Latest posts
Fundraising’s biggest smokescreen
Warning: this post may offend some readers. When was the last time you read a blog that waxed lyrical about retention and how if you really look after your donors it’ll be the equivalent of Read more…
acquisition
Same, same. But different.
I’m likely preaching to the converted here. A group of fundraisers reading an international fundraising blog may not feel there are seismic shifts in the way people behave in different countries. And they’d be right Read more…
communication
The power of ‘no’
To fundraisers, hearing the word ‘no’ can be a little jarring. Sometimes even a little awkward.
As a direct marketer, it’s never bothered me so much. In many ways, crassly it’s a numbers game. For me, ‘no’ simply means, “there’s nothing to see here”.
And on I move. Looking for more and better ways to find people who say ‘yes’.
Until recently. (more…)
campaigns
Dear events. Meet direct marketing.
I’m an unabashed direct marketer. Turned fundraiser. Or if we’re being pedantic, direct response fundraiser.
I live and die by results. It’s why (I think) our clients like working with us. No fluff, no window dressing. Just out and out obsession with producing great results.
Facetiously, it’s in part why I never really “got” events. When I started fundraising and met event fundraisers I felt uneasy when I was told that their event didn’t raise much cash but generated a “heap of awareness”, and “was great for stewarding some major donor prospects”. (more…)
donor service
Being beneficiary focused
A lot of people in our sector wax lyrical about being donor focused/donor centred/<insert some other supporter centric jargon>. Don’t get me wrong. For many, or even a lot of you, your supporters are literally Read more…
communication
The power of video storytelling
We all love watching a good video clip. In the last couple of years we’ve been captivated by the likes of charity:water, Kony, and now the zillion versions of the Harlem Shake. Lots of views, Read more…
acquisition
Think face-to-face: think mobile
It really does make sense when you think about it. Using mobile as the key device to keep in touch with donors recruited on the street.
Think about it.
The average age of F2F recruits around the world is usually late 20’s, early to mid 30’s.
Almost 60% of Aussies own a smartphone, and around 18% a tablet device. These figures replicated in most developed fundraising nations. Overlay this with age and our key F2F recruits one of the most smartphone/tablet active groups, around 80% of them actively using a mobile device.
Most F2F donors are on the phone (or pretending they are) prior to being approached. Which means they’re “on the go”, as in mobile. Not sitting still.
And let’s face it: a mobile device makes it really easy these days to share content. Great content. At your fingertips.
So why therefore are we stuck in the mid 90’s when it comes to our attitude toward caring for donors recruited on the street? (more…)
acquisition
Getting digital really working
So what does a solid, well performing digital fundraising program look like?
It’s the question I’m often asked, and am going to share, as best I can in a little under 1,300 words.
Dispelling the myths
One of the most frustrating things about the digital world is that it is full of illusion, and quite a lot of BS.
Here are some of my favourites:
- Social media is the next big thing and will transform charities fundraising programs
- Digital is completely different to the offline world, and as such different teams should be working on each program
- Email and landing page copy must be short (more…)