Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Copywriting Checklist

Last week we talked about checklists, and asked for yours. Here's a checklist for writing copy — copy that seeks response — from Agitator reader Ellis Robinson, author of The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit. Some boxes to check: Use the word “you” in the first sentence or paragraph. Make sure there is a reason to respond […]

Learn More August 7, 2007

Do-Gooders Are Corruptible Too

Just look at a recent listing of articles from the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Washington Post and the New York Times: Smithsonian Fires Executive Over Credit-Card Expenses Government Probes Earmarks for Marine Center Nonprofit Loan Group Will Scale Back Operations(after Washington Post report on “extravagent spending”) Struggling Arts Group Approved Big Bonus for President Harvard's Cutting […]

Learn More August 6, 2007

Dr. Warwick Will See You Now

One of the most accomplished and experienced direct marketing fundraisers we know is Mal Warwick. Astonishingly, Mal has been faithfully answering questions about fundraising through his website since 1994. And not just from paying patients. The result is a treasury of more than 500 Q&As that have just been assembled, categorized and published here. We're […]

Learn More August 3, 2007

Got Any Checklists?

I love checklists. Especially other people's. I'm speaking not so much of the “today's to do” type of list, as I am the “make sure you've done this” list. Like the “20 things your mail package must include” list or the “10 questions to ask before you send that email appeal” list. Very practical. High […]

Learn More August 2, 2007

Science Idol Winner

The 2007 winner of Union of Concerned Scientists' Science Idol Contest is Jesse Springer, a graphic designer from Eugene, Oregon. The Science Idol contest elicits editorial cartoons designed to shed light on governmental interference with science. Some of us still believe that sound science should lead to sound public policy. Hundreds of entries were submitted […]

Learn More August 1, 2007

Email Headache … And Solution

Just when you thought you had figured out how to create emails that look decent and get read, along comes partypooper MarketingSherpa! They say: “64% of key decisionmakers are viewing your carefully crafted email on their Blackberrys and other mobile devices … And, chances are, your email looks downright awful.” Not surprisingly, their data indicate […]

Learn More July 31, 2007