Guest Bloggers

3 Traditional and 3 New Ways to Test Your Direct Mail Campaign Direct mail campaigns are a tried-and-true method for nonprofits to engage donors. But how can you ensure your campaign is as effective as possible? The answer lies in testing. Traditional testing methods like A/B split testing and control groups have long been staples…

Bringing Direct Mail to Life: An Insider’s Look at Production Day 2025 I don’t know about you, but I’m the kind of person who always wants to know how things work – both personally and professionally. I love digging deeper into processes that interest me, and Production Day is the perfect chance to do just…

From Identity to Authenticity: A Guide to Bridging Generational Gaps in Nonprofit Engagement Does your nonprofit feel stuck on how to engage with Gen Z? You’re not alone! Each generation has its own trends, preferences, and language. Of course, generational categories aren’t standardized, and leaning too hard on generational labels can lead to oversimplification at…

The MAXI Awards Are Back – Bigger, Bolder, and Better Than Ever!    You created, you innovated, you wrote, re-wrote (and maybe even re-re-wrote). You tested. And it worked (cue the confetti)! But before you move on to the next big campaign, don’t miss the chance to showcase your success. The MAXI Awards are back,…

The Buzz on Burnout Recognizing, addressing, and preventing burnout in 2025. Burnout is more than a trendy term or a fleeting complaint – it’s a pervasive workplace challenge. According to a 2024 study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): 44% of U.S. employees feel burned out at work. 45% feel emotionally drained. 51%…

Celebrating Excellence Highlights from the Best of Direct Awards Ceremony & Holiday Party Every year, the DMAW honors leaders who have made a significant impact on the direct marketing industry through their service and innovation. This year’s event celebrated these achievements. Hosted by Allison Porter and Tiffany Neill for the third consecutive year, the evening…

Rakin’ in the Responses Make your Direct Mail Shine with These Graphic Design Tips Mastering the art of nonprofit direct mail design can be a game-changer for your audience engagement. In this post, we’ll reveal the top 5 design elements that can transform your mailings into captivating, effective communication tools. From hierarchy to accessibility, margins,…

“New Year, New…?” We’ve all heard the phrase before; and in three short weeks’ time, we will hear it again; “New Year, New [Insert Noun]”. As with any turning of the page, the idea of the “new” and what may lie ahead in a new year can provoke many emotions: excitement, uncertainty, hope, even relief.…

What’s the Big Idea?! I love that the annual DMAW MAXIs allows us to see the work we all spend so much time thinking and talking about, and we get to learn what drives donors and donations for other organizations. Even though I knew two of my team’s campaigns for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)…

Thanks for Volunteering! Volunteers are the engine that powers DMAW and in this season of gratitude, we give a heartfelt thanks to all of you who volunteer your time, expertise, office/meeting room space, and so much more! I enjoy co-chairing the Volunteer Committee because I get to interact with so many from our industry –…