“More than $1.4 billion in stimulus checks went to dead people, the Government Accountability Office said.”

When I saw that headline in yesterday’s New York Times it was instantly clear to me that clearly the Trump administration is not using The Agitator Toolbox..

Let me explain.

Seems like in the rush to inject money into the economy more than a million stimulus payments worth $1.4 billion + were sent to dead people.  Had the Treasury Department and IRS only been aware of the TrueDeceased service found in our Toolbox.

For a mere $50 the U.S. government could have eliminated the deceased folks on their list by taking advantage of the TrueDeceased ‘unlimited file size offering.  $50 bucks to save $1.4 billion.  Not bad.  But probably it would strike the bureaucrats not nearly costly enough.

I asked Tim Hunnewell, the head of TrueGivers, our sister company that offers TrueDeceased whether he would really take on that task and since the government was rightly in a bit hurry how long would it take to check a couple of hundred million records.  His answers: 1) “Certainly, our offer is unlimited file size.” 2) “Assuming the government’s records were more or less readable it would take 3-4 days.  The average nonprofit file with 1 million records takes between 10 and 25 minutes.”

Of course, the lesson from the government’s stimulus payment fiasco will not be lost on Agitator readers. Anyone who’s been in the trade more than a few months has probably heard—and been embarrassed by—calls or letters from a deceased donor’s spouse or family that “we keep getting mail, but Bob’s been dead for two years.”  Or perhaps the ultra-embarrassing telephone solicitation:

Caller: “Good evening.  May I speak with Bob please?”

Answering party: [Silence or sigh] Bob’s been dead for two years.  Why are you calling?

You get my drift.

TrueDeceased was created to save you time and money by reducing the overhead and costs associated with deceased suppressions. This quality data tool helps organizations identify deceased donors and others in the same households, so they can be suppressed from fundraising communications where appropriate.

Or, if you’re really sophisticated you can also use it to thank the family, praise the deceased donor and suggest a special giving opportunity to honor Bob’s longtime interest in your organization.

All this for $50. And if you need some proof before you spend the $50, TrueGivers will run you a free report identifying the number of deceased donors on your file.

BONUS TIP:  While you’re at it, why not get your postal addresses checked and updated at the same time.  That’ll cost you a whopping $20.  Again, no file size limits.  Check out TrueNCOA in the Agitator Toolbox.

“The teaser on the envelope is the hot pants on the hooker.”

—Bill Jayme

While we’re on the subject of that stimulus mailing I also want to call your attention to a brilliant post by one of my favorite direct marketing heroes—Denny Hatch.

The same day the Times reported on the deadful mailing of the stimulus money Denny’s Marketing Blog  (to which anyone serious about direct marketing should sign up for) ran this stimulus-related piece titled DENNY’S ENVELOPE DESIGN FOR DONALD’S VOTE BUYING SCHEME

Here’s Denny’s envelope design and why that Bill Jayme quote headlines this section:

And here, in fascinating detail is Denny’s analysis of the Treasury Department’s mail that included a personal letter signed by Donald Trump from The White House.

Savor Denny’s post.  In it you’ll see why he thinks it’s a ‘vote buying mailing.’ “Jeez, Honey, the President is sending us $833. The least we can do is say thank you and vote for him”.  And, like the true direct marketing pro and teacher he is, Denny critiques the official letter and showa what should have been done if the Trump folks really wanted to make the most of Trump’s unsavory effort.

That’s it for Stimulus Friday here at The Agitator.  Have a safe and properly distanced weekend.

Roger

P.S.  You might also use part of the weekend sending some emails –or forwarding this post –encouraging clients or folks in your organization to deal with identifying deceased donors and getting the organization’s addresses updated.  And while you’re at it, take a moment sign up for Denny Hatch’s Marketing Blog.