This is a case study from Friends of Indy Animals on 15 tips you can use for your next newsletter appeal…

#donorlove, Case Study, Direct Mail, Graphic Design, John Lepp, WritingYour NameFebruary 25, 2024#directmail, #donorlove, newsletterComment

Creative rule breaking for direct response nerds like you

Last week, I was in San Diego, presenting for my 6th? 7th? time at the Nonprofit Storytelling conference. A conference I have referred to as my favourite since my first. My session was about "Creative rule breaking for direct mail nerds"…

Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, John Lepp, WritingYour NameNovember 20, 2023#sofii, #directmail, #historyComment

Some mailbox inspiration

Full disclosure - the below example comes from a former coaching client of mine. Broadmead Care. I am a donor and received this example from them. I instantly appreciated this pack and it’s always delightful to see fundraisers spreading their creative wings…

Case Study, Direct Mail, Graphic Design, WritingYour NameSeptember 13, 2023#directmail, fundraising, directresponseComment

Using nostalgia in direct response

The creative brief: Craft and send a direct mail pack to donors about our new capital campaign and inspire them to give to help us get closer to our goal. Easy peasy, right?

Except… sometimes (ie: almost all of the time), your capital campaign case for support isn’t targeted or designed for your average annual donors. The question becomes, how can you make it relevant and compelling for those donors too?

Case Study, Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, John LeppYour NameJune 1, 2022#directmail, #busytown, #creativeComment

12 reflections and shares from ’21 - part 2

Three more reflections from this year that really focus on creative storytelling.

#donorlove, Case Study, Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, John Lepp, WritingYour NameDecember 1, 2021#design, #ilustration, #Agentsofgood, #fundraisingComment

12 reflections and shares from ’21 - part 1

Could it be? A blog post?
Yes, tis the season for a bit of reflection and sharing of 12 things that have been occupying our brains through 2021. Has it been a bit crazy for you too?

26 direct mail ideas you can steal from one pack

A case study about a recent mail pack we worked on for the STEGH Foundation and filled with 26 ideas, tip and tricks you can steal for your next appeal to make it more effective!

"Dale's" mail (pt 4): everything else...

In this final part of a 4 part series, we dive deep into these “extra” pieces you sometimes find in mail packs. Inserts, lift notes, buckslips, etc. These pieces can either solidify getting that gift or maybe make your donor run screaming away. (Maybe that’s a little over the top…). Let’s see what Dale got from some of her charities in today’s post.

#donorlove, Branding, Case Study, Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, John Lepp, Opinion, WritingYour NameApril 18, 2021Comment

"Dale's" mail (pt 3): the reply form

This week, we take a closer look at the often misunderstood and appreciated “Reply Form.” Get this part wrong and you can kiss a potential gift goodbye. It’s that important. We will share somethings you can consider to make yours better and more effective!

#donorlove, Case Study, Direct Mail, Graphic Design, John LeppYour NameApril 11, 2021 Comments

"Dale's" mail (pt 2): the letters

Today we wade into the stuff inside the envelope. Starting with the appeal letter. What did we notice and how can we make it better? This post will take a closer look.

"Dale's" mail

We took some time to look through “Dale’s” mailbox. What did we find and what can we learn about the current state of direct mail? This post will look just at the outer envelope.

Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, John LeppYour NameMarch 29, 2021#directmail, #design, #creative, #envelopes Comments

Envelopes

Direct Mail, Graphic DesignYour NameFebruary 8, 2021Comment

A Covid success story and its six key takeaways!

2020 was a wild fundraising year. Anecdotally I can say that those orgs and fundraisers who put in their best effort to tell great stories, clearly asking for something in a thoughtful way did extremely well last year.

I wanted to take a moment to share our top 6 takeaways from an appeal we worked on with our friends at St. Thomas Elgin Hospital Foundation. Spoiler - it did 515% better…

TOP 10 list of design mistakes I see in direct response over and over again

I’m proud to point out that I’ve been a student of direct response and direct marketing for more than 20 years. That’s a lot of ideas, testing, concepts, tactics, tricks, tips, nerd knowledge and history packed into this tiny brain of mine.

#donorlove, Branding, Direct Mail, Graphic Design, John Lepp, OpinionAndrea HopkinsSeptember 9, 2019 Comment

A #donorlove newsletter makeover

Does your organization send newsletters to your donors? A great #donorlove newsletter should do three things…

#donorlove, Case Study, Direct Mail, Graphic Design, Opinion, WritingAndrea HopkinsJune 19, 2019Comment

#donorlove newsletter audit

Recently, Julie Edwards, Executive Director at The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, asked us to do a #donorlove audit of her newsletter. These audits can be useful since they are specific to your program, your appeal, your newsletter, whatever it might be…

#donorlove, Case Study, Direct Mail, Graphic Design, John Lepp, Opinion, Top 10Andrea HopkinsNovember 5, 2018 Comments

Top 10 #donorlove ideas for your year end campaign

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…In theory.Would your donor feel that way? Mary Cahalane (Hands-On Fundraising) and I sat down to give you a tried and tested YEAR END checklist you can use as you sit down to craft the most meaningful appeal of the year…

#donorlove, Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, John Lepp, Opinion, WritingAndrea HopkinsOctober 24, 2018Comment

Have you heard of Camp Ooch?

Camp Ooch is one of those magical charities you dream of working with and giving to.It's a camp in northern Ontario that exclusively services and helps kids with cancer, enjoy camp life.It’s a safe place for them to play, find friends and enjoy the beautiful outdoors…

Case Study, Direct Mail, Fun, Graphic Design, Jen Love, John Lepp, WritingAndrea HopkinsAugust 1, 2018 Comment

David and Colina

There are “annual reports”… I’m sure you are picturing your 12, 16, 20, 24 page, 8.5″ x 11” report filled with copy about your amazing programs and tiny stock shots and photographs of people holding cheques. On the upside, the comms department was thrilled that you adhered to their excessive graphic standards…

Case Study, Graphic Design, John Lepp, WritingAndrea HopkinsJuly 31, 2018 Comments