Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Don’t Be the Next Blockbuster

I was struck by Cindy Courtier’s comment to Nick’s post on the importance of donor identity and commitment when it comes to creating positive and effective communications with donors. Clearly, Cindy understands what so many fundraisers don’t: Determining a donor’s identity (the “why” of his/her giving) and level of commitment (loyalty to the organization) makes a […]

Learn More July 31, 2018

Why “why” Matters – The Bald Truth

There is always a better way to segment other than resorting to the use of demographics. . I know. We’ve been down this road before. But the core reason is that demographics are an attribute of a person. At best, this attribute is a proxy for some core identity, reason for giving, or goal that […]

Learn More July 30, 2018

The Reality Distortion Field: Focusing on the One

There is a famous study in nonprofit marketing showing that an appeal that tells the story of a child does better than an appeal that tells that same story with information about the general problem of poverty in Africa. Even more oddly, a story of one boy did as well as the story of one […]

Learn More July 27, 2018

The donor growth mindset

Do you have a fixed mindset, where you believe your talents, character, intelligence, abilities, etc. are born and static? Or do you have a growth mindset, where you believe those things can be developed? Research shows if you are the latter, you are more likely to embrace challenges, persist in the face of challenges, put […]

Learn More July 26, 2018

The Reality Distortion Field: Metaphor

Your high school English teacher taught you that metaphors were flourishes or poetic devices – that little bit of finishing salt to enliven a dish. How wrong s/he was. S/he handed you a tool for great good and/or a weapon for great evil. If s/he really understood its awesome power, the metaphor would not have […]

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The Reality Distortion Field: Identity and Commitment

They say love is blind. It’s actually worse than that. If you were blind, you would know not to trust your eyes. Love distorts. It makes you see things that aren’t there. It enhances positives and turns negatives into charming quirks. That’s why you want donors who are fully committed to you, who love you, […]

Learn More July 25, 2018