Now we [...]]]> The one thing that the SIG members ask for time and time again are best practice case studies for using data and insight in fundraising.  The new SIG awards have been launched in response to this, to generate a fresh view on what leading edge practitioners are achieving . . . and how.

Now we know that many of you won’t have entered industry awards before, so we have created a ‘Tips for Writing your Entry’ guide to help get you started.  We so often take for granted the good work that we do, day in, day out – so why not seek some recognition for the results achieved?

You’ve done the hard work and achieved some excellent results.  So here are a few reasons why it is worth making a small amount of extra effort to package up your experience and learning into an award entry:

• Industry recognition.  Not only will an award win look good on your own CV but your work will a credit to your organisation, too, underlining the value delivered from investments in fundraising and insight.  Now that will impress supporters in the Annual Report.
• Bolster internal profile.  Being unassuming is a common trait of us analytical folk, but let’s seek credit where credit is due.  Even the process of crafting an award entry will help you reflect upon your team’s intelligent approach, helping you to articulate why you have been successful and how you have contributed significantly to fundraising performance.  Won’t the investment in better insight and data capabilities be so much easier to make?
• Increase team morale and loyalty.  Winning an award will ensure your diligence and wisdom is celebrated.  Success breeds success and you will find it easier to retain key staff and attract talent into your team and the organisation.
• Best practice case studies for the industry.  Your work can help educate and inspire others, continuing to raise standards within the sector and our discipline.

  . . . and don’t forget, by preparing your entry for the SIG awards you will have the material to adapt for other industry awards that you may also wish to enter such as the Database Marketing Awards, the Data Strategy Awards, the prestigious DMAs and others.

So why not clear a few hours in your schedule and invest in drafting your SIG award entry soon?

1.30pm – 5.30pm, Tuesday 25th May, Amnesty International, London

Book your place now: (http://insightspring2010.eventbrite.com

A majority of consumers are now comfortable with, or indeed prefer, digital communications and yet many challenges remain as to how ‘digital thinking’ can be successfully applied to fundraising.  ‘Engaging’ people online is [...]]]> Fundraising insight in a digital world

1.30pm – 5.30pm, Tuesday 25^th May, Amnesty International, London

Book your place now: (http://insightspring2010.eventbrite.com

A majority of consumers are now comfortable with, or indeed prefer, digital communications and yet many challenges remain as to how ‘digital thinking’ can be successfully applied to fundraising.  ‘Engaging’ people online is one thing, getting cash out of them appears to be something else entirely.

This conference is designed to shed insight into the technological and consumer led developments that apply to charities wanting to raise money.  Covering up-to-the minute research and case studies, this session aims to provide fundraising analysts, researchers and managers with the confidence and direction to further their own digital fundraising.

Sessions from leading industry speakers include:

• Digital futures and the role of data; Greg Roekens, Chief Technology Officer, Wunderman
• What social networkers want from charities, Elly Woolston, Managing Director & Steven Dodds, Head of Planning, DMS
• Excellence in email marketing, Chris Combemale, Managing Director, The Email Academy
• The Direct Marketing Association’s research into consumer attitudes to digital media such as email, mobile and social media; Paul Seabrook, FastMap

Nigel Magson, current chair of the Insight SIG remarks; “Our members have been telling us they want to better understand the impact of online supporter marketing and it is undoubtedly the most important fundraising issue today.  This conference will provide practical insight from experts in their field to help fundraisers really get grips with this challenge”.

The Institute of Fundraising Insight Special Interest Group is a voluntary group dedicated to providing resources and training for analysts, database marketers, researchers, online fundraisers and anyone who wants to use insight to improve fundraising performance.  Places at ‘Fundraising insight in a digital world’ cost from £25 per person. Find out more here: www.insightsig.org/events

What is it and why is it essential?

by Nigel Magson, SIG Chairman Download

Intellitracker presentation at Insight 2009

By David Hudson, Intellitracker

For those setting out on the road to digital enlightenment the simple page view stats systems such as Google Analytics are a great starting point. Unfortunately as well as being low cost they also lack the features that are needed to fully understand website visitor [...]]]>

Intellitracker presentation at Insight 2009

By David Hudson, Intellitracker

For those setting out on the road to digital enlightenment the simple page view stats systems such as Google Analytics are a great starting point. Unfortunately as well as being low cost they also lack the features that are needed to fully understand website visitor behaviour and optimise marketing processes.

 Those wishing to drive rather than just run their online businesses must analyse website visitor behaviour not just page views. They need to build a holistic, lifetime view of the website visitor and profile the behaviour of different visitor groups.  By automating the availability of this information to email, CRM and content management systems, a web analytics system can revolutionise an organisation’s marketing.  Out of the box behavioural targeting is now a reality and marketing managers can optimise email and website content to suit individual readers without the need for complex and costly system developments.

Just Giving Online Supporter Insight presentation Nov 2009

By Jonathan Waddingham, Just Giving

Using real-life examples, you’ll learn how joining up the data from your web analytics and database can give you actionable insight to help your fundraising. You’ll also hear about the latest research JustGiving has undertaken into the types of people who [...]]]>

Just Giving Online Supporter Insight presentation Nov 2009

By Jonathan Waddingham, Just Giving

Using real-life examples, you’ll learn how joining up the data from your web analytics and database can give you actionable insight to help your fundraising. You’ll also hear about the latest research JustGiving has undertaken into the types of people who raise money online for charities to enable you to better target them and provide a better experience based on their needs, wants and habits.

CCB Fastmap presentation at Insight 2009 Conference

By David Cole, CCBfast.MAP

A practical discussion of how online research can be used to improve the performance of fundraising. We will explode the great myths about online research, educate attendees so they can avoid the mistakes of others and show specific examples of how charities (big [...]]]>

CCB Fastmap presentation at Insight 2009 Conference

By David Cole, CCBfast.MAP

A practical discussion of how online research can be used to improve the performance of fundraising. We will explode the great myths about online research, educate attendees so they can avoid the mistakes of others and show specific examples of how charities (big and small) have improved their fundraising performance through using online research.