What’s the ‘Oh Goody!’ Rule of Email Appeals, and Why Do You Need It?

Hooray What’s the ‘Oh Goody!’ Rule of Email Appeals, and Why Do You Need It?

Oh Goody! I got email from Top Cat.

Chances are good that when you open your email box a majority of the messages are of little interest to you. You don’t know who they’re from, they look like junk, or they’re coming from someone who doesn’t interest you enough to compel you to open their message.  If you have time, maybe you will.  If you don’t, maybe you’ll hit “delete.”

You don’t want your e-appeal to wind up in the trash heap. To avoid this, you need to use the ‘Oh Goody’ Rule.Continue Reading

Why You May Not Have Time for an Email Campaign

Jumping on the bed

I was playing around on Mashable yesterday and happened on The Key to More Successful Email Campaigns: Time.  Since I recently offered you Top 10 Tips for Successful Nonprofit E-Appeals (and the big 11th is coming on Monday – you’ve still got time to guess what it is and win a free e-appeal review!), I [...]

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7 Ways to Build Rapport with Donors Using Creative ‘Thank You’s

home canned marmalade jam in jar

To build authentic rapport with folks you must show them you care.  And the simplest way to demonstrate affection is through a heartfelt ‘Thank You.’ It can be in person, in writing, over the phone, through a text, via video or any which way you choose.  The key is to make it personal and prompt. [...]

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Top 10 Tips for Successful Nonprofit E-Appeals + Chance to Win Free Review

Email to change the world

Planning any special e-mail campaigns before the end of the fiscal year? This summer?  If not, think about it. An e-campaign costs pennies on the dollar compared with print marketing. And the right message at the right time to the right market can empower your supporters to help you change the world. Your success will [...]

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One Huge Mistake You Don’t Know You’re Making with Your Donors

Go with the flow sign

Don’t wait too long to ask. It makes people anxious. I’ve seen this happen so many times.  I’ll be sitting with an E.D. or a board member at lunch with a prospective donor.  We’ve talked in advance about our roles.  I’ll handle the details and technical questions.  They’ll inspire and, ultimately, make ‘the ask’. It [...]

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What App Developers Can Teach Content Marketers: 5 Tips to Energize Your Brand

Apps developers think about what folks need. So should you!

Find a need and fill it. That’s Marketing 101.   Well, today some of the folks most clued in to what people want are the apps developers. Why not piggyback on their insight and research to enrich your content marketing strategy?  The key is to tie it to your brand promise (i.e., why you’re on this [...]

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6 Things Matchmakers Can Teach Fundraisers in an Era of Digital Darwinism

Matchmaker make me a match

Philanthropy; Not Fundraising In many ways, what’s new is old and what’s old is new.  I read a lot of Brian Solis who speaks persuasively about The End of Business as Usual in an era where technology is advancing more rapidly than our ability to adapt. Yet we must adapt, or die. How do we [...]

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Personal is the New Plastics: 4 Ways Nonprofits Can Build Donor Relationships.

'Personal' is the new 'Plastics.' It's your nonprofit's future.

This month’s SMIT (Single Most Important Thing I have to tell you): Remember in ‘The Graduate’ the one word piece of advice given to Dustin Hoffman?  PLASTICS. That was seen to be the wave of the future (oh how long ago that seems, and how quickly something can turn from friend to foe…. but I [...]

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What’s ‘Like’ Got to Do with It? 5 Ways to Inspire Nonprofit Engagement Through Social Media

Have we grabbed your attention?

Stop counting likes and follows. If your work plan has “increase FB likes from X to Y or increase Twitter follows from Y to Z” as an objective, delete, delete, delete!  Your objective must relate to your “why;” it can’t just be a “what.” Who cares how many “friends” you have if none of them [...]

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7 Little-Known Secrets That Will Get You a Visit with Your Donor

girl milking cow

Why is it so hard to set up a time for a visit with a prospect? It just is.  People screen their phone calls.  They don’t answer your emails.  They’re busy. And, let’s face it, they know what this is about.  Some folks will avoid the ask because they’re thinking about it in terms of [...]

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