Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Seven things you can stop doing today in direct marketing

I wish I knew what they were. Don’t get me wrong: there are seven things you can stop doing today in your direct marketing program and it will have little to no impact. I just don’t know what they are yet. I was re-reading Power of Habit the other day and a case study jumped out […]

Learn More November 10, 2016

‘James Caan’ Talks Retention

In his youth, curly-haired Roger was often mistaken for James Caan, actor of The Godfather fame. You’ll recall that Sonny Corleone was a hothead. And nothing makes Roger hotter than fundraisers’ neglect of donor retention. In this cameo appearance with fundraiser Amy Eisenstein, Roger discusses the basics of retention, starting with, “Say Thank You”. And plugs a book […]

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What’s Next?

We all woke up on this post-election morning to uncertainty and turmoil. What does the election of Donald Trump mean? Of course, no one really knows. Fear, anger, hope, disappointment, rage and joy bounce off our collective emotional wall. Those of us in progressive advocacy fundraising view President-elect Trump as the Orange Menace. Civil liberties, […]

Learn More November 9, 2016

Does Election Make A Difference?

In fundraising terms, does the outcome of the U.S. presidential election matter to your nonprofit? Depending on who wins, are you expecting … A stock market crash, choking off your year-end major gifts? A stock market boom, fueling better than expected contributions? A spike in bequest awards, reflecting a spike in heart failures? A major […]

Learn More November 8, 2016

Rx For Election Day Worries

Almost everyone in the U.S. is uptight about the outcome of tomorrow’s Presidential election. In fact, it’s probably safe to say most everyone in the world is worried. Tom reports that even the amoebae under the polar ice caps are suffering anxiety attacks. Well, don’t just sit there and fret. Get busy. Make sure all […]

Learn More November 7, 2016

Donation Page Blunders

They’ve ‘opened the envelope’. They’re checking out the ‘order card’. But then they walk away … without making a donation. Why? You had them right on the verge. Possibly, just confusion, discordant message, too many choices. Crafters of direct mail packages know how hugely important carefully designed order cards are for ‘closing’ the gift. And the […]

Learn More November 4, 2016