Tag Archive for: Ugly Betty

The Mighty QR Code Gives Appeals a Lift

What exactly are QR Codes? How do they work and what’s the best way to use them?

QR codes are a type of barcode that a smartphone can scan. They are used to store information and links in the form of text, images, or videos. This makes them an efficient way to communicate with your donors and provide them with more information about your appeal or drive them directly to a specific site.

QR codes are most commonly used in marketing because they allow you to promote your institution in different ways. As a fundraiser, you can use QR codes on your website, social media profiles, posters and banners at events, but most of all, they work great with direct mail.

How to Use Direct Mail to Increase Your Donations

One good thing to note is that direct mail is certainly not dead, and it can be a powerful tool for increasing donations with the help of digital channels.

It continues to be the foundation for nonprofits to reach out to potential donors who are not on their email list or who prefer to give by mail.

While there are several types of direct mail, you can enhance your mailer with various elements:

  • Add the invoice-style “Ugly Betty” to your appeal

  • Include personalization in your letter through variable data printing

  • Create an infographic to highlight institution achievements to date

  • Use a tagline or call-out on the outside of your envelope

  • Employ a QR code to drive donors directly to your donations page

We’ve found that QR codes can help increase donations on your next appeal, but it’s important to follow three simple rules.

3 Proven Tactics to Increase QR Code Engagement

One of the most important functions of QR codes is to provide links to your digital assets. When someone scans your QR code, they can visit your donation page or interact with an app. To take this experience to the next level, try these three tactics:

1. Clearly explain what will happen when they use the QR Code in your direct mail piece. Where it will take them, or what they are expecting to see.

2. Provide a URL beside the QR Code for those wishing to go directly to the page without using the code.

3. Make sure your code is large enough for the donor to see.

To sum it up, QR codes are the link between the digital and physical worlds. If you are unfamiliar with how to get a QR Code, we recommend QR Code Generator, or ask us to add one to your next appeal for you.

Our clients have found QR Codes are a direct channel to their donation page for capital campaigns, spring and fall appeals, and on postcard reminders for fiscal year end. If you’re interested in adding a QR Code to your next appeal, contact us today.

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The Top 10 Trends for Direct Mail in 2022

Trends come and go, and this year is no different. We compiled a list of direct mail trends for 2022 that you can add to your next campaign.

Direct Mail Trends for 2022 and How They are Changing the Fundraising Landscape

In this blog post you will recognize some of these trends from 2021, and some may seem the obvious. From anything from saving money to new technologies, we approach these trends on how best they are changing the fundraising landscape.

Let’s talk about Direct Mail

Direct mail is the number one technique that is used to reach out to potential donors. It is a cost-effective way of reaching out to potential donors and personalized by giving history, imagery, and donor name.

Direct mail for fundraising has been around for decades. It was first used by charities in the early 1900s, but it has developed over the years by introducing new technologies.

Our Direct Mail Trends for 2022

Nationally, the use of direct mail has been on the decline for the past few years, however we have seen just the opposite. And it seems like this trend will change in 2022. There are many reasons people are opting back into this marketing tactic.

Let’s get to the heart of this post!

Here are the trends we see that have led to this increase in direct mail usage, as well as what trends we can expect more of in 2022.

Convergence

Digital channels continue to grow and become more popular than traditional channels – however, when working together, social media, email, and direct mail are a more powerful means of reaching your donors than ever before. Fundraisers see a 25% lift when using email and direct mail together.

QR Codes

Now, in 2022, the odd block that once seemed ambiguous is now one of the most mainstream forms of the print world meeting the digital world. Using QR codes in direct mail becomes more prevalent as they provide a way to track conversions and donations. QR Code Usage

Postage Increases

While the USPS continues to reform with postage increases and longer delivery times, direct mail is a hundred percent visible and tracked throughout the entire process. Considering the costs of a direct mail campaign on a larger scale, it is very affordable to send messages at the right time to your constituents.

6 × 9 Postcards

The recent USPS postage hike led to a change in regulations on which types of postcards are eligible for a new rate. Mailers no larger than 6″x9″ can now qualify for a lower rate! Can you imagine the USPS actually reduced the price? Now is the time to take advantage of all the real estate a larger postcard offers and at the same rate as your current smaller postcard.

The Classic letter

Now, even though the postage rate may have changed for the postcard, we’ve seen an increase in nonprofits sending more and more letters. Make your content personal by adding an “Ugly Betty” element into it.

Ugly Betty

If you haven’t tried adding this invoice-style format to your latest appeal, try it in 2022. This visual form of personalization stands out in a letter and allows your donor to visualize their giving history.

Personalization

First, look at the data you have collected. Use it wisely and add personalization wherever you can. Personalizing a letter with your donor data has been growing in popularity over the last year because of its effectiveness.

Planning Ahead

With the likelihood of continued disruptions to the supply of mail marketing materials, fundraisers may need to plan their outreach programs more than ever before. Above all, at BCG Connect, we’re working closely with our clients, determining expected volumes for each campaign.

Informed Delivery

In addition, Informed Delivery campaigns will be a prominent trend for fundraisers by 2022. The significant rise in household informed delivery subscribers and consistently increased adoption in 2021 makes informed delivery all that more attractive. And it’s free!

Reforestation Programs

In May 2021, we introduced our partnership with PrintReleaf. While there are other sustainable options like FSC, we are more focused on building up the global forestry system. Our clients take part in choosing where they want to replant and ultimately make an eco-friendly impact on the environment.

What do these trends mean to you?

In conclusion, these trends provide more and more opportunities for nonprofits and fundraisers to take advantage of all that direct mail offers. From convergence to sustainability, BCG Connect believes the power of direct mail will continue to increase in use.

BCG Connect offers all the above and so much more. So when you work with a team of leaders in the industry who understand the benefits of the trends in direct mail, your campaign will surely make a difference this year. Contact us today to see how BCG Connect can lead you in the right direction.

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The Truth about Ugly Betty

To most of the world, “Ugly Betty” was the name of an ABC original TV series starring America Ferrera. However, in the world of fundraising professionals, an ugly betty is an effective way to renew gifts from prior donors using a very direct, invoice-style approach. Fundraising appeals can vary in style – from creative self-mailers and postcards, to standard letters and invoice-style appeals – and created for various reasons.

The Common Misconception of an Ugly Betty

The Ugly Betty is not ugly! An ugly betty is simply an invoice-style appeal. Although it may not include many photos, there are plenty of creative elements to incorporate.

What’s so effective about an ugly betty? When looking at your mail and you see the piece of mail that looks like it may be an invoice or some sort of bill, it may be one of the first pieces that you open or set aside. It is instinct to pull out the “more important” looking pieces to make sure that you don’t miss any official documents.

You might ask, “Why wouldn’t every appeal be an invoice style, then?” If every appeal were an invoice style, you would reduce the effectiveness. Many organizations send ugly betties towards the end of their fiscal year to capture those prior donors that haven’t given yet.

Here are 3 components of an ugly betty to take into consideration:

  • Creative

An ugly betty might have lived up to the name, but these invoice-style appeals definitely don’t need to be ugly. There may not be many photos on the appeal, but there are different creative elements helping with the effectiveness of the piece. The simplicity of an invoice-style appeal emphasizes prior giving, lack of giving this fiscal year, and has a strong call-to-action of donating.

  • Envelope

How do you know when you get a bill in the mail? There is usually a special type of envelope. Whether it’s a window envelope, or has messaging on the envelope, it’s important to entice your donors.

  • Data Segmentation

Organizations often have an immense amount of data. It’s important that you use it! When data and direct mail align, there are endless possibilities. Data is a critical component to an effective ugly betty. It helps with showcasing the donor’s history and knows the level ask to do. For example, a chart showing Donor A gave $25 in 2015, 2016, 2017, but has yet to give in 2018. It would be appropriate to include an ask that has $25 as an option as opposed to $1,000.

Interested in seeing samples of creative invoice-style appeals?

BCG Connect works with fundraising professionals to implement creative direct marketing solutions into their annual giving campaigns. By sharing new marketing and fundraising information, BCG Connect helps clients identify, acquire and retain their donors.

 

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