So Bridge 2010 is behind us, but here is what I now know:

• Fabulous nonprofit professionals attend this conference – great fundraisers, direct mail gurus, social media leaders. Save the date for July 20-22, 2011 – National Harbor, MD. And if you want to facilitate a workshop click here for more info! Congrats to AFP DC and DMAW leadership for great work.
• What’s old is new again:
  • Use the phone to contact donors – Yes! That’s right, pick up that old piece of technology and use it like we did before email! Donors want to hear from us with our VOICE in addition to email and snail mail. Old technology still a good tool in the age of the Internet! Ha! This came up in a number of Cinchcasts I did during the conference.
  • Storytelling is still the “thing” whether it be on your website, blog, email, newsletter, appeal or annual report. Collect stories from a variety of constituents and share them – often. Successful, relationship fundraising has always been about storytelling, sharing, conversation/dialogue.
• Email series to lapsed donors or new members can go from a traditional “welcome series” of three to National Wildlife Federation’s seven-part lapsed member series. It is a clever outreach sent every two to three days and has good results. Thanks Jenn Watral from National Wildlife Federation for sharing the process and results.
• We can and should use direct mail as a pipeline for major donors – but it requires consistent outreach, follow up, phone calls and staff/volunteers to reach those newly acquired donors. And the right approach and conversation is key to listening effectively and engaging the donor. Thanks to Alex Pope from Advocate Charitable Foundation for sharing their successes and challenges.
• We don’t have to sit through boring workshops to learn! Nick Simmonds wrote a three act play on a preparing and asking for a capital campaign gift, “They Laughed Until They Gave“. Very well done, great information AND lots of time for attendees to discuss, ask questions and engage! Bravo! I took some video from my mobile – sorry for the sound quality!

I enjoyed learning from my colleagues and connecting with friends. I always learn something new and affirm some of what I know. What conferences are you attending? Share the wealth!