You know how we all worry about overheads? Well, Josh O’Rourke a relationship fundraiser from Amnesty International Australia had a good approach with one of his mid-value donors. Having met up with a mid-value donor who had ‘only’ ever given $2,000, Josh found out the donor...
Long letters work better. But don't just take it from me. Dr Barnardo wrote a four page appeal letter in London in the 1880s using classic DM techniques. Underlining, urgency, dollar handles, specific ask and a clear reference to what YOU could do to help. The winter had been...
Understanding donors The most important asset a fundraising organisation has is its database of supporters. But only if it is actually recording useful information. Luckily, most organisations record main contact details plus transactions. In other words, you know where someone lives, hopefully you have their phone number...
It would be a tragedy! The Capulets (The DMs) In the red corner, we have the mass marketing Capulets. The direct marketeers (DMs). They look after the majority of donors. They deliver mass produced communications, but personalise it a little. And they focus on efficiency as well as volume. ...
Quiz question: Who is most likely to donate $5000? Picture this scenario. We have two donors. Donor A Kate (and her husband, Clarke). In their mid 40's, with two kids. They donate automatically every month through their credit card. They sponsor two children, costing them about $1,200 per annum....
We fundraisers have a problem. OK, we have many, but a big one is the ‘missing millions.’ Direct marketing expert Roger Craver calls releasing these missing millions ‘miracle’ fundraising. But I think that is too generous. Image: Where are the missing millions? Tapping the money is not a miracle. ...
Perhaps you have enough already in your bank account. Helping everyone you can. Or maybe your direct mail is already perfect and you maximise the donations from your database – and have no doubt about it. But I doubt it. I know you want to raise more because...
Using URLs in Direct Mail Thanks to Mike Linnemann from the University of Minnesota Foundation, and Tom Ahern, donor communications expert whose recent Twitter conversation inspired this blog. Direct mail is the largest source of new donors in most fundraising markets. (AND if you want to know more about how to maximise...
I’ve reminded you all about the Pareto Principle, and written about Pareto2. It’s all well and good in theory. But how can it be applied in practice? One of the most obvious applications is when targeting and budgeting in direct mail. If I am working on a direct...
You're frustrated. You have all these donors already on your database. And you suspect there's a LOT of additional giving hiding inside those generous hearts. The only problem is: you don't know how to release it! But we do! And we'll show you step by step how to raise...