Fundraising is one of those necessary evils that we must live with. This doesn’t mean that we have to like it. Some groups do it better than others. The worst of the lot use so much blunt force in their efforts to get my money that I’ve promised myself to never part with a dime on their behalf.
In no particular order, here are the “marketing techniques that irritate foresterbob the most.”
Membership Cards. I could wallpaper an entire room with membership cards from groups that I have never joined. Planned Parenthood and AARP are two major offenders. The AARP cards are made of some type of plastic that will probably last until the Sun turns into a red giant and melts the entire planet. I don’t care how many times you make me a member, I ain’t joining, and I ain’t sending any money.
Neverending mail requests. It’s not enough for Planned Parenthood to ask me to join, which they do about once a month. Last week, they sent a reminder (with the membership card pictured above) informing me that I hadn’t responded to their letter from a week before! Doctors Without Borders, and Amnesty International hit me up at a similar pace. These organizations do good work, and they need money. But their unfocused marketing wastes money at an alarming rate. I’m spending my limited funds elsewhere.
By sending maps, health information, and other trinkets, organizations can classify some of their fundraising as “education,” making it appear that they’re more efficient than they really are.
With all of the technology available, it seems that it would be easy to identify people such as myself, tag my name, put me a file labeled Lost cause, dude has ignored us for 20 years, and leave me alone.
Surveys. February must be National Survey Month. Three of them have come in the past week. Of course, the purpose of the survey is not to learn my opinion, it’s to get my money. The polls are loaded with questions such as
Do you believe a top priority should be holding Donald Trump and his aides accountable as the Russia investigation continues? Yes/No
Every poll concludes with a plea for a generous donation, preferably an automatic monthly payment. Thanks but no thanks.
Emails with apocalyptic headlines. The world as we know it is ending. Send money really, really fast, before it’s too late! The beauty of email is that there is no limit to the number of messages that can be sent. Lately I’ve been unsubscribing to some of the most bothersome lists. But that’s an ongoing job.
Okay, what’s your opinion? I should include a poll, but I might get banned if I ask for monthly contributions. Are there organizations that you’d support if they were less heavy-handed with their money requests? As always, it’s an open thread, so tell us what’s on your mind today.
RSVPS
1. navajo, organizer (kosmail her to connect)**
2. (joanbrooker canceled! Thinking about having get together anyway)
3. tbirchard
4. Lorikeet**
5. remembrance**
6. TLO**
7. Glen The Plumber**
8. jck**
9. side pocket**
10. kimoconnor**
11. maggiejean**
12. jotter**
13. aha aha**
14.
15.
16. MAX ALLOWED HEADCOUNT. RSVP SOON! (I was able to increase res size!)
MAYBEES :
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**confirmed, even after joanbrooker canceled. Sweet!
Joan will visit in May.
Netroots Nation 2018
Puerto Rico Kos !