The Donor Attraction Letter

October 1, 2014

Get Your Year-End Thank You Communications Touching Hearts + Inspiring More Gifts

It’s an exciting time: Your holiday and year-end fundraising appeals will be going out soon!
 
For those terrific people who make gifts, are you ready with thank you communications that make strong emotional deposits and show heartfelt, enthusiastic appreciation for donors’ support?
 
If not, trust me on something ... READ MORE

September 3, 2014

5 Must-Dos for a KILLER Year-End Appeal Letter

Today I’m bringing back this super important issue of The Donor Attraction Letter, which debuted last year around this time. Enjoy!

Are you ready?

The close of the calendar year will be here before you know it!

Because so many donors love to give at the holidays—and because many simply wait until the last minute—the next few months ... CONTINUE READING

August 6, 2014

Email Tips That'll Help You Get Donors Loving Your Emails

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, emails are one of the most important tools in your donor attraction tool box.

Standalone emails for your fundraising campaigns and advocacy messages, along with e-newsletters, are some of the most vital communications your nonprofit needs to effectively connect with donors and motivate  CONTINUE READING

July 2, 2014

Creating Valuable Content Helps You Attract + Keep Your Donors

Today I want to talk content marketing with you.
 
Yes, this buzzword is all the rage! And for good reason:
 
Attracting and keeping your donors depends largely on CONTINUE READING

June 4, 2014

The Donor Attraction Letter is Moving to Monthly!

Since launching The Donor Attraction Letter last year in September, I’ve loved connecting with you every week to bring you tips for attracting and keeping your donors.
 
Now, because of some changes in my life, I’ve decided to make ... CONTINUE READING

May 28, 2014

Is Your Website Helping or Hurting Your Fundraising?

Over on the FutureFundraisingNow.com blog, Jeff Brooks recently encouraged his readers to consider whether their websites are helping or hurting their fundraising.
 
You can check out his post ... CONTINUE READING

May 21, 2014

Special Offer: Are Your Donors Leaving Because They Don't Feel Loved?

In January, I wrote a post for you on making 2014 a year of more donor love.
 
As you likely know, donor retention has been ... CONTINUE READING

May 14, 2014

Get More Mileage from Your Content by Repurposing It: Part Two

OK, I’m back this week to finish up last week's list of top tips on how you can repurpose your content to help maximize its impact and reinforce key messages with your supporters.
 
Here we go! ... CONTINUE READING

May 7, 2014

Get More Mileage from Your Content by Repurposing It: Part One

You know that an effective donor communications plan revolves around providing your supporters with consistent, relevant, interesting, inspiring, helpful, reader-centered content.
 
One of the best ways to get the most mileage out of the content you create is through the magic of repurposing.
 
Repurposing involves taking original content  ... CONTINUE READING

April 30, 2014

Are You Using Donor Names Often Enough in Your Communications?

“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” – Dale Carnegie
 
This oft-expressed quote is one of my absolute favorites when it comes to donor communications because it rings so true.
 
Addressing your donors (and prospective donors!) by their ... CONTINUE READING

April 23, 2014

Show Donors You Care and They'll Care (and Give!) Right Back

Does the following scenario sound familiar?
 
You’re moving forward successfully with your programs, advocacy work, and regular communications like printed and electronic newsletters.
 
You're making a positive impact ... CONTINUE READING

April 16, 2014

Ditch Grammar Rules for Sparkling Donor Copy that Emotionally Connects

You’ve heard this over and over from me, but it always bears repeating and reinforcing:
 
Strong emotional connections are at the very heart of how you build meaningful relationships with your fans and donors that lead to lifetime giving.
 
One of the best (and most underutilized) ways ... CONTINUE READING

April 9, 2014

Do Your Thank You Letters Touch Donors' Hearts + Keep Them Giving?

Here we are in April with your spring fundraising season in full force!

By now, you’ve probably been sending many emails and direct mail packages for your annual fund, special events, and other fundraising efforts geared toward ... CONTINUE READING

April 2, 2014

Are Your Letters Going Out with Errors that Result in Lost Gifts?

Recently I had dinner with a dear friend who shared with me that one of her favorite charities had really upset her.
 
The reason?
 
She and her husband, both in private practice, are sponsors ... CONTINUE READING

March 26, 2014

How to Build Your Email List with a "Must Have" Incentive + More: Part 2

Last week in part 1 of this series, we covered some uber-important tips on how you can grow your email list:
 
Tip #1: Good Guidance from Seth Godin (Be personal, relevant, and anticipated)
Tip #2: Offer a MUST-HAVE Incentive
Tip #3: Describe a Compelling Benefit
Tip #4: Make Your Sign-Up Box Stand Out
 
There’s a lot more, so let’s ... CONTINUE READING

March 19, 2014

How to Build Your Email List with a "Must Have" Incentive + More: Part 1

How are you doing with building your email list?
 
Do you feel like it’s pretty robust?
 
Or do you feel like it needs some major attention because ... CONTINUE READING

March 12, 2014

Attracting + Keeping Donors with Emails They Eagerly Anticipate: Part 3

By now, you’re probably thinking:  There’s A LOT that goes into creating powerful, engaging emails that people want to read.
 
Yes, so true!
 
So far, you’ve received these top tips in my series on how to ... CONTINUE READING

March 5, 2014

Attracting + Keeping Donors with Emails They Eagerly Anticipate: Part 2

Last week’s post shared with you my first two tips on using email to connect with your readers on a deep emotional level to get them excited about opening your emails and taking action.
 
Those tips were:
 
#1: Know WHY You’re Sending Email
#2: Write Like You’re Emailing a Good Friend
 
Now, let’s continue on ... CONTINUE READING

February 26, 2014

Attracting + Keeping Donors with Emails They Eagerly Anticipate: Part 1

These days, it’s getting harder to show up in someone’s in-box with emails they actually want to read. Let alone anticipate.
 
Sounds almost impossible, doesn’t it?!

Well, the good news is that it’s NOT impossible!
 
The key is having ...  CONTINUE READING

February 19, 2014

Flattery Will Get You Far with Your Donors

When it comes to flattering your donors, ask yourself:
 
Are you pouring on the flattery enough?
 
In your donor communications, flattery needs ... CONTINUE READING

February 12, 2014

Make Your Donors Feel Listened To + Loved with a Donor Survey

Have you reached out to your donors recently to get their opinions, impressions, and suggestions?
 
If not, sending out a simple donor survey soon can help you ... CONTINUE READING

February 5, 2014

Keeping Your First-Time Donors: How to Get That VERY Important Second Gift

Attracting a new donor is so exciting!
 
It’s always a big thrill to know another person feels strongly enough about your cause to marry financial support with their interest in your work. And there’s so much potential for what this new friend can mean over the long haul.
 
This first gift is like your donor calling out  ... CONTINUE READING

January 29, 2014

Ready to Show Your Donors Some Love on Valentine's Day?

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!
 
What are you doing to show your donors how much you love ... CONTINUE READING

January 22, 2014

Donor Love MUST-DOs to Keep Your Donors Giving: Part Two

Last week I covered a few of my top donor love MUST-DOs: awesome thank you communications, new donor welcome packages, and donor-centered newsletters.
 
This week I’m wrapping up my list with a few more. Like those shared last week, these are hugely important ... CONTINUE READING

January 15, 2014

Donor Love MUST-DOs to Keep Your Donors Giving: Part One

As I touched on last week, donor love is a powerful antidote to the high + costly donor turnover rate many nonprofits are experiencing.
 
At the heart of the problem is this:
 
Donors give and then have something we can call “donor’s remorse.”
 
I’m experiencing it now … CONTINUE READING
 
January 8, 2014

Raise More Money in 2014: Make it a Year of More Donor Love

Today I want to help you kick off 2014 with a powerful theme—–a mindset, really.
 
If you get really excited and serious about this, I know it will catapult your success with keeping more of your donors, raising more money, and dramatically ... CONTINUE READING

January 1, 2014

Kick Off 2014 with this Key Donor Attraction Tip Top of Mind

Happy New Year!

Chances are good that you’re just getting back into the swing of things when you read this, so I’m going to keep this post on the short side.
 
But, my message for you is really important.
 
It’s a fundamental, powerful truth that drives human behavior and especially charitable giving.  And it’s simply this ... CONTINUE READING

December 23, 2013

Recommended Reading to Help You Attract + Keep Your Donors

Around the holidays, one thing I love is curling up with good books!

You probably do, too, so I wanted to pass on a list of recommended books that are practically guaranteed ... CONTINUE READING

December 18, 2013

I Just Donated Because of This! (Year-End Tool for Your Website)

Year-end is getting so close now!

But, there’s still time to make one more update to your website to help inspire your year-end online donors and get them quickly to your donate page: It's a ... CONTINUE READING

December 11, 2013

Quick Tips for Writing Year-End Fundraising Emails

It’s an exciting time: Your final year-end fundraising emails will be sent off soon!

There’s so much anticipation, knowing that online giving continues to go up and up every year (I just read about how one donor made a $100,000 gift online!).

Before your emails land in your donors’ in-boxes, use these quick tips to maximize their effectiveness, tug on hearts ... CONTINUE READING

December 4, 2013

8 Powerful Tips for Raising More Money in December

It’s finally here—–December—–the busiest giving month of the year!

Research shows that 30-40% of online donors give in December and that a majority of those gifts are made on December 30 and 31. Giving by direct mail goes up in December, too.
 
So, knowing that your donors are in the giving mood over the next few weeks, plan now to use these powerful tips ... CONTINUE READING

November 27, 2013

20 Ways to Thank Your Donors Year-Round and Keep 'Em Giving

Here in the U.S., tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

With our thoughts turning to all that we’re thankful for, I’ve got your donors in mind—–the special people who make your life-changing work possible.
 
In the spirit of giving thanks, today’s issue is focused on how you can use the incredible power of thanking your donors year-round to keep them inspired to give again … CONTINUE READING

November 20, 2013

Do You Know What Your Donors Want from You?

When you communicate with your donors and prospective donors, there’s one thing you absolutely need to get right to attract and keep more of them:

You need to know what they really want from you.
 
On its face, this may seem simple enough. You might say ...  CONTINUE READING

November 13, 2013

Holiday Email Tips to Thank, Involve and Inspire Giving

Thanksgiving is almost here!

The December holidays are right around the corner!
 
The new year will be here before you know it!
 
Are you ready with a terrific email marketing plan filled with messages ... CONTINUE READING

November 6, 2013

Is Your Donation Page Turning Would-Be Donors Away?

Last week I shared some tips with you about creating a DONATE button that stands out and gets clicked.

Now, once someone has clicked your DONATE button and arrived ... CONTINUE READING

October 30, 2013

Is Your DONATE Button Super Easy for Donors to Find?

Your donors are busy people. And, for many, their attention spans are quite short, with this being especially true as the holiday season ramps up.

As marketing genius Seth Godin has pointed out, our target ... CONTINUE READING

October 23, 2013

5 Writing Tips to Help You Tap Into Your Donors' Hearts

Writing donor-centered communications that make strong emotional connections with your donors can be a big challenge.

Why?

Because your nonprofit supporters have very distinct desires, needs ... CONTINUE READING

October 16, 2013

3 Ways to Get Major Donor Prospects Excited About a Visit With You

When cultivating strong, successful relationships with major donors, you know it’s a process that takes time, proper care and consistent donor-centered communications.

Depending on the size of the gift you’re ... CONTINUE READING

October 9, 2013

What Fundraising is Really About and How it Benefits Your Donors

Last week I sat down for coffee with a friend who serves on the board of a wonderful nonprofit that provides food, clothing and financial assistance to families in crisis.

During our chat, I learned that the organization needs help growing their individual giving program ... CONTINUE READING

October 2, 2013

The BEST Way to Get Your Direct Mail Fundraising Envelope Opened

When potential donors get your direct mail fundraising packages, they’re typically scanned over a trash basket.

Based on how your envelope looks and feels, your recipient will ... CONTINUE READING

September 25, 2013

Build Donor Trust and Inspire More Giving with Consistency

Consistency: The unsexy but super effective way to attract and keep your donors.

If you’re interested in cultivating loyal, lifetime donors, I hope you’ll settle in for a few minutes with me to ... CONTINUE READING

September 18, 2013

5 Must-Dos for a KILLER Year-End Appeal Letter

Are you ready?

The close of the calendar year will be here before you know it!

Because so many donors love to give at the holidays—and because many simply wait until the last minute—the next few months are an exciting time ... CONTINUE READING

September 11, 2013

Be Truly, Madly, Deeply Grateful to Your Donors to Inspire More Gifts

After you receive a gift, how many times do you thank your donor?

One? Two? More?

And, most importantly, how do your thank you communications ... CONTINUE READING

September 4, 2013

Are You Getting Emotional with Your Donors?

Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Donor Attraction Letter!

Today we’re going to dive in with something that’s vital for success with attracting and keeping and up-leveling your donors.

It’s this simple truth:

People make purchase decisions based on emotions.

And when a donor gives money to your organization, she's ... CONTINUE READING