October, 2012

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Take the Pledge: No Pink for Brinker in October

Selfish Giving

October is such a busy month for breast cancer fundraising that it’s called Pinktober because of all the pink ribbon products and events that benefit breast cancer causes. No other breast cancer organization is more wired to Pinktober than Komen for the Cure , which raises tens of millions of dollars from cause marketing promotions with such well known brands as General Mills, Old Navy, New Balance and Walgreens.

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Three Recent Facebook Upgrades That Nonprofits Need to Know About

Nonprofit Tech for Good

One of the most important lessons that all nonprofit social media managers need to learn is that social media is constantly in flux. Once you get accustomed to a tool, it changes in an attempt to reinvent itself. Rather than lamenting this new reality, a good social media manager will adapt quickly. That said, Facebook has made some recent upgrades – and more are coming – that nonprofits need to know about.

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How PBS can turn the presidential debate into fundraising gold

Fundraising Coach

First off, I didn’t watch the debates tonight. I find political debates to be more akin to rehearsed speeches than engaging in dialogue. But my Twitter stream was filled with tweets about the presidential debate. Tweets were all over the place. But Big Bird got a lot of space. Opportunistic Fundraising. Apparently there was a comment about removing funding for PBS from the budget.

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Acquisition – Direct Mail: The Exquisite Corpse

The Agitator

For nearly 20 years prognosticators have prematurely heralded the death of direct mail. After all, they argue, “online” is far cheaper and faster, plus donor demographics are changing, so it’s only a matter of time before direct mail is dead and buried. Only trouble with these dire predictions is that they’re not supported by facts or experience. So, as The Agitator begins exploring various acquisition channels, I want to start off by making certain everyone understands that the “Direct Mail Is

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An open plea to hold better events

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

I got the following email today from one of my blog readers, John Scott Foster of the Wesselman Nature Society. I had an experience this weekend I thought you might be interested in. I attended two “gala” type events. One was the standard, at a conference center. Held from 6 to 8:30. Coat and tie. Arrive at 6, cash bar, sit at a table at 7. People say nice things.

Culture 100
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How to Plan a New Website Without Your Head Exploding

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

Jennifer Doron. If your website is stuck in the past, it may be time for an upgrade. Sounds daunting? Jennifer Doron of the Ohio Environmental Council shares how she approached the process of creating their new site to writing a novel. ~Kivi. Guest Post by Jennifer Doron of the Ohio Environmental Council. During the day, I serve as the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC).

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4 Ways Nonprofits Can Get Started with Mobile (and 4 Ways They Shouldn’t)

Selfish Giving

I’m writing this post in Kansas City where I presented at the Philanthropy Midwest Conference on How Mobile is Changing Nonprofit Fundraising and Marketing. I put a lot of work into this presentation, as I really wanted to share some useful advice with my listeners on how to get started with mobile. I had four main suggestions to get nonprofits started on mobile NOW without going broke or crazy.

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3 Ways Google Plus can Drive Donors to Your Nonprofit’s Website

Fundraising Coach

I was honored to see my 3 Ways Google + can help drive donors to your website featured today on MovieMondays. Clicking on the image will take you to the video. In this short video, I share why Google+ can be one of the most important parts of your nonprofit marketing. It was filmed a little while ago so the reference to “+1″ has changed a bit but all three are still applicable.

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Acquisition: Its Costs And ROI – Part 2

The Agitator

A drunk loses the keys to his house and is looking for them under a lamppost. A cop comes over and asks what he’s doing. “I’m looking for my keys” he says. “I lost them over there.” The policeman looks puzzled. “Then why are you looking for them all the way over here?”. “Because the light here is so much better.” It’s human nature. We all look for things where the light is better, rather than where we’re more likely to find them.

Retention 103
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The top two reasons people donate to your cause

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

One of the most interesting parts of the recent Money for Good research was the donor profiles that emerged. Based on in-depth research with people who donate money, Hope Consulting created six profiles of givers. Here were the top two: 1. Personal Ties: People who give to organizations when they know the leadership or when they are asked by a friend. 2.

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Three Stages of Nonprofit Marketing Maturity

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

We all grow and change as people and as professionals, and so do our organizations. As I’ve been writing my new book on content marketing for nonprofits, I’ve tried to keep in mind the different stages that nonprofits go through as their communications and marketing programs mature. This is my attempt at describing these phases. Stage I: Doing.

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For Menchie’s Fundraisng for Nonprofits Starts with a Smile

Selfish Giving

There’s so much to learn from Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and their cause marketing fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association that this will have to be the first of several posts. Their program is so good, so rich, so creamy and so delicious it will require more than one serving for this cause marketer. But like their frozen yogurt, I promise you’ll enjoy it!

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Google Wallet Ushers in a New Era in Online and Mobile Fundraising for Nonprofits

Nonprofit Tech for Good

On August 1, Google quietly launched Google Wallet for the Web – and the technology has the possibility of transforming online and mobile fundraising as we’ know it. Described simply, donors can sign up for a Google Wallet account , enter and save their credit card information, and then donate to any nonprofit (or purchase from any online store) that has a Google Wallet merchant account with only two clicks of a mouse (or two taps on a tablet).

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Is announcing your goal killing your fundraising?

Fundraising Coach

Fundraising is a funny thing. When combined with casting a vision, telling people how much you’re trying to raise can be a powerful motivator. But could announcing your goal kill your ability to raise funds? Neuroscience and goal setting. Watch this 3 minute video by Derek Sivers. If you don’t see the video above, you can link to it here [link].

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At Last! A CRM System Designed For Retention

The Agitator

No sooner had Tom reported the grim facts contained in the AFP’s 2012 Fundraising Effectiveness Report than we received news that should brighten many hearts. Before delivering the good news, here’s a nutshell summary of what the AFP found that, in Tom’s words, “drives home the futility of pouring newly acquired donors into leaky buckets.”. Every $100 gained in 2011 was offset by $100 in losses through gift attrition — a net gain of $0.

Retention 102
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Five tectonic technology shifts changing our world, our work and our potential

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

The title of this post is the name of a speech I gave yesterday in Charlotte for the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Leadership Program. I want to share the trends I named and the takeaways for us. Thanks to everyone who was there live! Feel free to post any comments or questions. 1. The messenger shift. The idea : Technology has enabled people’s most trusted sources - those they perceive to be their peers - to become the most influential and amplified messengers in their lives.

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Why Does Everything Take So Long?

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

Does your communications work move at a snail's pace? One of the beefs that I hear from program staff is that their communications people are sooo slooow. Bring in the communications people, they say, and it takes forever to get anything done. By the time it’s done, they complain, it’s too late. Of course, the same is true in reverse too.

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Halloween Fundraising 101: A Killer Guide for Nonprofits

Selfish Giving

It’s Halloween! One of my favorite holidays of the year, especially for fundraising and cause marketing. I could write yet another post on Halloween but I’ve said it all before. Here’s a round-up of some of my best Halloween posts on fundraising and cause marketing from my blog and around the web. My Own Experience with Hallowen. Halloween Town Boston [VIDEO].

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11 Nonprofits Utilizing the New Twitter Profile Design

Nonprofit Tech for Good

The vast majority of nonprofits have yet to utilize the new Twitter profile design that was launched on September 18. The good news is that upgrading to the new design is extremely easy – it can be done in just a few clicks by following these four simple steps. That said, your biggest challenge will be finding a “Header” image that looks good on multiple devices especially if you are a small nonprofit without easy access to a graphic designer.

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Donor retention: Dance with the ones who brung ya

Fundraising Coach

Did you know the average nonprofit loses 7 donor out of 10 every year?! Indiana University’s Adrian Sargeant, author of great books like “ Building Donor Loyalty [Amazon affiliate link], has done statistical research proving this. But even ordinary, non-academicians know this to be true. Every year, a handful of my fundraising colleagues give year-end gifts to 10-12 nonprofits.

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Acquisition, But First …

The Agitator

As promised, Roger and I are about to do some systematic posting on donor acquisition. But we are compelled — yes, compelled — to start the ball rolling with yet another warning about donor retention! Compelled because this recent ‘Must Read’ report — the 2012 Fundraising Effectiveness Report — from the Association of Fundraising Professionals drives home once again the utter futility of pouring newly acquired donors into leaky buckets.

Retention 102
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Why 107 is a scary number - and what to do about it

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

There was a pretty incredible piece of news this week in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Apparently, for every $100 charities raised last year, $100 was lost as donors stopped giving or donated less. Analysis by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Urban Institute also shows that for every 100 donors that nonprofits recruited in 2011, they lost 107.

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4 Keys to Raising the Money of Your Dreams

Get Fully Funded

Raising money can be easy or it can be hard – it’s your choice. There are two things that make fundraising easy: knowing (and doing) what works, and believing you can be successful. If you’re using tried and true fundraising and marketing strategies, you will raise money. More importantly, if you believe in your cause and you’re passionate about the work your nonprofit is doing, you will raise BIG money.

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CauseTalk Radio Ep30: CafeGive Brews Facebook Success for Nonprofits, Businesses

Selfish Giving

This week, Megan and I talk to Sandra Morris of CafeGive and learn how small to medium-sized businesses are supporting causes by leveraging Facebook and CafeGive technology. Hear about how Portland-based Community Cycling Center (1,400 Facebook fans) grew a $5,000 gift from The Bike Gallery (3,100 Facebook fans) to over $18,000 in 30 days. Tune in now!

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Free Webinar on January 17! Google+ and Google+ Hangouts for Nonprofits

Nonprofit Tech for Good

Date: Thursday, January 17, 2013. Time: 1pm-2:30 EDT. Cost: Free (One Time Only – Usually $50). How to Register: Sign up ! Presented By: Heather Mansfield. View: All Webinars for Nonprofits. View: Fall Webinar Special. This webinar begins with a general introduction to Google+ and then quickly moves on to a brief demonstration on how to create a Google+ Page for your nonprofit.

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Dress Up That Dog: Making the Boring Stuff Interesting

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

How can you dress up that dog of a story? You are trying really hard to focus your communications on what your participants and supporters want — to make your communications more about them, what they want to read, how they can get involved, and the good work their support has made possible. But not everyone in your organization really understands what you are trying to do.

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‘Be Your Donor’ Day

The Agitator

As Network for Good sees it — and we agree … “Before you send your next appeal, before you drive donors to your website and before you launch your year-end plans, you absolutely must set aside time to put yourself in your donor’s shoes to guarantee that your fundraising strategy will inspire them to give more. October 24 th is that day.

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Remember that you are an interruption

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

If you work in marketing or fundraising, like me, it’s really important to remember that we are interrupting people. No one is sitting around with nothing to do, just waiting for our email or letter or ad. They are busy. Then along we come, asking them to pay attention to what we have to say. We are doing the equivalent of tapping them on the shoulder and asking, “Do you have a second?

Values 87
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Is Your Organization Too Humble To Compete?

Mission Minded

Part of having a strong brand includes making a promise to the world that no one else is making. When our nonprofit clients seek support for strengthening their brand, we help them explore what is truly unique about their work. While there may be other organizations that do similar things, you’d better be clear about [.].

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CauseTalk Radio Ep28: Pink Ribbon Author Questions Value of Pinktober

Selfish Giving

Today on Cause Talk Radio, Dr. Samantha King, author of Pink Ribbons, Inc., shares her take on Pinktober and the overflow of corporate support for breast cancer “awareness” Samantha, Megan and I navigate the history of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (you might be surprised who is behind this effort), whether the “awareness” created is doing any good and what an ideal “Pinktober” might look like.

Values 209
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HOW TO: Upgrade Your Nonprofit’s Twitter Profile to the New Design

Nonprofit Tech for Good

Now that nonprofits are officially in the throes of peak fundraising season, upgrading to the new Twitter profile design launched on September 18 is likely low on the priority lists of many nonprofit communications and fundraising staff. It’s their busiest time of year and they may not even know that there is a new Twitter profile design. The good news is that upgrading to the new design is very easy – it simply requires uploading a new “Header” image to your profile.

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Just How Hard Is It to Donate to You Online?

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

Walk in Your Donors' Shoes on "Be Your Donor" Day on October 24. A friend recently recalled how I had critiqued her website during a webinar a couple of years ago, and though I don’t remember it exactly, apparently we were both somewhat appalled by how many clicks were required to make an online donation to the organization. Do you know how many clicks it takes from your home page?

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Words Are Precision Tools

The Agitator

Roger might have overwhelmed you with numbers and analysis in his recent two detailed posts on acquisition and lifetime value, here and here. I’ll grossly oversimplify what he established with the numbers. It boils down to embracing this mindset: Treat a first-time giver as a lead , not a donor. If you then deal with these folks as leads, you’re more likely to handle them with the care and attention they deserve.

Values 89
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3 ways to inspire your donors to give more

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

Network for Good (where I work) has 5 ways to inspire your donors to give more. Here are the first three - the rest are here , as well as links to our in-depth training in year-end fundraising. 1. Make it clear. Don’t make supporters guess what you want them to do –make it crystal clear with a short and specific call to action and big DonateNow buttons.

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Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 Giveaway Winners Announced

Fundraising Coach

Ask Without Fear! turns 5 on April 1, 2013! But I’m starting to celebrate now. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been emailing people on why fundraising tips email list and on Fundraising Kick and telling people on Twitter , Facebook , and Google+ that I was giving away 2 tablets, a Kindle Fire HD and a Google Nexus 7. The only way to enter was to write a review of Ask Without Fear!

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Cause Marketing for Credit Unions

Selfish Giving

Thanks to everyone who attended my session at the Open Thinking Summit in Aurora, Colorado. It was a pleasure to speak to all of you. As promised, here are a list of resources that will enhance your learning from yesterday’s talk. What is Cause Marketing. (Re)Defining Cause Marketing. This post will link you to plenty of other useful content. Benefits of Cause Marketing. 2010 Cause Evolution Study.

Marketing 186
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January 29 Webinar: Facebook and Facebook Apps for Nonprofits :: Beginner/Intermediate

Nonprofit Tech for Good

Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2013. Time: 1pm-2:30 EDT. Cost: $50 or Fall Webinar Special. How to Register: Sign up ! Presented By: Heather Mansfield. View: All Webinars for Nonprofits. This webinar begins with a brief explanation of the difference between Facebook Profiles, Groups, and Pages and then quickly moves into a short click-by-click demonstration on how to successfully create and manage a Facebook Page for your nonprofit.