to fix it. I tell my guys, ‘Just tell me what’s wrong and I’ll figure out how to help.’”

    Related: How Shaq Is Bringing Fun Back to Papa Johns

    Going for $3 million in revenue

    Looking ahead, Ross isn’t planning to expand into new territories. Instead, her focus is on deepening relationships and maximizing growth within her existing footprint. “I have an amazing territory,” she says. “So the goal is to continue to develop those relationships and add additional ones where we can.”

    Ross has her sights set on hitting the $3 million mark this year and she’s added a bit of friendly competition to the goal. One fellow franchisee in the system has closely matched her revenue over the past few years and that rivalry has become a motivating factor. “I jokingly say my plan for this year is to beat him to $3 million.”

    Related: Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here’s How He Did It.

    0524_Franchise_Article Franchise Quiz Ad Unit v2b



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  • Google Chat could soon get scheduled messages and Gemini

    Google Chat could soon get scheduled messages and Gemini


    Hangouts move to Google Chat 2

    Joe Hindy / Android Authority

    TL;DR

    • Google Chat could finally get the ability to schedule messages, saving users from opting for third-party workarounds.
    • Users will be able to set the exact date and time for message delivery, and even view all scheduled messages in one place.
    • Google is also bringing Gemini features to Google Chat, letting users use the AI digital assistant within conversations.

    Gmail comes preloaded on Android flagships, so it’s often the de facto email app for most people since it does the job quite well. Nestled within Gmail is Google Chat, another one of Google’s many messaging apps, but one that not as many people use daily. Google hasn’t forgotten about Google Chat, though, as it is working on the ability to schedule messages and even bring Gemini features to it.

    You’re reading an Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won’t find anywhere else.

    An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.

    Scheduling messages within Google Chat

    Currently, there is no way to schedule a message within Google Chat. Users have to resort to third-party services as a workaround to schedule a message in the DM. Thankfully, in the Gmail app v2025.04.13 release, we spotted clues that indicate Google is adding a way to schedule messages to send to people.

    Code

    <string name="MSG_SCHEDULING_MENU_TITLE">Schedule message</string>
<string name="MSG_SEE_ALL_SCHEDULED_MESSAGES_BUTTON_TEXT">See all scheduled messages</string>
<string name="MSG_X_NUMBER_MORE_SCHEDULED_MESSAGES_GOING_TO_BE_SENT_TO">{COUNT}+ messages scheduled to be sent to {GROUP_NAME}.</string>
<string name="MSG_X_NUMBER_OF_SCHEDULED_MESSAGES_GOING_TO_BE_SENT_TO">{COUNT} messages scheduled to be sent to {GROUP_NAME}.</string>
<string name="MSG_ONE_MESSAGE_SCHEDULED_TO_BE_SENT_BEYOND_THIS_WEEK">Your message will be sent to {GROUP_NAME} on {MONTH_AND_DAY} at {TIME}.</string>
<string name="MSG_ONE_MESSAGE_SCHEDULED_TO_BE_SENT_LATER_IN_THIS_WEEK">Your message will be sent to {GROUP_NAME} on {DAY_OF_WEEK} at {TIME}.</string>
<string name="MSG_ONE_MESSAGE_SCHEDULED_TO_BE_SENT_TODAY">Your message will be sent to {GROUP_NAME} at {TIME}.</string>
<string name="MSG_ONE_MESSAGE_SCHEDULED_TO_BE_SENT_TOMORROW">Your message will be sent to {GROUP_NAME} tomorrow at {TIME}.</string>

    As you can see from the strings, users will soon be able to schedule messages for a pre-defined time, day of the week, or specific date. There will be a dedicated section that will also allow users to see all the messages they have scheduled out already, making it easier to make any changes if needed. This ability to schedule messages will remove the need for third-party services to get the same functionality.

    Gemini features for Google Chat on mobile

    Beyond this, Google is also working on bringing Gemini features for Google Chat, which are already available on the web version.

    Code

    While using Gemini in Chat, you can use Gemini to summarize, list action items, or answer specific questions about a conversation you have open.

    We managed to activate the feature to give you an early look from within the Gmail mobile app:

    You will be able to access Gemini within the Google Chat tab in Gmail for Android by clicking on the Gemini icon in the header bar. Tapping on it will reveal a bottom sheet that has a few recommended actions. If these suggestions don’t work, you can type your prompt in the text box. Either way, Gemini will often suggest more follow-up prompts that users can fall back on to keep the conversation going with the AI until they are satisfied.

    You can already use Gemini in Chat on the web to summarize a conversation or file, generate a list of action items, or answer specific questions about that space or conversation. It’s fair to presume that this functionality will also make its way to the Gmail mobile app.

    Neither the ability to schedule messages nor Gemini in Chat on mobile is available to users right now. These features may or may not be coming in the future, but given their utility, we hope they do. We’ll keep you updated when we learn more.

    Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com. You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it’s your choice.



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  • 3 Unseen Advantages of Mentoring Other Entrepreneurs

    3 Unseen Advantages of Mentoring Other Entrepreneurs


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I didn’t start my business on my own. Sure, I’m the only founder, and I conceived the ideas that my company, Jotform, is built around.

    But it’s also true that I would not be where I am today without the mentors I looked to for advice and guidance. Some of the rules I credit with Jotform’s success — for example, that I hire only when I’ve got a year’s salary already in the bank — were lifted directly from other founders who showed me the way.

    I’ve always believed mentors are indispensable for anyone looking to start a business. But I’ve also come to realize that mentoring others is equally important and can help your business in surprising ways. Here’s how.

    Related: I Mentor First-Time Entrepreneurs — These Are the 4 Unseen Benefits I Gained By Giving Back

    You discover new ways of thinking

    One of the worst things you can do as a founder is surround yourself with people who think the same way you do. That’s one of the reasons I mentor other founders — I’m constantly surprised by how much I learn just by talking to them.

    I’ve been building my own products for two decades, but that doesn’t mean I know everything. I’m constantly learning — I dedicate time each day to reading blogs and listening to podcasts to ensure I’m keeping up with what’s going on in my industry. Still, talking to my mentees about how they’re using tools like AI gives me a fresh perspective I can’t get from consuming media alone. By helping them think through how to integrate new technology into their products, I’m thinking through how I can apply those lessons, too.

    Being a mentor also requires me to constantly reevaluate my own beliefs. In general, my knowledge has accumulated over years of hard-earned experience. Even so, the process of explaining why I think how I do is incredibly beneficial, either to reinforce those beliefs or challenge me to update them.

    You can grow your own star performers

    Everyone wants to hire a superstar. But I’ve always preferred to create them by promoting them from within. Mentoring employees within your organization provides a crucial opportunity to get to know their future aspirations, grow their confidence and help them feel more engaged with the company’s mission.

    At Jotform, we call our new-hire mentorship program The New Grad Training Program. Basically, we hire people fresh out of school who show lots of promise but lack hands-on experience. They start out by doing support tasks, which range from quality assurance testing to user feedback analysis to answering customer support questions. One day per week, these new hires work with a mentor who can show them the ropes of a given department — maybe they’ll attend meetings with a data analyst or shadow a JavaScript developer. Every six months, participants can interview for the position they want. This program is a great way to develop raw talent and turn our new hires into top performers.

    It’s tempting to wonder what happens if you spend time mentoring an employee, only to have them leave for a shinier opportunity elsewhere. But this is short-term thinking: Studies show that internal hires are not only high performers, they’re also more likely to stay with the organization for the long haul, while high-performing external hires are more likely to leave. My own experience confirms this: At Jotform, our annual churn rate is only 5%.

    And anyway, as Henry Ford put it, “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.”

    Related: 4 Lessons I Gained from Mentorship That Elevated My Startup Journey

    You can pay it forward

    Many of the world’s most accomplished people are quick to note that they wouldn’t be where they are without the support of their mentors. Richard Branson, for example, already had experience as an entrepreneur under his belt when he founded Virgin Atlantic. That didn’t stop him from enlisting the help of Sir Freddie Laker, the founder of the low-cost airline model, for support. “I have always been a huge believer in the inestimable value good mentoring can contribute to any nascent business,” Branson has said.

    Even for someone as well-regarded as Branson, success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. I know mine didn’t. That’s part of why mentoring is important to me — I want others to not only learn, but also feel like they’re not on their journey alone. There are few forces as powerful as having someone believe in you, which also leads to a deeper sense of belonging. According to Gartner, “Belonging is a key component of inclusion. When employees are truly included, they perceive that the organization cares for them as individuals — their authentic selves.”

    Everyone needs a mentor. However, I firmly believe that mentoring others is equally important. Mentoring gives you the chance to learn new things and challenge your beliefs; it also builds relationships with employees who will often grow into top performers. But most importantly, it lets us reach out through the darkness and offer light to someone who needs it, allowing them to chart their own success.



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  • macOS Apprentice | Kodeco

    macOS Apprentice | Kodeco


    macOS Apprentice is a series of multi-chapter tutorials where you’ll learn about developing native
    macOS apps in Swift, using both SwiftUI — Apple’s newest user interface technology — and AppKit — the
    venerable UI framework. Along the way, you’ll learn several ways to execute Swift code and you’ll build
    two fully featured apps from scratch.

    If you’re new to macOS and Swift, or to programming in general, learning how to write an app can seem
    incredibly overwhelming.

    That’s why you need a guide that:

    • Shows you how to write an app step-by-step.
    • Uses tons of illustrations and screenshots to make everything clear.
    • Guides you in a fun and easy-going manner.

    You’ll start at the very beginning. The first section assumes you have little to no knowledge of programming in Swift.
    It walks you through installing Xcode and then teaches you the basics of the Swift programming language. Along the way,
    you’ll explore several different ways to run Swift code, taking advantage of the fact that you’re developing natively
    on macOS.

    macOS Apprentice doesn’t cover every single feature of macOS; it focuses on the absolutely essential ones.
    Instead of just covering a list of features, macOS Apprentice does something much more important: It explains how all the
    building blocks fit together and what is involved in building real apps. You’re not going to create quick example programs that
    demonstrate how to accomplish a single feature. Instead, you’ll develop complete, fully-formed apps, while exploring many of
    the complexities and joys of programming macOS.

    How is this book different than macOS by Tutorials?

    Our other book on building apps for macOS, macOS by Tutorials, is designed
    for developers who have a solid background in iOS development and are looking to make the leap to developing native macOS apps.

    This book, macOS Apprentice, is designed to teach new developers how to build macOS apps while assuming they have little to
    no experience with Swift or any other part of the Apple development ecosystem.



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  • How Non-Profits Can Leverage Feedback for Impact

    How Non-Profits Can Leverage Feedback for Impact


    For non-profits, every dollar and every decision counts. Maximizing impact while staying within budget requires organizations to listen closely to donors, volunteers, beneficiaries, and community members. The most successful non-profits use feedback to shape their programs, improve operations, and build stronger relationships with each of those critical stakeholder groups.  

    By adopting a feedback-driven approach, non-profits ensure that their initiatives remain aligned with community needs and donor priorities. Here’s how non-profits use feedback to do more and drive their mission forward: 

    1. Use feedback to improve program delivery 

    A non-profit’s programs define its mission and influence its impact. But how do organizations ensure that their services truly meet the needs of the people they aim to serve? The answer lies in continuous feedback: 

    • Beneficiary Input: Direct feedback from the communities you serve is invaluable. Conducting regular surveys and focus groups helps identify gaps in services and ensures programs remain relevant and effective. 
    • Volunteer Insights: Volunteers are often on the front lines of service delivery. Their experiences provide important perspectives on how programs can be improved. 
    • Donor Expectations: Understanding what motivates donors to give can help tailor fundraising campaigns and ensure transparency in impact reporting. 
    • Enhance Digital Experience: Gathering feedback on digital interactions allows non-profits to improve their websites, apps, and online donation processes, ensuring a seamless experience. 

    2. Use feedback to improve operations  

    With potentially limited resources, non-profits must find ways to streamline operations without sacrificing service quality. One of the best ways to achieve this is by leveraging automation and internal feedback: 

    • Automated Surveys and Data Collection: Using automated tools to gather feedback from beneficiaries, volunteers, and donors saves time and ensures a steady flow of input. 
    • Optimize Volunteer Coordination: Feedback often reveals pain points in the volunteer experience, helping non-profits improve scheduling, training, and engagement efforts. 

    3. Strengthen donor and community trust  

    Trust and transparency are critical for non-profits. By regularly engaging with donors and the community, organizations build long-lasting relationships and encourage ongoing support. Non-profits also handle sensitive donor, volunteer, and beneficiary information, making data security and compliance with privacy regulations crucial for maintaining trust. 

    • Improve Fundraising Strategies: Understanding donor preferences through surveys helps tailor fundraising campaigns, leading to better participation and support. 
    • Ensure Compliance and Data Security: Use a secure feedback platforms that meets industry standards to ensure anonymity when promised, and maintain transparency about how collected data will be used. 

    4. Use feedback to tell your story  

    Many non-profits use feedback not just to improve operations but also to share powerful stories. Collecting testimonials from beneficiaries and volunteers allows organizations to create compelling narratives that inspire donors and supporters. A well-told impact story, backed by real feedback, can drive more engagement and financial contributions. 

    • Highlight Real Experiences: Collect direct quotes and testimonials from beneficiaries to illustrate the real-world impact of your programs. 
    • Use Data to Support Stories: Combine emotional storytelling with data-driven insights to build credibility and demonstrate measurable outcomes. 

    5. Make Feedback Collection a Continuous Process 

    One-time feedback collection is helpful, but the best non-profits build ongoing feedback loops into their operations. This means regularly checking in with stakeholders, identifying patterns in responses, and making iterative improvements based on real data. 

    • Use Multiple Channels: Make it easy for stakeholders to provide feedback through surveys (sent via email or SMS), focus groups, social media, and one-on-one conversations. 
    • Act on Feedback Quickly: When people see their input leads to real changes, they are more likely to continue engaging.  
    • Measure and Report Progress: Track feedback trends over time and share the improvements made based on stakeholder input. After making improvements or changes, close-the-loop with respondents who helped make those improvements possible. 

    What to look for in your feedback platform 

    The success of the five strategies above depends on choosing the right feedback platform. When selecting a feedback platform for your non-profit, it’s important to choose a tool that is user-friendly, adaptable, and capable of delivering actionable insights. Here’s what to look for: 

    • Easy Survey Creation and Customization: The right platform lets you create branded, customized surveys quickly and easily. With Alchemer, you can design surveys without any technical expertise and get help from experts when needed to analyze results. 
    • Diverse Question Types: Look for a platform that offers a variety of question types to collect richer data. Alchemer, for instance, provides over 40 options, including Likert scales, Net Promoter Scores® (NPS®), and the ability to collect files and images, helping you gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback. 
    • Personalization for Specific Audiences: Personalizing surveys ensures you engage each audience in a meaningful way. Features like multilingual surveys, pre-populated answers, anonymous responses, and survey logic create a more relevant experience for every respondent. 
    • Integrations: Choose a platform that integrates easily with your existing tools, such as donor management systems, CRM platforms, or project management software. Alchemer offers numerous pre-built integrations helping you connect feedback data with your current systems for seamless analysis. 

    Conclusion 

    By consistently gathering feedback from staff, volunteers, donors, and communities, non-profit organizations can pinpoint areas for growth and make informed decisions that drive greater impact. 

    From donor engagement to volunteer satisfaction, community involvement, and program effectiveness, Alchemer provides the tools you need to ensure your non-profit thrives. With decades of experience supporting organizations like yours, we’re here to help you make a lasting difference. 

    Learn more about how we can support your mission by visiting our non-profit solutions page. 



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  • Building Engaging User Interfaces with SwiftUI [SUBSCRIBER]

    Building Engaging User Interfaces with SwiftUI [SUBSCRIBER]



    <p>This module explores advanced SwiftUI features and techniques to build complex and visually appealing user interfaces. Students will learn about animation and transitions, building complex layouts, and how to integrate SwiftUI with UIKit to leverage existing code and UI components.</p>



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