The Agitator

Yesterday we mentioned that not much information was floating around on online prospecting by nonprofits, as opposed to online fundraising from existing house files. We noted the exception of the Obama campaign. Here’s an interview indicating how they go about it. Blue State Digital is ...  Read more

Just read that GM, America’s fourth largest advertiser, has moved nearly 25% of its measured advertising spend to digital media over the last three years. That includes online ads ($197 million on these alone last year), home-page takeovers, search, sites for dealers and ...  Read more

Here are email subject line testing tips from five experts. You might think they’re kinda no-brainers. But if they help prod you to examine far more systematically your approach to subject lines in your email campaigns, then high-fives all around! This is like testing your carrier in ...  Read more

It’s not easy to trigger a successful viral marketing campaign. But here, from blogger B.L Ochman, is a good overview of do’s and dont’s. With lots of resource links as well as examples of successful — and failed — online video campaigns. In a nutshell, what do you ...  Read more

Recently we reported our recent DonorTrends survey finding that "Newbies" — donors born after Boomers (1946-1964), had jumped forward in giving, in fact passing Boomers in average annual giving. Our survey data indicates that 55% of Newbies have contributed online to charities ...  Read more

Here is an excellent post from fundraiser Joe Waters, who blogs at Selfish Giving. Joe offers smart advice on how small- and mid-size nonprofits should pitch cause marketing relationships to small- and mid-sized businesses. Two of his observations: "As a mid-size nonprofit working with ...  Read more

As reported in the Chron’s online column, Prospecting, the University of Indiana’s Center on Philanthropy says that the 140 fundraisers they surveyed are getting bummed out … confidence in their expected results for the year is falling. Except for this bright spot … ...  Read more

I’m sure you’ve seen all the gloomy articles and blog posts floating around noting the threat to nonprofit fundraising posed by a sinking economy. A threat compounded by data indicating further fall-off in new donor acquisition and retention rates throughout much of the charitable ...  Read more

As reported in the Chronicle’s online column Prospecting, the American Marketing Association and marketing agency Lipman Hearne recently surveyed 1012 nonprofits on their marketing practices. Their report, available here if you register, is an interesting read … and lots of response ...  Read more

I’m sure most of you aren’t sitting around planning to change your tagline. Believe me, it’s one of the most challenging and contentious processes any nonprofit can undertake … usually bringing out the worst in committee decision-making! But if you must plow down this path ...  Read more