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Donor Communications

Beware these pitfalls if you want to raise more money

Beware these pitfalls if you want to raise more money Indulge me, will you? There are some common words or phrases that I see in too many appeals (and annual reports or even thank you letters) that set my teeth on edge. You’ll find me, almost daily, sorting my mail and shaking my head. So […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor appeals, donor care, donor focus

How to address hard truths in the era of fake news

Hard truth or fake news? (Yes, this is still a piece about fundraising and nonprofits) I watched the press conference wind to an end. At that point, the spokesperson uttered demonstrably incorrect words and walked away from the podium. Boom. The intent was obvious: my “facts” will trump your “fake news”. Obviously, our current situation […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor focus, empathy, thank you

Does your fundraising appeal need a makeover?

Does your fundraising appeal need a makeover? Are you under deadline and working on an appeal? You’ve probably heard you should write fast and edit slow. And so you should. But how do you turn that rambling first draft into an effective appeal – fast? There’s definitely an art to writing a great appeal. It […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: direct mail, fundraising appeal, fundraising letter

Are you facing the terror of the blank page?

“But If you’re a writer, you know the terror of the blank page. I’ve said it all before!” The cursor blinks, daring you to give up. Your hands are poised, willing your brain to direct them. And still, the blank page. Are you working on an appeal? Finding it hard to come up with something […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communication, emotional appeal, fundraising appeal

Direct mail – still not dead

Direct mail – still not dead Have you read Blackbaud’s 2016 Charitable Giving Report yet? There’s a great deal of information in this easy-to-read report. I recommend you download it. The report focuses much attention on online giving. And that channel is growing. But one sentence, in particular, stuck out to me, and I want to […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: copywriting, direct mail, fundraising program

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