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Nov
03
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Headless Fundraising: Where’s the Leadership?By Viken Mikaelian I was invited to speak at a national charity conference with over 800 attendees. I know some of them were Directors of Operations and Chief Executive Officers. So where the heck were they hiding? The conference featured something for everyone, topic-wise — from operations and finances to strategies and fundraising philosophy, they had it covered. The conference was a huge success… except for my session, which was on planned giving marketing. Read on. 
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Oct
20
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Survey Says: Snail Mail Speaks Louder Than E-mailThe folks at Pingdom put most of these survey numbers together based on estimates for 2009, and you know what? If you were expecting miracles from e-mail, you’re going to be disappointed.
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Oct
09
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Is Your Planned Giving Website Senior-Friendly?Is Your Planned Giving Website Senior-Friendly?
Some new survey numbers indicate it better be. The new Nielsen Norman Group “Web Usability for Senior Citizens” survey not only notes that more than 12 million Americans over the age of 65 use the Internet, but that the numbers are increasing. But dig this:
• Of those who decided to stop (quit) trying to execute their online tasks, 71% were age 65+, while only 29% were 21 – 55.
• Of those who ended their tasks because they had successfully completed them, only 39% were age 65+, and 61% were 21 – 64.
What this means is your website better have intuitive navigation, clear content, and user-friendly tools. Or you’re going to lose some members of your most valuable demographic.
Some new survey numbers indicate it better be.
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Oct
08
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How to Fall Behind in Your Jobby Viken Mikaelian If you want to simply drift in your career, keep to a 40-hour workweek. So many ask me, “Viken, you are so successful but you only work 20 hours a week. You have the freedom to do whatever you want.” This makes my hair stand on end! Read more »
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Oct
06
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Are You Sending Out Death Brochures?Planned Giving Newsletters — Does anyone really read these things? By Tom Ahern I remember the first time I encountered a “planned giving” newsletter. A college in Minnesota sent me theirs for a critique. Which I did with cackling glee. As a communications attempt, the poor thing was a wreck. The writing was technical and trite; the prose of an accountant’s final exam. The headlines were a tragedy, they were so inept. And it was glaringly over-designed, a common feature of publications with nothing to say. Read more »
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Sep
27
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You Can’t Take it With You – Even if You’re Buried with ItBy James Pierson Yet another shock headline: A cemetery worker in Wisconsin stole a valuable Fender Telecaster electric guitar from the casket of a deceased individual who had asked to be buried with the instrument. Hey, I’d like a Tele, too – but I draw the line at robbing graves.
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Aug
23
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There IS Money out there – Example #71by James Pierson I ran into a philanthropically-minded couple recently at a little farmers market that my hometown hosts weekly. A charming little event, it’s actually not a place to buy fresh produce at bargain prices…but that’s not what this couple was there for.
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Jul
13
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Billions and Billions…
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Jul
08
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“Planned Giving” vs. “Gift Planning”
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Jul
05
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UP the Down Economy!
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