This is a case study from Friends of Indy Animals on 15 tips you can use for your next newsletter appeal…
Read More“Branding won’t let us…” Ugh. Need I say more? Apparently I do…
Read MoreLast week, I was in San Diego, presenting for my 6th? 7th? time at the Nonprofit Storytelling conference. A conference I have referred to as my favourite since my first. My session was about "Creative rule breaking for direct mail nerds"…
Read MoreFull disclosure - the below example comes from a former coaching client of mine. Broadmead Care. I am a donor and received this example from them. I instantly appreciated this pack and it’s always delightful to see fundraisers spreading their creative wings…
Read MoreWe all know the story of Goldilocks right?
Goldlocks and the three bears? The principle is comes out of this story. A young girl named ‘Goldilocks’ wanders into the house of the three bears and finds three bowls of porridge. She tastes them all and finds that the one on the left is far too hot. The one on the right is just too cold. The one in the middle however…
Read MoreBack with a fresh, 2023 look at “Dale’s” mail. A full year’s worth! Going to break it down into a bunch of TikTok’s to see what we can learn today…
Read MoreA little round up of some treats I gathered over the past few weeks from IFC and NonProfitStorytelling Conference…
Read MoreI recently asked our friends and colleagues to share three of their biggest tips and tricks as it relates to direct response and individual giving.. and this is what some of them shared…
Read MoreTaking a moment to honour 25 things I have learned after 25 years of working in the sector…
Read MoreThe creative brief: Craft and send a direct mail pack to donors about our new capital campaign and inspire them to give to help us get closer to our goal. Easy peasy, right?
Except… sometimes (ie: almost all of the time), your capital campaign case for support isn’t targeted or designed for your average annual donors. The question becomes, how can you make it relevant and compelling for those donors too?
Read MoreApril is a strange time of year to be blogging about Santa Claus, but that’s what you get sometime. Here is a little bit of inspiration hopefully, pulled and edited from John Lepp’s upcoming book, Creative Deviations…
Read MoreThree more reflections from this year that really focus on creative storytelling.
Read MoreSome quick suggestions and thoughts about your year end emails!
Read MoreCould it be? A blog post?
Yes, tis the season for a bit of reflection and sharing of 12 things that have been occupying our brains through 2021. Has it been a bit crazy for you too?
Taking a breath here to revisit some of the basic principles of fundraising, direct response and direct marketing. These things appeal regardless of channel.
Read MoreA case study about a recent mail pack we worked on for the STEGH Foundation and filled with 26 ideas, tip and tricks you can steal for your next appeal to make it more effective!
Read MoreIn this final part of a 4 part series, we dive deep into these “extra” pieces you sometimes find in mail packs. Inserts, lift notes, buckslips, etc. These pieces can either solidify getting that gift or maybe make your donor run screaming away. (Maybe that’s a little over the top…). Let’s see what Dale got from some of her charities in today’s post.
Read MoreThis week, we take a closer look at the often misunderstood and appreciated “Reply Form.” Get this part wrong and you can kiss a potential gift goodbye. It’s that important. We will share somethings you can consider to make yours better and more effective!
Read MoreToday we wade into the stuff inside the envelope. Starting with the appeal letter. What did we notice and how can we make it better? This post will take a closer look.
Read MoreWe took some time to look through “Dale’s” mailbox. What did we find and what can we learn about the current state of direct mail? This post will look just at the outer envelope.
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