Blog
Postal Reform takes a step backwards!
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate approved an version of the Postal Reform Act of 2013 (S. 1486) and recommended it to the full Senate. It contains a number of features that are problematic for nonprofit mailers. Foremost amongst concerns are that the proposed legislation: makes the recent 4.3% “temporary”…
The P&L of DM Fundraising
About P&L While traditionally P&L refers to profit and loss, for this NEW monthly e-newsletter, the P&L will represent Postal and Legal issues. Postal and Legal issues can be boring (we all know that!), BUT, let’s face it, they do impact every direct marketer’s and fundraiser’s bottom-line. So this e-newsletter is just going to shed…
DM201: Take the Next Step in Your Professional Development
by John Spencer When modeling analytics met Big Data it was a heaven match. The marriage of the two has led to incredible advances in direct marketing technologies and efficiencies. And, while marketers rejoice in the smarter use of their ever-tightening budgets, the real winners are consumers. Let’s take a big step back in time. In…
Multichannel Attribution
by Brenna Holmes Conversion, whether through purchases, donations, or email sign-ups, is the ultimate goal of every direct marketing campaign, and our ability to increase conversion rates is predicated on our capacity to understand the factors leading to successful conversions. Last-click attribution once was the measure of choice online. However, giving sole credit to the…
So Many Tests, So Little Time…Energy…Money
by Tiffany Neill As direct marketing fundraisers we’re always asking, “is there a better way to do this?” And so we test. Everything. All the time. We test the color of the outer envelope, the teaser on the direct mail package, the subject line of the email, the content of the letter, the color of…
Acknowledgments: Your Gift to a Donor
By Jason Lucas on behalf of Chapman Cubine Adams + Hussey Saying “thank you” is common courtesy. During DMAW’s March 20th Lunch and Learn event, Robin Riggs, Chief Creative Officer at LW Robbins, stressed the importance of conveying sincere gratitude in acknowledgment mailings. In the direct marketing industry, two “R’s” — recruiting and retention —…
Your Mail Piece has a “License Plate” Now! Be careful you don’t get a ticket…
Submitted by Dave Lewis, Vice President, ProList, Inc. When the US Postal Service implemented the new Intelligent Mail barcode in 2006, they introduced enough digits to put a unique number on every piece of mail. This is a wonderful thing if you want to track when your mail gets delivered. The only downside is that…
DM Professionals vs Regulators
Score: 1 Potential Win to 1 Potential Loss Submitted by Geoff Peters, CEO, CDR Fundraising Group First the Win … As reported in the inaugural edition of P&L news – the Florida Legislature with the encouragement of the states’ top charity regulator, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam Putnam, introduced “reform” legislation (Senate…
Building a Strong Foundation on DMAW’s Direct Mail 101
By Grace Finn I am new to fundraising. In fact, prior to two months ago I had never solicited funds in my life. Luckily, there were quite a few of us in the audience who were just now entering the world of direct Mail. But I was keen to learn about the art and science…
A Discount Coming Your Way — If You Register For It!
The Post Office is running a very important postage discount program for direct mail companies and nonprofits. The discount gives two cents back on each piece of business reply mail or courtesy reply mail received in April, May, and June but the discount is not automatic and all mailers need to register. Mailers need to…