Social proof has become the currency of marketing and it plays a powerful role in fundraising, too. Here’s how to use social proof in your next appeal. Continue reading Social Proof: Why We Look to Others to Tell Us How to Behave
Does Your Fundraising Include These Two Powerful Words?
The risks of not investing in a “thank you” strategy outweigh the typical arguments of no time, no budget and no ROI. Let’s look at a few key wins of saying thanks. Continue reading Does Your Fundraising Include These Two Powerful Words?
Why Is There a Paper Shortage and What Can I Do About It?
Consider this: Paper prices have gone up a little more than 25% since January 2021. We also know the supply chain is not a short-term issue. The following tips help you take control, today. Continue reading Why Is There a Paper Shortage and What Can I Do About It?
Your Donors Value You. Here’s Why You’re Good at What You Do.
You inspire donors, connect them with the resources they need, and it’s you who assures them that their gifts will be used as they intend. Here are three ways you make a donor feel great. Continue reading Your Donors Value You. Here’s Why You’re Good at What You Do.
3 Charts That Confirm What You Already Know: Your Donors Are Online
In short order, digital has changed everything. Advancing technology has directly impacted the how, when and why donors give. If you want more proof than me just saying it, I’ve got three charts that reiterate the point. Continue reading 3 Charts That Confirm What You Already Know: Your Donors Are Online
The Real Impact of 2020 on Fundraising: What We Lost, What We Gained
The natural experiment forced on us by COVID-19 has pushed everyone to pivot and think differently. The planned giving world was no exception. Here’s how the recent past can direct our fundraising future. Continue reading The Real Impact of 2020 on Fundraising: What We Lost, What We Gained
3 Themes From the First-Ever AFP ICON VIRTUAL Conference
With our world upside down and events all around us being canceled, new opportunities to share and connect are emerging. Earlier this week, nearly 1,000 fundraisers gathered around their own respective viewing devices for the first-ever AFP ICON VIRTUAL Conference—including Danny Herzberg, Stelter Regional Account Representative. I sat down with Danny to hear his biggest takeaways from the conference. Continue reading 3 Themes From the First-Ever AFP ICON VIRTUAL Conference
Planned Giving Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Take the scare out of planned giving. Here’s how to discuss 5 common donor hesitations and make planned giving a treat to complete. Continue reading Planned Giving Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Donor-Centered Appeals (Or, How to Get Out of Your Own Way)
Are you getting in your own way of a gift opportunity? Here are 4 tips to consider when you’re prepping your next fundraising appeal. Continue reading Donor-Centered Appeals (Or, How to Get Out of Your Own Way)
How to Cultivate Donor Loyalty: 5 Marketing Tips
A friend of mine, a retired hospice-facility fundraiser, recently made a sizable gift to a local women’s shelter. But she never received an acknowledgment or thank you. She was even told, “No thanks, we’ve got it covered,” when she volunteered to write their thank you notes. Needless to say, she’s hesitant to go any furtherContinue reading How to Cultivate Donor Loyalty: 5 Marketing Tips
What Kind of Donor Journey Are You Delivering?
Earlier this year, I shared the primary three stages of the donor journey. Today, I’m back with the final two stages. As you may recall, the donor’s journey starts off similarly to the buyer’s journey—but can conclude with two additional destinations: donation and believer. Your nonprofit’s ultimate goal is to help your donors reach theContinue reading What Kind of Donor Journey Are You Delivering?
The 5 Questions You MUST Answer in Your Copy
In her continuing series, we welcome special guest, Stelter Editorial Director, Katie Parker. Marketing is piquing interest, evoking emotion, triggering response. It’s about making something that you do relevant to them (better yet, it’s listening to their needs and answering them with your product). At the core of marketing your service is compelling copy. Here areContinue reading The 5 Questions You MUST Answer in Your Copy
Is the Donor Pyramid a Thing of the Past?
The simple answer is yes. If you haven’t heard already, the donor pyramid that many of us have come to know, has changed—and perhaps is even dead. (R.I.P.) Now, if that’s the case, what kind of journey are donors experiencing today? And, more importantly, how do we engage them? First, let’s cover why the donorContinue reading Is the Donor Pyramid a Thing of the Past?
How to Make Them Care: Inspire Donors Through Storytelling
With every marketing piece that we encounter—an email on our phone, an envelope in our mailbox, a post on our Facebook wall—we ask, Is this worth my time? The fact that you’re reading these words implies that you likely did all the following: Opened an email or stumbled upon a social media post from TheContinue reading How to Make Them Care: Inspire Donors Through Storytelling
How to Plant the Seed to Create a Legacy
Today we welcome a special guest author to the blog: Cathy R. Sheffield, CAP®, CFRE, CSPG, FCEP, ThinkGiving President and Thompson & Associates Vice President. Cathy is here to share 10 things that you can do right now to start creating your legacy. Cathy is a fundraising executive with 25-years experience, specializing in major gifts and giftContinue reading How to Plant the Seed to Create a Legacy