Watch this webinar now with a free membership. Last week Kivi presented a free webinar on thought leadership for nonprofits. If you missed that presentation, you can now find the recording on our Free Membership Dashboard. If you aren’t a member, sign up is quick and easy (and obviously free!). MORE
On rainy weekends one of my simple but rewarding pleasures is pawing through my bookshelves, re-reading direct marketing and fundraising favorites. Hey, it makes more sense to me than woodworking, stamp collecting or Tweeting.) MORE
When done right, email and print work very well together to produce results. But too many nonprofits turn those effective channels into “spam” and “junk mail.” ” I call this brand of offensive, obnoxious, and irritating marketing “spamming, spraying and praying.” ” Here are 3 questions to consider before you hit that button or sign that purchase order yet again: 1- Did you get their permission to communicate with them? MORE
August is here. People are already starting to talk about fall and back to school sales are underway, like it or not. Even though you may still be in summer mode, September will be here in a flash. Fall is a busy time, especially if you’re doing a year-end appeal. MORE
I love my employees. Seriously! They are amazing people. But don’t take my word for it. Judge for yourself! Zach Shefska (the guy who runs my Fundraising Report Card invention) is really smart. Recently, he was interviewed by Rob Harter at the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. I hope you’ll check it out. Just don’t try to hire him away from me! Related Posts: >>An insider snapshot of what it’s like to work at MarketSmart. >>Fundraising MORE
Guest blogger Mark Horvath founded and leads Invisible People who shares how to boost your YouTube views from meh to magnificent. BTW, Mark’s video version of this post features a extra tips not found here. MORE
Safety in numbers. Not all that long ago, humans lived in tribes and clans for safety. So, today, it’s no surprise that people still maintain tribal behaviors. Instinctively, we join clubs, teams, and groups. We also decide what to say and do based on what others are saying and doing. Social proof. Face it, we humans are hard-wired to look for clues among our peers before we open our mouths or take action. MORE
Before social media, nonprofit communicators needed mostly text, and convincing non-communications staff to devote time and energy into writing was (and still is) a challenge. Now, communicators need visuals as much as they need text. MORE
The dog days of summer are here! But I'm thinking of fall and busy planning my fall speaking/travel schedule. Do you live in or near one of these cities? Washington D.C. MORE
Jim Collins, author of the best-selling book Good to Great , has three big recommendations for all organizations: Get the right people on the bus. Get the right people in the right seats. Get the wrong people off the bus. So what does this mean for you? MORE
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Stephen Garten , CEO of Charity Charge , a socially conscious credit card. Unlike most credit cards which earn you bonus points or miles, a Charity Charge credit card allows cardholders to earn 1% cash back to ANY nonprofit of their choice. MORE
I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I first heard the news. BLOGGING IS DEAD – the headline screamed. “No! This can’t be!” ” I thought to myself while staring at my computer screen sipping my cup of chai tea. But like any good story, this one has a twist. MORE
Storytelling Summer School is in session! Haven’t signed up yet? Not to worry! Sign up here and you will get access to all previous and future lessons. . In this week’s lesson, I give specific examples of digital storytelling tactics to use during your next fundraising campaign. MORE
Abraham Lincoln famously said, “When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad; and that’s my religion.”. Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else” and also said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”. The Dalai Lama said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”. MORE
Erica Hurt. Welcome to the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words. We’d love to feature YOU in this series! MORE
Have you ever heard of The Leaky Bucket? This unique system allows you to spot funding problems before they get huge, and helps you do something to stop them. Click below to sign up. Free Webinar: Fixing Your Leaky Donor Bucket. Date: September 5th, 2017 Tuesday, 10am PT- 11am PT . MORE
Hiring a fundraising consultant, while incredibly important, can be tricky. With so many firms and so many service packages, how can you tell which is the right choice for your nonprofit? Well, don’t worry! MORE
“You’ll never get milk from a cow by sending it a letter.” That’s what my fundraising buddies told me 47 years ago when I left university major gift fundraising to help launch a new, direct mail-driven nonprofit called Common Cause. MORE
Joshua Clay. We Internet users have a voracious appetite for online video. Video is increasing in nearly every digital channel, from email to web pages to social networks. Done right, it drives clicks and conversions better than text alone. MORE
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Luconda Dager , President of Velvet Ice Cream , about their long-term partnership with Pelotonia , a grassroots bike tour that funds cancer research at The Ohio State University. MORE
You are so excited because your nonprofit is getting ready to do some strategic planning and you think you might — finally! — get some real strategic direction for your communications plan. Don’t hold your breath. MORE
Online giving definitely is growing. And if you listen to the growth statistics, you may feel you can fully fund your organization using online giving tools. If that's you, stop. Seriously. When something grows from 1% to 2% it's 100% growth, but it's still not the other 98%. MORE
Much is written and fretted about these days regarding the ‘differences’ — some real, some imagined — between Boomers (and older) donors and the younger generations of donors, especially Millennials. Over the weekend I read this ‘take’ on the situation — The Great Divide: Millennials vs. Baby Boomer Fundraising , written delightfully by a fundraiser in the local trenches for some thirty-plus years, Norman Gildin. MORE
Learn how to use email in a way donors love, how to use it to track engagement, some pitfalls to avoid, and much more. Visit iMarketSmart.com to learn more about MarketSmart. The post Email as a Fundraising Tool – Episode 4 appeared first on MarketSmart, LLC |. MORE
Storytelling Summer School is in session! Haven’t signed up yet? Not to worry! Sign up here and you will get access to all previous and future lessons. . In this week’s lesson, I walk you through the topics and ideas to enter into your Digital Storytelling Calendar. MORE
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Scotty Pansky , co-founder, and Katie Malark , Senior Director, Research, of Allison + Partners , about a new study on how digital Influencers can drive donations and engagement with causes. MORE
Effective fundraising appeals require the convergence of right audience/prospect, strong and clear offer, and compelling creative. You’ve probably heard the ’40/40/20′ direct marketing adage that attributes the contribution each of these elements makes thusly: 40% of success due to right mailing list (proper targeting). 40% due to offer (you are asking your prospect to do something, after all). 20% due to creative (copywriters and designers don’t like to hear this!). MORE
I'll be on the road quite a bit this fall. If you'll be at one of these events, let's try to meet up! Atlanta - August 14 - YNPN 2017 I'm looking forward to giving leadership trainings on taking charge of your own career. They've let me offer a $30 discount to people reading this. MORE
Thomas Negron and Ruby. Welcome to the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words. We’d love to feature YOU in this series! MORE
If you’re operating in the cause marketing space and you’ve never heard of Smithfield Foods , you’re missing out. This is a company that exemplifies what it means to leverage the power of doing good while building its national and regional brands. MORE
Friendly reminder – #GivingTuesday 2017 is less than 100 days away! It’s tempting to see the astounding fundraising numbers from last year – 1,640,000 gifts made; 177 million raised in over 98 countries – and think that this day of giving will work for your nonprofit. MORE
Do your fundraising and communications staffs work together well? It can be a challenge to get everyone on the same page. Especially if neither department has a clear understanding of what the other one is trying to do. MORE
Great storytelling is the best way to capture the attention, as well as the hearts and minds, of your supporters. Using digital tools like your website, email newsletter, and social networks are vital in the quest to get your stories in front of a critical mass of people. MORE
Storytelling Summer School is in session! Haven’t signed up yet? Not to worry! Sign up here and you will get access to all previous and future lessons. . MORE
OK Kids — especially the young (under 50) and those blessedly old — I’m gonna take you on a trip down Memory Lane in hopes of dealing with Tom’s question Who’s a Poor Fundraiser to Believe? If you have the usual internet-gnat attention span, please move on now. This is gonna take a few minutes. Let me explain. Better yet. Stick with me because there’s a great treat at the end. MORE
People are more likely to be persuaded by people we like. So, no matter how worthy your cause is, if your supporters don’t like you, they won’t make major and planned gifts to your employer. Here are 7 simple ways to engender fondness for you and your nonprofit’s cause: 1. Be a chameleon – In other words, take the time and put forth the energy to look the part. If you work at a University and your donors love the football team, hopefully, you do too. MORE
Capital campaigns are a wild roller coaster ride of vision-fueled excitement followed by long stretches of slow. slogging. The slow parts require incredible discipline to stay on course. I know because I’ve helped run 18 capital campaigns at schools, universities, and hospitals. MORE
J Campbell Social Marketing
AUGUST 17, 2017
Friendly reminder – #GivingTuesday 2017 is less than 100 days away! It’s tempting to see the astounding fundraising numbers from last year – 1,640,000 gifts made; 177 million raised in over 98 countries – and think that this day of giving will work for your nonprofit.
The Agitator
AUGUST 20, 2017
Much is written and fretted about these days regarding the ‘differences’ — some real, some imagined — between Boomers (and older) donors and the younger generations of donors, especially Millennials. Over the weekend I read this ‘take’ on the situation — The Great Divide: Millennials vs. Baby Boomer Fundraising , written delightfully by a fundraiser in the local trenches for some thirty-plus years, Norman Gildin.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 16, 2017
Do your fundraising and communications staffs work together well? It can be a challenge to get everyone on the same page. Especially if neither department has a clear understanding of what the other one is trying to do.
Getting Attention
AUGUST 1, 2017
Guest blogger Mark Horvath founded and leads Invisible People who shares how to boost your YouTube views from meh to magnificent. BTW, Mark’s video version of this post features a extra tips not found here.
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 14, 2017
Abraham Lincoln famously said, “When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad; and that’s my religion.”. Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else” and also said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”. The Dalai Lama said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”.
J Campbell Social Marketing
AUGUST 11, 2017
Storytelling Summer School is in session! Haven’t signed up yet? Not to worry! Sign up here and you will get access to all previous and future lessons. . In this week’s lesson, I give specific examples of digital storytelling tactics to use during your next fundraising campaign.
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 4, 2017
Jim Collins, author of the best-selling book Good to Great , has three big recommendations for all organizations: Get the right people on the bus. Get the right people in the right seats. Get the wrong people off the bus. So what does this mean for you?
Selfish Giving
AUGUST 15, 2017
The dog days of summer are here! But I'm thinking of fall and busy planning my fall speaking/travel schedule. Do you live in or near one of these cities? Washington D.C.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 8, 2017
You are so excited because your nonprofit is getting ready to do some strategic planning and you think you might — finally! — get some real strategic direction for your communications plan. Don’t hold your breath.
The Agitator
AUGUST 15, 2017
Effective fundraising appeals require the convergence of right audience/prospect, strong and clear offer, and compelling creative. You’ve probably heard the ’40/40/20′ direct marketing adage that attributes the contribution each of these elements makes thusly: 40% of success due to right mailing list (proper targeting). 40% due to offer (you are asking your prospect to do something, after all). 20% due to creative (copywriters and designers don’t like to hear this!).
J Campbell Social Marketing
AUGUST 4, 2017
Storytelling Summer School is in session! Haven’t signed up yet? Not to worry! Sign up here and you will get access to all previous and future lessons. .
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 7, 2017
People are more likely to be persuaded by people we like. So, no matter how worthy your cause is, if your supporters don’t like you, they won’t make major and planned gifts to your employer. Here are 7 simple ways to engender fondness for you and your nonprofit’s cause: 1. Be a chameleon – In other words, take the time and put forth the energy to look the part. If you work at a University and your donors love the football team, hopefully, you do too.
Selfish Giving
AUGUST 1, 2017
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Luconda Dager , President of Velvet Ice Cream , about their long-term partnership with Pelotonia , a grassroots bike tour that funds cancer research at The Ohio State University.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 3, 2017
Joshua Clay. We Internet users have a voracious appetite for online video. Video is increasing in nearly every digital channel, from email to web pages to social networks. Done right, it drives clicks and conversions better than text alone.
The Agitator
AUGUST 9, 2017
On rainy weekends one of my simple but rewarding pleasures is pawing through my bookshelves, re-reading direct marketing and fundraising favorites. Hey, it makes more sense to me than woodworking, stamp collecting or Tweeting.)
J Campbell Social Marketing
AUGUST 18, 2017
Storytelling Summer School is in session! Haven’t signed up yet? Not to worry! Sign up here and you will get access to all previous and future lessons. . In this week’s lesson, I walk you through the topics and ideas to enter into your Digital Storytelling Calendar.
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 3, 2017
Learn how to use email in a way donors love, how to use it to track engagement, some pitfalls to avoid, and much more. Visit iMarketSmart.com to learn more about MarketSmart. The post Email as a Fundraising Tool – Episode 4 appeared first on MarketSmart, LLC |.
Fundraising Coach
AUGUST 3, 2017
Hiring a fundraising consultant, while incredibly important, can be tricky. With so many firms and so many service packages, how can you tell which is the right choice for your nonprofit? Well, don’t worry!
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 15, 2017
Before social media, nonprofit communicators needed mostly text, and convincing non-communications staff to devote time and energy into writing was (and still is) a challenge. Now, communicators need visuals as much as they need text.
Selfish Giving
AUGUST 8, 2017
Today on CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I talk to Scotty Pansky , co-founder, and Katie Malark , Senior Director, Research, of Allison + Partners , about a new study on how digital Influencers can drive donations and engagement with causes.
J Campbell Social Marketing
AUGUST 8, 2017
Great storytelling is the best way to capture the attention, as well as the hearts and minds, of your supporters. Using digital tools like your website, email newsletter, and social networks are vital in the quest to get your stories in front of a critical mass of people.
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 2, 2017
When done right, email and print work very well together to produce results. But too many nonprofits turn those effective channels into “spam” and “junk mail.” ” I call this brand of offensive, obnoxious, and irritating marketing “spamming, spraying and praying.” ” Here are 3 questions to consider before you hit that button or sign that purchase order yet again: 1- Did you get their permission to communicate with them?
Fundraising Coach
AUGUST 7, 2017
I'll be on the road quite a bit this fall. If you'll be at one of these events, let's try to meet up! Atlanta - August 14 - YNPN 2017 I'm looking forward to giving leadership trainings on taking charge of your own career. They've let me offer a $30 discount to people reading this.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 9, 2017
I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I first heard the news. BLOGGING IS DEAD – the headline screamed. “No! This can’t be!” ” I thought to myself while staring at my computer screen sipping my cup of chai tea. But like any good story, this one has a twist.
Selfish Giving
AUGUST 14, 2017
If you’re operating in the cause marketing space and you’ve never heard of Smithfield Foods , you’re missing out. This is a company that exemplifies what it means to leverage the power of doing good while building its national and regional brands.
Ann Green
AUGUST 9, 2017
August is here. People are already starting to talk about fall and back to school sales are underway, like it or not. Even though you may still be in summer mode, September will be here in a flash. Fall is a busy time, especially if you’re doing a year-end appeal.
Fundraising Coach
AUGUST 8, 2017
Capital campaigns are a wild roller coaster ride of vision-fueled excitement followed by long stretches of slow. slogging. The slow parts require incredible discipline to stay on course. I know because I’ve helped run 18 capital campaigns at schools, universities, and hospitals.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 10, 2017
Watch this webinar now with a free membership. Last week Kivi presented a free webinar on thought leadership for nonprofits. If you missed that presentation, you can now find the recording on our Free Membership Dashboard. If you aren’t a member, sign up is quick and easy (and obviously free!).
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 16, 2017
I love my employees. Seriously! They are amazing people. But don’t take my word for it. Judge for yourself! Zach Shefska (the guy who runs my Fundraising Report Card invention) is really smart. Recently, he was interviewed by Rob Harter at the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. I hope you’ll check it out. Just don’t try to hire him away from me! Related Posts: >>An insider snapshot of what it’s like to work at MarketSmart. >>Fundraising
The Agitator
AUGUST 1, 2017
OK Kids — especially the young (under 50) and those blessedly old — I’m gonna take you on a trip down Memory Lane in hopes of dealing with Tom’s question Who’s a Poor Fundraiser to Believe? If you have the usual internet-gnat attention span, please move on now. This is gonna take a few minutes. Let me explain. Better yet. Stick with me because there’s a great treat at the end.
Wild Woman Fundraising
AUGUST 21, 2017
Have you ever heard of The Leaky Bucket? This unique system allows you to spot funding problems before they get huge, and helps you do something to stop them. Click below to sign up. Free Webinar: Fixing Your Leaky Donor Bucket. Date: September 5th, 2017 Tuesday, 10am PT- 11am PT .
Fundraising Coach
AUGUST 1, 2017
Online giving definitely is growing. And if you listen to the growth statistics, you may feel you can fully fund your organization using online giving tools. If that's you, stop. Seriously. When something grows from 1% to 2% it's 100% growth, but it's still not the other 98%.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 7, 2017
Erica Hurt. Welcome to the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words. We’d love to feature YOU in this series!
iMarketSmart
AUGUST 9, 2017
Safety in numbers. Not all that long ago, humans lived in tribes and clans for safety. So, today, it’s no surprise that people still maintain tribal behaviors. Instinctively, we join clubs, teams, and groups. We also decide what to say and do based on what others are saying and doing. Social proof. Face it, we humans are hard-wired to look for clues among our peers before we open our mouths or take action.
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