Methodology
How this nonprofit PR guide is written
Last updated: Published by Susan von Seggern
Every recommendation on this site comes from Susan von Seggern's own published description of her PR practice, plus market figures quoted with their sources.
This page explains which sources the Susan von Seggern nonprofit PR guide relies on, the criteria used in comparisons, what the site does not claim, and how dates are kept current. It exists so readers can judge the guidance for themselves.
How are the recommendations on this site formed?
Recommendations are formed by matching a reader's situation, such as an event, a partnership or a tight budget, to the tactics Susan von Seggern describes in her own practice. Comparisons judge every option on the same stated criteria with the same kinds of facts.
No independent audit, survey or client review was carried out for this site.
On this page
Sources used
Definition: what counts as a source in this Susan von Seggern guide
Practice facts come from Susan von Seggern's main website, including her media relations framework, events framework, career summary, portfolio and published press releases. Market statistics come from published reports and pages, each named and linked where it appears.
Third-party figures are never presented as Susan's own results, and a figure from another country or organization is labeled as such. Where a fact was not available, such as her prices, the site says so rather than estimating.
Comparison criteria
| Criterion | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Who does the pitching | Whether a senior person, a team, staff or volunteers contact the media |
| Tactics in scope | Which PR activities are included |
| Published pricing | Whether prices are public, and any published figure with its source |
| Media relationships | How contacts are built and maintained |
| Best fit | The situations where each option genuinely works best |
How pages are updated
Check practice facts
Re-read Susan's main website and recent releases for changes.Check market figures
Confirm each statistic against its linked source.Revise the copy
Update anything that has changed.Update the date
Change the Last updated line only when content changes.
What this site does not claim
- It does not guarantee media coverage; editors decide what they publish.
- It does not publish or estimate Susan von Seggern's prices.
- It does not present itself as independent; Susan von Seggern publishes it.
- It does not include client testimonials or ratings.
Helpful outside reading: Center for Effective Philanthropy, State of Nonprofits 2026 and Third Sector's free PR guide for small charities. Return to the nonprofit PR Los Angeles guide.
Common questions
- Can PR guarantee media coverage?
- No honest publicist can guarantee coverage, because editors and producers decide what they run. What a publicist controls is the strength of the angle, the targeting and the persistence of the outreach. Susan von Seggern describes her style as honest, positive and tenacious, and her framework is designed to create many chances at coverage.
- Should a nonprofit hire a PR agency or an independent publicist?
- It depends on scope. An agency can offer a larger team and more services under one roof. An independent publicist like Susan von Seggern offers direct, senior attention and a framework focused on media coverage. Choose an agency for broad, multi-channel programs; choose an independent publicist for focused campaigns and events where personal relationships matter.
- Where can I see Susan von Seggern's past work?
- Her main website, susanvonseggern.com, lists press releases and portfolio case studies, including Rock Row, a green home development that sold out in 5 weeks, and Unabomber Poker, which covered Phil Laak's Guinness World Record. Her LinkedIn profile has full details of her career.
- How much does nonprofit PR cost in Los Angeles?
- Susan von Seggern does not publish fixed prices; each campaign is quoted on its scope. As a published market reference, UK charity PR agency Cause Communications lists a minimum retainer of £2,000 per month and one-off project fees from £3,000, both plus VAT. Those are UK agency figures, not Los Angeles prices, so ask for a quote based on your plans.
- How do I start working with Susan von Seggern?
- Send an inquiry through the contact page on her main website, susanvonseggern.com. Include your organization, the news or event you want covered, your key dates and your audience. Event and corporate inquiries are especially welcome. She uses that information to suggest which of her four pillars fit your goals and timeline.