In this short video I’m going to show you something amazing: A way to dramatically improve the performance of a direct mail appeal — after you’ve mailed it. When it’s too late to change it!
And it doesn’t involve inventing a time machine.
This really works. I’ve seen organisations do this again and again:
- It boosts revenue (often by a lot!)
- It improves your relationships with some of your best donors.
- It’s surprisingly fun!
- And it’s very, very easy to do. (The fact that I can explain it in less than seven minutes tells you that.)
Really, I’m not going to show you how to cast a magic spell. But it will seem like that!
Good luck!
Want to know more about how you can dramatically increase revenue and transform relationships with your mid and major donors? I cover this important topic in my Mid-Value Donor Super Course. You can find out more when you join The Fundraisingology Lab.
6 Comments. Leave new
Thanks for the tip on what to say Sean. I’m always a bit unsure of how to put my ‘script’ together so this was a big help. Cheers.
This is wonderful, thank you! Do find that the online response rate to these last-chance calls is good, for those who want to give but not over the phone? I was planning to try calls like this two weeks after mailing, and expecting to have to mail some pledge forms as with a regular phone solicitation.
Ho Dorothy – yes – mail too. Because you can tell them you’ll let the finance team know their donation will be on its way. In fact, few are made over the phone. Many people just say they were intending anyway. They may well have been, but this cements it! Good luck and please let us know how it goes.
Sean
Clever! Would you say the urgency of the close deadline is also critical to the call’s effectiveness? Or would a call earlier in the campaign (like I was planning) still be effective without further followup? I’m in the U.S., and year-end is a tough time to schedule gatherings. =) Thank you so much!
What a great idea! So you don’t leave any messages on voice mail? Here in the US, the robo-calls have gotten so out of control that nobody picks up their phone anymore.
That’s right. When your call is an ask and they don’t pick up, don’t leave a message. It’s a waste of time. If your call is a pure thank-you call, DO leave a message. That’s not a waste of time at all. What you might do if you’re planning to ask is this: for the many calls that don’t pick up, just leave a thank-you message.