AOG DM Clinics Recordings: Tips, tricks and inspiration for making more money with your direct mail and fundraising!

DM Clinic #1: Recorded July 31, 2024: What is direct marketing? Why direct mail? Or digital? Is this a house mailing or special? This DM Clinic, in 10-15 mins, will give you a quick over view of the basics and foundational understanding of this craft - some might call it ‘the lay of the land’.

Special Episode 1: featuring Ken Burnett.

Ken joins me to talk about his newly revised and third edition of Relationship Fundraising which, aside from “Creative Deviations”, is a book that every fundraiser must own! You can get a copy for yourself by clicking over to the book publisher here. Ken shares why this book is even more relevant today, than ever.

Special Episode 2: featuring Sean Triner.

Sean graciously ‘sat down with me’ very early one morning to talk about acquisition. An extremely large topic. I won’t spoil it for you - but have a listen to this special episode and hear why Sean suggests that acquisition can’t just be about instant ROI. Done properly, it will transform your fundraising program.

DM Clinic #2: Recorded August 14th, 2024: How can you dominate your donor’s mailbox? In today’s DM Clinic, we will go over a highlight reel of things you can do to make your appeal get noticed first and hopefully, opened first too!

Special Episode 3: featuring Rachel Zant.

Rachel joined me to share a bunch of ideas on how to infuse and inject more emotions into your fundraising appeals. How do you get more emotional stories? What’s the role of authenticity in emotional storytelling? Take a deep breath and enjoy this short bonus clinic!

Special Episode 4: featuring Tom Ahern.

For as long as I have known Tom, he is constantly scribbling notes and constantly reflective about this craft. So when he speaks, I listen, knowing I will always learn something new. In this part 1 of 2 video's, Tom shares 2 (of 5) things he has recently learned... with me - and you!

DM Clinic #3: Recorded August 28. How do humans make decisions? This is a lay-person’s look at some basic concepts that you should know since these simple things can make a donor respond the way you want or not at all.

Special Episode 5: featuring Mary Cahalane.

Mary joins me to share some of her decision science insights and learnings in her pursuit of telling better and more meaningful stories!

Special Episode 6: Josh Hirsch

Josh is my AI (and most things ‘tech’) buddy. He had excitedly texted me telling me how they crafted an appeal using AI and I invited him on to a call to tell me and us, all about it.

DM Clinic #4: (Recorded September 11, 2024) What goes in the box?

This is a quick overview of the moving pieces of your appeals. What needs to be in it? What function do they provide and why they need to be there.

Special Episode 7: featuring Clay T. Buck

Clay is my data buddy. But a lot more too! Clay is a lifelong fundraiser, storyteller, and nerd. In this special episode, Clay drops in to tell us about a special little segment of donors that you might want to pay more attention to!

Special Episode 8: featuring Jen Love

Please welcome my business partner and friend, Jen Love to the special episode mix! Jen shares how to identify your constellations of voices that you can use to help share your story!

Special Episode 9: featuring Mike Duerksen

Mike, lives and breathes the idea of abundance. If you follow him on LinkedIn - he is constantly sharing ideas, examples and inspiration. His podcast is pretty awesome too. In this special episode, Mike talked about undesignated funds! We all want them! How do we ask for something specific but use the funds where they are needed most?

DM Clinic #5: (Recorded September 25, 2024) The letter autopsy

In this live clinic, I sliced into your fundraising letter to see what needs to be in it and look at all the ways you can make it better.

Special Episode 10: featuring Maddie Nance

Writing super nerd Maddie, joins me to talk about five different types of P.S.’s and when to use them in your fundraising letters.

Special Episode 11: featuring Tom Ahern pt. 2

Tom finishes off his observations and thoughts on five things he has recently learned as it relates to individual giving and fundraising. He focuses on response rates, legibility and autonomy, connection and competence.

Special Episode 12: featuring Lisa Sargent

Lisa dropped in for a loved filled conversation to show us the numerous places in your appeal where you can tuck more love for donors into it! So many nerdy little tips and tricks here for you to use in every appeal moving forward!

DM Clinic #6: (Recorded October 9, 2024) All about Holiday appeals!

The one where we talk about one of the MOST important appeals of the year and the importance of a solid case for support!

Special Episode 13: featuring Danielle Wallace

Danielle joins us to talk about a few of her favourite things as it relates to typography! Which, as a fellow type nerd, I enjoyed immensely!

Special Episode 14: featuring Simon Scriver

My very good friend Simon pops by to share some stories about the of little & big lessons he has learned by working at a small shop in Ireland and by working with so many other charities through his work at Fundraising Everywhere!

DM Clinic #7: (Recorded Oct 23, 202) Mezzo Fundraising

Let’s talk about this special segment of donors and the sorts of conversations you should be having with them.

Special Episode 15: Featuring Bas Van Breemen

My pal Bas, From Holland, drops in to share a simple, easy to follow example of an effective mid level pack that can inspire your very own!

Special Episode 16: Featuring Jonathon Grapsas

For as long as I’ve known Jono, he has inspired me and directed so much of my learning and professional development. Jono dropped by the clinics to share one lift that you might want to start incorporating into your appeals like - right now.

Special Episode 17: Featuring Dr. Jen Shang

Dr. Shang (our only Doctor of Love in our sector!) shares a lovely little story that doesn't appear in her latest book and research - both which feature this idea of "Meaningful Philanthropy". (Meaningful vs Impactful.)

DM Clinic #8: (Recorded November 6th): All about reply forms

It’s called a ‘reply’ form for a reason Let’s look at the anatomy of a great, well performing, reply form and the things that need to be on it to make it work!

Special Episode 18: Featuring Jeff Brooks

Jeff and I sit down to talk about offers. Why do you need them, how do you write them, what do they do, why do they matter… Lot’s of nerding happening here…

Special Episode 19: featuring the Godfather of Good, David Love

One of the biggest lessons I ever learned from David was that One of the biggest was: Money follows value. When we focus on what VALUE we provide to our donors and what values connect with to our shared missions, whatever it might be, well... the rest will take care of itself.

DM Clinic #9: (Recorded November 20, 2024) How much of a nerd are you?

This craft is made up of all things that have tried and tested for many, many… MANY years. I will share as many nerdy things as i can into the wild and crazy clinic.

Special Episode 20: featuring Julie Cooper

Julie drops by the clinics to chat about “Phil Psych”. Have you heard of that? Philanthropy psychology. The nutshell is - the science of how people love themselves and others, and how that connects to giving.

Special Episode 21: featuring Dan Sonners

Dan shares how the techniques and types of lists that MIGHT drive the best types of response rates are often not the type that find you those donors who will stay with you for the long, long ride.

DM Clinic #10: (Recorded December 4th, 2024) The direct response super-hack!

This clinic will look at one of the biggest, creative hacks you can bring to your program. Not for the faint of heart or non believer. You need to commit or walk away. Are you up for the challenge?

Special Episode 22: featuring John Lepp

Planting your legacy garden. This special clinic talks about how you plant, grow and cultivate this very special crop of donors for your organization.

Special Episode 23: featuring Jen Love

Jen Love joins us again for another special clinic about legacy giving, beautiful stories and the three acts of your legacy program.

Special Episode 24: featuring Mark Philips

Mark drops in to talk about gratitude - and the impact that it can have on your charity - from a data perspective. He also shares some of his research into the cancelation process - trust me - it’s more interesting than it sounds.

DM Clinic #11: (Recorded December 18, 2024) All about love and gratitude!

This final dm clinic will focus on gratitude. For you. For your donor. How to say thanks with impact across your whole program.

Thanks for watching and commenting! - JL