This is a case study from Friends of Indy Animals on 15 tips you can use for your next newsletter appeal…
Read MoreLast 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"…
Read MoreFull 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…
Read MoreThree more reflections from this year that really focus on creative storytelling.
Read MoreSome quick suggestions and thoughts about your year end emails!
Read MoreA 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!
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreToday 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.
Read More2020 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…
Read MoreDoes your organization send newsletters to your donors? A great #donorlove newsletter should do three things…
Read MoreIt’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…
Read MoreThere 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…
Read MoreThis direct mail appeal pretty good. Not perfect, but pretty good. Not too long ago, I opened my mailbox to find this inside…
Read MoreA question that we get asked all the time is, “How do you get a (non-traditional) report like this approved by people who are comfortable with traditional approaches, strategies and executions?”
Read MoreI find it interesting that when we are asked to look at someone’s direct mail, all they tend to send us is the letter. “Where’s the envelope? ” I ask. Silence. There are two different types of envelopes…
Read MoreYou can call it #donorlove, you can call it donor-centred, you can call it whatever you want. But Jen and I have discovered, as we travel around and speak with our fundraising friends, that very few of you (or them) are following these 7 very easy—but not simple..
Read Morenoun: marketing: the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising…
Read MoreWelcome 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 Green and David Love.
Read MoreThis post could also be referred to as “The Empire Strikes Back”... but I heard that was already used somewhere. Nonetheless, we (Rory Green and John Lepp) are back with a new post to our Star Wars series! The concept was simple. Let's use a story that many, many people of all walks are familiar with…
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