How to create favorable impressions with major donor prospect pool

Major donors can generally be considered affluent – at least relative to national household income levels.  And I think it’s safe to say that every nonprofit wants to have its share of major donors. How might you attract major donors?  What will help to keep them engaged once they know about your nonprofit? According to […]

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A new form of “conversational” copy?

I often write about how your direct mail letters, emails, web copy, etc. need to be conversational.  Use casual, everyday words.  Have a relaxed, warm and personal tone.  So when I came across the news from the New Oxford Dictionary I decided to have a bit of fun. I want to help you loosen up your […]

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Entrepreneur freelancers and nonprofits – kindred spirits

I’m a freelance copywriter.  And I’m also an entrepreneur because I own my business.  And more than once I’ve thought that I have a lot in common with the smaller charities.  Those nonprofits with a development staff of one, two or maybe three people. How so?  What do I and other small business entrepreneurs have […]

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How L.L. Bean compassion can inspire nonprofits

Nonprofits are all about compassion.  Right?  You care about the people you serve.  But do your supporters feel just as much compassion?  They ought to.  When donors call . . . or when members send you an email do they receive compassionate service?  In every communication and contact with them do they come away with […]

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Urgent – Stop the Postal Rate Increase – Must act by Sept 20

UPDATE – September 30, 2010 Today the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) denied a Postal Service request for an average 5.6 percent rate increase.  This is big news for the nonprofit sector and all businesses that rely on direct mail as a viable revenue source. The full announcement on the failed rate increase is found in […]

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Buyer’s Remorse for Nonprofits

Think you’re immune to “buyer’s remorse” because you’re a nonprofit? I have bad news for you.  You have to deal with this just as the for-profit business sector does. Buyer’s remorse is the regret, doubt, and second-guessing that a consumer experiences after purchasing a product or service.  Think of it as a hidden objection. As […]

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Why people do NOT give to your charity

You must know why people don’t give.  What stops them dead in their tracks?  What objections do they have to your charity? Regardless of how wonderful you “know” your charity is . . . other people have good reasons for not sending you money.  Some of these reasons – objections – are obvious and some […]

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Email study reveals opportunities for charities

Olivia Smith (Senior VP) of BKV, Inc. headed up a six month study on what charities are doing in email. Smith shared many of her findings during a session at the DMANF Conference in New York on August 25th.  It was quite fascinating and Smith told me they will be releasing a white paper on the […]

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HOW and WHY donors of all ages give to charity

Today I share some highlights from a terrific study by Russ Reid Company, Heart of the Donor.  They unveiled the results of their 2010 study during the DMANF Conference in New York in August.  The report will be available soon. I was taking notes fast and furious as Lisa McIntyre (Senior VP of Strategy Development, Russ […]

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What nonprofits have in common with for-profit “Lead Nurturing”

In the for-profit marketplace “lead nurturing” receives a lot of attention. It requires skill.  That’s because a lead can result in a sale.  A lead correctly nurtured generates revenue. This is analogous to nonprofits nurturing prospective donors to a charity, or members to an association.  Each donor and member results in revenue. LeadSloth by Jep Castelein […]

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