Creative

Fundraise Scared
February 18, 2013

I learned how to fundraise scared. As a nascent nonprofit, we didn’t have brand recognition, or existing donors to steward and cultivate. We had to ASK. FOR. MONEY. As just four individuals who comprised the organization in the early days, our reputations — social, professional and political — could be lost along with the zoo. Our neighbors, colleagues, families and constituents knew who to blame if we didn’t pull it off.

Nonprofit Storytelling for Fun and Fundraising
February 15, 2013

Did you know that every good nonprofit fundraiser is a storyteller? As development professionals, we cast real life stories for donors that excite and intrigue. We show the world as it is, and as it could be, and then ask our listeners/prospects to jump right into the story and take the reins by investing in our vision for the future.

At least, that’s the way fundraising should be. So often, though, we get mired in the details …

Looking Back: Blending the Art and the Science
February 14, 2013

In this guest column, "Blending the Art and the Science," from the August 2009 issue, Cathy Finney, then associate vice president at MINDset direct, explains that it might be important to bring creative talent to the table earlier in the development of direct-response campaigns.

Words to Avoid: 2013 Edition
February 13, 2013

I’m including the usual annual caveats about this list of words, especially this: If any word on the list is truly the most effective choice for reaching your reader, please go ahead and use it. I would simply suggest that you ask yourself if it’s truly the most effective choice. And, with that, here are a few words that Big Duck recommends you avoid (or at least be fully conscious that you’re using).

Looking Back: Don't Suffocate Your Readers
February 8, 2013

"If you love your donors, treat them well by mailing letters they can read easily. Please, I implore you." That was the admonition that copywriter and creative strategist Kimberly Seville offered up in her DM Diagnosis column in May 2006.

Things to Consider This Week (A-E)
February 7, 2013

It's a fact of fundraising that some donors only give once and never again. Others give multiple times but then stop giving. But just because that's reality, fundraisers should never calmly accept it. Instead, we need to fight to the death to keep our donors, using the weapons of creative strategies that are designed to retain or re-acquire our donors.