Guest Bloggers
Building a Zipper to the Moon
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find group brainstorming sessions a bit intimidating. I mean, the creative team is there. And they always have the best ideas, right? And yet, here I was, attending a session on brainstorming, led by two top-tier creatives, Prudence Bovee and Steve Fleshman. The tables were set for…
Read MoreApplying Digital Tactics to Membership Organizations and Components
With a lengthy to-do list and planning for our large annual governance conference, the thought of missing a full day of work is quite daunting. But the time spent at the DMAW Digital Day Forum was so worthwhile! To my pleasure, I was able to immediately start applying some of the digital tips and tricks…
Read MoreWe entered muggles. We left magicians.
I think it was Dumbledore who once said, “Magic is best taught in the morning.” In truth, I’m not sure he said this. But morning was the perfect time for DMAW to host “Mid-level Magic”—taught by marketing masters Lisa Maska, CFRE and Jillian Leslie of Lautman Maska Neill & Company. Lisa and Jillian opened this…
Read MoreProduction Strategies Forum
Direct Mail production is complex and ever-evolving. With the introduction of new technologies and techniques, it’s more important than ever to understand the many options and applications available to you. Our Production Strategies Forum on June 19th is designed to guide you in that effort. We have gathered some of the industry’s best and most…
Read MoreWhat the Data Tells Us: Biggest Takeaways from 2017
Why would a college professor drive 3 hours each way through DC traffic for a DMAW Wake Up & Learn session? HINT: The answer is a 4-letter word… DATA! That’s right—you say analytics, and I say, “YES, please!” Carol Rhine’s insightful Target Analytics presentation was definitely worth the trip from Salisbury, MD. I’m a firm…
Read MoreMobile. It’s not just for selfies anymore.
The rise of mobile—it’s a phrase you no doubt have heard at marketing events for years. But get ready to hear it one more time because mobile use has hit a number of benchmark highs this past year that are reinforcing just how critical it is for nonprofits to up their mobile game. The Numbers…
Read MoreYour Guide to Rapid Response: Phases 1, 2, 3
When direct marketers hear the words “Rapid Response,” I think it’s common practice for us all to be numb to the phrase. After all, aren’t we rapidly responding to multiple things every day? And while this is true, it became clear when sitting at the DMAW Lunch and Learn about Rapid Response Fundraising and hearing…
Read MoreEducate for Success—Why I Attended DM101 and You Should Too
Are you fresh on the direct mail scene—a newbie like me? If so, the DMAW’s DM 101: The Basics seminar is one you don’t want to miss. Direct mail is a beautiful mystery—as I continue to learn and create within this industry, I’ve quickly discovered that I mustn’t forget the basics. Having a direct mail…
Read MoreBeyond the Event; Creative Approaches to Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
As you launch your fundraising campaigns this year, you may be missing out on some creative and effective new ways to use peer-to-peer tools and approaches beyond traditional events. Don’t get me wrong. Traditional run, walk, and ride events are highly effective. But, non-traditional peer-to-peer campaigns have an important place in fundraising, too. They’re typically…
Read MoreTen Commandments of Copy & Design Part II
You Still Can’t Risk NOT Reading This! (Continuing on with a quick wrap up of DMAW’s Ten Commandments Lunch & Learn featuring Tom Gaffny and Steve Fleshman.) Among the Commandments according to Tom and Steve is NEVER break a multi-page letter with the end of a sentence. Entice the reader to turn the page and…
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