Witness to brandicide It’s not as if we weren’t warned. Really smart people have written about the killing power of a new “brand”. (See Jeff Brooks at Future Fundraising Now or Tom Ahern’s site: Ahern Communications, Ink). If you’ve seen it up close, you know what I’m talking about. It’s infuriating. The process works something like […]
Donor Communications
Why letters are like people
Letters are like people? Let me explain. Have you ever noticed distinct personalities in the nonprofit letters you get? I find myself imaging organizational personas as I read. Here are a few. Let’s imagine a party. Glass in hand, you mingle with the crowd. Who do you meet? Letters are like people – meet some […]
Listen to your grandma
Listen to your grandma… she knows about proper thanks. I’ve written a few times about poorly done thanks or solicitations, so I wanted to write about a thank you we recently received that did it right. But instead of my response, let me offer my husband’s. He’s not a fundraiser so he’s probably a better […]
A cure for 3 am panic
Ever needed a cure for the 3 am panic? I know you’ve been there too. It’s 3 am. Your eyes are closed, but your heart is pounding and your mind is racing. Your appeal is due to mail and you’ve got… Nothing. Try to rest. Because when the morning comes, you will get started on your next appeal. Maybe […]
I see you
That’s what we all really want, isn’t it? Someone who sees us. We want to be known for ourselves, as people. To be recognized. That’s what our donors are looking for as well. So why is so much communication impersonal and generic? The lazy answer is because it’s easier that way. Large organizations might think: […]