Jonathon Grapsas posted this video about some last minute tips that can have an impact on how well your year end appeal will do. But you might find that some of his tips will work for any mailing you work on during the year. Take a look:

Creatively, there tend to be two approaches to year end appeals that you can consider. You can either use the holiday season or Christmas thematically to tie in the importance of a gift – especially as the donors start to madly run around buying gifts for all of their loved ones, you are sending a friendly reminder to consider your cause as well. Secondly, you can use another traditional device – the thermometer. The message revolves around the idea that it is year end, and as much as your donors have rolled up their sleeves, you are not… quite… there… Again, reminding them of the things you’ve been able to accomplish to date and the few things you are hoping to do before the year runs out and how important that last gift will be.

One last thing: try not to mail your appeal in a white #10 (because everyone else will be!). If you have to use a #10, consider using coloured stock, or a bright colour on the front and back.

Good luck with your year end appeals.

EDIT: also found this great post from Pamela Grow for 5 more down and dirty tips you can use on your year end appeal. Thanks Pamela!

And this: Top 10 Ways to Screw up Your Year-End Fundraising Campaign by Gail Perry.

Sometimes the easiest and best solutions aren’t found while staring at your computer monitor.

Do you use Twitter? Do you follow more than 5 people? Then check out the new lists feature…

With so many ways we can now reach out to donors, there are too many charities and people making noise for the sake of it or because their “schedule” tells them to. If you only ‘talk’ when you have something of value to say – people will appreciate and respect you the more for it.

I’ve been watching with great interest the live tweets that are streaming out of Holland the 29th International Fundraising Congress.
I love it for at least three reasons.
1) There is a live updated billboard that anyone who is there can see who is talking about IFC using the #29thIFC hashtag – I’ve been trying to think of how i can use this to my advantage for promotional means – haha…

Sorry but that is just cool.
2) I can learn (sadly in small sound bites) what some of the speakers are talking about. Things I learned today: “Most people do not want a one to one in person ask for a bequest. Less than 5% It’s too personal!” “There are nine millionaire cats in the UK! Gifts were also left 2 dogs, turtles ponies. Known as ‘Last friend syndrome‘ “Best way to fundraise online: Stop fundraising, start inspiring action” “R.Radcliffe says that Legacy Club members think of it as a free meal but many many don’t leave a gift in will.”
3) I can follow live who is tweeting the most content from the conference:
You can check this out right here.

No it’s not the same as being there by any means (maybe next year?) but it does create a buzz for the event, it allows fundraisers to stay up to date with their colleagues and ’share’ in the event. Heck, I can even ask a question or two and expect someone there will seek the answer for me. Maybe I’m a tweetgeek but here is another fine example of how you can use twitter as a powerful communications and marketing tool. I look forward to seeing more photos and tweets in the next few days.