February 2012 Blog Posts
Never make this fundraising mistake
By James Mulvey
Last month, we wrote about a very compelling fundraising tactic. The letter asks for a donation to help children with cleft lips and palates.
We loved the direct mail piece because, as our free fundraising report Motivate and Convince: the Most Effective Tactics for Attracting Donors and Volunteers showed, the frequency and tone of fundraising letters remains one of the most common barriers preventing people from giving more to non-profits.
The non-profit seemed to get this pain-point in the audience’s mind. And they made a compelling offer: “Make one gift and we’ll never ask for another donation again.”
We gave.
And then we tweeted about it. We even mentioned it in an upcoming research report on developing memorable communication pieces.
And then this happened.
We got another letter. But this time the "make one gift and we’ll leave you alone" just didn’t carry the same emotional weight.
The biggest marketing mistake you can make is to break your promises. Because, if you don’t deliver, the next time you speak people don’t believe you. And if people don’t believe you, they’ll never send you money, spread the word about your mission, or invest in your cause.
Promises are easy to make. Delivering on them is what builds your brand for the long-term.
Free Research Report: The Most Effective Tactics for Attracting Donors and Volunteers
If you work at a non-profit, you know first hand the challenge of fundraising, planning for the future, and retaining volunteers. As many of our clients are non-profits, Redbird Communications has produced a detailed research report, surveying the Canadian non-profit landscape and offering some strategic advice for attracting donors and volunteers.
Redbird’s research report contains 21 pages of research-based best fundraising and communication practices for non-profits, including graphs, detailed stats, donor retention research, and strategic analysis of the challenges that many non-profits face.
In the report, you will find:
- Research on approaching business leaders, corporations, and foundations for support.
- Actionable insights on the most effective fundraising tactics.
- Donor motivations and psychology.
- Research and tactics on attracting and retaining volunteers.
- Analytical commentary, tables, and graphs.
Get your free report (instant download)
About Redbird Communications
Redbird Communications is a marketing communications agency in Victoria, British Columbia, that works with non-profits, social enterprises, government ministries and other private and public-sector organizations.
Founded in 2001, we provide research, strategic planning, creative services, and public relations to clients in BC, Ontario, and beyond. Redbird has developed province-wide awareness campaigns, including our most recent ‘Signs of Stroke’ campaign for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. For that campaign, we helped to raise $250,000 from pharmaceutical sponsors to fund the media buy, and created TV and radio spots, print collateral, and online advertising.
For more resources, tips, and strategic advice follow us on Twitter (@Redbirdcomms).
Redbird wants to make death wait
As you may know, February is Heart Month. Heart disease and stroke take one in three Canadians before their time. They are the #1 killers of Canadian women – more than all kinds of cancer combined.
Here at Redbird Communications we work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to raise awareness and change behaviours, and we know what it takes to improve these statistics. We’re asking our clients, suppliers, friends and families to consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Last week, we sent an email to our database. The response was encouraging. In the first two days, our subscribers donated $675 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. That’s on top of the $500 Redbird donated as a company through the HSF’s annual fundraising breakfast.
We want to continue this momentum. We’ve set a modest target – just $2500 – and we’d like to reach it by the end of the month. If everyone reading this donates just $20, that amount will easily be surpassed. That’s probably less than you spend on coffee in a week, and it could potentially save a life. Perhaps your own.
Why donate?—Five reasons to click the link at the bottom of this page
• Heart disease and stroke affects us all. Most of us know—or will know—someone who has suffered or died from heart disease or a stroke.
• Heart disease and stroke can be prevented—and your donation will help change the statistics listed above.
• This campaign raises money to fund critical, life-giving research.
• Every dollar counts. Thousands of Canadians have donated this month and even a $20 donation helps the cause.
• Your donation is tax deductible (a receipt will be provided).
If you'd like to join us in donating, we have set up a secure Redbird Communications Donation Page (as part of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's online donation campaign). It's secure. And only takes a minute. You can add a personal message, too.
