The Fundraising Factory - Posts Tagged ‘social media’

To Facebook or Not?

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Today’s post Tom the Agitator ”the chicken or the egg” poses the question as to whether using Facebook as opposed to typical customer driven incentive marketing  makes customers loyal.

The study sited on his post shows that consumers who became Facebook fans of a cafe dessert business,  purchased, visited, and spent higher average dollars at the cafe than other customers who were not FB fans.   He asks the question.  If customers were given some form of incentive card would they be just as loyal as those who did not have one?  He thinks so.  I honestly don’t know but coincidentally, just this past week, I did a test using FB advertising as a vehicle for gaining new fans, and customers.

In just one week, fans on the Designs by Lucinda Facebook page increased by %100.  I’ve also seen an improvement of %50 more traffic on my website.   Through Google Analytics I can see they are coming directly from Facebook.  Fans are flooding my FB page with endorsements and praises of me (batting my eyelashes wildly right now) and my product as well.  From my perspective it does not matter which is better or even if one creates a more loyal customer than another.  What matters is that more people now know about my product and services, are sharing with friends,  and I can continue to build relationships with them through a medium of social networking that I can not do with incentive loyal customer punch cards.  I believe customer loyalty will come from the relationships that I nurture not the discounts I offer.

I urge all non profits to create a presence on FB and build a fan base.  It provides an easy means of expression to educate an audience, promote events, brag about accomplishments, and ask for help.   And it’s FREE!  Hello?????

Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda

PS: If you aren’t a FB fan of mine you can become one now.

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Posted in Marketing, Uncategorized, social media | No Comments »

Writer’s Cramp or Digital Digger?

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Mine and other blogs have been praising technology and social media.  You Tube, Facebook, and Twitter are critical marketing tools in today’s age.  But let’s not forget the good old handwritten letter.  Remember the days when you received a penned letter from a relative or close friend?  There was something special about opening that letter.  Studies suggest that people still desire and embrace that personal touch.  In fact many non profits rely on the personal connection of the handwritten letter as the first building block in establishing a strong relationship with a donor.  A prominent blog www.theagitator.net seconds this concept.  The author notes that “communications in digital form drives attention deficit and diminishing returns.”

My first thoughts on handwritten or not?

I visualize the wastebasket brimming with discarded start overs calling into question what this handwritten letter has on my carbon footprint.  Does this mean more work? If I handwrite a letter do I have to plant a tree now?

Of course, a handwritten letter demands attention to my penmanship, whereas the delete key, the new digit on my right hand  rearranges my scribbles and thoughts formulating eloquent communications.  I like that very much.

Let’s not leave out time and money.  I’ll need an envelope, the 42 cents and who knows how long it will be before my letter arrives to its destination.  On the other hand (get it)…other hand…the send  button is free and delivery is immediate.

The case for digital seems compelling…but here’s what I really think.  A hand written ask letter is more likely to be effective when it’s written by someone the writer knows personally.  It lends itself to a level of intimacy that digital communication doesn’t capture.  The reader connects emotionally, understanding the time taken, efforts involved, and the writers passion for the cause.

After all, the letter is permanent, leaving a lasting impression and your request will be given more consideration.  Whatever your choice,  handwritten or not , my recent post “Ask and You Shall Receive”- 5tips for writing an ASK Letter will surely help you either way.

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Posted in Ask Letters, Marketing | No Comments »

Social Media and the Donor

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Using the social media network for fundraising and building potential new business/donations is a key component to today’s overall marketing strategy for most organizations. Here are 3 questions to ponder.

Does your donor know you?   As part of your online strategy, integrating compelling videos and pictures will deliver memorable online experiences and promote sharing through your website, Facebook, and Youtube.

Do you recognize the small donor?   The Obama campaign proved just how much small donations had a huge impact.  When you demonstrate that X dollar donation equates to X in services AND give examples such as (X$ donation-feeds 10 families). This creates an online high touch experience for potential new donors and reinforces the loyal supporters choice to give.

Are you accountable to your donors?   With everyone asking for a click donation it’s important to create a high value proposition succinctly explaining how results and long term sustainability will be achieved within your project or organization.  Your donors have the right to expect accountability.

Don’t be fooled though.  Although, social media offers good tools, the click will not replace the necessary human connection that we require.  I use social media for communication but I change the world one pin at time, one person at a time.

Check out Beth Kanter, an expert in Social Media for the non profit.

Let’s stay connected and happy fundraising,
Lucinda

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Posted in Donor, Fundraising, social media | No Comments »