If you're asking yourself whether or not direct mail is dead, then you're asking the wrong question
There’s too much talk about whether or not direct mail is dead. Of course it is NOT dead! I get direct mail delivered to me every day. … Read More
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Helping you qualify, cultivate and prioritize major donors and legacy supporters so you can have fun closing more gifts more efficiently.
Apr
25
2018
Nov
27
2017
Why mistakes are awesome and what to do about them
I know the feeling. A supporter calls to tell you your email or letter spelled her name wrong. She’s pissed! You begin to sweat and your muscles… Read More
Nov
20
2017
Are you communicating with your supporters too frequently?
When it comes to volume of donor communications, it’s not a matter of how much or how little (especially when it comes to email). It’s… Read More
Sep
15
2017
Are fundraising tricks and gimmicks worth doing?
An old book filled with timeless lessons. I was cleaning out a cabinet last weekend and I came across an old book I read long… Read More
Aug
21
2017
3 big reasons why email open rates don't matter (and what you should measure instead)
First, a short story Recently I participated in a roundtable discussion led by a salesperson for one of those cookie-cutter planned giving website companies. She was… Read More
May
03
2017
There's power in exclusivity but are you using it?
Unlike populist fundraisers (who treat everyone the same), engagement fundraisers aim to find and build relationships with “first class passengers”— people who are willing to “pay”… Read More
Apr
19
2017
The 4 levels of donor commitment according to Mal Warwick
For those of you who are new to the field, Mal Warwick played a tremendous leadership role in fundraising and direct marketing. In his book… Read More
Feb
27
2017
3 major donor myths broken by Andrew Olsen
Andrew Olsen knows a thing or two about direct marketing. On his blog, he debunks 3 major donor myths that pertain to marketing. You can… Read More
Dec
28
2016
3 ways to use direct mail effectively in the age of social media
Although direct mail requires printing and postage, we still include it in our marketing plans because it can be effective if you do it right…. Read More
Nov
28
2016
7 Solid Reasons Why You Should Kill Your Printed Planned Giving Newsletter
I know, I know… you love your printed planned giving newsletter. After all, it’s an easy marketing option (especially if you buy them from a vendor who… Read More
Oct
24
2016
7 things about email subject lines that will help you save the world
Firstly, email subject lines are actually headlines. The great advertising legend David Ogilvy once said, “On average, five times as many people read the headlines… Read More
Sep
19
2016
How NOT to write a letter to your supporter community
Here’s the copy (below) from an old letter sent by my alma mater. In 2012 they achieved their goal and raised $1 billion but, in my… Read More
Aug
19
2016
What a terrific advertisement!
I really can’t say it any better than this ad thanks to LegacyVoice, a legacy administration and marketing firm based in the UK. Folks, it’s… Read More
Aug
08
2016
The top 10 reasons why your donor outreach fails
Here’s a list of top 10 reasons why your donor outreach fails: #10. It’s boring #9. It’s impersonal #8. It’s irrelevant #7. It lacks emotion… Read More
Jul
27
2016
How to use verbatims and digital body language to raise more money
Recently I was interviewed by Mazarine at Wild Woman Fundraising! You can hear the interview here. There’s one big point from the interview I figured you’d want… Read More
Jun
20
2016
16 Content Ideas Your Major and Planned Gift Donors Will Love
Infographics Short, “self-contained” emails (with no hyperlinks) that include very brief updates Short letters or online articles (2-3 paragraphs) Highly relevant and targeted medium length… Read More
May
16
2016
Dr. Russell James' Greatest Hits: Free fundraising webinars and eBooks
Want more interesting research from Dr. James? Here you go: News from the Ivory Tower: Webinar Words that Work: Webinar Words that Work: eBook… Read More
May
13
2016
Stop filling space!
This ad for Volkswagen was (and still is) one of the greatest ads of all time. It was simple and powerful. It turned a negative… Read More
May
02
2016
4 essential questions to ask yourself about your planned or major gift direct mail program
1. Are you really doing direct mail well? I like to say, “Be donor-centric. Be personalized. Be relevant. Or be gone!” If you’re sending tons… Read More
Nov
20
2015
2 big reasons why email open rates are meaningless and 3 things you should track instead
This drives me crazy. I keep hearing so-called planned giving experts congratulate themselves for getting phenomenal open rates from their e-blasts even though email open… Read More
Oct
14
2015
2 things you need to know for direct marketing
If you’re working on a direct marketing effort for major and/or planned gifts, there are just two things you need to know: 1. What’s really… Read More
Aug
31
2015
3 reasons to run an OPT-OUT campaign
Yes! I said you should run an OPT-OUT campaign. Not an opt-in campaign. I realize it’s counter-intuitive, but I actually get just a little bit… Read More
Aug
14
2015
15 telephone call don'ts for major and legacy gift fundraisers
Two days ago I outlined my “do’s“. Today, here are my “don’t’s”. Both can be found here on this cheat-sheet. 15 Don’ts Be disingenuous. For… Read More
May
01
2015
Why I Like This Ad
1. It’s simple and direct 2. It does not include any legal jargon 3. It does not remind the reader about death or the IRS 4…. Read More
Get the book!
Feeling like your job is getting harder because donor expectations have changed and competition for the charitable dollar is growing?
Finding that the old orthodoxies and conventions espoused by so-called experts in online echo-chambers and at conferences don’t work anymore?
Want to help more people make impact by facilitating their acts of philanthropy but feel like too many obstacles keep getting in your way?
Then this book is for you.
Engagement Fundraising was developed from the perspective of a donor who discovered firsthand that the impersonal, spray-and-pray approaches of his beloved charity were not only offensive but also wasteful and ineffective. So he took action. And now, you can too.
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