This fall, we had the privilege of working with The Redwood in Toronto on their Gratitude Report. Like always, we asked, what was the story? We wanted a personal story for this report. When we got Ana’s story, I read through it line by line. Moment by moment. Through the tears. How do we share…
…Specifically, as it relates to charities and non-profits. noun: marketing the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising. Charities usually are created and exist to fix some problem or injustice in our world, our country, our communities. They need caring people to chip in, care, give, participate,…
Next week I am doing a webinar called “How to Loverize* Your Donors with Direct Mail: Secrets to Boost Your Revenue” for Gail Perry. There is one section, that above all the others, I guarantee will raise you more money in your next appeal. (*HT to Tom Ahern) I get it that we live in…
I’m in the middle of a sneak peak of Tom Ahern’s latest book – and don’t worry Tom, I won’t give away the surprise of what it’s called. In one section, Tom looks at the issue of donor fatigue. I’ve sat in meetings where the fundraiser has shared complaints from donors (or board members) that they…
People assume that the AOG natural position is this: Premiums suck. Notepads, pens, shirts, bags, labels, stickers, cards… yah. I would agree. More often than not, those premiums suck. They are often used in acquisition and to me are the equivalent of spotting a friendly looking person across a room and shoving flowers and chocolates in…
I was asked this past January to do a presentation about direct response by Mazarine at Wild Woman Fundraising – especially how it relates to direct mail. A few days after agreeing to it, I sat at my desk with a glass of wine staring at a blank word file… Cursor flashing. Flashing. Flashing. I was instantly…
Last week, I stood in my kitchen sorting through the empty containers, dirty sock (singular), torn pieces of paper and other various pieces of riffraff that sat in my daughters school back pack. I came across a form from her class. “BRING $2 IN TO SCHOOL TO SUPPORT AUTISM & GET A CUPCAKE!” I, of…
Welcome to the latest instalment of our “Star Wars” themed 101 series! To date, we have had a look at Direct Mail 101, Thank you letters 101, Newsletters 101 and today Rory Green will take us through Legacies 101. We both want to send our massive hugs and appreciation to two incredible Canadian fundraisers, Fraser…
You’ve been to that cocktail party where you’re having a great conversation about “that” thing – that thing you both agree drives you crazy/makes you happy/tears your heart apart/have a fully belly laugh – and in the moment that follows, you look at each other and realize you’ve just shared a moment with another human…
Two words that send eyeballs rolling, directors scurrying, donors yawning… I’ve talked to fundraisers who would rather shine the leather shoes of the world – twice! – than work on their annual report for their charity. I don’t blame them. Most of them are boring. Like – soul destroyingly boring. But they don’t have to…