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Breaking Out of the Status Quo

YourMediaCompany.org

There are many real issues and perceived issues concerning the state of media.  This is not that thought piece. This is the one proclaiming that this is the perfect time for your organization to become its own media organization; for several reasons. The costs of operating a media organization have never been lower. You could […]

Learn More March 28, 2018

Taming Facebook with Identity

Facebook gave us the first hit free: get your constituents to like your page and you’ll be able to talk with them on their platform free.  What they meant was “get your constituents to append their own interest data to Facebook’s copious data stores and Facebook will sell it to others.” It doesn’t matter anymore: […]

Learn More March 23, 2018

Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers: Don’t Run. Dash!

I mean it.  Dash right over to Amazon, click and order Dollar Dash: The Behavioral Economics of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising , a practical and powerful guide to the psychology behind P2P fundraising and the factors that drive donors and volunteers with plenty of case studies. In fact, even if you don’t give one whit about peer-to-peer […]

Learn More February 26, 2018

Advocacy Fundraising #3: Finding and Converting Advocates

You’ve defined your Advocate Identity.  And you know the slacktivism traps.  But,  how do you acquire constituents who are advocates, then convert them to donors? There are services like Care2 and CQ Roll Call that will sell you advocates.  I’ve heard mixed results from these services, including one recently who said her online advocates finally […]

Learn More February 23, 2018

Advocacy Fundraising #2: Slacktivism Science

Online advocacy has a bad name.  Specifically: slacktivism (or clicktivism).  Seth Meyers put the prevailing opinion into funny words on SNL: “Look, if you make a Facebook page we will “like” it—it’s the least we can do. But it’s also the most we can do.” This frames the debate well.  Is online activism  a prelude […]

Learn More February 22, 2018

Advocacy Fundraising #1: The Advocate Identity

Editor’s Note:  This is the first of a three-part series  on Advocacy Fundraising. Part 1: the Importance of Advocate Identity. Part 2: Slactivism Science.  Separating the wheat from the chaff. Part 3:  Putting it all together.  Finding and Converting Advocates. ——————————————————————————————————————- THE ADVOCATE IDENTITY Do you recognize any of these signs? Some of your supporters will […]

Learn More February 21, 2018

Get Your Millennial Audience Off My Lawn

I’ve been reading The Agitator for years (part of why it’s been such a pleasure to write for this august blog).  But I have a confession to make.  Every time I saw posts like More On Millennials: 6 Ways To Entice Them and Time To Take Notice Of Millennials?, I wasn’t buying. To clarify, I […]

Learn More January 26, 2018

Ditch the Vanity Metrics. Take the Cannoli.

“What gets measured gets managed” – ( attributed to Peter Drucker, among others.) If vanity metrics were merely useless, we might abide them as just one of many wastes of time.  But they are actively counterproductive, crowding out the useful and camouflaging the useless. Vanity metrics may make you feel good.  They may be easy […]

Learn More January 18, 2018

Facebook Giveth…

“Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes” (“I fear the Greeks, even when they bear gifts”) — Virgil, Aeneid Facebook has announced that it is eliminating its five percent transaction fee on donations to nonprofits (personal fundraisers still have a 6.9% + $.30 fee in the US).  In a NY Times piece, donors report it being simple […]

Learn More January 10, 2018

Google Giveth and Google Taketh Away

For those who weren’t reading search engine marketing news over the holidays, instead spending “quality time” with “family” and “friends,” there was an earthquake for nonprofits who use Google Grants. I must preface this with the fact that Google is the only major advertising platform I know of with a program like Google Grants.  Facebook […]

Learn More January 9, 2018

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Ask A Behavioral Scientist

    Behavioral Science Q & A

    Q: As a designer who works with non-profits on fundraising strategy, I see the language like the following: “Our supporters help empower every girl, ensuring she has the resources she needs.” I do not think the word “help” is useful–I think “Our supporters empower every girl, ensuring she has the resources she needs. ” is much more engaging. Thoughts?

    Whether “help” is more engaging or not really depends on the framing and context. The word help can sometimes weaken the perceived agency of the supporter, making their role feel secondary rather than central (your point). On the other hand, help can also signal collaboration rather than implying full ownership of the outcome, which might […]

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    Q: We started offering a donor cover option last april 1. The data to date suggests this may be dampening giving.eg. those who say yes to donor cover have a lower average gift (based on analysis of 6000+ gifts). I’m wondering if those who give lower gifts feel more guilt and therefore say yes to donor cover or if the presence of donor cover is making people adjust (lower) their gift size to accommodate the extra 3%. Would love any insights you have.

    Great question! Here’s how behavioral science can help unpack what might be happening: Pain of Paying: Even a small extra charge can make giving feel more transactional than emotional, potentially reducing generosity. Fairness Concerns: Some donors might perceive donor cover as a surcharge rather than a contribution to the cause. If they feel the charity […]

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    Q: When writing an appeal, I waffle back and forth between writing “Your gift CAN…” or “Your gift WILL…” Any studies of which of these two words is best for an appeal?

    The choice between “Your gift CAN…” and “Your gift WILL…” taps into the psychological framing of certainty vs. possibility. Currently, there is no academic research directly comparing these two framings in charitable appeals. However, I suspect no framing is universally better—the outcome likely depends on your target audience and the campaign’s goal. Here are some thoughts: Certainty Framing – […]

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    Q: Do you have any insight on whether integrating an individual giving appeal with other comms from the charity in both appearance and messaging can uplift results? Or does the actual appeal become ‘lost’ for lack of stand-out?

    Integrating an individual giving appeal with other communications from a charity can have both positive and negative effects, and the outcome largely depends on how it’s executed. Advantages of Integration Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent appearance and messaging across all communications can reinforce the org’s brand identity and strengthen brand recognition and trust among your […]

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    Q: Is there any research on response rate impact in direct mail when referring to a sustainer gift as ongoing or recurring (catching all frequencies) v. monthly or annual?

    I’m not aware of any in-market tests specifically comparing recurring vs. gift frequency language. I suspect the answer might not be the same with all gift frequencies, nor with all people. It sounds like a great opportunity for you to test and find out what works for your audience. Based on the literature, here’s a couple […]

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    Q: A major conservation nonprofit sends me lots of mail, many of which have on the envelope “time to renew” or “2nd notice.” I find this practice deceptive, especially as I haven’t given to said organization since 1997. It must be effective or they wouldn’t do it. But is it ethical?

    Based on what we know from existing data, those renewal notices can actually be pretty effective in getting people to donate. They tap into our psychology – creating a sense of urgency, reminding us of past support, and using personalization to make the message hit home. They’re playing on our natural tendencies to feel obligated […]

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