Marketers continue to use direct mail in 2016Â because it still leads in ROI. However, traditional direct mail marketing has changed dramatically. InfoTrends did a study on direct mail that found the following statistics: 66 percent of direct mail is opened, 82 percent of direct mail is read for a minute or more, 56 percent of…
New River Communications takes a pair of Silver awards for direct mail—house and direct mail—acquisition. One for Camillus House and Health and another for Yellowstone Park Foundation. See why they won here...
It’s that magical time when we get to recognize the best, most memorable, most innovative fundraising campaigns. It’s a big responsibility, and choosing the winners is no easy task. All of these entries are just so good—our judges had their hands full. But boy is it rewarding seeing the work of all you fundraisers out there, and the massive impact you help nonprofits achieve. Here are the winners of the 2016 Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence, presented by Turnkey...
This membership effort faced two significant challenges and met each well. First, 
it found commonality between two artists—Leonardo da Vinci and M.C. Escher—and was able to communicate how the works of both provide glimpses into their extraordinary minds. Second, it repeated the benefits of membership throughout every element of the package...
This package, although simple, accomplishes several tasks well. First, it makes the reader care. On the front of the #10 outer, a large black-and-white photograph of a dog in a decaying box is heartbreaking. It takes up almost half of the face of the envelope...
Hey fundraisers, have you ever had an idea for a direct mail piece, an email subject line, a special event, a premium/freemium or anything else that was so crazy there's no way it should work—only it did? If so, we want to hear from you!...
At 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, First Class stamps will cost 49 cents. USPS says it will also increase postage prices on other products, such as Standard Mail, periodicals and package services. USPS says the postage increases are happening because of the removal of an exigent surcharge...
Direct mail fundraisers struggle and sweat over the letter, working to make it persuasive and motivating. In many conversations about direct mail fundraising, it is as if the letter is the only thing that really matters. I have a slightly disturbing secret to tell you. The letter is only marginally important to success in direct…
Last year at this time, I sent $25 donations to 19 organizations. Only one ranked among larger organizations in term of annual income. So, how do I, a small-level donor, feel 12 months later? Would I want to give again (and maybe a larger amount) based on the relationship that was built in 2016?...
I was recently asked for tips for print copywriters interested in writing for digital media. The timing was perfect because I was
