Fundraising Is Beautiful

Why donors go away, Part 2

Why do your donors leave? For the most part, it's your fault -- the things you do (and don't do) drive away donors. But there's a lot you can do to keep donors happy, engaged, and giving. We look at some of those smart fundraising moves in this podcast and the previous one.

Part 1 is here.

We are looking at donor retention research posted here: Why donors stop their support.

Program #49

Play: Why donors go away, Part 2 (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 14:29

Why donors go away, Part 1

Why do your donors leave? Here's the bad news: It's mostly your fault. The good news: There's lot you can do to keep them engaged and giving. We look at some of those smart fundraising moves in this podcast and the next one.

We are looking at donor retention research posted here: Why donors stop their support.

Program #49

Play: Why donors go away, Part 1 (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

Or subscribe via iTunes here:

Time: 12:48

The Fundraiser's Guide to Irresistible Communications

After an embarrassingly long hiatus, we take a look at the new book The Fundraiser's Guide to Irresistible Communications: How it can help you raise more money for your cause, and why it may be the most important book ever published. The book is available at:

• Amazon
• Amazon UK
• Emerson & Church (go here if you're ordering in bulk)

Program #48

Play: The Fundraiser's Guide (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 25:31

ENCORE PODCAST: Maximize your year-end fundraising

Re-posted by popular demand! The coming weeks are the probably the most important of the year for your fundraising. Here are practical tips for both direct mail and online fundraising that can make the most of the generosity your donors feel as the year comes to an end.

Program #47

Play: Maximize your year-end fundraising (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 13:11

Beauty is overrated

Are you creating fundraising that looks great or that gets results? Often, you can do one or the other, not both. In this look at the power of the odd, unattractive, and unfashionable in direct mail, broadcast, and online, we'll show you how the quest to make your fundraising aesthetically pleasing usually leads to lower results. Mentioned in this podcast: Monday Morning Memo by Roy H. Williams.

Program #46

Play: Beauty is Overrated (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 12:22

What is your website for?

If the purpose of your website is to raise funds, why is fundraising limited to a couple of "DONATE" buttons? Here's a look at how you can maximize online revenue by making your website relevant, useful, and easy for donors.

Websites mentioned in this podcast:

• World Vision
• American Cancer Society
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• The Jimmy Fund
• The Online Giving Study

Program #45

Play: What is your website for? (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 16:06

Is your fundraising ratio killing your fundraising?

The over-focus on the amount nonprofits spend on fundraising and administration (as opposed to accomplishing their mission) is throttling many organizations, keeping them artificially poor and less able to do what they exist to do. We talk about some alternatives to focusing on that fundraising ratio.

Program #44

Play: Is your fundraising ratio killing your fundraising? (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 12:46

Beware! Branding at work!

Listen in as an executive director of a nonprofit and his enthusiastic brand consultant change the name and look of an organization. Warning: Satire.

Program #43

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Time: 18:56

How to deal with the next big thing in fundraising

For the sixth installment of our State of Fundraising series, we look at steady stream of innovations for nonprofits that happen all the time. How do you deal with it all? How do you know what to ignore and what to get involved with? Here's a framework that can help you get it right.

Program #42

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Time: 12:30

Fundraisers beware of survey research

For the fifth installment of our State of Fundraising series, we take a look at survey research and how fundraisers can get value from it -- without being led dangerously astray. Surveys seem (and often claim) to report the truth. In reality, they reveal something else that's often far from truth.

Program #41

Play: Fundraisers beware of survey research (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 15:18