15Jun 2005 by Bob Cargill

The Growth of Online Donations

Direct Marketing, Fundraising
According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s sixth annual survey of online fund raising, “Online donations to the nation’s largest charities grew sharply in 2004, with many groups receiving at least twice as much money via the Internet as they did in 2003.” In an article (“A Surge in Online Giving") in the June 9 edition of the publication, Nicole Wallace reports that “fund-raising experts say that year-to-year percentage increases in online contributions that far outstrip gains in other types of fund raising have won over many of the lingering naysayers.” Adding to the momentum was the strength of online donations to help victims of the December tsunamis in South Asia, acknowledges Wallace. The article also points out that the amount of money currently being raised online still pales in comparison…
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10Jun 2005 by Bob Cargill

WorldWIT’s Free Blogging Teleseminar

Blogging
Find out what the Blog hubbub is all about. That’s how an upcoming teleseminar on blogging is being promoted by WorldWIT, the leading global online and offline network for women in business and technology. According to an email sent to my friend, Erin Sheehan (of Oceanos Marketing), WorldWIT – whose CEO and Founder, Liz Ryan, just so happens to have her own blog, Business Mom – is continuing “its free teleseminar series with blogging guru and serial tech entrepreneur Derek Scruggs,” who “will share a ton of strategic-to-tactical tips on creating your blog, building an audience, generating revenue via your blog, and taking advantage of new blog-related technologies.” During this free teleseminar – which will take place at 3 PM EST on Wednesday, June 29 – you’ll also be able…
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31May 2005 by Bob Cargill

A List of Nonprofit Blogs

Blogging, Direct Marketing, Fundraising
In preparing for my luncheon presentation for the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association on Why Nonprofits Should Blog (Tuesday, June 7, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, at the Lenox Hotel in Boston), I have come up with a short list (below) of nonprofit organizations who have already established a presence in the blogosphere. If you’re in attendance next week (you can register here), you’ll hear me and special guest speaker, Emerson College faculty member Dr. Todd S. Gernes, offer kudos to these prescient organizations for being early adopters of an online communications platform that will likely have been put into play by more nonprofits than not come this time next year. Nonprofit Blogs Greenpeace Action Without Borders The Sierra Club The Nonprofit and Foundation Advocacy Blog The South-East Asia Earthquake and…
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23May 2005 by Bob Cargill

One of the Habits of Highly Effective Marketers

Copywriting, Direct Marketing
All experienced copywriters know how advantageous it is to establish common ground from the get-go with those on the receiving end of our messages and offers. Whether we're selling products and services or raising funds for charitable organizations, like ambassadors of goodwill, it behooves us to speak the same language as the constituencies before us, it pays to strike a chord to which almost everyone can relate. For instance, in the early '90s I wrote a direct mail package for Science News magazine that featured the following copy on the outside envelope: "Electricity so powerful it shocks a heart-attack victim back to life... Whales so hungry they take a bite out of the beach... Grasshoppers so smart they change coats to beat the heat... And other things that will make…
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15May 2005 by Bob Cargill 6 Comments

Top 6 Tips for Blog Design

Blogging
While waiting to unveil my blog's new look and feel, I can't help but think there's no better time than now to talk about good blog design. But, of course, that's more Lisa Sabin's bailiwick than mine. Owner and founder of E.Webscapes, Lisa's services include blog and Web site design, maintenance and hosting. I'm glad to comment on blog strategies and content development, but when it comes to the layout, functionality and actual installation of such a newfangled, Web-based, self-publishing platform, I defer to Lisa. So without further ado, here's what she has to say: Top 6 Tips for Blog Design by Lisa L. Sabin Owner/Founder of E.Webscapes 1. Don't underestimate the power of your blog's logo. Site branding is popular terminology that basically means just what it says --…
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09May 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

A New Marketing Commentator

Blogging
After 15 months and some 33,000 words, A Fine Kettle of Fish is finally getting a makeover. That's right, in just a few days my blog will have a brand, new look and feel (thanks to Lisa Sabin of E.Webscapes), not to mention a number of bells and whistles that are long overdue. Call it a redesign. Call it a relaunch. Call it A New Marketing Commentator. Yes, I’m even giving it a new name. While it’ll still be comprised of insightful, candid commentaries on direct marketing and advertising trends, developments, topics and issues, this second incarnation of my blog will not only be more visually engaging, but it will also incorporate the functionality of some of today’s most sophisticated blogs. See for yourself. Come back soon. It should be…
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04May 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Why Nonprofits Should Blog

Blogging, Fundraising
A few months ago, I read an article in The NonProfit Times suggesting that most nonprofit organizations don't collect enough feedback from their constituents. I couldn't have agreed more, and said as much in a letter to the editor of the publication. It's as clear as the day is light that many organizations, nonprofit and commercial alike, don't engage openly enough with the marketplace because they're reluctant to leave themselves exposed to the possibility of negative comments and criticism. By not even attempting to close the loop, however, they don't know what people really think about their services, products, mission and values. By keeping their donors and customers at arm's length, they're fostering relationships that, in effect, can't possibly live up to their full potential. ...which is one very big…
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28Apr 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Premiums as Good as Money in the Bank

Advertising, Direct Marketing
Experienced direct marketers know that an effective way to optimize their offers is to give away premiums as incentives to buy. Subscribe to this or that magazine and take delivery of a calculator or compact disc, compliments of the publisher. Give to such and such nonprofit organization and receive a free umbrella or tote bag. Buy something from us and we’ll give something to you. It’s only human nature, after all. People are more inclined to try something new if you can dangle an attractive, appetizing come-on as a reward for their business. You have to think quid pro quo. Which is precisely what banks in the Boston area are doing a lot of lately, according to an article appearing in today’s business section of The Boston Globe.“Banks have been…
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21Apr 2005 by Bob Cargill

26 Tales of Triumph, One Winning Campaign

Advertising, Boston Marathon, Cause-Related Marketing, Public Relations
Some 20,000 people ran the Boston Marathon just a few days ago (I was one of them, plodding my way along the legendary, 26.2 mile course – all the way from Hopkinton to Boston – in a painful, interminable 4:24:51), but only 26 of them had been selected to tell their stories prior to the mother of all road races and heralded as one of the Saucony 26. For the chosen few, it must have been a tremendous honor to be able to personify the marathon as such pillars of inspiration. From a marketing standpoint, of course, putting a warm, identifiable face on the company and its products was a brilliant way for Saucony to connect with its constituency. “While each person will have a very real and very intense…
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