Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Lessons In Copywriting

Beginning with a critique of email spam from the standpoint of effective copywriting, direct mail wiz Denny Hatch winds up reminding us of the most fundamental principles of the copywriting craft. For example: The letter is all about “You” copy — it's a highly emotional, personal message from the writer to the reader that translates […]

Learn More August 22, 2007

Email Boosts Response For Breast Cancer Walks

Traditional media has always been used to support the National Philanthropic Trust's Breast Cancer 3-Day, a 60-mile-walk fundraiser. Typically, TV, radio, billboards and newspapers would be used to build awareness, and direct mail would then “close the sale” in terms of signing-up participants. But mail was beginning to fall off in effectiveness. So the Trust […]

Learn More August 21, 2007

No Mercy Shown

At the recent DMA Nonprofit Conference, Jennifer Donahue of NARAL presented her strategy for successful integration of direct response fundraising channels. As reported by Fundraising Success, one element of NARAL's fundraising credo is: “No mercy shown the donor (be vigilant and consistent in staying connected to your donor base).” This along with the advice to […]

Learn More August 20, 2007

Planned Giving’s Urban Legend

Couldn't help but pay extra attention to the “Are Charities Losing Out on the Wealth Transfer” post in the always interesting blog review in Give & Take, Peter Panepento's column in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Robert Frank, author of Richistan: A Journey Through the American Wealth Boom and the Lives of the New Rich, predicts […]

Learn More August 17, 2007

Who Is Your Opposite?

Here's a marvelous observation from Seth Godin: “One of the hardest things to do is invent a brand with no opposite. You don't have an anchor to play against. Does your team agree on who your opposite is?” As it applies to your nonprofit or firm, the question forces you to think through who YOU […]

Learn More August 16, 2007

Put Her In Stocks!

No, not the financial kind! The Washington Post, in an article fittingly titled In Fundraising's Murky Corners, details the shameful shennanigans of Linda Chavez, who managed to raise about $24.5 million through a series of PACs, but disbursed only 1% for their stated purposes — “fight to save unborn lives,” fighting “big labor bosses,” and […]

Learn More August 15, 2007