I just returned from AFP’s 2011 international conference in Chicago. Listened to Australian Sean Triner. Do attend his sessions if you have a chance. Good presenter and good infor. Not to miss. Visit his blog.
Here are some Sean tidbits that I found useful:
— Donors with American Express credit cards are much more generous than other donors. So pay the higher fee and accept American Express in your organization!
— Transition regular donors to monthly giving via a telephone call…about 6 weeks after the first gift.
— Don’t ask monthly donors to “renew” at year-end. Just keep the process going until they drop out.
— Online acquisition for monthly donors isn’t very productive.
— Don’t forget the 30-day honeymoon period. If someone signs up for something (e.g., your newsletter), don’t let the person wait. Do other stuff during that 30-day honeymoon period to nurture the relationship.
— You know how we tend to focus on who to contact? Who are qualified prospects? Who are the people we will call via telephone or solicit face-to-face or or … Sean talked about who not to contact. I like that angle, too. Imagine your conversations: Who shall we definitely contact for whatever. And who shall we definitely not contact?
