The attack Saturday in Tucson, Arizona that critically injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, killed a federal judge, a nine-year-old girl and six other innocent bystanders marks a new and painful moment in our country’s history. As information continues to unfold about the attacker’s motives, the local sheriff blamed the “toxic political environment in Arizona” for the carnage. Some may rationalize this latest tragedy as the act of a disturbed individual that should not be confused with politics. Well, yes, the shooter is probably a disturbed individual, but we also know that a climate of vitriol can fuel a disturbed or very angry person to take horrible actions. Many respected observers of our national scene have been warning for months of the risks fomenting just below the surface … [Read more...]
Coca Cola Bubbles Up an Idea
I happened upon a fun and funny online concept brought to you by the smart and clever people at Coca Cola. The entire MyCoke site is filled with some great marketing ideas, but the one that caught my eye is its Coca Cola Smile-izer interactive experience. If you click on one of the floating Coke bubbles, it bursts open with the sound of laughter created by one of thousands of MyCoke website visitors willing to participate in a little silliness and by doing so, have Coca Cola make a dollar donation to the National Parks Foundation. Each bubble represents one person’s laugh. And, it may surprise and delight you to listen to how unique each person’s laughter is. What really got my interest beyond the simple joy of listening to laughter bursting forth while I was working (I don’t often … [Read more...]
Is Your Message as Limp as a Day-Old Latke?
If you have not taken a hard look at the messages you have been sending your most valued donors over the past six to twelve months, go grab a few samples, sit down with them and put yourself in the shoes of your donor. Read the messages one at a time (in the sequence they were sent) and think about how you reacted to each one. If you see lots of repetition, nothing new or surprising, you are not effectively communicating with your most important supporters and are sending them a message (however unintentional) that they are not all that important to you. While there is some truth in the marketing adage,” keep repeating your message” so recipients know who you are and recognize your mission and purpose, another truth is that your most loyal and generous donors deserve something more from your … [Read more...]
Just Because I Ordered Tuna Salad For Lunch Today Does Not Mean That’s All I Eat
In my experience, nonprofit fundraisers seeking to secure a repeat or increased gift from a donor - especially one who made a first and/or modest gift - too often jump to the conclusion that if a donor gave to (fill in your cause or special campaign here) they are likely to continue to give to the cause that prompted that initial donation. So, just keep asking them over and over again. Or at least, as this line of thinking goes, make sure that the next appeal to the donor is closely aligned to their giving history. But why? Just as I don't make a diet solely of tuna salad, donors may not want to simply continue giving to the same old thing. They just might be interested is seeing the full menu of giving opportunities. A new donor may have responded to an appeal for any one of a dozen reasons - … [Read more...]
Lessons from J. Crew
I read with great interest this past Sunday, October 3, 2010, The New York Times article, "Buy My Stuff - and Theirs, Too" by Joshua Brustein, that we in the Jewish community need to consider. The gist of the article is how J. Crew, one of the most successful online and in-store space clothing retailers, has determined that "friending" other purveyors' goods makes great business sense for them and their customers. This is befriending - no, it's actually community-building - taken to the max. J. Crew determined that surrounding its products with those of other fashion-related businesses, would create a more potent marketing picture for its consumers to consider and ultimately purchase that if they simply went the traditional route of merchandising their own goods. If J. Crew has determined that … [Read more...]
