Well, hello there, friend! (And a special welcome to the new subscribers from Martha's Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative whom we had the pleasure of training earlier this week!) This is the 131st Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can βsubscribe here for free.)β In this issue: β π¬ Direct Mail + digital (like finding a puppy in your letterbox) β Are you ready for the Great Wealth Transfer? Do you want more bequests? This training is for you. β Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you β Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Hi Reader, Okay, actually, Brett and I are at our lifetime dog quota. We've had pups click-clacking across our floors and snoozing in our beds since 1995. Our dear Daisy doodle is now nearly 15 and destined to be the last of the great 4-legged Coopers. Here's me with puppy Daisy in 2009. But what if we found a puppy in our mailbox? No. Stop it. (Also, do not mail puppies.) The point is, the above GIF of a puppy in a letterbox is a favorite of mine because it always bonks me in the awww bone β and it makes me think of the difference between mere digital fundraising and... π¬ Direct Mail + digital (like finding a puppy in your letterbox)Digital alone can be great for acquisition. For retention? Not so much.
What to do? DM + digital, that's what. When you combine direct mail with your donation page URL, QR codes, and messaging around this β mercy β it's like a puppy in your letterbox. Hard to turn down. Let me show you two ways you can give your appeals that "puppy power" by harnessing the synergy of DM + digital. (You'll want to know how to create QR codes for this.) Make it easy for donors to give online when they read your direct mail fundraising materials.Put your donation page URL and QR code in a few places in your direct mail pack. β on your reply form: β in the PS of your direct mail appeal letter:β in an ask in your direct mail newsletter:β on your response envelope:β on the back side of your outer (carrier) envelope:β Hint that giving online is the better, faster option.In your direct mail appeals, we recommend you "nudge" your donors to give online. You want them to have options, yes. Some donors will want to send in a check. That's good. But you'd probably prefer they go to your website to make a donation. Here is some language you can use or adapt: π Put your generosity to work even faster at... π Fast-track your gift by giving online atβ¦ π Rush your gift to work even faster atβ¦ π Speed up your impact by giving online now atβ¦ Easy. Done. Now wait for your results to go through the WOOF! Are you ready for the Great Wealth Transfer? Do you want more bequests? This training is for you.A message from Tom Ahern: THURSDAY, May 16, 2024 ... "In a decade, we banked $78 million in charitable bequests..." TRUE story from a mid-sized nonprofit. You'll learn about it in this master-webinar. You're not mid-sized? You'll also learn how to attract far more bequests by spending one day a year on the task.
βYes, it's real ... a gleeful charity shared this image with me back in 2020. They'd set up a proper bequest pipeline a few years earlier. Now that pipeline routinely produces major final gifts from true believers. βJoin us? Please do. You won't regret it! Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge youFor your brain, heart, and funny bone...
Until next time: May you help your donors find more puppies in their letterboxes, doggone it! Grateful,
PS: When you are ready, we're happy to chat with you about how we might be able to help you with your donor communications β e.g., planning, writing, advising, reviewing, designing, training. Reply to this email or book a no-pressure call with me here. |
We're Julie Cooper and Brett Cooper, fundraising copywriters for great causes. Does your fundraising bring in as much money as it could? You can send donor communications that stir hearts to action. We'd love to help. π Start by subscribing to our FREE and fun weekly newsletter.
Don't make a scene, write a scene! Your donors will feel as if they are on location. This is the 140th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: β Fundraising 101: You're writing a scene, not an article. β A free summer webinar for YOU (space is limited) β Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Hi Reader, Tom Ahern once said to me, "Most...
We hope this newsletter finds you under a rainbow cloud! This is the 139th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: β Rainbow cloud? Yes! β (Also: fundraising samples.) β (And: free webinar on July 31!) β Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Hi Reader, Brett here: I'm hoping the last party you hosted or attended was (as Julie likes to say)...
Closeup of the inscription from our wedding album. Good things begin with β€οΈ. This is the 138th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: β 30 years for us! β€οΈ 30 tips for you! π€© β Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Hi Reader, As I write this on Monday, Brett and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. I shall resist the temptation to...