case study

miracle makeover: see these appeals get a glow up

Asks go from meh to “YES, PLEASE” with copywriting TLC.

In 2020 and again in 2022, I teamed up with fundraising colleague Rachel Muir, CFRE to offer year-end TLC to a few hardworking, overwhelmed fundraisers.

Our mission: Giving year-end appeals the glow-up donors need and deserve. And giving fundraisers access to the unique art and science of professional donor copywriting. In short: A much more profitable, more feel-good, less frazzled season.

Nonprofit leaders shared their self-drafted direct mail appeals with us. We lovingly assessed each one, celebrating its potential and finding its best angles.

Then I gave each appeal a complete copywriting makeover along with direction on effective style, layout, and photos.

Every participant who mailed their makeover and reported back to us significantly increased their revenue.

Here’s a makeover for Parkinson Association of the Carolinas that raised $11K+ more than their previous year-end appeal.

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here are a few more winning makeovers:

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  • “SARAH CAN TRANSFORM LACKLUSTER APPEALS INTO MONEY-RAISING MIRACLES. SIT BACK, RELAX, AND WATCH THESE DIY DRAFTS GO FROM BLAH TO BRILLIANT.”

    -Rachel Muir, CFRE

COULD YOU BE MY NEXT MAKEOVER HERO?

Does your organization have a first-draft appeal with glow up potential? Do you have a batch of DIY campaign emails that could use some TLC? Let’s talk about a VIP Day to polish asks that will touch your donors’ hearts and inspire generous giving.

Drop me a line to talk about your organization’s appeals!

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Smile Train: Award-Winning Connection with Donor's Hearts