Award Winning Blog - Agitator

I’m Perplexed And Confused

Yesterday, Roger summarized a rant on donor ‘conversion’ by our colleague Kevin Schulman. Just to establish that dissent is alive and well within The Agitator ranks, I’m here to tell you that Kevin’s rant was nothing more than a triumph of obscurantism. Kevin (and Roger), were you trying to play with our heads? Now, if […]

Learn More May 22, 2013

The Foibles & Follies Of Donor Conversion

A quick Google search for “converting donors” turns up all kinds of sage and not so sage advice on how to do it. But ‘conversion’ is a mis-used term tossed around with far too much abandon and far too little real understanding. The result? Tons of false and unrealizable expectations and far, far too much […]

Learn More May 21, 2013

Wear Your Donor’s Shoes

Does your nonprofit have fundraising rules that would bewilder your average donor? From Gayle Gifford at Cause & Effect, here’s the kind of story about donor-nonprofit mis-interaction that makes The Agitator’s hair curl. To sum her story up: She the would-be donor: ‘Please let me give now!’ The nonprofit: ‘You can’t. You can’t.’ And then, […]

Learn More May 20, 2013

Fairy Tale Fundraising

Roger recently presented at Fundraising Success’ Engage Conference. Now, he undoubtedly said many, many wise things, but he read the following fairy tale, which arguably contains the nub of his message. Enjoy! Snow White and the Seven Small Woods People There was once an evil fundraising queen. So vain and out […]

Learn More May 17, 2013

To Hell With Facts

Image by Tim Gruber Jeff Brooks’ brilliant Fundraiser’s Guide to Irresistible Communications features an essential chapter titled, “Persuade with Story, not Statistics.” Jeff warns: “We’re all tempted to marshal facts and send them out like an army to battle people into being generous. That doesn’t work. If you want people to give, […]

Learn More May 16, 2013

Agitator Editors Nailed As Chauvanist Male Pigs

For those who’ve long suspected that Tom and I are throwbacks, here’s you’re proof. For those who believe social media is by and large bullshit, here’s your proof. And for everyone else, no matter what you want to prove, here’s a great new social media parlor game. Have at it. Let me explain. The Swedish […]

Learn More May 15, 2013