Creative

4 Ways Nonprofits Can Effectively Illustrate Their Impact
July 26, 2013

It is up to nonprofits to encourage donors to look beyond the "overhead ratio" measurement to see the true impact of an organization. Here are four ways nonprofits can talk about their impact, beyond “the overhead ratio”: 1. Educate your donors. 2. Build trust. 3. Be transparent. 4. Have conversations.

In order to continue making a positive impact within communities, both donors and nonprofits need to look beyond “the overhead ratio” when considering the effect of the initiatives championed by nonprofits.

Write a Better Fundraising Appeal: Keep It Simple
July 24, 2013

You’ve probably heard this before. But my mailbox says too many writers are not taking it seriously. You want to get read? Keep your writing simple. I’m talking fourth to sixth grade level simple. Writing at a higher grade level doesn’t make your writing more impressive. It makes your writing less likely to be read.

7 'Tricks' to Improve Your Writing Overnight
July 24, 2013

No matter how bad (or good) your writing is today, it’s possible to improve it overnight. Here are seven quick “tricks” that can improve the very next piece you write. 1. Know your reader. 2. Know your objective. 3. Use short words. 4. Use short sentences. 5. Use short paragraphs. 6. Use active language. 7. Write recklessly, and rewrite ruthlessly.

30 Ways to Lose Your Donor
July 22, 2013

Staying on your donor's good side can be a dicey proposition. People and relationships are full of paradoxes and contradictions. And that's doubly true of donor relationships, which are complicated by the fact that you spend a lot more time talking at your supporter than with her.

What's the Last Thing You Thought Of?
July 8, 2013

Our industry has developed a long list of best practices, based on experience, testing and measured results. But best practices are guidelines. When they're etched in stone they can become tombstones.

4 Tips for Subject Lines That Work
July 8, 2013

Subject lines are more important than you might think. On average, at least 100 e-mails flood your constituents' inboxes every single day. That's a lot of digital noise to shout over, which is why your e-mail subject lines need as much TLC as the content inside. Here's a simple, four-step makeover to help transform your subject lines from ho-hum to "Oh, wow!": State the obvious, stand out from the crowd, avoid the spam trap and keep it short.