3 Insider Tips All Nonprofits Should Know

Fundraising is the lifeblood of any nonprofit. Without donations, your mission doesn’t go on. Here are three tips for making the most of your efforts.

1. More donations are driven by direct mail + digital.

Direct mail is one of the most effective ways for nonprofits to solicit donations. However, these efforts work best in concert with other channels. For example, one study found that marketing campaigns that used direct mail and one or more digital media experienced a 118% lift in response rates compared to using direct mail only. In contrast, another found that combining direct mail with digital ads yielded 28% higher conversion rates.^[1]

2. Success starts with your house list.

As long as they continue to believe in your mission, most people who donate to your organization will do so again. That’s why your house list is so important. Prospecting helps to expand your donor base, but your house list will always be the primary source of your fundraising dollars. Keep this list clean up to date, and treat your donors like the most influential people in the world — because they are.

3. Engage beyond donations.

When it comes to a person’s likelihood to donate, the most important factor is his or her emotional connection to your organization. To increase donations, be proactive about building real, lasting relationships with donors over time.

·         Make sure your donors understand your mission and where their money will be used.

·         Write to donors by name and personalize your messaging based on the specific areas or projects to which they have donated.

·         Provide pictures or stories about the ways their donations are being used. If people are donating to an ongoing project, keep them in the loop on the progress.

People want to help, and they enjoy being part of efforts to do good for the world around them. Use direct mail, email, and other digital channels to make them feel part of your mission and continue to move it forward.

---

^[1] https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/email-direct-mail/

Please give us a call at 440-946-0606
Or visit our website here for more information.

Share on LinkedIn

How Marketing Is Changing in This “New Normal”

As the U.S. economy gradually begins to reopen, you may want your marketing strategy to look different than it has in the past. Why? Because the market is in flux, and consumers are re-evaluating existing brand relationships. A new study from Influence Central outlines just how impactful some of these changes are.  Here are three of those changes and what they mean for you.

1. Customer loyalty is in flux.  According to the survey, 75% of consumers are unable to find many of their regular products in stores. Nearly half (45%) are unable to find their regular products online. As a result, they are open to new brands they might not have been in the past. 

What this means for you: There has never been a better time to introduce yourself to a new group of potential customers.  Think about launching a prospecting campaign to grab those buyers before your competitor does.

2. Known brands must prove value. Customers are open to change, but they are sensitive to price, too. Only 12% of consumers say they are “very willing” to pay for a preferred brand over a generic label, and 52% are “somewhat” willing to do so. More than one-third (37%) favor generic brands for their cost savings.

What this means for you: Known brands need to clearly articulate their value proposition more than ever. Use your direct mail, email, and mobile communications to communicate why your products and service are worth paying for.  

3. Customer habits are changing. Consumers are changing the way they live. They are ordering out more, supporting small, local businesses more, and bringing more lifestyle elements in-house (For example, 56% of consumers are brewing more coffee at home than they used to.)  Some of these trends will stay long after the pandemic is over.

What this means for you: Understand how your customers’ habits are changing and how you should adapt your marketing strategies to address them.  You may still use the same mix of channels you have in the past. You may just need to position your messaging differently to reflect new consumer habits and sensitivities.

Need help? Let’s talk strategy!

Please give us a call at 440-946-0606
Or visit our website here for more information.

Share on LinkedIn