In a little over a week — starting November 8 — Tom Ahern will join me to present the Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits E-Clinic again at Nonprofit Marketing Guide. As you probably know, Tom Ahern is one of THE masters of donor communications, especially direct mail. Tom firmly believes that you don’t need a gigantic direct mail list in order to raise significant dollars — and he has proven it with several of his smaller clients. MORE
As in previous years, we asked nonprofits how often they would email and direct mail the typical supporter on their mailing lists. No surprise: monthly emailing and quarterly direct mailing remain the most popular frequencies. . MORE
Who’s got the hot fundraising job? Email fundraising? Direct mail? Direct mail?! But wait, direct mail is fighting back. Or at least, as reported in Direct Marketing , the (not disinterested) US Postal Service is. MORE
None of this matters if you can’t block and tackle with mail. That’s right, mail isn’t dead. So here are my arguments for continued use of the mail. Mail is where more donations come in. In the Blackbaud 2017 Charitable Giving Report , they found that six to 12 percent of total fundraising came in online depending on sector. Mail retains donors (slightly) better. Ending mail acquisition is a flop. Many (not all) donors like the mail. MORE
I just read a blog post by a fundraising youngster, Derrick Feldmann. From his photo, he looks like one of them/thar ‘Millennials’ Derrick’s post, which by definition I received and read online, is titled, The Paradox of Direct Mail , and makes the observation: “For many new and younger donors, direct mail is viewed as intrusive, messy, and a waste of resources. Direct mail premium MORE
For nearly 20 years prognosticators have prematurely heralded the death of direct mail. After all, they argue, “online” is far cheaper and faster, plus donor demographics are changing, so it’s only a matter of time before direct mail is dead and buried. MORE
Earlier this summer, Lisa Maher shared her initial results of her direct mail experiences with some nonprofit she supported. This time around, I want to update you on the direct mail from the organizations in my previous post and some new ones that have come to my mailbox. MORE
Watch this video to learn about the six new communications calendars I’ve created for you as part of our brand-new training, Creating a 12-Month Community Engagement and Fundraising Plan. Direct Mail Leaning – Starter — Download This One for Free Now (PDF). MORE
Are you really doing direct mail well? Do they put up with your direct mail? I think if your retention rate is under 40%, your donors are sending you a message about your direct mail program. I like to say, “Be donor-centric. Be personalized. Be relevant. MORE
OK, we’ve devoted most of this week to ‘alternative’ fundraising … peer-to-peer and email fundraising. Time to end the week with a simple reminder about old-fasioned direct mail. Who reading this post doesn’t enjoy receiving real mail? Direct mail premium MORE
Online donations are certainly growing, but as a recent report from Blackbaud demonstrates, long-term support and larger donations still mostly come from responses to direct mail, even if initial support comes online. Those gifts also tend to be higher than first-time mail-in donations. MORE
No direct mail isn’t dead. Still, if you need some encouragement about the future of direct mail, read on. On numerous occasions, The Agitator has urged US fundraisers to shift some focus and resource to the growing Hispanic population. But here’s some additional direct response ammunition for our case. demographic trends direct mail latinos premium MORE
On Monday we reported on the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its project over the past year to re-examine the role of direct mail in its fundraising program. Acquisition direct mail direct marketing major donors premium MORE
If you have been part of our community for any length of time, you know Tom Ahern and how awesome he is at writing fundraising copy – especially direct mail appeals. (If The best part was the direct feedback from Tom on my letter. MORE
I suspect a good part of the reason why fundraising and especially acquisition is so flat or down lies in the business-as-usual, risk adverse nature prevalent in the contemporary nonprofit mentality. Acquisition direct mail Don''t Miss these Posts DonorVoice fundraising innovation premium MORE
One that recently caught my attention is titled: The Direct Mail Paradox and how you are losing donors. What fundraiser could resist a headline like that? These guys are mobile fundraising zealots, and so I expected their infographic would trash direct mail. And indeed they started a bit on that note, with this observation: “ For most people, direct mail is annoying (BTW, this is the. MORE
Recently someone over-enthusiastically posted a discussion topic on one of my LinkedIn Groups promoting direct mail’s benefits. I’m not against direct mail. In fact, I love direct mail too. Fundraising Ahh… love. MORE
In her recent article in Fundraising Success , Angie Moore updated us on the strategy embarked upon in 2013 by the American Cancer Society. That strategy involved: Stop all direct mail acquisition to generate new direct mail donors for the organization. Stop all direct mail conversion to offer non-direct mail Society donors (online donors, event-participants/donors, information seekers, etc.) an opportunity to give a direct mail gift. MORE
On Monday we reported on the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its project over the past year to re-examine the role of direct mail in its fundraising program. Direct mail Donor acquisition Major donors direct marketing premium MORE
Over the 10 years we’ve been agitating, few topics are the subject of more debate than the all-too-familiar prognostication that direct mail is either dead or dying. We’ve never bought into that myth as you can see from this 2012 post, Direct Mail: The Exquisite Corpse. In fact, 2 of the 10 most popular posts of 2015 involve direct mail. MORE
One of the biggest pitfalls in direct mail testing is the ‘baby & the bathwater’ problem. The problem occurs when an organization or its consultant creates and mails a test package with numerous test elements. MORE
According to this research (on this point, from Royal Mail), customers spend 25% more when businesses use a combination of direct mail and email marketing. For example: 56% say “mail makes me feel valued”; only 40% say that about email. MORE
Join Fundraising Expert Tom Ahern. Fundraising expert Tom Ahern is cranking out some great stuff for us this year! Direct Mail Appeal Letters. Then, on July 28th, we start our very popular direct mail training with Tom. Learn more about direct mail training. MORE
There’s too much talk about whether or not direct mail is dead. I get direct mail delivered to me every day. The question should rather be about why BAD direct mail is still alive at all. BAD direct mail should be killed dead. Good direct mail should be kept alive. So what about your direct mail efforts? Have you compared the results of your direct mail efforts with the results attained from other channels? MORE
With Hurricane Harvey barely in the rearview mirror and with Hurricane Irma churning through Florida, I’m sure every fundraiser who uses the U.S. Postal Service is wondering, “Should I mail or not mail?” MORE
The Direct Marketing Association notes in its recently released 2012 Response Rate Report that direct mail response rates have dropped nearly 25% over the past nine years. Even so, direct mail pulls a better overall response than digital channels. for direct mail. MORE
Webinar title: Advanced Webinar: Getting Creative with Direct Mail. Are your direct mail returns dropping? How can you write a better direct mail package for your nonprofit? The direct mail pack is not just about the letter though. MORE
During our direct mail appeal letter training , we invariably get asked about appeal letter length: How many pages should our letter be? Direct Mail expert Tom Ahern shoots down the one-page myth immediately. Fundraising Nonprofit Communications Online Courses MORE
Lisa Maher has been sharing guest posts with us this year about the kinds of direct mail communications she received after donating to several nonprofits last year. Since I’ve been tracking all of my direct mail since January, I have amassed quite a collection. Lisa Maher. MORE
As Mark Phillips at Bluefrog notes, this is why direct mail fundraising won’t die! direct mail fun fundraising MORE
Despite the increasing shift towards digital fundraising, using direct mail as part of your overall marketing strategy still provides significant benefits for any nonprofit clients your agency may be working with. Many shy away from direct mailers because of the slow lead time, high initial costs required or because past campaigns haven’t shown much success. When done right, though, direct mailers can be a nonprofit’s most valuable asset. direct mail Marketing MORE
Looking to repurpose your direct mail appeals into email? Thou Shalt Make Email SHORTER Than Direct Mail. Direct mail appeals clock in at well over 1,000 words, sometimes double and triple that. Copywriting Fundraising Nonprofit Communications MORE
Think your in-house created direct mail appeal doesn’t stand a chance against the big boys? You also don’t have to be an expert in fundraising. We know a lot of you wear many different hats and fundraising may not be your strongest point. MORE
Funniest Nonprofit Direct Mail: Photoshop Disasters! originally appeared on Wild Woman Fundraising on July 5, 2012. Want an example of a funny appeal letter? Here’s one I wrote awhile ago. MORE
He’s so smart and so practical, and he tells it like it is, all while still being a nice, supportive guy — which makes him a perfect partner for our Nonprofit Marketing Guide e-clinics on print fundraising for small nonprofits. Tom Ahern. I love Tom Ahern to bits. MORE
direct mail Marketing MORE
of the direct mail we get, unopened. A good half of my direct mail is from nonprofits and, even in my modestly generous home, nine out of 10 new appeals go unopened into the recycling bag. Remember, direct mail is a science, not an art. MORE
Tom Ahern is my go-to guy for all things direct mail. Afraid your direct mail piece goes too far and will solicit a negative response? Plus he quotes one of my other favorite fundraising bloggers, Jeff Brooks. Direct mail is not a medium that rewards meekness. MORE
After two infographics yesterday pertaining to email, today another one pushed into my e-mailbox, this time on direct mail. Simply: “…consumers prefer responding to direct mail via online means.” Direct mail Online fundraising and marketing premium MORE
Breaking Out of the Status Quo Direct mail Donor acquisition Donor retention / loyalty / commitment Integrated fundraising and marketing Nonprofit management Starting Over premiumWhen we first announced the Starting Over series, the very first comment we received came from Sarah Nutbrown who works for a small nonprofit in New Zealand. MORE
Each time we hold our Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits E-clinic , Tom Ahern and I have to help the participants overcome their pre-conceived ideas of what makes a great direct mail appeal letter. We all like to think our instincts can guide us through our fundraising. MORE
Click here for practical tips on improving your email program this year and here for an in-depth look at three reporting tools every nonprofit should have to improve their fundraising strategy.). In today’s digital age, it might seem somewhat nostalgic to talk about direct mail. While it’s tempting to default to cost effective communication channels like email and Facebook, direct mail is still very much in play. Direct mail can be a bit of a dinosaur. MORE
You can put both concepts to work for you with your direct mail appeals. Renowned direct mail copywriter and fundraiser Tom Ahern is going to show 24 nonprofits how to do just that during our July e-clinic, Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits. MORE
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 10, 2017
With Hurricane Harvey barely in the rearview mirror and with Hurricane Irma churning through Florida, I’m sure every fundraiser who uses the U.S. Postal Service is wondering, “Should I mail or not mail?”
The Agitator
APRIL 20, 2017
According to this research (on this point, from Royal Mail), customers spend 25% more when businesses use a combination of direct mail and email marketing. For example: 56% say “mail makes me feel valued”; only 40% say that about email.
The Agitator
APRIL 12, 2018
None of this matters if you can’t block and tackle with mail. That’s right, mail isn’t dead. So here are my arguments for continued use of the mail. Mail is where more donations come in. In the Blackbaud 2017 Charitable Giving Report , they found that six to 12 percent of total fundraising came in online depending on sector. Mail retains donors (slightly) better. Ending mail acquisition is a flop. Many (not all) donors like the mail.
EveryAction
FEBRUARY 5, 2018
Click here for practical tips on improving your email program this year and here for an in-depth look at three reporting tools every nonprofit should have to improve their fundraising strategy.). In today’s digital age, it might seem somewhat nostalgic to talk about direct mail. While it’s tempting to default to cost effective communication channels like email and Facebook, direct mail is still very much in play. Direct mail can be a bit of a dinosaur.
The Agitator
JUNE 30, 2015
Who’s got the hot fundraising job? Email fundraising? Direct mail? Direct mail?! But wait, direct mail is fighting back. Or at least, as reported in Direct Marketing , the (not disinterested) US Postal Service is.
The Agitator
MAY 11, 2017
OK, we’ve devoted most of this week to ‘alternative’ fundraising … peer-to-peer and email fundraising. Time to end the week with a simple reminder about old-fasioned direct mail. Who reading this post doesn’t enjoy receiving real mail? Direct mail premium
The Agitator
JULY 25, 2012
The Direct Marketing Association notes in its recently released 2012 Response Rate Report that direct mail response rates have dropped nearly 25% over the past nine years. Even so, direct mail pulls a better overall response than digital channels. for direct mail.
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 22, 2015
After two infographics yesterday pertaining to email, today another one pushed into my e-mailbox, this time on direct mail. Simply: “…consumers prefer responding to direct mail via online means.” Direct mail Online fundraising and marketing premium
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JUNE 19, 2014
Join Fundraising Expert Tom Ahern. Fundraising expert Tom Ahern is cranking out some great stuff for us this year! Direct Mail Appeal Letters. Then, on July 28th, we start our very popular direct mail training with Tom. Learn more about direct mail training.
The Agitator
JULY 16, 2014
On Monday we reported on the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its project over the past year to re-examine the role of direct mail in its fundraising program. Acquisition direct mail direct marketing major donors premium
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
AUGUST 24, 2011
Earlier this summer, Lisa Maher shared her initial results of her direct mail experiences with some nonprofit she supported. This time around, I want to update you on the direct mail from the organizations in my previous post and some new ones that have come to my mailbox.
iMarketSmart
JULY 21, 2014
Recently someone over-enthusiastically posted a discussion topic on one of my LinkedIn Groups promoting direct mail’s benefits. I’m not against direct mail. In fact, I love direct mail too. Fundraising Ahh… love.
iMarketSmart
APRIL 11, 2016
There’s too much talk about whether or not direct mail is dead. I get direct mail delivered to me every day. The question should rather be about why BAD direct mail is still alive at all. BAD direct mail should be killed dead. Good direct mail should be kept alive. So what about your direct mail efforts? Have you compared the results of your direct mail efforts with the results attained from other channels?
The Agitator
AUGUST 13, 2014
I just read a blog post by a fundraising youngster, Derrick Feldmann. From his photo, he looks like one of them/thar ‘Millennials’ Derrick’s post, which by definition I received and read online, is titled, The Paradox of Direct Mail , and makes the observation: “For many new and younger donors, direct mail is viewed as intrusive, messy, and a waste of resources. Direct mail premium
The Agitator
JULY 7, 2016
Breaking Out of the Status Quo Direct mail Donor acquisition Donor retention / loyalty / commitment Integrated fundraising and marketing Nonprofit management Starting Over premiumWhen we first announced the Starting Over series, the very first comment we received came from Sarah Nutbrown who works for a small nonprofit in New Zealand.
The Agitator
MAY 29, 2014
I suspect a good part of the reason why fundraising and especially acquisition is so flat or down lies in the business-as-usual, risk adverse nature prevalent in the contemporary nonprofit mentality. Acquisition direct mail Don''t Miss these Posts DonorVoice fundraising innovation premium
Wild Woman Fundraising
JULY 5, 2012
Funniest Nonprofit Direct Mail: Photoshop Disasters! originally appeared on Wild Woman Fundraising on July 5, 2012. Want an example of a funny appeal letter? Here’s one I wrote awhile ago.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
OCTOBER 28, 2011
In a little over a week — starting November 8 — Tom Ahern will join me to present the Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits E-Clinic again at Nonprofit Marketing Guide. As you probably know, Tom Ahern is one of THE masters of donor communications, especially direct mail. Tom firmly believes that you don’t need a gigantic direct mail list in order to raise significant dollars — and he has proven it with several of his smaller clients.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
OCTOBER 7, 2014
Watch this video to learn about the six new communications calendars I’ve created for you as part of our brand-new training, Creating a 12-Month Community Engagement and Fundraising Plan. Direct Mail Leaning – Starter — Download This One for Free Now (PDF).
iMarketSmart
MAY 2, 2016
Are you really doing direct mail well? Do they put up with your direct mail? I think if your retention rate is under 40%, your donors are sending you a message about your direct mail program. I like to say, “Be donor-centric. Be personalized. Be relevant.
The Agitator
OCTOBER 28, 2012
For nearly 20 years prognosticators have prematurely heralded the death of direct mail. After all, they argue, “online” is far cheaper and faster, plus donor demographics are changing, so it’s only a matter of time before direct mail is dead and buried.
The Agitator
JULY 26, 2011
As Mark Phillips at Bluefrog notes, this is why direct mail fundraising won’t die! direct mail fun fundraising
Exactask Marketing
JUNE 2, 2016
direct mail Marketing
The Agitator
JULY 16, 2014
On Monday we reported on the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its project over the past year to re-examine the role of direct mail in its fundraising program. Direct mail Donor acquisition Major donors direct marketing premium
Exactask Marketing
JUNE 28, 2016
Despite the increasing shift towards digital fundraising, using direct mail as part of your overall marketing strategy still provides significant benefits for any nonprofit clients your agency may be working with. Many shy away from direct mailers because of the slow lead time, high initial costs required or because past campaigns haven’t shown much success. When done right, though, direct mailers can be a nonprofit’s most valuable asset. direct mail Marketing
Wild Woman Fundraising
JUNE 19, 2014
Webinar title: Advanced Webinar: Getting Creative with Direct Mail. Are your direct mail returns dropping? How can you write a better direct mail package for your nonprofit? The direct mail pack is not just about the letter though.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JULY 7, 2015
During our direct mail appeal letter training , we invariably get asked about appeal letter length: How many pages should our letter be? Direct Mail expert Tom Ahern shoots down the one-page myth immediately. Fundraising Nonprofit Communications Online Courses
Non Profit Marketing 360
JULY 30, 2012
Online donations are certainly growing, but as a recent report from Blackbaud demonstrates, long-term support and larger donations still mostly come from responses to direct mail, even if initial support comes online. Those gifts also tend to be higher than first-time mail-in donations.
The Agitator
JULY 8, 2014
No direct mail isn’t dead. Still, if you need some encouragement about the future of direct mail, read on. On numerous occasions, The Agitator has urged US fundraisers to shift some focus and resource to the growing Hispanic population. But here’s some additional direct response ammunition for our case. demographic trends direct mail latinos premium
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 6, 2012
Tom Ahern is my go-to guy for all things direct mail. Afraid your direct mail piece goes too far and will solicit a negative response? Plus he quotes one of my other favorite fundraising bloggers, Jeff Brooks. Direct mail is not a medium that rewards meekness.
ImpactMax
OCTOBER 30, 2009
of the direct mail we get, unopened. A good half of my direct mail is from nonprofits and, even in my modestly generous home, nine out of 10 new appeals go unopened into the recycling bag. Remember, direct mail is a science, not an art.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JULY 13, 2012
He’s so smart and so practical, and he tells it like it is, all while still being a nice, supportive guy — which makes him a perfect partner for our Nonprofit Marketing Guide e-clinics on print fundraising for small nonprofits. Tom Ahern. I love Tom Ahern to bits.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
APRIL 12, 2012
Each time we hold our Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits E-clinic , Tom Ahern and I have to help the participants overcome their pre-conceived ideas of what makes a great direct mail appeal letter. We all like to think our instincts can guide us through our fundraising.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JULY 17, 2014
If you have been part of our community for any length of time, you know Tom Ahern and how awesome he is at writing fundraising copy – especially direct mail appeals. (If The best part was the direct feedback from Tom on my letter.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Think your in-house created direct mail appeal doesn’t stand a chance against the big boys? You also don’t have to be an expert in fundraising. We know a lot of you wear many different hats and fundraising may not be your strongest point.
The Agitator
JULY 13, 2014
In her recent article in Fundraising Success , Angie Moore updated us on the strategy embarked upon in 2013 by the American Cancer Society. That strategy involved: Stop all direct mail acquisition to generate new direct mail donors for the organization. Stop all direct mail conversion to offer non-direct mail Society donors (online donors, event-participants/donors, information seekers, etc.) an opportunity to give a direct mail gift.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
DECEMBER 23, 2011
Lisa Maher has been sharing guest posts with us this year about the kinds of direct mail communications she received after donating to several nonprofits last year. Since I’ve been tracking all of my direct mail since January, I have amassed quite a collection. Lisa Maher.
The Agitator
DECEMBER 28, 2015
Over the 10 years we’ve been agitating, few topics are the subject of more debate than the all-too-familiar prognostication that direct mail is either dead or dying. We’ve never bought into that myth as you can see from this 2012 post, Direct Mail: The Exquisite Corpse. In fact, 2 of the 10 most popular posts of 2015 involve direct mail.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
JUNE 6, 2011
You can put both concepts to work for you with your direct mail appeals. Renowned direct mail copywriter and fundraiser Tom Ahern is going to show 24 nonprofits how to do just that during our July e-clinic, Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits.
The Agitator
DECEMBER 4, 2012
One of the biggest pitfalls in direct mail testing is the ‘baby & the bathwater’ problem. The problem occurs when an organization or its consultant creates and mails a test package with numerous test elements.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
100 
Let's personalize your content