8 Ways to Raise Money and Keep Your Donors Happy!
Keeping your customers satisfied is the foundation of any successful business.
In fundraising, the same rule applies - keep your donors happy.
Whether you're raising money through direct mail, an internet campaign or some other form of direct response, here are some ideas for maximizing your efforts, raising more money, and keeping your donors satisfied with their experience.
1.
Choose the right list for your project.
Your success rates will depend on reaching the right people.
2.
Make sure there is a clear "call to action.
" Be sure to spell out what it is you want the donor to do.
If you're sending a letter, include a summary of the action in a PS.
3.
Personalize! Don't send "Dear Friend" letters.
Failing to personalize a request to each donor is detrimental to your appeal and can send the wrong message.
If someone has been donating to your organization for several years, you are insulting them by not using their name.
4.
Send the Thank You in the same format as you received the gift.
If the gift came through the mail, send the Thank You through the mail.
If it came through the internet, send an email Thank You.
5.
Send your Thank You letter timely.
Ideally, you should get a Thank You letter out within 48 hours of the receipt of the gift.
This lets the donor know that you received their gift, that you appreciate their gift, and that you are on the ball.
6.
In your Thank You letter, tell the donor what you are already doing with their donation.
Take advantage of the Thank You letter to tell the donor how their gift has already been put to use.
7.
Let the donor choose how often they hear from you.
This is important in keeping donors happy! Putting them in control of when they hear from you helps ensure that when you ask them for a gift, they will respond.
This ultimately boosts your response rates and lowers costs.
8.
Let donors choose which part of your program they want their money to be used for.
In other words, let them designate.
This will tell you where their interests lie, which is very valuable in cultivation! It also puts them in control of how their money will be used and gives them a feeling of participation in service delivery.
In fundraising, the same rule applies - keep your donors happy.
Whether you're raising money through direct mail, an internet campaign or some other form of direct response, here are some ideas for maximizing your efforts, raising more money, and keeping your donors satisfied with their experience.
1.
Choose the right list for your project.
Your success rates will depend on reaching the right people.
2.
Make sure there is a clear "call to action.
" Be sure to spell out what it is you want the donor to do.
If you're sending a letter, include a summary of the action in a PS.
3.
Personalize! Don't send "Dear Friend" letters.
Failing to personalize a request to each donor is detrimental to your appeal and can send the wrong message.
If someone has been donating to your organization for several years, you are insulting them by not using their name.
4.
Send the Thank You in the same format as you received the gift.
If the gift came through the mail, send the Thank You through the mail.
If it came through the internet, send an email Thank You.
5.
Send your Thank You letter timely.
Ideally, you should get a Thank You letter out within 48 hours of the receipt of the gift.
This lets the donor know that you received their gift, that you appreciate their gift, and that you are on the ball.
6.
In your Thank You letter, tell the donor what you are already doing with their donation.
Take advantage of the Thank You letter to tell the donor how their gift has already been put to use.
7.
Let the donor choose how often they hear from you.
This is important in keeping donors happy! Putting them in control of when they hear from you helps ensure that when you ask them for a gift, they will respond.
This ultimately boosts your response rates and lowers costs.
8.
Let donors choose which part of your program they want their money to be used for.
In other words, let them designate.
This will tell you where their interests lie, which is very valuable in cultivation! It also puts them in control of how their money will be used and gives them a feeling of participation in service delivery.
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