End-of-year trends are here! This is the 154th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can โsubscribe here for free.)โ In this issue: โ Make your fundraising sparkle โจ 5 examples for you โ "It could have been a snoozer!" โ Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Hi Reader, At the end of the year, I love to slip into my comfy clothes, grab a mug of hot cocoa and a throw blanket, curl up in my cozy armchair, plop my feet up on the ottoman, and look back on the year as it fades in the rearview. You too? (Hit reply if you'd like to share!) Once I'm snug as a bug in a rug, I enjoy reading a bunch of year-end lists. You know, the ones that recap the top movies, music, podcasts, and so on. So I thought, let's do that with The Best of What's in My Mailbox Right Now! I sorted through my stash of 2024 EOY appeal letters and picked several examples I think you'll want to review in order to... Make your fundraising sparkle โจ 5 examples for youTweak #1: Use nostalgic song lyrics. For example, check out how fundraiser extraordinaire Beth Beall of Vida Joven used a song title to open this appeal: And how she carried this approach through on the 3" x 5" lift note in the same DM pack (alluding to the classic song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music): Tweak #2: Personalize the Johnson Box message. For example, notice how this American Rivers appeal letter gets my attention by using my name right away in the Johnson Box: "Julie, we need you..." Tweak #3: Include a handwritten P.S. For example, in this same appeal, it appears American Rivers used an image of someone's handwriting (rather than a handwriting font). That kind of human touch is irresistible. You simply must read it with care! Tweak #4: Personalize your page turners. For example, this American Indian College Fund page turner really gets my attention and makes me want to keep reading. Tweak #5: Include a QR code on the reply envelope. For example, this Heifer International reply envelope sends an unmistakable message to donors: whatever's best for you! Now please, enjoy the rest of your well-earned hot cocoa! โ๐ "It could have been a snoozer!"John Lepp, author of the brilliant, essential book Creative Deviations, recently invited me to talk with him about the benefits of using Phil Psychยฎ in your fundraising. We chatted for about 15 minutes. I shared a presentation I created featuring 3 Before & After copywriting examples to boost donor well-being and grow giving. Afterward, John said, "It could have been a snoozer!" Thanks, John! (I think. ๐คฃ) You be the judge? If you'd like to see what John and I talked about, click the video image below. Please don't forget, donors are people too. Caring for their well-being is not only good for your bottom line, it's the right thing to do. We should all take care to care for each other! Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge youFor your brain, heart, and funny bone...
Until next time: May you wrap up your year with "good looking back" and "good looking forward" โ because that's good looking out! With gratitude,
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We're Julie Cooper and Brett Cooper, fundraising copywriters for great causes. Does your fundraising bring in as much money as it could? You can send donor communications that stir hearts to action. We'd love to help. ๐ Start by subscribing to our FREE and fun weekly newsletter.
Quack-quack! This is the 164th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: โ Are you looking for your "lucky duck" fundraising stories? โ Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Hi Reader, There's a very cool-looking Jeep that Brett and I often notice during our neighborhood walks. On its dashboard are a bunch of cute little rubber ducks....
Fundraising gift catalogs are a fantastic way to highlight various needs and raise more money. And you don't need to wait for the holidays... This is the 163rd Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: โ You can embed a fundraising "mini gift catalog" in your appeals โ 3 weeks from tomorrow... โ Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Hi Reader,...
A good donor newsletter makes donors feel their impact so strongly they may want to give again โ as soon as right now! This is the 162nd Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: โ Is your donor newsletter leaving love โ and money โ on the table? โ March 27th: mark your calendar? โ Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Hi Reader, Every few...