Award Winning Blog

Choosing A Database? Mistakes To Avoid

Consultant Robert Weiner recently presented a webinar for Fundraising Success, called "Understanding and Maximizing Your Donor Database for Fundraising Success." As reported here, Weiner included a discussion of "ten mistakes nonprofits commonly make" when choosing a database. Having sat on both sides of the table during this ugly and painful process, I thought his list […]

Learn More April 13, 2009

Will Email Fundraising Die?

It’s bad enough that pundits tell us direct mail is dead, or at least dying. Now we’re being told that email is dying too … or at least becoming marginalized. And since email is the online fundraising weapon of choice, won’t that mean that online fundraising will wither as well?! Here’s one of the better, […]

Learn More April 9, 2009

In Defense Of Creative

Yesterday, Roger and Guest Ranter & copywriter Bob Levy teamed up to argue in The Agitator that sound strategy was more important to fundraising success than the "silver bullet" package. Tough to disagree with that. This — mind you — coming from two creative whizzes who have written more than their fair share of long-lived […]

Learn More April 8, 2009

Failed Marriages And Great Packages

The late David Ogilvy was among the greatest advertising geniuses who ever lived. He built a truly remarkable global agency and contributed more than his fair share to both the creative and management sides of the business. Among Ogilvy’s more unconventional beliefs was that truly great agencies are built as a result of “high mortgages […]

Learn More April 7, 2009

The Agitator Evolves

We’re determined to offer readers of The Agitator just what our tagline promises … Fundraising & Advocacy Strategies, Trends, Tips … with an Edge. We put plenty of people-hours into that mission each week, and appreciate the many public and private messages of support you send … as well as the support evidenced by our […]

Learn More April 6, 2009

Succeeding In Your Fundraising

Here are four bedrock suggestions for succeeding in your marketing (i.e., fundraising) in the coming year. Writing in eMarketing & Commerce, Lisa Wehr of Oneupweb, a digital marketing agency, offered these recommendations in a commercial marketing context. I’ve reproduced the essence of her recs, followed by my fundraising "spin" on each. 1. Plan early and […]

Learn More April 3, 2009