Merrigan & Co.

Take your QR code and …

2012-01-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

You thought I was going to say shove it, didn’t you? No, I’m not going to go all David Allen Coe/Johnny Paycheck on ya.But will you take your QR code and add a call to action?Will you let me know why I should use it and not just be annoyed that you plopped it unceremoniously on your ad/brochure/self-mailer/save-the-date card?I’m not in love with QR codes, but my hesitation aside, I’m honestly

Retargeting Needs to Be Done Right

2012-01-22T05:19:00.000-08:00

The house I'm buying has a squirrel problem.Specifically, a few have decided to call the attic home. I've been searching the web for solutions. One product -- the Guardian -- emits a noise that repels squirrels. I found it interesting and would perhaps return to the site as the date of my house closing nears.But here's the thing. Since I visited the site, I can't get away from it. No matter where

You Are Who We See.

2012-01-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

I thought about entitling this “A Tale of Two Sprints.” But I was afraid it would be taken as just another phone rant (which, I’ll admit, there is a little bit of, too!) and some development director might not make the connection. Fact is, your constituent’s (or customer’s) impression of your organization will be based on the day-to-day interactions with your staff. No matter what their role. I

Whose Cause, Anyway?

2012-01-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

“Would you like to include an additional amount for the St. Jude’s Fund?” the clerk asked brightly as she totaled my purchases. “It’s the last day of our effort,” she continued, when I didn’t immediately respond. So, how does buying a pair of slacks tie into the St. Jude’s Fund? St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital may have one of the broadest, most well-established cause marketing efforts in

5 Things I Hope Go Away with 2011

2011-12-27T06:06:00.001-08:00

1. CC and BCC on email programs. A girl can dream, right.2. Auto linking social media accounts. Twitter updates on LinkedIn baffle me. Don't get me started on Four Square.3. Webinars, white papers or other articles on the importance of multi-channel marketing without any practical tips on the best ways to implement it.4. Helpful blogs on time management. Sometimes, you just have a lot to do and

Forgot Your Password?

2011-12-12T11:44:00.000-08:00

Since no one really needs another long, censorious blog about "what really bothers me", I will keep this short and sweet.Can we get over the mania of requiring a password and log in for EVERYTHING? Forcing me to remember another password and log in isn't a value add. It's annoying - especially for services or websites I only visit a few times a year, e.g., restaurants, online catalogs at

Finding Great Ways to do Good Work

2011-12-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

What happens when good intentions are infused with passion and imagination?I thought of that this morning as I read an article in the New York Times about a rabbi in Atlanta who used a $5,000 contribution (from a donor who wants to remain anonymous) to open a gemach to provide confidential, no-cost loans to members of the community.Such commitment to make a difference is inspiring. And a powerful

Learning from Failure?

2011-11-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

Fail fast. Fail often.I’ve heard this mantra a number of times. Most recently from Alex Campbell, CEO of Vibes Media when he addressed the “Rising Stars” luncheon of the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association.Usually from successful entrepreneurs, like Campbell.And the concept seems so much more powerful when it’s proudly presented from the pillow of success.It’s a bit more difficult to digest

4 Things To Get Your Emails Read, Acted On And Forwarded

2011-10-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

We handle online fundraising for one of our largest clients. A big part of any campaign we undertake is gaining new names and finding new ways to engage constituents.Hot on the heels of a wildly successful petition signing initiative, I thought I’d boil down the 4 main things that combine for a successful e-campaign:SimplicityResist the urge to add a lot of bells and whistles and too many calls

Keep the Good Information, Let the Other Stuff Go

2011-10-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I scrolled through my iTunes library. I have 7,163 songs. I used to wear that number as a badge of honor. After all, I painstakingly loaded each CD into my computer to build this "grand" collection of music. It's valuable. It's gigantic. And in the end, it's pretty dang useless.The majority of the songs weren't all that great to begin with - usually just a track or two from each CD.

To Clarity, Commitment, and Courage.

2011-10-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

"We're supposed to be really good at this. That doesn't mean we don't listen to customers, but it's hard for them to tell you what they want when they've never seen anything remotely like it." I've been a Macintosh fan since I first sat down to a 512 "Fat Mac" nearly 30 years ago. And, like many people, I've long been intrigued by Steve Jobs. Especially after reading Frank Rose’s West of Eden –

You Don't Even Know Me, Man.

2011-09-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

A friend who is an alumn of a well-known college in the Midwestern neck of the American woods recently received a direct mail appeal asking her to join the alumni association. I'll keep the name of the school anonymous ... even though it sort of kills me to do so.She brought it to my attention because it's so shockingly generic and makes such broad assumptions about her experience. The sad thing

5 Things I’ve Learned about Writing Email Subject Lines

2011-09-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

1. Direct response copy works—If you can write an envelope teaser, then you can write a good subject line. Intrigue the recipient. Tease to what’s inside. And then make sure you deliver on it (or your next email might be headed straight for the trash).2. People are looking out for #1—We’ve written hundreds, if not thousands, of subject lines. Our testing has shown time and time again that the

What Is Social Media Doing for You?

2011-09-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

"It’s hard to replace paper dollars with digital dimes."A publisher friend was actually talking about the difference between online and print advertising revenue.But I suspect many development directors feel the same.Sure ... online revenue is growing. And direct mail is falling (especially for those organizations that decided to save money the past two years by cutting back on their mailings!)

Return on Relationship - ROR

2011-09-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of hearing Randa Zalman of Redstone speak at a conference. What she had to say about social media made a lot of sense. Amidst all the talk of "monetizing" the medium, she said users should focus on "ROR - Return on Relationship" instead of ROI. Oh - and you probably shouldn't can your direct mail plan or emails in favor of all social media all the time either ...

QR Codes: Enough Already

2011-08-25T13:55:00.001-07:00

Years from now when we all jet to work in our mini-spaceships, I’m sure I’ll come to regret this blog post. But I’m gonna say it … I don’t love QR codes. There. It’s out. As a direct marketer, I talk to a lot of printers. A lot. We used to talk about printing. New formats. Postal savings. Hot new papers. It was bearable, dare I say interesting. Now we talk about QR codes. Most of them are so

Basic Goodness

2011-08-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

In a recent post, I mentioned an interesting new section on the use of “Token Gifts or Premiums” in the latest Cygnus Donor Survey, “Where Philanthropy is Headed in 2011.” It’s a consideration at the outset of virtually any fundraising effort: do we include a gift in the mailing – or the offer of a gift in return for a donation – to encourage response? This study takes a

Till death do us part?

2011-05-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

"Not-for-profits can only spend the profit derived from fundraising, and profit is increased by improving the retention of existing donors and influencing higher level gifts, and not by increasing volume of donors."That’s not a revolutionary concept; some of us have been preaching it for years.But let’s state it another way: many non-profits who think they have an acquisition problem, may instead

“I’m Afraid Of Worms, Roxanne!”

2011-04-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

I feel your pain, Stereotypical Cute Guy in Roxanne.Remember this scene as Chris (Cute Guy) is being fed lines by Steve Martin (Guy With Big Nose, Loosely Based on Cyrano de Bergerac,– C.D. Bales) to woo the lovely Roxanne (aka, the lovely Daryl Hannah).Let’s stroll back in time, shall we? An excerpt from the aforementioned scene in the movie ... When I said "worms"I meant "

The Next Generation of Givers

2011-04-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

I was shoe shopping with my 7-year-old daughter this weekend. She was flitting around Nordstrom like a butterfly ... trying to decide between dainty ballet flats or waterproof sandals. Then her eye caught a small sign. Just learning to read, she awkwardly sounded out the words ... "when you purchase Tom's shoes, we'll give another pair to a child in need."She looked at me puzzled, almost like she

Aren’t Words Wonderful?

2011-04-08T03:56:00.000-07:00

Spear Phishing.What a colorful and attention-getting combination of old and new. And a great way to make a fairly complex concept (highly targeted fraudulent emails) concrete and credible.It was attributed to David Jevans, chairman and founder of the non-profit Anti-Phishing Working Group in a recent article about a security breach at Epsilon. (We'll have to deal with the images that conjures up

The Definitive & Final Snark Post - (and it's not mine!)

2011-03-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's occurred to me that I spend a lot of time battling snark in my posts. A mean-spirited, and quite frankly, dull as hell trend in humor and writing today. Just read a post on Salon that is hands-down the best analysis and roundhouse kick in the business of this sad little brand of discourse.One thing first: I'm not a saint. I think I'm so conscious of snark because I used to practice it with

Give Your Donors the High Five!

2011-03-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

On a recent family vacation to Colorado, I was strolling through the lovely town of Boulder, kids in tow. In the lively city square, I spotted Children International representatives stopping passersby (presumably to sign them up for monthly sponsorship for impoverished children around the world).As a proud sponsor of nine years, I secretly hoped one of them would stop me. On a second stroll up

Don't Forget the Basics!

2011-03-16T04:56:00.000-07:00

“Junk mail is a familiar evil that’s barely changed over the decades,” Joel Stein asserts in his article on data mining in the current issue of Time.I’m not sure which half of that sentence hurts worse!The article focuses primarily on data mining of online activity ... why companies do it and what individuals could or should do to protect their privacy. Some five pages later (I read the

A Marketing Discipline

2011-02-25T09:37:00.001-08:00

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.Abraham MaslowWhen something works, we tend to try it again. That’s practical. Logical. And generally successful. But it sometimes works against us, too. Where’s the incentive to try something new? To take a different approach?At one of the earlier agencies I worked with, the creative director

However You'll Be Spending Your Thursday ...

2010-11-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

"You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown."Marcie, A Charlie Brown ThanksgivingHappy Thanksgiving, ya'll.

Great quotes on writing

2010-11-14T12:23:00.000-08:00

"People all over the world use words; the writer comes along and has to use these most-in-use objects, put together a few nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives ... and pull them together and make them bounce, throw them against the wall and make people say, 'I never thought of it that way.' "—Maya Angelou"Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and

Sharpen Up Your Writer's Block!

2010-11-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Some amateurs think writer’s block comes naturally. Fact is, you can – consciously or unconsciously – make almost any project more difficult. (And anything worthwhile reflects the effort that goes into it, right?)Here are some surefire ways I’ve found to make those special projects even more worthwhile.1. Start with lots of research. The less focus, the better. Google your topic. Save up articles

Fake it ‘til you make it?

2010-10-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Every organization has a persona. An identity. A voice.The challenge for the communications professional is not just to find and maintain that voice, but to do so with honesty and integrity. With authenticity. That’s not just a communications challenge. As one fellow blogger noted: "As digital media becomes more easily manipulated, and half-truths and falsehoods get instant, worldwide

Russell Brand’s Charm School for Marketers

2010-10-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

My unbridled affection for the lanky, lovely, hirsute Russell Brand is no secret. His wit and intelligence lashed to a folksy, self-deprecating and lightning fast delivery make him one compelling lad.Easy on the eyes, too. He’s like a burly Nigella Lawson.Women and men are captivated by him. Yes. Dudes, too. Dudes of the straight persuasion. There is a playfulness and endearing quality to him

I expect more of you, Nordstrom

2010-10-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those people who loves my mail (as in real physical mail). If I'm in a half-sleep and remember I haven't checked my mailbox, I'll pop up to see what's in there. This Saturday, it was the Nordstrom catalog. At least 100 pages of one helluva Nordstrom catalog! Probably one of the most well-done print catalogs I've seen. Beautiful photography. Top shelf paper stock. Glossy UV coating. It

"A journey of a thousand miles ..."

2010-09-27T04:31:00.000-07:00

Six months ago, Twitter reported it had more than 100 million registered users with 300,000 more signing up each day. The chart to the right illustrates this growth in terms of the number of tweets per day. A recently released study from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research indicates that the not-for-profit community has jumped

Big and Little

2010-09-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

A caution as you embark on adventures of the graphic design kind ...On several recent projects, I've struggled with the way artwork looks on a piece when it goes from a large image on a letter to the teaser on a #10 envelope. Or when it gets translated from print to web.Detail is lost. It looks too dark. Or else images that look glorious in their behemoth state tend to look a little busy and

Calling the Haiku Helpline ...

2010-09-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Nuance. Overtone.Emphasis. Color. Degree.A haiku seemed like a simple, straightforward approach. But I’m struggling with how to close, to make the point.Perhaps …Nuance. Overtone.Emphasis. Color. Degree.Clarity connects. Which is right. Your choice of words helps hone your point. Define and reinforce your intent. Minimize questions or doubt. Yet, there’s that whole bit about the context in which

Every 5 minutes ...

2010-09-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

All writers have their "go-to" techniques. I get that. I'm guilty of it as much as the next guy. And the direct marketer in me appreciates using proven strategies. But sometimes, it's time to let an idea retire with dignity to a condo in Florida.Strolling through the Atlanta airport last week, I was excited to see lots of non-profit display ads. These two caught my eye. Right next to each other,

"I Reckon So ..."

2010-08-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

We were talking the other day about how great it is that a healthy dollop of new business has recently been heaped upon us. We heart our new clients (picture me doing the Tay-Tay Swift heart thing ... no, dont! It's cheese! Pure cheddah!).Tay-Tay aside, it got us thinking about what draws business to any agency. What are we doing right that's leading to new partnerships that allow us in Bob's

Stories: A Cautionary Tale

2010-08-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Here at M&C, we write stories. Lots of them. Stories about challenges overcome, lives transformed, hope restored. It's one of the best parts of my job--helping nonprofits truly put a face on their good works. But that doesn't mean every story is worth telling. Here are a few cautions when it comes to stories.1. Overused subjects--A lot of nonprofits have a go-to story ... often a recipient who is

A Spot of Trouble?

2010-08-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

What happens when brand extension over-reaches? When cross-sell is at cross purposes with customer satisfaction?I experienced this on a recent trip to The Parking SpotI’ve been a fan of this business since it came to KCI several years ago. Started with a simple surface lot, well away from the bustle and chaos of terminal traffic. Priced at $6 per day, $1 more than public parking but the shuttles

Dear Pei Wei, Love Your Food ... Just Not Your E-mails

2010-07-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

A sobering reminder that even the best graphics don't matter when they're invisible!

Give 'em what they want!

2010-07-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

A recent study on email marketing reports that open rates continue to fall, from 12% in the first half of 2009 to 11.2% in the second.The report cites three reasons:image blockinguse of handheld deviceslist fatigue The report also notes that smaller lists – 100 to 499 names – perform better than larger lists. I would contend that it’s not just the smaller number of

When Less Really Is More

2010-07-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

As a copywriter, you think it would hurt my heart to admit it. But it's the truth.Sometimes you don't need the entire story, feature, 500 word extravaganza to say what you need to say.The longer I ply my trade, I crave brevity. Concise, effective writing that hits the mark rather than belabors the point.It's why I love what we've come to call around here, "The extended caption." It only takes 3

When the reality doesn't match ...

2010-07-11T13:01:00.001-07:00

I bought a new Jeep Liberty recently. In the weeks that followed, it was purchase reinforcement at its best—a handwritten thank you note from my salesman, a survey from Chrysler, then (3) reminders of my free oil change, one in an e-mail. Marketing automation executed perfectly. Clearly a strategy to kick off a long, fruitful relationship.So I decided to take them up on their new offer, despite

Mission vs. Mandate

2010-07-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

What’s a business to do? An organization is typically launched to accomplish a specific mission: to produce a better (or cheaper) product, for example. Or to provide a specific service. Driven. Focused. Purposeful. But to survive, it has to respond to what the market mandates. Which almost always requires some reshaping of the original vision. I considered this as I read a

Surrendering to Apple

2010-06-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

The day—Thursday, June 24. The occasion—Apple releases iPhone 4, a product dubbed the "Jesus phone." My mission—GET ONE!I stalked the Plaza store at breakfast (the line was a block both ways ... uh forget it); at lunch (better line, but I didn't have two hours to spare) and then after work. I was one of the last five to get one on Thursday. My heart pounded as they announced to the rest of the

Dollars Down, Do Gooders Up

2010-06-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Washington Post says the national volunteer rate had the highest annual jump since 2003 in 2009. 2009? The Dark Year? The Beans and Rice Year? Donations fell, but folks still wanted to do something.It's a drag that organizations weren't getting as many gifts, but I find this encouraging. These people are the real deal. They're looking for ways to stay connected to the nonprofits and

20 Years ... and a good time was had by all.

2010-06-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

On June 10, we opened our doors for an evening of fun and friendship in celebration of 20 years in business. Thanks to everyone who made it out to celebrate!

Quality IS Job One!

2010-06-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

I recently read a report – Millenial, Inc.: What your company will look like when Millenials call the shots – a six month study by Intrepid and Mr. Youth. The introduction focused on change…especially how the accelerating pace of change is driving changes in management and communication. And while the report dealt with numerous changes, I was most struck by a very strong

Happy Holiday???

2010-05-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

What are your plans for the week-end?Monday is Memorial Day. The beginning of summer. An extra day off. Swimming pools open. All week, weather forecasters have spoken in terms of picnics and camp-outs.Our son is in from out of town, and we’re kicking the weekend off by having friends and neighbors over this evening for a backyard concert.But wait a minute … is something missing here?Memorial Day

A Good Week - The M&C Haiku

2010-05-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

Too busy this weekApologies to the blogBillable is best

Proofreading Tips I Wish I Knew in 1997

2010-05-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

So I read all the hoopla on Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Hollywood Star ... the typo read 'round the world. The shock! The horror! The outrage! It even made CNN homepage, a scathing editorial.As much it pains me, typos happen. I know there's some poor guy chained to a keyboard who will carry that unfortunate error for life. That said, here are some tips I wish I knew way back when:Just because it's been

Recession’s Impact on Donor Expectations

2010-05-08T06:03:00.000-07:00

It’s encouraging to see the growing trickle of positive economic reports. But resist the temptation to rely too heavily on John F. Kennedy’s observation that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”This recession may have changed those tides forever. Not just in terms of dollars available for philanthropy, but also–and more importantly–in terms of donor expectations. A recent

In Defense of Good Photography

2010-04-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

Today, I had the good fortune of seeing world famous photographer Paul Mobley at the National Agri-Marketing Conference. He shared the "stories behind the stories" in his latest book: American Farmer: Heart of Our Country. The book weighs about 300 pounds and is filled with gripping images of salt of the earth farmers. It's a moving tribute to ag ... and to the nation. I'm a writer. Words have a

What is Good Design?

2010-04-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Johnston is the "Prezz/Art Director" of Lizzardbrand Inc.We asked her to share some of her thoughts on the interplay between art and copy.What is good design? An engaging marriage between the written word and visual communication. Pretty is always a plus. I’ve always said design is visual problem solving, not fine art. I think the difference between design and fine art is that artists

Just Say What You Mean

2010-04-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

Okay … I’ll admit it. I remember when Arthur Herzog’s groundbreaking book The B.S. Factor: The Theory and Technique of Faking it in America was published back in 1973. As a fledgling Communications major, I found his rants against Executalk and other verbal misdirections fascinating. “Words by the thousands have been affected and even undone" he claims. "At times it seems that the whole

Yeah we got swagger (well maybe not)

2010-04-04T16:30:00.001-07:00

We live in a neighborhood filled with kids. Last night, one of them casually asked my husband, "Kevin, have you ever been cool?"Quite honestly, the answer is no. We know it. We embrace it. That's why when I saw the recent Toyota Sienna commercial, I had to laugh. It's brilliant. They could have gone on and on about features and benefits, but instead they made their point with humor (oh, and

Temperance: A Story About Storytelling

2010-03-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

It’s the hot thing. You can’t attend a seminar, go to a conference or read a blog without fundraisers breathlessly exclaiming the virtues of storytelling.And yes, I agree. It’s an effective, genuine way to make a deep connection with donors.But I suggest caution, friends.There is much potential for pushback when you try to “tell stories” to longtime donors who already get it. It can be insulting

Graduating seniors, it's not that bad

2010-03-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

I read an article recently that told a frightening story for the college students graduating these days. Only 10% are expected to find a job in the current economy. 10%. Wow.Given the odds (and I think they’re getting better by the day), here’s a few pieces of advice to stack the deck in your favor.Get some experience—Yeah, we’ve all heard that a million times. But here’s the thing. I’m hearing

Build On What We Know

2010-03-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

I came across an interesting study on the “Diffusion dynamics of games on online social networks.”(No, this isn’t another treatise on the ubiquity of FarmVille.)I’m not an online games person. But I am interested in how word spreads via social media and in metrics on social networking behavior.What I found really fascinating was how much the researchers findings correlated with other, “more

Hello, Dolley - Amendments to the Creative Department's Bill of Rights

2010-02-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

Jeff Chase, Vice President and Creative Director at BKV, channeled James Madison when he delivered the Creative Department’s Bill of Rights this past Tuesday at KCDMA’s Direct Marketing Days. Fantastic presentation.In that same spirit, I would like to suggest four amendments to Jeff’s bold treatise. But I’m going to conjure the spirit of James Madison’s better half, Dolley Madison.Why, you may

A Conversation With Our Friend, Pat Friesen

2010-02-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

Where do you draw inspiration from (especially when you feel the well running dry …)?Excellent question … especially since I am right now facing starting two projects from ground zero. Here are my basics tactics for getting started:(1) Like most writers, I have a “swipe” or idea file where I’ve kept things I like. I go through this file with an open mind – no expectations – and see what jumps

Want my attention? Share something worth sharing.

2010-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Content is king. I read it all the time in industry pubs. I hear it at conferences. As a copywriter, those three words make my little heart flutter. I love the idea that differentiation is—and will continue to be—driven by message. But “content is king” deserves one giant, humungo qualification. Content is only king if it’s something the reader actually cares about. Everyone knows that, right? Uh

A Passion for Persuasion!

2010-02-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

People said we were crazy to send you this (fill in the blank). “You can’t do it – (organization) will go broke,” doubters said.That letter opening is my nemesis. It has been around for 25-30 years and has been used by at least that many organizations.I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been convinced some well-written test would be the new control …I thought of that recently as I reread Robert

A Digital Ecosystem?

2010-01-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

I recently heard a Hewlett Packard executive describe current and upcoming products in a framework he labeled the “digital ecosystem.”At first, I was taken aback.I’d always thought of ecosystems in terms of living organisms. But, data is hardly static, is it?Ecosystem implies interaction among a number of elements. Anybody involved with data-driven marketing understands that.Which was his point,

Hug it Out.

2010-01-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

I read Gretchen Rubin's blog - The Happiness Project – all the time. It's candid, wise and philosophical without being preachy and dull. She explores different theories and strategies for making yourself happy. This week she was at the Plaza Library here in KC and I missed her! I missed her! (Gretchen is also a KC native. Another midwestern jewel ...)But I missed her book tour stop here in the

How are you “treating” your best donors?

2010-01-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

I had a birthday recently, number 33. Not a milestone—kind of a gray, uneventful Wednesday, in fact. I pretty much assumed the day would pass much like any other. But then came my birthday surprise, an unexpected visitor. My best friend, who had been quite ill, arrived at my office. In her hands she held a small box with one pink gourmet cupcake from a new bakery I’d wanted to try. “I brought you

They’re only words …???

2010-01-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

What a great way to start the New Year.No, not the cold and additional snow.But, the Sunday morning chance to sit and read…to revel in the power of the well-written word. The memorable twist of phrase. The vague concept, suddenly vibrant and visible.Consider:“To let this question fill the free space between deadlines in my life…” Ellen Goodman on her retirement (or, time to let herself go).“…a

Can you just tell me your address PLEASE?

2009-12-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

This post is unrelated to marketing ... No, I take that back. It is related to marketing, very related. No fewer than two times a week I venture off into the world wide web in search of a simple piece of information: a company's phone number or address. About 50% of the time, it becomes an Alice in Wonderland epic search. It's rarely there on the bottom of the website. And oddly enough, it's

Put LinkedIn to Work for You!

2009-12-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

“I’ve signed up for LinkedIn, but I haven’t really done much with it…”I’m always surprised when I get that response, particularly from someone who is looking for work (job opportunities or business development).LinkedIn is a great tool, but it doesn’t work on its own. Here are five ways you can put LinkedIn to work for you.1. Contacts are an ongoing effort. You can’t sign up, send out a few

Tweeting Takes Too Much Time, or, Alliteration Rules!

2009-12-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

Really though. I hear it all the time. Not that alliteration rules. The other one.“Where do you find time to do all that Twitter?” And I must laugh because it sounds like my dad talking about “doing” the computer. He’s not a technological man.And you don’t have to be a technological man or (or woman) either.Therein lies the beauty of these sweet, sweet tools. You don’t have to be a whiz to use

Leanings on Learning

2009-11-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

I was at a conference on e-fundraising last week and it has me thinking about “learning curves.”(Well, experiencing learning curves, more accurately, but also thinking about the process.)Traditionally, I’ve thought of a learning curve in terms of an end point: you acquire an initial onslaught of information, put it to use and then work to fine tune its application. The curve flattens as the

High Tech Needs High Touch

2009-11-11T03:42:00.000-08:00

I had the good fortune to hear the opening speaker at the NAMA “Trends in Agriculture” conference share his perspective on “Defining the New Ag Community” today.Dr. David M. Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech shared his insights on how today’s marketers can use emerging digital technologies to establish or enhance relationships with key

Non-profit Storytelling: 6 Tips for Interviews

2009-11-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Ask any non-profit, and they'll tell you there's nothing better than a personal, heartfelt story to put a face on their cause. Far better than organizational blah-blah or sterile statistics, stories help donors (and future donors) learn an organization's personality. Stories help donors feel engaged in the work—and see the difference they can make in a real person's life. They empower the

Enthusiasm, friends - ENTHUSIASM!!!!

2009-10-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

So, a few weeks ago I went to lunch with a good buddy. I was considering a salad that had an intriguing name. I had no idea what the ingredients of said alluring salad were, so I asked our waiter for details.Let me stop here. I'm asking to know more about the more expensive salad option. This cat has a chance to upgrade my purchase, upgrade my gastronomic experience (read: upgrade his tip).So how

Making the “Un-presentation”

2009-10-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

I was recently on a panel for the Center for Non-Profit Success Boston Summit.I’ve done a number of presentations, but this went differently.In preparing for our session, one of the panelists–Jon Wojciechowski, Senior VP with PROP-People's Regional Opportunity Program – suggested a Q&A approach rather than the traditional three-mini-speeches-followed-by-audience-participation.We each prepared a

Target Marketing Editor Coming to Kansas City ... Kansas City Here She Comes ...

2009-10-05T13:09:00.001-07:00

What a coup! Hallie Mummert, Editor in Chief of Target Marketing magazine, will be appearing before the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association (KCDMA) next Tuesday, 10/13. Hallie will share insights into the future of direct marketing—and what is means for us. I think we could all use a crystal ball at this point! The event also marks the annual Rising Stars event, where the DM community honors

Wake up Kansas City!

2009-09-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

How can a city that’s among the nation’s top 50 in population let itself fall to 140th in online giving?Heart of the country, indeed!That was my reaction as I scanned the results of a just-released report comparing online donations processed by Convio on behalf of its nonprofit clients. Granted, that’s not a scientific representation, but it would seem to be indicative.After the first eight

Back to Basics

2009-09-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

R - E – S – P – E – C - TI can hear Aretha now, belting it out now.Find out what it means to me.That popped into my mind as I was reading about the House vote to rebuke Joe Wilson. There’s a lack of civility in partisan politics that cries out for a little respect.Politics–and business–are based on mutual self-interest. On relationship. Respect is the underpinning that can allow self interest to