How often should I blog?

I find the most difficult thing as a blogger is actually blogging. Not thinking of things to talk about, but actually dedicating the time to put my fingers on the keypad.

But as per my post last week about having a thirst for knowledge, we all have time. We just have to decide how to use it.

The second hardest thing is thinking (and often over-thinking) how often I should blog. I wrestle with this a lot. Once a week isn't often enough. Three times will really tick people off.

So I usually settle for twice a week. In fact I looked back at the past two years and noticed I was blogging between 1.5 and 2 posts on average a week.

So what?

Well, just over a year ago I responded to a similar concern that many fundraisers have, how often should I talk to my donors?

We worry incessantly about this. And usually for no reason. The short answer is, you talk to donors when you have something to say. You'll notice I said talk, not ask. Deliberately.

You ask when you need the money. You thank, feedback and care in between. Get the balance right and you can say goodbye to those sleepless nights.

For me (and my blog) the proofs in the pudding. Guess what, when I blog regularly, assuming the posts are mildly useful and have some decent content, people come back.

Funny that. Keep your communications relevant, useful and tell some stories and look what happens.

To summarize:

- Ask, then thank, feedback and care. Repeat the cycle.

- Do what's right, not what is easiest. That means constantly reinventing your communications. There is an argument for simply repeating past communications if they've worked (I've seen this generate the same level of results from one year to the next). But are you taking people on a journey? Are you giving them the opportunity to learn something new about what you do and who you help?

- Understand what your data is telling you. Too often we feel obliged to 'mail less' because it feels right. Your gut tells you one thing, the evidence shows you another.

Thanks for visiting. If I practice what I preach then I have one more blog to write later this week.

Jonathon

I've got copy on my mind

Thinking lots about copy this week, as appeal drafts come across my desk, and the blogosphere seems to be a buzz with copywriting tips.

In fact I'd recommend two excellent posts worth checking out. There's Agent Jen Love's piece entitled Dear Mr Fancypants and Jeff Brooks' seven more ways to write better fundraising copy.

Really good 'cut through the clutter' stuff from Jen and Jeff.

Last year I gave my own take on simple, but effective copywriting tips here.

If you think about what you want people do when they read your letter:

1 You want them to nod their head in agreement as they read

2 You want them to get past the first page (best way to do this is getting them nodding, as per point 1. To do this, introduce a story really early in the copy, showing the impact their support could have illustrated with a real, human story).

3 You don't want to distract them. So avoid saying things like ' please refer to the enclosed brochure'. Keep them focused on the letter.

4 You don't want to treat them like they haven't read a letter before. I really don't think people need to see the words 'please turn over' at the bottom of the page. In fact break the sentences at the bottom of each page, enticing them to read on.

5 You want to compel them to stop doing whatever they were doing, finish the letter and so what you asked them to do (support financially, fill in a survey etc).

Simple, huh? It is, follow the ten steps in this earlier post and you're well on your way.

Jonathon

Are you thirsty?

Someone asked me recently, 'Is there a common thread in really successful people'?

Good question.

Yes there is. And for me it's simple. It's an insatiable thirst for improving ones self and learning more. Every single day.

One of my favorite quotes is from Drayton Bird, who believes firmly that the road to failure is paved with success, something I talked about sometime back.

In other words, never feeling as if you're quite there. Always lifting yourself out of your comfort zone.

The common rebuttal when I talk to people about their own personal development is "I don't have time".

Garbage.

We all 'have time'. In fact we all have the same amount of time. We just choose to use it in different ways. And going back to the original question posed to me, successful, brilliant and inspiring people make the time to get more from themselves.

So enough ranting Jonathon, how do I learn more?

Two thing's I'd suggest:

1 Surround yourself with 'thirsty' people. Gets you out of the 'I don't have time' destructive mentality, and

2 Make the time. Find the time in your schedule to reach out to those who you can absorb from. To read, listen and soak stuff up.

In this day and age, it doesn't necessarily mean days and days away from home at professional development events/conferences. But it does mean spending 20-30 minutes every single day checking out blogs, reading articles, talking to those who teach and inspire you.

And best of all, most done from the comfort of your desk.

Jonathon

Using post it notes to raise more money

The inclusion of post it notes in appeals increases response and net income. Simple.

Of course tactics like these work best when they are genuinely handwritten: for your high value donors, for people who have left you a gift in their Will, for your monthly/regular donors.

As you can see from the example above however, you can have these pre-printed. And they work. We've tested it and shown that even with the additional costs, it's worth the effort (increases net income).

Why?

Because it stands out. It takes a little extra time to show that your response is really important. Like a P.S, it's that additional reminder about why we're asking you to do what we want you to do. In the case above, fill in a survey.

Remember though, this is a tactic. It doesn't replace real personalization. Picking up the phone, actually talking to people, a little note at the bottom of someones thank you letter.

Jonathon