Episode 3. From Sinner to Saint: How to Avoid the 7 Sins of Email Marketing

10/20/23 • 29 min

Are you making these 7 email marketing mistakes?

BDI’s Digital Implementation Manager, Ashley Prior, has built a lot of great fundraising emails in her day... but she’s also seen a lot of nonprofit organizations struggle to apply email marketing best practices. They give in to common fears, and the temptation of sending “good enough” emails, when a few small tweaks could greatly increase their engagement!

You’ll learn...

How to avoid common pitfalls that lead to email marketing purgatory 🪦(AKA the “spam” folder).
The most important changes you should make to your email marketing today.
Strategies for keeping your email subscribers and donors happy.

Plus, hear Ashley’s take on the biggest red flags in marketing today. 🚩🚩🚩

Episode Highlights:

Ashley’s story and why she’s passionate about email marketing
The “7 deadly sins” of email marketing
The cardinal (email marketing) sin: not optimizing for mobile
The sin of omission: not segmenting your list
The sin of gluttony: spamming your subscribers
The sin of laziness: not testing your emails
The sin of confusion: using unclear CTAs
The sin of neglect: not keeping your list clean
The sin of greed: not personalizing your emails
The biggest takeaways to be successful in email marketing
Red flags and deal-breakers in marketing today

Connect with us!

Connect with Ashley Prior: LinkedIn
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

Article: 7 Email Marketing Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Article: 5 Essentials for Your Email Marketing Platform
Article: Multi-Channel Marketing for Nonprofits
Email testing tools:
- Litmus
- Browser Stalk

Are you making these 7 email marketing mistakes?

You’ll learn...

How to avoid common pitfalls that lead to email marketing purgatory 🪦(AKA the “spam” folder).
The most important changes you should make to your email marketing today.
Strategies for keeping your email subscribers and donors happy.

Plus, hear Ashley’s take on the biggest red flags in marketing today. 🚩🚩🚩

Episode Highlights:

Ashley’s story and why she’s passionate about email marketing
The “7 deadly sins” of email marketing
The cardinal (email marketing) sin: not optimizing for mobile
The sin of omission: not segmenting your list
The sin of gluttony: spamming your subscribers
The sin of laziness: not testing your emails
The sin of confusion: using unclear CTAs
The sin of neglect: not keeping your list clean
The sin of greed: not personalizing your emails
The biggest takeaways to be successful in email marketing
Red flags and deal-breakers in marketing today

Connect with us!

Connect with Ashley Prior: LinkedIn
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

Article: 7 Email Marketing Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Article: 5 Essentials for Your Email Marketing Platform
Article: Multi-Channel Marketing for Nonprofits
Email testing tools:
- Litmus
- Browser Stalk

Previous Episode

Episode 2. Awareness Campaigns 101

Do you ever feel like your organization is your community’s best kept secret? Discover how an awareness campaign can help you get the word out!

BDI’s Chief Client Officer, Lolly Colombo, and BDI’s SVP Creative, James Read, share how nonprofit organizations of any size can launch a successful awareness campaign that cultivates long-term community trust and strengthens fundraising results.

You’ll learn...

What awareness campaigns are and why they are important for fundraising.
The best time to launch an awareness campaign and steps you can take to get started.
Why integrated messaging is important, and how to measure success.

Plus... be inspired by two real-life examples of nonprofit organizations whose awareness campaigns exceeded expectations. Listen now to learn key takeaways YOU can apply to your fundraising today!

Episode Highlights:

Lolly and James share about their work with nonprofits
Awareness Campaigns 101: What are they and why are they important?
The components of an awareness campaign that build trust
When is the best time to launch an awareness campaign?
Getting Started: The value of research
Branding, direct response marketing and PR in awareness campaigns
The power of integrated messaging
How do you measure the success of your awareness campaign?
2 Inspiring Case Studies: Wheeler Mission and Helping Up Mission

Connect with us!

Connect with Lolly Colombo: LinkedIn
Connect with James Read: LinkedIn
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Resources:

Article: The Long-Lasting Impact of an Awareness Campaign
FREE Case Study: A Campaign to Raise Awareness about Baltimore’s Opioid Crisis
Article: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit Story

Next Episode

Episode 4. The Power of Storytelling

Are you looking to inspire more generosity through your fundraising appeals? Start with storytelling!

Jhovany Quiroz and Courtney Hamilton from BDI’s Storytellers team share how powerful stories, photos and videos from your organization can unlock giving... and encourage your community’s investment in your cause long-term.

You’ll learn...

How to tell inspiring, real-life stories of transformation that inspire giving.
Tools and tips for effective and efficient storytelling interviews.
Ideas to amplify your stories through compelling photography and video.

And get ready to check your biases at the door! ✅🚪Jhovany and Courtney also share some gentle but important reminders for making your interviews a safe and empathetic space for everyone involved.

Tune in now to unlock the fundraising potential of your nonprofit stories!

Episode Highlights:

Jhovany and Courtney share their passion for storytelling
The vision and purpose driving BDI Storytellers
Actionable tips for great nonprofit storytelling interviews
Thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewees
The role of photography and video in powerful storytelling
What is a “testimony” and how can it make your appeals more impactful?
Building trust, leading with empathy and leaving behind your biases in interviews
Tested strategies and advice to help nonprofit teams strengthen their storytelling

Connect with us!