September’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival gave you links to great articles on thanking your donors. But it can be hard, I know. Here’s how to write that thank you letter – even when you feel stuck. Here’s how to write a thank you letter when you feel stuck First, a confession: I used to write rote, […]
September Nonprofit Blog Carnival How do you say thanks?
How do you say thanks? When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.― Maya Angelou We often focus on the end of the year as a special time to be thankful. But honestly, gratitude should be a daily practice for those of us working for great causes. How do you keep donors around? […]
Are you too pretty to work?
Have you gotten a really beautiful appeal recently? It could be an email, or it could be a fancy direct mail package. I have to wonder about their effectiveness. So many are pretty to look at, but not moving. And that’s a big problem. Shiny postcards on heavy paper. Four-color imagery and brand-specific fonts. Reverse type (because […]
Are you guilty of donor abuse?
Are you guilty of donor abuse? It happens too often. You might want to check yourself. Here are some signs: You value the person according to their checkbook It’s happened more than once. I make a thank you phone call, only to hear the person on the other end protest. “You don’t need to call me! I’m […]
It’s personal
It’s personal. Fundraising, that is. Picture this: you walk to your mailbox. Inside, you find an envelope with a return address you recognize. “Real mail!” you think. You open that envelope first and in a hurry. Then you begin to feel confused. Disappointed. “Dear Ms. LastName” it begins. “Because I am a caring person, I […]