Difficult times are a form of truth serum. They force clear priorities. For me, that's meant reaching out nationally to offer a webinar for nonprofit leaders via agencies, associations, and organizations that specifically unite and serve nonprofit causes and their leaders. The webinar, which I offer at no charge, is: "CRISIS ENGAGEMENT: 12 Tasks to Sustain Donors in Turbulent Times." For more information about the webinar: … [Read more...]
Engagement Beyond Mere “Customer Service”
The basics of "customer service" include patience, attentiveness, knowledge, responsiveness, and consistency. So, here's a simply beautiful example of one company's practice that far exceeds those basics - courtesy of a friend who discovered this letter in her hotel room at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC: Hello my name is Lichi & I am your room Stylist (A.K.A. Housekeeper). While you are here in Washington, D.C., I hope you get … [Read more...]
Massive On-Line Library of Arts Marketing Resources
You'll never have to start "from scratch" again. Have you heard of the massive on-line library that collects, evaluates, catalogs and shares high-quality/non-proprietary work samples among nonprofit arts & cultural organizations? Recognizing that 1) so many of the administrative, marketing and fundraising staff of arts & cultural organizations arrive at their positions from OUTSIDE the sector and without any specific arts & … [Read more...]
A Rose By Any Other Name … Doesn’t Sell
"Sometimes, We Want Prices to Fool Us" is the title of today's New York Times article that notes that "...most shoppers, coupon collectors or not, want the thrill of getting a great deal, even if it’s an illusion." You want proof? The article reports that J.C. Penney suffered a whopping 25 percent drop in sales over the last year due to its decision to stop promoting sales and offering coupons and instead focus entirely on offering “everyday” … [Read more...]
A New Dimension for Engagement: “Fan-Funding”
With gratitude, I share this interview with Brian Camelio, the founder of ArtistShare - a pioneering "fan-funding platform for artists" to which I was introduced just a few weeks ago. I contacted Brian through his website's general information e-mail and asked if he'd be willing to share his experience & insights. I am profoundly grateful for his willingness to do so. In addition to reading this interview, I encourage you to thoroughly … [Read more...]
The Most Important Theatre Company
In the Greater Phoenix region, Actors Theatre isn't the oldest, largest or even most popular professional theatre company. It's just the most important. And this morning, Actors Theatre announced: "...the Board of Directors and Management have decided to take a PAUSE to assess and redesign our business model and to consider all options to “take control of our future.”... We are not closing. We are stepping back because we need to change … [Read more...]