May 12th, 2010
I can’t help but pipe in on the recent Susan G Komen marketing campaign. Komen partnered with KFC.
I saw the campaign advertised on a billboard while driving past a KFC before it ever hit the headlines. I actually did a double take. Could that be right? Buy a bucket chicken and a donation goes to the Komen Foundation. It didn’t make any sense which is what all the media hoopla is about now. The idea of greasy KFC helping to find the cure for Breast Cancer raises eyebrows. Who was the marketing genious behind that idea? Worse yet, who in Komen approved it?
Komen certainly plays the leading role in social branding in the relationship. Did big dollar signs cloud Komen’s judgement? We may never know because they are in the recovery spin zone right now.
This cause related marketing scheme would seem a very hip hookup for KFC who stands to gain the most. However, at this point, the heat is on in the kitchen at KFC too. Let’s face it, now we are talking about the link between the Colonel’s Secret Recipe which we all know is fat, and it’s link to cancer. PR NIGHTMARE!!!
What I’d like to know is, what were the real intentions behind both parties? Outcomes are directly linked to intentions. If you don’t like the outcome change your intentions. The lesson here is don’t compromise principles for sales.
Komen needs to come clean to regain respect. As for KFC, the whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Lucinda
Tags: branding, KFC, Komen, Marketing
Posted in Komen, Marketing, Rants | No Comments »
April 29th, 2010
Creative thinking affects effective fundraising.
Fundraisers are just like products. They can be tracked on the bell curve. Slowly rising, peeking and then tiring on the downhill.
When a fundraising event takes off and grows revenue for a few years in a row we pat ourselves on the back, include it as a line item in the annual budget, and hope it lasts forever.
Since we are aware of the bell curve phenomenon it’s necessary to take our head out of the sand, put our thinking caps on and come up with the next best fundraiser before the downhill slide begins.
It is the development committee’s responsibility to raise the funds for the budget and to come up with the fundraising ideas.
The chance of a fundraising committee coming up with a successful new fundraiser that is meaningful and unique improves when IME elements exist.
Inspiration, Motivation, and Execution elements are achieved through creative thinking.
Creative thinking is enhanced and maximized by social stimulation, (small group brainstorming), in other words you can’t do it alone. Creativity drives the problem solving process when unexpected dynamics are introduced to the group. Asking a question with constraints, such as what if the fundraiser is all about blue? Or, no one can come to the event that is under 30. Stimulation jump starts the grey matter into looking at things from a different perspective and firing off the synapses that can lead to new concepts, new ways of thinking and new fundraisers.
Small group participation creates inclusion. Shared ideas can lead to “buy in” and greater motivation to bring the idea to fruition. Execution is easy when the person with the most enthusiasm for the idea is given the leadership role to oversee or chair the fundraiser.
As always Happy Fundraising,
Lucinda
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Tags: brainstorming, fundraising ideas
Posted in Fundraisers, Fundraising, Fundraising Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
April 21st, 2010
I talk to non profits everyday. The two most common complaints I hear from them is that too many board members are not actively involved with fundraisng and they need more volunteers.
Since it is National Volunteer week, I decided to do some quick research. Don’t you just love Google?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics report, issued 1/26/10 indicates that there were 63.4 million volunteers or 26.8% of the population between 9/08 and 9/09.
Here are some must know characteristics of volunteers that caught my eye.
1. The people who were more likely to volunteer have kids under 18 and work fulltime. This surprised me. With the current economy the way it is, I assumed the unemployed would be contributing more time in communities. This goes back to the old adage. If you want something done ask someone who’s busy.
2. Men volunteer more hours per year than women, although less men volunteer than women. Volunteer placement by gender seems odd, but consideration as to the number of hours required for specific positions might minimize volunteer burnout and maximize volunteer happiness.
3. Of people who volunteered, 44% did so because they were asked. This business 101. “You have to ask for the sale” .
Given this data, would it make sense to qualify board members and volunteers based on the above findings?
This target group is more willing to join and put in the time to get the job done. Best of all; the only thing you have to do is ask!
Recruiting volunteers and board members that have kids, jobs and are gender specific may yield better results.
Here’s my question. What ways can the target audience described be mined? Would love to hear your ideas.
Lucinda
PS. If you are one of the 56% of the people who don’t need to be asked to volunteer and want to do so, the Volunteers of America can help you locate a non profit in your area needing help.
Tags: mining for volunteers, Volunteers
Posted in Volunteers, volunteer | No Comments »
April 16th, 2010
Today’s post Tom the Agitator ”the chicken or the egg” poses the question as to whether using Facebook as opposed to typical customer driven incentive marketing makes customers loyal.
The study sited on his post shows that consumers who became Facebook fans of a cafe dessert business, purchased, visited, and spent higher average dollars at the cafe than other customers who were not FB fans. He asks the question. If customers were given some form of incentive card would they be just as loyal as those who did not have one? He thinks so. I honestly don’t know but coincidentally, just this past week, I did a test using FB advertising as a vehicle for gaining new fans, and customers.
In just one week, fans on the Designs by Lucinda Facebook page increased by %100. I’ve also seen an improvement of %50 more traffic on my website. Through Google Analytics I can see they are coming directly from Facebook. Fans are flooding my FB page with endorsements and praises of me (batting my eyelashes wildly right now) and my product as well. From my perspective it does not matter which is better or even if one creates a more loyal customer than another. What matters is that more people now know about my product and services, are sharing with friends, and I can continue to build relationships with them through a medium of social networking that I can not do with incentive loyal customer punch cards. I believe customer loyalty will come from the relationships that I nurture not the discounts I offer.
I urge all non profits to create a presence on FB and build a fan base. It provides an easy means of expression to educate an audience, promote events, brag about accomplishments, and ask for help. And it’s FREE! Hello?????
Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda
PS: If you aren’t a FB fan of mine you can become one now.
Tags: Facebook, Marketing, social media
Posted in Marketing, Uncategorized, social media | No Comments »
March 18th, 2010
The Agitator had an interesting and thought provoking article on crowdgiving. Cancer Research UK is currently implementing the idea. Basically, it works like this. A donor can choose to donate to a specific project. Then the donor is able to track the progress and outcome of the project via the non profits website. The web page is continually updated providing the donor with feedback on how the their donation is impacting the project. I am not sure what the name crowdgiving has to do with the concept of an individual having the power of choice. At any rate.
This sounds like a great idea that can help to begin to form a more intimate relationship with a donor. It offers transparency and inclusion. But here’s the kicker. Does it really just create the the psychological illusion that the donor has some control?
Pondering,
Lucinda
Tags: crowdgiving, donations, psychology
Posted in Donor, Marketing, donations | 3 Comments »
March 16th, 2010
Everyone already knows ALL non profits need revenue. How do donors choose where to contribute?
Meaningful messages are imperative in getting the attention of donors today. Just saying you are providing shelter to the homeless is not enough.
The question is why should I give to you? Give me a compelling reason. Make me believe. Spell it out!
Tell me what my $20 donation will do.
Tell me my donation will provide 3 people a bed for the night.
Tell me my donation converts into $98.15 of food.
Tell me my donation will provide one mammogram for a woman who can’t afford it.
I want specifics. I want the facts. I can get my head around facts. The facts spell out clearly how my contribution changes lives.
That’s what I want: lives changed!
Think about it,
Lucinda
Tags: donations, Donor, Marketing
Posted in Donor, Marketing, Rants, donations | No Comments »
March 4th, 2010
When you target donors, it’s OK to think small. By increasing the number of smaller donations two things happen. First, more people become connected to your organization and drive word of mouth awareness. We all love large donations, however one large donation connects you to only one person. Second, when you ask small you aren’t asking for much. It’s easier to ask again. In other words it doesn’t hurt. When it’s painless people are more receptive. Take it one step further and give them something meaningful and unique for their money and you’ll hit a home run. That’s why my “pin business” works.
I’ve helped non profits raise over $25 million dollars $7.00 at a time! That’s over 3.5 million contributions. Not only have huge sums of money have been raised but now 3,571,428 people know about important causes. Let’s do just a little more math and watch what happens. Those contributors talk to 8 people about their $7 experience. We use the number 8 because statistics prove that if you have a good “buying” experience you will share it with 8 people. So, take the 8 and multiply it by that big number and guess what? We are talking crazy numbers: numbers that will get your heart thumping. 28,571,248! YES you read that right. Over 28 million!
What’s seems really small is actually really big.
Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda
Tags: donations, Fundraising
Posted in Donor, Fundraising, Marketing | No Comments »
February 23rd, 2010
I haven’t posted for a long time. For the past six weeks I have been consumed with finalizing a new Designs by Lucinda website. The experience of creating a new website was like a rollercoaster ride, filled with exhiliration and the feeling that I might throw up at any moment! I learned more than I ever thought I would and gained tremendous insight and knowledge that I will pass on to you in a future post very soon. Bare with me just a little longer as I am attending a conference on innovation, communication and commercialization all week long. I know I will come away with more enthusiasm and helpful information that I am happy to share with you. Thank you so much for your patience and forgiveness.
PS……If you previously chose to use the RSS feed to get updated posts from my blog you will need to do this again since I moved the the url address that was used on our old site.
As always, Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda
Tags: website, writing
Posted in Personal, Website development | 2 Comments »
December 28th, 2009
News Alert!
The largest amount of charitable contributions come in the last week of the year.
That may explain why my mailbox was stuffed with 11 solicitations from non profits this week. Chances are, you opened your mailbox to find a pile of them as well. To my amazement, 6 non profits that I have not supported before were soliciting donations. What’s up with that? Have we lost all our manners? Who would ever introduce themselves and the first thing they do is ask for money?
I am at a loss as to why nonprofits do not understand the importance of investing in meaningful relationships with potential new donors. When nonprofits make decisions to obtain unqualified mailing lists, there is a hefty price to be paid. If potential donors get this kind of unsolicited request, they can be turned off and left with a bad taste in their mouth. Money spent on paper, ink, postage, not to mention staff and volunteer time has been wasted. Donors may feel as though the nonprofit is not a good steward of their money and the nonprofits reputation is at risk if a donor views them as irresponsible. Not good ROI!
The next 4 envelopes that I opened were donation requests from organizations that I have supported in the past. 5 years in the past! Clearly those mailing lists need attention and cleaning up. The nonprofits would be far better off sending me a seasonal card. At least I could be under grand delusions that I am more than a name and address on an envelope. Yes I am being sarcastic but really, a once a year communication does not make for a relationship. What’s that phrase? “Out of sight out of mind.”
At last….ah a request from a nonprofit I recognize. An immediate smile crosses my face. Why? I always receive a letter from them letting me know how the money I gave them is being put to work. Sometimes I get flyers too with updates so I won’t miss a future event. They EVEN send me hand written notes just to say hi and wish me well AND they don’t ask me for money every time I hear from them. I truly believe this organization not only cares about the people they serve but they also care about the people who support them. That’s real community and that’s what works for me as a donor. I know I can’t be the only one that feels this way.
So if you want more donors, put some thought into your direct mail communication strategy. Communicate with donors regularly (more than once a year). Vary the content (it doesn’t always have to be about you) and yes ask for money (sometimes).
As always, Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda
Tags: Ask Letters, donations, non profits
Posted in Marketing | No Comments »
December 22nd, 2009
If you are thinking about fundraising with a product keep your credit card in your wallet until you’ve read this. Finding a fundraising company that you can count on and trust takes some due diligence. If you have googled fundraising products then you know there are a slew of companies out there. It can actually be overwhelming. All of them promise a product that is easy to sell and highly profitable. There’s a lot more to it. Increase your chance of success by asking these 5 questions of any fundraising company.
- How long has the company been in the business of selling fundraising products? If a company has been in business for a long period of time it probably means that nonprofits have been successful with the sale of their products. On the other hand, if they have just hung their shingle, some research is in order. Talking with their clients is one sure way to learn about them. If they won’t give you references, RUN! Find a company that will.
- Does the company have an excellent customer service staff? Email communication may be convenient but nothing replaces a human being on the other end of the phone when you really need to talk to someone. Look for people who are courteous, professional and friendly. A great fundraising company wants you to be successful and will ask you questions about your organization in order to guide you to a product that is best suited for you. If the fundraising company just takes your order, or simply “sells you” then buyer beware.
- Does the company provide support services? Fundraising sales tips, marketing materials, displays, website linking opportunities, regularly scheduled email communication and newsletters are added necessities that will enhance your fundraising campaign.
- Does the fundraising company guarantee their products? Companies that offer a guarantee truly believe that their product works. Request a written return, refund, or exchange document to have on hand if you need to refer to it as you do business with the company.
- Does the company maintain inventory levels and shipping schedules that meet your needs? You will be very disappointed if the product you want is unavailable OR it doesn’t arrive in time for your event.
Finally, when someone you know refers a fundraising company to you then it’s a good bet you can trust them. So here’s my referral to you. Although it’s a new and small company, the owner, Ron Dover is a friend of mine. The company is Be-Who-U-R. The product is adorable T-Shirts and the story behind the company will make your heart sing. You’ll love it! Check them out http://www.b-who-u-r.com
Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
