If you can ask for likes on Facebook, you can ask for legacy gifts everywhere

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It drives me a bit batty every time I see an organization put the following words on the bottom of their emails or advertisements:
“Like us on Facebook!”
It drives me even crazier if I see the following on the bottom of their emails:
“Please consider the environment before printing this email.”
Why? Because this is valuable real estate that could be used to say the following:
“Please consider a gift to <> in your will or financial plan.”
The financial benefits your organization will receive will unquestionably be tremendous from my message. So, why not include a button just like mine everywhere? And have it link to your planned giving pages!

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Lorri Greif, CFRE
11 years ago

I’ve been ranting and raving about this myself for a long time, especially regarding pre-printed return envelopes (‘”your stamp will save us $.46″ vs. “please remember us in your will). Weigh the benefits.
But I really like the button idea. How about, when you click it, it takes you to the planned giving pages on the nonprofit’s website!

engagementfundraising
11 years ago

That’s exactly how it would work. Yep!

Viken Mikaelian
11 years ago

One step further … and I’ve been saying this for 9 years now: Revolve 7 popular elevator pitches (that go right under your name and not the address) that link to specific pages on your PG website. Example: “Make a Gift that Costs Nothing During Your Lifetime.” >> Links to Bequests. “Make a Gift and Receive Guaranteed Income for Life,” >> Links to CGAs. Etc. Use the right elevator pitch with the right audience. Make sure the CEO and administrative staff does this as well. Whether you accept it or not, they are in the fundraising business too.

engagementfundraising
11 years ago

Great ideas Viken. Thanks for contributing.

Lorri Greif, CFRE
11 years ago

I’ve been ranting and raving about this myself for a long time, especially regarding pre-printed return envelopes (‘”your stamp will save us $.46″ vs. “please remember us in your will). Weigh the benefits.
But I really like the button idea. How about, when you click it, it takes you to the planned giving pages on the nonprofit’s website!

engagementfundraising
11 years ago

That’s exactly how it would work. Yep!

Viken Mikaelian
11 years ago

One step further … and I’ve been saying this for 9 years now: Revolve 7 popular elevator pitches (that go right under your name and not the address) that link to specific pages on your PG website. Example: “Make a Gift that Costs Nothing During Your Lifetime.” >> Links to Bequests. “Make a Gift and Receive Guaranteed Income for Life,” >> Links to CGAs. Etc. Use the right elevator pitch with the right audience. Make sure the CEO and administrative staff does this as well. Whether you accept it or not, they are in the fundraising business too.

engagementfundraising
11 years ago

Great ideas Viken. Thanks for contributing.