Donor Newsletters Must be Newsworthy in Direct Mail Fundraising

The secret to publishing compelling donor
newsletters is to only publish stories that are
newsworthy to your donors. But how do you decide if a
story is newsworthy? Take this simple test.

Is the story timely?

Is the topic on everyone's mind these days? Did it just
happen? For a story to be newsworthy it must contain
information that is new, recent. Any topic that is current
has the potential to be newsworthy. Think within the
timeframe of your newsletter. Whatever your
publishing schedule (weekly, monthly, quarterly), every
story you publish should deal with events that
occurred since your last newsletter and not
before.

Is the story significant?

Why is it important? Why does it matter? Why does it
matter now? The easiest way to answer this question
is to count the number of people the story affects. If the
story is about the annual board retreat, the number of
people affected is likely the number of people on your
board. But if the story is about a board retreat attended
by Nelson Mandela and Bono, and a donation of $100
million given to fund your latest dream project for inner-
city toddlers, then you have a few more people
affected. People who will find the story significant.

Is the story dramatic?

News is about people. Donors want to read about
amazing people doing amazing things. A story about
Greenpeace activists in the South Atlantic protesting
illegal whaling wasn't dramatic until a Japanese
whaler fired a grenade-tipped harpoon within a few
feet of one of the Greenpeace activists, knocking him
into the deadly, icy waters.

Is the topic odd or unusual?

If your soup kitchen serves 1,000 meals a week, that's
usual. But if one of your guests turns out to be a client
from years ago who has since gone clean, gone
straight and is now a millionaire business owner who
mentors youth, and has returned to your soup kitchen
to tell you he's thankful for your help years ago, that's
unusual.

Is the story controversial?

Are your volunteers chained to the railings of the
Indonesian Embassy in Washington? Has your
executive director gone on record as saying the only
kind of safe sex is that between a man and a woman
who are married for life and monogamous?
newspapers , magazines, tabloids and television and
radio talk shows, as you know, thrive on controversy. If
you can find a story that is controversial but also in
good taste, and relevant to your case for support, you
have a newsworthy story.

----
About the author
Alan Sharpe is the author of Breakthrough Fundraising Letters and president of Raiser Sharpe, a full-service direct mail fundraising agency that helps non-profit organizations raise funds, build relationships and retain loyal donors. Sign up for free weekly tips like this, and discover other helpful resources, at www.RaiserSharpe.com.

© 2007 Sharpe Copy Inc. You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "About the author" message).

Direct Mail Fundraising Letters - Mail an Envelope, Not a Postcard

I have on my desk a direct mail fundraising envelope that I have never opened. And never will. Perhaps you can learn a lesson from its failings.

The offending article was mailed by the Canadian Red Cross. It is a full-colour envelope, 6.5 inches wide and 5.75 inches tall, with a window. The envelope promotes the organization's lottery.

This envelope fails most of the tests in my book.

Here's why.

Test #1: Does the envelope intrigue?

No. This envelope gives everything away. It features no fewer than six photos: a sports car, sailboats, a bunch $100 bills, the Coliseum in Rome, another sports car, and the Taj Mahal. You get the picture. You don't have to guess at the contents of the envelope.

The headlines are equally blunt:

"More prizes!. . . More Choice than ever before!"

"Big prizes! Big cause!"

"The big red. The New Ontario Lottery!"

This envelope fails the test of intrigue. Outer envelopes must intrigue readers to open them, not give everything away.

Test #2: Does the envelope appeal to noble motivations?

No. This envelope appeals to greed and covetousness. Those are short-term motivators. People who give you a donation in exchange for a chance to win a mansion or Mercedes Benz are not supporting your mission. They are not embracing your cause.

Test #3: Does the envelope give the reader a reason not to open it?

Yes. This envelope gives you two reasons to throw it away unopened. One is a phone number: "Call NOW to order tickets 1 800 850 5090." Another is a website: http://www.redcrosslottery.ca. If all you want your recipient to do is phone you or visit your website, mail them a postcard, not a letter.

Your outer envelope has two goals only. Deliver your package contents intact. And persuade the donor to open your envelope. Don't give yourself away. And don't send the donor somewhere else.

To see a large sample of this envelope, visit www.raisersharpe.com/z/redcross.htm.

----
About the author
Alan Sharpe publishes Direct Mail Fundraising Today, the free, weekly email newsletter that helps non-profit organizations raise funds, build relationships and retain loyal donors. Alan is the author of Breakthrough Fundraising Letters and 25 handbooks on direct mail fundraising. Alan is also a speaker and workshop leader who delivers public seminars and teleseminars on direct mail fundraising. Sign up for Alan's newsletter at www.RaiserSharpe.com.

© 2007 Alan Sharpe.

Finding Free Xbox Live Codes

Needless to say, Microsoft Xbox is one of the best gaming consoles we have to date. It was originally launched by Sony Play station. Such console makes use of state-of-the art technology with undoubtedly high resolution. One of its best features is the integration of a live gaming, a one-of-a-kind experience. With this never-heard before feature, people from all across the globe get to play together. In fact, this gaming console made a name for itself when it actually hit a record in November of 2002 for having the most players. To put it in simpler words, Xbox has since become one of the most played consoled in the history.

The question is; how can people play simultaneously. The answer is simple. It is through the use of Xbox Live codes. Upon purchasing a unit, you are automatically given a couple of trial codes. These codes allow the player to gain advantage over other competitors. Xbox enthusiasts have also tried several ways to get hold of these codes.

Although these codes can be bought, there are many people who opt to find them on-line. However, because of the increasing demand, websites are now starting to charge membership fees in order to provide access to those who are searching for Free Xbox Live codes. Before one gets too excited, it is important to check the website first. The search can become very easy once you land in a very reliable website. Most of the time, you stumble upon a false website, you may notice that apart from asking for your name and e-mail address in the registration page, credit numbers are required, too. When this happens, it is best to navigate away from that page. On some other websites, they may require you to try a couple of their on-line games before you can actually access the codes. You may or may not do this. If you are just after the codes then you may continue you search.

One way also of obtaining free Xbox live codes is by reading some gaming reviews where on-line games are being reviewed. This way, you will find the best websites to visit. You may also exchange views with a fellow enthusiast by joining discussion boards. The important thing to remember is that if you want something for free, then be ready to work hard for it. Research more and make use of other resources as well.

Stuart is writing for many websites, He enjoys writing and sharing articles on wide range of topics such as Xbox Live codes and free Xbox Live codes. Visit to find more information.

Online Flash Games - Cooking Games For Girls

Lets play cooking. The flash cooking games have arrived.

These games are becoming a popular source of enjoyment and learning for kids. Many types of such games are available on the internet. Many are free of cost. There was a time when people couldn't think beyond the conventional games or toys which were really expensive and did not lasted for a long time. The online games are easy to play and free of charge. Kids can find a variety of these on the net by themselves without any guidance. Most of the children like cooking and they may spoil something or endanger themselves unless there is someone who teaches them correctly. These games do this job of helping kids learn what they want. There are games which show how to prepare the breakfast in a particular sequence so that the kids understand and can remember. Kids can learn how to make a cheese sandwich in an easy process that shows preparing slices of bread and then crating the cheese and sprinkling black pepper and salt to it. The kids can also help their parents in cooking meals if not preparing the meal.

All this can be done while playing. If you wish to teach your kids something why not do it by the means of games since games are the best options to pour something into their growing minds. Some parents are worried that their children don't eat some foods for example milk. They could easily make their kids drink or eat food items by the help of these games. The role of nutrients in the meal is very important and kids could be explained this by the means of games. These are so informative and suggestive that children can easily play, understand and then perform the same themselves. One can start cooking in the kitchen and the game on the computer simultaneously in order to give the child a practical idea of the game. Generally the girls are more interested in cooking and hence these are more popular among the girls. It is a fun filled activity that involves learning and repetition. The young minds are innovative and they should be trained to get some creative outputs from them. Several questions arise in the mind that how to find these games, or where to find them? These are easily accessible and free of charge. There is a list of recipes to search for. One should find a recipe that is suitable according to the child's age and get started.

Many people share their views and ideas about cooking including recipes for the convenience of others. Another doubt that keeps us confused is the language barrier. In reply to this, I suggest that these games are often in Asian languages but they are so informative due to the graphics involved that language doesn't remain a barrier in the end. These games are easily downloaded and installed and hence it saves time. You can't judge the fun involved in mountain climbing unless you climb the mountain yourself. So start playing and cooking.

If you want to know more about Cooking Games And Food Games then feel free to visit http://www.thecookinggames.com

Easy and Profitable Direct Mail Campaigns and Ways to Save YOU Money!

When creating a direct mail campaign keep a few things in mind.

1. Target your market! Don't waste a penny on people who have no need for your product or service.

2. Keep it simple. When your prospect sees your offer in the mail, you might have only a second or two to grab their attention. Mysterious envelopes with your offer inside will probably hit the trash before they make it into the house.

3. A simple card with a very clear benefit right up front is perhaps the only thing a prospect will take the time to read, so make this grab their attention. What more do people want than to know exactly what an offer is going to do for them? Not much!

4. If you have a free incentive...give it. Whether it's free information like a special report, or a free trial, people are always interested in the word FREE!

Your business should have a web presence, because most people expect it today. Be sure to put the URL in your mailer and give the prospect a clear and compelling reason to visit your Website. Your business Website doesn't have to be complicated, it might be only one page, but it gives you another opportunity to build a relationship with your prospect.

Put your Website to work to build an email list. Give your prospects a darn good reason to opt in to your email list for special offers, up coming events, sales, or news. An ever growing email list gives you a great way to continue contact with your soon to be customers, and it costs nothing!

The great thing about direct mail marketing today is that it is unnecessary to blanket mail a zip code, or town. Your target market can be narrowed down to prospects who most likely will be in interested in your product or service. Simple things like only homeowners. Then prospects can be further narrowed by age, income, hobbies, or general interests. Do you want to target someone who has little children, or perhaps empty nesters getting ready for retirement? You can clearly see how taking the time to zero in on your target market can save you money. So when purchasing a mailing list, make sure you get the most bang for your buck - Target!

Always focus on how to get your prospects attention in a split second. Once you have their attention, and hopefully further contact by phone or email, then you have the opportunity to explain all the wonderful benefits of your business. Marketing takes time, careful consideration and money, but done well it can sky rocket your business and that's worth the effort!

Think blanketing a zip code is the way to go? A better way is to spend your marketing dollars only on strong leads, folks who want and need your business! We put a bulls eye on your market and bring them home! Join the marketing discussion!

Visit: http://www.targetyourmarket.net

We explore ways to get the most out of your marketing efforts. While there, sign up for my weekly newsletter for up to the minute marketing trends, ideas, and special offers!

Using Print Ads to Bolster Your e-Business

When you are developing the marketing plan for your business, there are many factors you must take into consideration. Advertising is crucial, but needs to be done strategically in order to garner the best response for your money.

Many online businesses rely upon e-mail advertising to accomplish the majority of their marketing goals. For the most part this is an easy and inexpensive way to advertise your product or to maintain contact with existing customers.

There can be several flaws with e-mail or online marketing, the greatest one of which is ending up in the clients spam file. E-mail messages that are not very carefully worded will be jettisoned there without ever even seeing the inbox.

Using the word "free" anywhere in your message is one guaranteed way to get you there. Most e-mail servers search for certain words or phrases that identify the e-mail as spam, and "free" is one of those very words.

People nowadays are also so accustomed to receiving unsolicited e-mail advertisements that they hit the "delete" button with gleeful abandon, and many times accidentally condemn your message to the trash without ever even opening it.

Print Ads Get the Customer's Attention

In the electronic age in which we live, your customers have adjusted to receiving the majority of their "junk mail" via the Internet. With the growth of electronic advertising, many businesses have cast away their direct mail efforts.

Direct mail advertising is still very much so alive and well, though. In fact, there is a large percentage of the buying public who still prefer the more personalized feel of direct mail.

Present your printed advertisement in such a way as to grab your customer's attention. Use teaser print on the envelope or a catchy phrase on the face of the ad that will grab your prospect's eye. Pique their curiosity and give them a reason to open the envelope.

Advantages of Direct Mail

You can do many things with direct mail that you cannot do with electronic advertising. Vivid images and eye-catching graphics help grab your prospect's attention. You can include a sample of your product, or a free gift. If you sell products that are scented, such as perfume, candles, lotion, or bath products, you can include a "scratch and sniff." Printed advertising allows you to engage more of your prospects' senses, which in turn heightens their interest in your product.

Your main disadvantage with direct mail marketing is that it does cost more than e-mail or Internet marketing. You must do your homework and know your prospect, and selectively advertise by using qualified lists. You may even already have your own list of customers and potential customers, built through your website.

Direct mail marketing adds another whole dimension to your marketing efforts. It provides you with another avenue of catching their attention and garnering their interest in your product. You can engage senses that electronic marketing cannot. You can also track your marketing efforts to determine their effectiveness. Consider the advantages of printed advertising to add another dimension to your marketing efforts.

Robert Abrom is CEO of Abrom Research Inc., find more resources for your journey to entrepreneurship at [http://abromresearch.com]

How to Choose the Right Email Setup For Your Email Accounts - POP, IMAP, Or Webmail

There are three ways available to access your email with most website hosting accounts. You can choose from POP, IMAP, or Webmail. Which one is best for you? The overview below will explain the basics about how each works and when it might be a great choice for your email access.

POP: POP stands for Post Office Protocol and it's easiest to understand if you think of the server as your post office. Mail is sent, the post office (server) receives it, and then your mail program (Outlook, Eudora, etc) goes to the post office and picks up your mail. The mail is then saved on your computer and is no longer on the server. Just like when you receive a letter in the mail, you end up with the only copy of that letter, and you don't need to go back to the post office to read your letter. If your mail is critically important I recommend running regular backups of your mail program if you use POP.

POP works well if:

* You use one computer to access your email.

* You are the only one who needs access to the email account.

* You have a dialup connection or sometimes work offline and want access to your email without being connected to the internet. (Not required, POP works great with always on connections like DSL or cable as well.)

* You want to keep your mail stored on your computer so you can easily back it up to an external drive or online service like Mozy.

IMAP: IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. IMAP works in an "online" type mode where you connect to the server for your mail and all mail remains on the server, instead of being transferred to your computer*. You can create folders on the server and move mail around, delete mail, etc. and it's all being done on the server. With IMAP you can then access that mail from multiple computers. Depending on your connection speed and how much mail is stored in your account IMAP can be slow to access. All mail is backed up by your host whenever they run backups. I recommend also keeping a local backup of your hosting accoung if your mail is critically important and not depending on the server backups. (There are some IMAP programs which can be set to allow you to save a copy of the email on your local computer. You'd need to contact support for your email program to find out if your program supports this.)

IMAP works well if:

* You need to access your email regularly from multiple computers.

* You are on a fast, always on type of internet connection (DSL, Cable, or similar).

* You regularly clear out old email and are able to keep the email in your box under the limit for your account (never deleting email that's stored in an IMAP account can cause you to hit your account limit and make mail bounce back to senders until the limit is changed or old mail is deleted).

Webmail: Most website hosts offer a choice of different programs clients can use to access their email through their web browser. Your host may offer Horde, SquirrelMail, Roundcube or other options. With webmail all mail stays on the server and you can access it from any computer that has an internet connection and browser. You login to webmail through your browser and can read and send messages through it.

Webmail works well if:

* You want to be able to access your email online from multiple computers.

* You would rather check your mail in a web browser and not deal with configuring a program on your computer to handle mail via IMAP or POP.

* You regularly clear out old email and are able to keep the email in your box under the limit for your account (never deleting email that's stored in an webmail account can cause you to hit your account limit and make mail bounce back to senders until the limit it changes or old mail is deleted).

* You are traveling and want to access email while traveling.

Email setup can vary from server to server so be sure to check with your host for any specific email access questions.

And now, let me give you access to some great free resources for small businesses including 101 Free/Cheap Ways to Market Your Business, 119 Things You Can Outsource, and more at http://www.michelleshaeffer.com

Michelle Shaeffer has been a work at home mom for more than 10 years and loves to share the tips and strategies she's learned to help other home based business owners balance, manage, and market their businesses.

Download Free Games Into PSP - Learn How to Download and Transfer Games Into Your PSP

Are you looking for a website that gives you the ability to "trick out" your new PSP? Well, you are not alone. The PSP, introduced a few years ago, became an instant hit, leaving many people to wonder how they could get the accessories without it costing them a fortune. Luckily, the Internet was available. These people turn to this technology to satisfy their craving and look for PSP games.

If you are one of these folks that need to save money, then using the Internet is a wonderful way to do just that. When you use Google or Yahoo search engines, you are going to find plenty of sites claiming to be free or actually be free. Your job is to disseminate between all of them and find out which one works best for you. If you are looking for more than games, then many of these sites will offer wallpaper, music, movies and even themes.

There are actually three kinds of sites to choose from: totally free sites, free membership sites and one-time fee sites.

Totally Free Sites -
These are often known as peer to peer sites that give its users totally free downloads including PSP games, movies, music and more. Any download you get doesn't come with a price but could. Sometimes the file you download could have a virus attached to it which could not only mess up your computer but your PSP too. Also, the file you are trying to get may take some time. Many of these sites are rather slow.

Free Membership Sites -
What kind of site is this? For starters, site operators allow you to sign up for free so you can look at their list but they never say the games are free to download. You will notice it as you try to download your game and you get told you have to pay for it.

One-time Fee Sites -
Just as the heading suggest, these sites offer you unlimited access for a low one-time fee usually of around $50. You gain immediate access to games, movies, music, themes and wallpapers for a lifetime. Speeds to download with are much faster than those of the absolutely free kind and there is little chance of getting bugged with spyware, adware and malware. Site operators keep a constant lookout for problem files so users will have less worry with this. These kinds of sites usually go a long way. By the time you downloaded two games, the money you paid will have been paid back in games and whatever else. Many of these sites will give you the software you need so you can transfer those games to your PSP. What more could you ask for?

If you are looking to save cash, then your best bet is to stick with the one-time fee sites. With option one, it is likely you will have to pay to get your computer working right again and if you pass anything to you PSP, it's almost hopeless to get it fixed. Don't download from these sites to save a small bit of money. Spend a big sum and then download forever.

If you want to learn more about psp downloads and start download free games into your psp then click here [http://www.topproductreview.net/Psp-Downloads/PSPDownloads.html]

Download Free Games For PSP

The PSP has been exploding in popularity since it's launch just a couple of years ago. And since buying PSP games can be pretty expensive another trend is exploding in popularity along with it...

To save cash gamers are looking to the Internet for a way to download free games for PSP. There are tons of websites out there that will allow you to download free games for PSP plus you will be able to download other PSP stuff like movies, music, themes and wallpapers.

When you begin your search for sites that will let you download free games for PSP, you will come across a few different options.

Option #1

A completely free website that will let you download free games for PSP without ever paying a fee. At first this option can sound appealing however, these sites usually offer a limited amount of PSP games, bad download speeds and most of the time you will get hit with some form of spyware or adware.

Option #2

Your second option for sites that will allow you to download free games for PSP are "free" membership sites. I put the word free in quotes like that because these sites are only free until you actually go to download a game for your PSP, then they will try to hit you up for per download fees.

Option #3

The final option I believe is your best option. These are the sites that will let you download free games for PSP once you have paid a small one-time fee. For under $50 you can be downloading unlimited amount of PSP games with no per download fees.

Once you have registered, thats it, time for you to start downloading as many free PSP games as you like. These sites are usually much safer and faster.

With the right website behind you you will be well on your way to download free games for PSP at great speeds. These websites actually manage their database of PSP games so you can download free games for PSP without having to worry about spyware.

The better PSP download sites will also supply you with the software that you need to transfer your PSP games to your handheld device.

If you are seriously interested in saving cash and finding a site where you can download free games for PSP then do your research and consider going the route of option #3. This will provide you with the best long term outcome. Now that you know what to look for in a PSP download website, go out there and find your free PSP game downloads now.

Ryan Edward has already done the research for you and has found the 3 best sites on the Internet for downloading free games for PSP, check out his website and read his review of these sites http://www.ryanstips.com/psp