Still On Vacation But Still Seeking Your Input
This vacation thing ain’t half bad.
We’d love your feedback and editorial suggestions.
Either in the comments or by emailing me directly at kschulman@thedonorvoice.com, please do tell us,
- Which topics should we cover less?
- Which topics should we cover more?
- Any other suggestions or feedback?
Thank you,
Kevin and Roger
One response to “Still On Vacation But Still Seeking Your Input”
Behavioral Science Q & A
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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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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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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Interesting question. I had a quick look at the testing done on this topic. On the positive side, in all cases, over half of donors decide to cover the fee. In some cases, it goes as high as 65%. Not a negligible percentage at all. Here’s another test from iRaiser showing consistent results (see point […]
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There’s just one thing to consider when designing a supporter journey: the supporter. More specifically, you need to take into account: Who the supporter is i.e. their identity, which is the reason they support this cause, and their personality, which describes the way they “see” and process the world. These will determine the kind of […]
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I’m not an expert in this but a quick search surfaced this article on the effect of tax reforms on 2019’s charitable giving. The researchers didn’t find a reduction. Actually, they observed an “increase in charitable contributions in 2019, even with the lower tax rates and the dramatically smaller number of taxpayers who itemize their […]
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Random thoughts:
(1) I’m guessing (dunno, but I bet you do) that many Agitator subscribers are relatively experienced people trying to stay current, since you two surf the breaking edge so much. For them, even the term “behavioral science” is click bait.
(2) Which probably means that they also subscribe to multiple how-to newsletters (though none better written or more useful than The Agitator, sometimes painfully [“Sh*t, I’ve been doing THAT wrong, too!”]).
(3) Which almost certainly means it’s all a blur. Since the pandemic, the fundraising world has gone into information overdrive, with hustling, bustling consultants of all flavors building their sales lead funnels. If you’re a devoted follower, you’re getting 30 or more useful industry-related blog posts a month (hand raised; and, yes, I should get a life). In other words: who remembers what topics you’ve over-covered or didn’t cover enough? I just need a glass of water. The information explosion is the proverbial fire hose.
(4) Which maybe means (and I’m not the research expert; YOU are), you might ask your subscribers to tell you HOW they’ve used The Agitator in their work. Personally, I have 3 daily “must” reads, won’t sleep if I don’t: The Agitator (top-shelf analysis of where today’s psych-based fundraising meteor is careening); Seth Godin (more wisdom than a bowl of chicken soup); and Food for the Poor’s Verse of the Day (I always thought I should read the Bible one day, on general principles, just ’cause: Western civilization and all that; this is the lazy man’s Bible journey & a great charity offer, BTW, allowing them to deliver soul smoothies and ask for money daily).