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Sip, Socialize, and Speed-Network with YDMAW

Sip, Socialize, and Speed-Network with YDMAW Sip, Socialize, and Speed-Network with YDMAW Being a young professional in direct marketing can prove challenging when you’re new to the industry. Everyone is seemingly already an expert and finding others in the same boat is daunting in a room full of strangers. This has always been a challenge,…

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The Thing About Premiums – Part I

The Thing About Premiums – Part I What is it about premiums that seems to create such angst and disdain? I’ve seen articles that compare direct mail premiums to crack, that say they are ruining the relationship between non-profits and their donors, basically using unethical practices to trick or coerce donors out of their money.…

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Just because it couldn’t be done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done now

Just because it couldn’t be done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done now Problems of the past have a way of coming back to haunt those in the future. Thankfully, sometimes the future also brings about solutions that didn’t exist before. Several years ago, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) agreed to accept Fidelity…

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Are you ready to take a Sustainer-Forward approach?

Are you ready to take a Sustainer-Forward approach? First, I’d love to give a huge shout-out to the DMAW as an organization that has had a Sustainer-Forward approach for years. The DMAW has offered special sustainer tracks during the Bridge conference, sustainer pre-Bridge workshops, then Sustainer Day, Sustainer World and now Sustainer Week, coming up…

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Who wants $8 Trillion Dollars?

Who wants $8 Trillion Dollars? I honestly can’t think of a nonprofit organization in the world that would say no to that question. But the sad truth is, many organizations are still forgoing significant revenue because of their failure to invest in marketing planned gifts. An estimated $8 trillion is expected to pass to charities…

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WARNING: “Spoofing” Attack Targets Local DM Companies

WARNING: “Spoofing” Attack Targets Local DM Companies At least three DMAW member-companies recently fell victim to an Internet hack that has cost one of them several thousand dollars so far. It’s an important wake-up call that shows an Internet connection can leave a company as vulnerable to thieves as a wide-open front door. Interpol is…

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#DM101: The Fundamentals of Innovative Marketing

#DM101: The Fundamentals of Innovative Marketing This year, I think I am more excited than I have ever been for DM 101. The event is always energizing, and I love the opportunity to connect with new talent in our industry. After 2020, however, connections like these mean more. I also love the virtual format. Though…

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In Support of Direct Mail

In Support of Direct Mail “Direct mail is outdated! Who responds to mail anymore?” “Direct mail acquisition costs too much.” “Digital is the future of fundraising.” For anyone who has spent time in the direct mail space, these criticisms of direct mail are familiar. To be honest, even I had some of these thoughts before…

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How to Forecast and Reforecast During Coronavirus

How to Forecast and Reforecast During Coronavirus Before you begin reforecasting or budgeting for the next fiscal year, make sure your plan is as comprehensive and detailed as possible. A budget by donor type, program, campaign, and channel is an essential tool to help manage unpredictability and provide a framework when revenue or expenses need…

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The Right to (Data) Privacy: How the Federal and State Legislation Are Addressing Data Privacy Concerns

The Right to (Data) Privacy: How the Federal and State Legislation Are Addressing Data Privacy Concerns The Right to (Data) Privacy: How the Federal and State Legislation Are Addressing Data Privacy Concerns The right to privacy has been a hotly debated issue for over a century in the United States. As far back as 1890,…

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