Are you overwhelmed by all the creative ways nonprofits use donor data? If so, this blog post is for you!
It’s no secret. A data-driven strategy is crucial to your nonprofit’s fundraising success. But it takes a lot of work to rise above the noise with personalized communications based on your nonprofit’s data.
You wouldn’t get behind the wheel of a racecar without being comfortable driving a sedan. And you don’t need to strive for advanced personalization right away.
But what data points are the easiest to get started with? And how can you use them to connect with donors on a deeper level?
Here are three easy ways nonprofits use donor data to help get you started.
1. Speak to donors directly.
The human mind works in interesting ways. We are wired to pay more attention when we are addressed by name. When someone you just met remembers your name, you feel respected and more important. And when someone doesn’t, you may be offended that they didn’t take the time to remember it.
So, if you’re trying to make a good impression in a conversation or through your fundraising outreach, you need to address each donor by name.
It’s a small detail that can make a huge difference. And it’s the easiest way nonprofits use donor data to make an impression.
Most mass email platforms allow you to use personalization to address each recipient by name in the subject line or the body of your email.
So, if your nonprofit is still sending communications that start with “Dear valued supporter,” this small tweak can have a big impact on your ability to fundraise and build relationships.
READ MORE: Direct mail fundraising can help you go surround sound.
2. Be specific with your thank you’s.
This is another approach that uses a data point you probably already have. Like using a donor’s name, it’s easy to get started!
This approach uses the same principle as the name drop. Donors will feel more valued and respected when you remember details about them.
But in this case, the benefits are two-fold. In addition to showing donors that their gift mattered to you, this strategy opens the door for donors to give more.
In your next appeal, you can use a donor’s last gift as the lowest pre-determined ask.
This will subtly guide donors toward the middle option, which helps the donor realize they want to give more than they did before.
This is one of the simplest ways nonprofits use donor data to increase their fundraising potential.
READ MORE: Can your nonprofit send better thank you’s?
3. Segment by demographics.
You know that appeals and other communications that make personal connections with donors are key to building relationships. You can also use basic demographic information to make that connection, even if you don’t have a lot of psychographic data about donor behaviors available.
If you’re sending print appeals, you have a donor’s mailing address. So, consider creating different versions of your communications for donors in different states, counties, or towns (depending on your audience).
Then, use variable content in your communications to create slightly different messages for donors living in different areas. For example, you can include a variable line like “We know this issue has had an impact on [State of Residence] residents like yourself.”
It’s another way to show donors you see them as individuals, not just another name on your mailing list!
Get creative and find the best way to segment your organization based on demographics. Think about other data points you can use to create groups of donors with similar qualities. And use your data to create versioned content that appeals to each specific segment.
READ MORE: How to segment your nonprofit’s audience.
Start simple and grow.
Data-driven strategies aren’t just for huge nonprofits with hundreds of thousands of contacts in an elaborate database.
The beauty of using your nonprofit’s data in these three easy ways is they work whether you’re reaching out to 50,000 or 50 people!
These are a few simple ideas even organizations with the most limited database can use to get started. And you can always build on what you’re already doing later and find creative ways to do even more with these basic data points.
So, what are you waiting for? Make an impression by taking advantage of these easy ways nonprofits use donor data the next time you reach out.
Click here if you want to talk through ideas with an amplifi Development Strategist!
