Clients to Tell Their Stories in Direct Mail Cards

CLIENT: ProLiteracy

Direct mail packages that come in standard business size envelopes are identifiable as fundraising solicitations from a mile away. So the question is, how do you get the recipient to open the package, and once the package is opened, how do you appeal to donors?

When ProLiteracy asked us for recommendations to improve the effectiveness of their direct mail, we looked at their existing package. We suggested using a different size envelope that would stand out. And instead of a lengthy letter describing people’s stories, we suggested using cards that let the people tell their own story for more immediacy and a stronger emotional appeal. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, we suggested separate cards that feature the photo of the person on one side. They used our recommendations to create a package that stands out in the mail and gets their message across in a compelling way.

Working Together for a Vital City for All

As a cyclist who has been enjoying the recent additions of bike lanes in New York City, an article on the cover recent article in Chelsea Now, a neighborhood newspaper, caught my attention. It reported on local businesses who claimed to be losing sales due to a bike lane being installed on Eighth Avenue supplanting parking spaces. The argument seemed to parallel the same one that came bars and restaurants claiming that the smoking ban would harm their business, when in fact, the opposite has happened.

While the article was decidedly one-sided (no cyclists, pedestrians or shoppers were interviewed), it does raise the issue of the balance between businesses and overall city life. In the past year or so, the Bloomberg administration has made quality of life a priority, with the renovation of parks, installation of 300 miles of bike paths, and plan to plant 1 million trees. Not withstanding the few parking spaces lost, ultimately, this will get more people out and about on the streets, and that will be good for business.

WAKE UP CALL: We are all part of one city. Businesses, the government and nonprofits need to work together in the best interests of everyone. Renewing the quality of life for all, will ultimately create a vital city that will bring in tax revenue, keep businesses afloat and provide funding for nonprofits.

Advice-Link Events Help Nonprofits

Sue Green, Founder of Nonprofit Central and Howard Levy, Principal of Red Rooster Group, co-produce Advice-Link events for nonprofits.

•    •    •

Nonprofits face pressing problems, but often lack the time or resources to vet consultants. Advice-Link events address that need. Nonprofits can sign up for 30 minute sessions with up to three consultants specializing in strategic planning, board development and program effectiveness and other areas of nonprofit fundraising, marketing and management to get specific feedback and direction on their issue.

This event is styled after the successful Craigslist Foundation’s Nonprofit Bootcamp’s Ask the Experts sessions and the Nonprofit Consulting Day sponsored by the Baruch College School of Public Affairs’ Nonprofit Group. Advice-Link is sponsored by ADP and the Change Group.

Advice-Link events are produced independently and are also offered through nonprofit associations as a benefit to their members or as an adjunct to their conferences. The last Advice-Link event on March 24, 2009 was produced for Governance Matters.

AL_Group

Advice-Link events provide one-on-one advice for nonprofits by vetted consultants.

•    •    •

Great Response from Participants

“I found the Advice-Link event very helpful and interesting. The structure encourages nonprofit staff to finely hone our  inquiries and truly get to the heart of the matter at hand, depending on who  we are talking to so that in and of itself, is a valuable exercise for those  participating. The time provided by the consultants is greatly  appreciated also, especially these days.”

– Cathy Sharp, Director Of Development & Communications, Greenwich House, Inc.

Red Rooster Group IconRed Rooster Group is a New York based graphic design firm that creates effective brands, websites, and marketing campaigns to increase your visibility, fundraising, and communications effectiveness. Contact us at info@redroostergroup.com.

Fair Representation of Nonprofits Needed

A recent article in The New York Times, Charities Give to State Campaigns, Despite Law, described how some nonprofits had purchased tickets to fundraising dinners for elected officials, or had otherwise contributed to their campaigns, in violation of the law. Neither party seemed to care or take responsibility, pushing off oversight to the IRS. The article acknowledged that minor amounts entailed, and yet found it fit to disparage nonprofits on the front page.

I find this quite disturbing for a number of reasons.

Continue reading

Staying Strong in Weak Times

EHL Consulting Group, fundraising consultants, share the following lessons and observations regarding the US philanthropic marketplace.

Four Important Lessons Learned
The combination of the severe recession, coupled with the Bernard Madoff debacle, has made headlines and brought fear and deep anxiety throughout the nonprofit sector. There are a number of critical lessons that should guide us all going forward:

1. Few individuals or organizations are immune from current difficulties. Reflect compassion and a commitment to move ahead strategically to maintain your place and position in the community.

Continue reading

Windows on Child Care Nonprofit Newsletter Design

CLIENT: National Council of Jewish Women

This newsletter design for a national nonprofit organization addressing child care issues, announces the findings of a major national study on child care.

Links

Secrets of a Successful Marketing Campaign

Red Rooster Group shares how their targeted direct mail campaign to Jewish Community Centers is achieving impressive results.

As the Principal of Red Rooster Group, I am committed to growing our business and instituted a marketing campaign that kicked off at the end of last year. While we are still in the early stages of the campaign, it is pulling a good response so far, and so I wanted to share it with you in the hopes of inspiring your marketing efforts this year.

Continue reading