We know that email is a viable form of fundraising. But, not all emails do well and bring in a lot of donations–and it can be hard to determine exactly what (if anything) went wrong. Also on this episode: Newsletters that bury the interesting parts An early Giving Tuesday tip Follow @AlexLlull on Twitter if …
Episode 25: Reasons Why Your Email Didn’t Raise Money Read More »
Your emails to podcast@oneicity.com really will get answered, and this episode is proof! In this mailbag episode, Ryan and Steve answer: How to start a Millennial strategy How do you plan a big event right now? The best way to fundraise on Giving Tuesday
Data. The database. Donor records. They’re not as flashy as copywriting or art design, but they can have just as big an impact on your fundraising results as anything else. In this special episode, Kris Hoots (President and Founder of Oneicity) joins Ryan and Steve to talk about: Why you should love data. Ways you …
Episode 23: How to use data to increase fundraising Read More »
Donors are the lifeblood of your organization, and their support is what allows you to accomplish your mission. …but they’re also wrong. A lot. Ryan and Steve talk about the most common ways donors are wrong and how to engage with them and (nicely) set them straight. Also: Ryan talks about an email he never …
You sent out direct mail fundraising, and no matter how often or seldom you check the results…they’re not good. What went wrong? Ryan and Steve go over the 8 reasons why that appeal failed, and how to fix it. Also: Using the same envelope and teaser year over year Deadly in-person fundraising events Refine vs. …
Episode 21: 8 Reasons Your Direct Mail Appeal Failed Read More »
Last Episode, Ryan and Steve talked about why you shouldn’t be thanking your donors (and what you should do instead). This week they go over the ways you can validate your donors. Also: Steve gripes about how unhappy he was with Episode 19 Ryan opens an invitation for an event but isn’t sure what it’s …
Episode 20: (Still) Don’t Thank Your Donors – How to Validate Them Instead Read More »
When you receive a gift from a donor, do you thank them? This week, Ryan and Steve talk about why that may not be the best thing to do. Also: How the Post Office’s digital offerings affect your direct mail Don’t have a match? Create one. Check your results, but at planned intervals (not EVERY …
Just like Ryan and his kids…you don’t love all your gifts equally. Undesignated gifts, that can be used for any part of your organization or mission, have the biggest impact…but how do you get more of them? Also: Ryan unboxes a piece of mail live on air Your fundraising should be emotional, but your fundraising …
The first mailbag episode–Ryan and Steve answer your questions sent in to podcast@oneicity.com. How early is too early to talk about Thanksgiving? Should you use fundraising gimmicks? How do you get started nonprofit fundraising? How do you show donors your leader’s personality without it being an ego trip? What makes a good fundraising story? How …
Does copy lead the art direction? Or, does the image dictate the words? No matter which side of the debate you fall on, you need to use images–and they need to be effective. Are effective images beautiful? Happy? Sad? Stereotypes? Like so many things, it depends. Come along with us as we dive in to …
Episode 16: Fundraising Photos That Actually Raise Funds Read More »
A podcast about, you guessed it: nonprofit fundraising. This isn’t the first podcast about it, but definitely not like any others you’ve listened to. This is a podcast for fundraisers by fundraisers. No boring charts or the same stale “best practices” you’ve heard for years. No ideas that only work in theory, here. No concepts from people who aren’t in the same trenches as you are every single day.
Every week, you’ll get practical strategies and tips to craft messages that engage donors and raise more money. And you can use start using them as soon as the episode is over!
Ryan Thomas
For nearly a decade, I led teams at a multi-million dollar software corporation perfecting client experience, user processes and product development. I’m a gold watch guy, and don’t like change — especially in something as important as my field or job. But, the opportunity to leverage strategies and techniques I learned in the for-profit world for the very ministries I care so much about was a chance I couldn’t pass up.
Steve Thomas
I served as the CEO/Executive Director of a nonprofit for 5 years, so I understand first-hand the responsibility of generating income and charting a course for an organization. In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a consultant with a wide range of nonprofits from start-ups to some of the largest national ministries.
We publish every Monday
Oneicity was born from our desire and passion to serve small- and medium-sized ministries and non-profits with affordable fundraising and marketing. We are a professional services firm that is unlike any you have ever worked with.
