Robocall thank you
R. Scott Fortnum, MA, ACFRE, CHE, ICD.D
President & CEO, Children's Health Foundation
As a fundraiser, I understand how important it is for us to keep in touch with our donors and to let them know that we sincerely appreciate their support. At many small organizations, staff and volunteers will gather, especially near the end of the year, and have a thank-a-thon calling their top donors. When your support base gets to a certain size though, calling everyone, or even your biggest donors, becomes overwhelming.
For the last four years, just before Christmas. I have used what are often referred to as “robocalls” as a thank you. My recorded message, short and sweet, essentially saying “thank you for your support: We appreciate it and it makes a difference”, arrives in voice mail, or where voice mail is not available, rings the phone and plays my message live.
Out of thousands of calls made, we have had no complaints. What we have had though are many positive comments, calls back to wish me the best of the season, offers to volunteer, and, year-end donations specifically prompted by the call.
This is a thank you call. The message does not ask anyone for support but thanks them for their previous support and commitment. Even without a solicitation, the call serves as a reminder and prompts support.
I enjoy recording these calls, and while I do wish I could thank each of our thousands of supporters individually, something I tell them in my message, this seems to work very well and is a really cost effective way to keep in touch.
So, next time you’re wanting to say thank you to a large group, you may want to consider the phone. I believe it stands out from the noise of e-mail and is truly appreciated by the recipient. Obviously individual, personal calls would be even better, but I find the robocalls to be a great alternative to thank a large number of folks quickly and effectively.
Make sure that you have the appropriate permissions from your call recipients however and make sure that your thank you is authentic. We all like to be thanked.
Automated Message are great for Thank You Calls, Raising Direct Mail Response and Average Gift, Lifting Event Attendance, Driving Days of Giving, Aiding Online Auctions and of course Getting Out The Vote. No set-up fees and minimum charges mean you can do $25 campaigns, even $10 ones.
Relationship Builder. Nonprofit Leader. Board Member.
8 年Thanks for sharing this strategy, Scott! Do you use a specific software or service to make the calls?
Good reminder that we can never say 'thank you' enough and I love the idea of personalizing via voice. Thank YOU Scott for sharing!
Fundraising auctioneer & consultant for traditional, virtual, and hybrid galas. Offer practical advice for Gala chairpersons and committees planning nonprofit & school fundraisers.
8 年hey there Scott! I hope our paths cross in 2017
Executive Director, Advancement and Alumni Relations for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Innovator. Fundraiser. Leader. Speaker. Strategist. Mental Health Advocate. End stigma. ????
8 年Good stuff. We've done them in advance of a mailing and even though they're just thank you calls, we've seen double-digit increases in response to the mailing from those who've received the call.