Ruh-Roh
From an email: “Jen, we need to have an opt out for our newsletter on the Fall Direct Mail Special Coupon. I think we need to include it in all of our mail coupons going forward.” As Scooby-Doo says,...
View ArticleWho (and how) do you love?
In my inbox this morning – the latest from Mr Tom Ahern. His messaging is about the one size fits all of most crappy charity communications and fundraising. I hate to use the word crappy, but it’s...
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An Extra(but)Ordinary Touch
A while ago, I promised to share any extraordinary or remarkable experience for donors that I came across or that you shared. Either no one is reading this blog or, so far, no one has a good one to...
View ArticleIt’s not you, it’s me.
“Our direct mail is dead.” “No one really opens our emails.” “Our donors don’t care about monthly giving.” “My last appeal was horrible. No one gave.” “We stopped sending them information on that –...
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7 Fundraising Skills That Will Help You in the Zombie Apocalypse
“They’re coming to get you Barbara!“ - Johnny, Night of the Living Dead (1968) Good news, dear readers! You have a decent shot at surviving the zombie apocalypse. Some of us have a better shot than...
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Your donation is garbage
Part of our “thing”, as it were, is the ability to rage about the things that drive us crazy or are just plain wrong with our sector. You know that, if you are a ongoing reader of our blog. Also, part...
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Love-Speak
I won’t deny it. I have an awesome family. The best. There are two Love family-isms that changed my life. They were such great lessons – and taught to me with such love and respect that I they have...
View Article#donorlove
This morning I read over the latest Ahern in my inbox while my coffee brewed and of course, my brain starts spinning. His newsletter talks about how you! too! can make your crappy 12 page newsletter...
View ArticleSanta’s Epic Typo Makes My Kid Bawl
Tears sprung into Sadie’s giant brown eyes. “Abie?! Who the heck is “Abie?! My name is S-A-D-I-E! Wait, was this Abie (quivering lip, fear-in-eyes, voice drops to a whisper) naughty?! WAIT! DOES THIS...
View ArticleMerry Holiday’s
I woke up this morning (thank goodness), thinking about doing one last post about 2012, or donors, year end email’s from charities, the apocalypse, or stuff that we really messed up this year. But, it...
View ArticleThe spirit of philanthropy
A special post by a Special Agent: Ann Rosenfield. Now that some of the hub-bub from the holiday fundraising period has passed, it’s easier to reflect back on how truly remarkable some giving is… I...
View ArticleWhat is “good” design?
I’ve been designing direct mail (and every other type of print and online communications) for… well… more than 15 years. In this time I’ve learned a few things about what “good design” is. To this...
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Writing Good. Writing Good? Writing. Good.
What is “good” writing? John’s recent blog, What is “good” design? got my wheels turning about what is good writing. So I’m sharing the 6 things that circle (and circle and circle) through my head each...
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“Let’s Make Them An Offer They Can’t Refuse”
“Let’s Make Them An Offer They Can’t Refuse” The “Godfather of Good” Joins the Agents of Good Today, I become officially part of the AOG team and I am thrilled. Getting to work (again!) with my...
View ArticleWhere is the “vision”?
I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m an emotional guy. It’s makes me – me. Jen can tell you, I have a tendency to get arm wavy and high pitched pretty quick. Recently I have seen example after example of...
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Putting the FUN back into fundraising
Seriously… who stole the FUN from fundraising? I’ve never encountered so many serious people in all of my life!!! Have you been to a conference lately? Come on people… Lighten up… I have something for...
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Case Study: 50 things (at least!) not to do in your direct mail appeal
This is one of those blog posts where Jen says “You’re really going to post this?“. And I nod. Now, my goal is to be helpful. Take a look at your own direct mail pack and see how it compares. Do you...
View ArticleHow do I love thee…
After Valentine’s Day, I was reading an article called “How do I love thee… Crafting the perfect love letter“. It was a great step by step on how to write your sweetie the perfect love letter. As I...
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What Cookies Can Teach You About Change
Last year, I wrote a blog called 8 Simple Rules for Cookies (and Fundraising). If you spend as much time in your kitchen as I do, you know that when feeding your hungry family, things change faster...
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Are you really social?
There are a few topics that come up over and over again in boardroom meetings, conferences, lunches and drinks that just hit all my #armwavy buttons. One is: SOCIAL MEDIA (queue up the scary music…)...
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