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« Must See TV | Main | Hold the Phone » July 05, 2004
ANNOUNCEMENT
Posted by Bill I'm kind of burned out. The pledge drive is over, it's been 6 months of photography, interviews and steady, daily writing, and I've got a bad case of Summer Blogging Malaise Syndrome (SBMS). In an attempt to cure myself, I'm going to post a lighter schedule this week, so readers may consider themselves warned. I think it's best to take a mild break when writing becomes more work than fun. As for the results of the pledge drive, sit tight. I'm going to wait a few more days for straggling checks to come in, and then I'll post the total, and continue the thank-you's to all of the blogs that were kind enough to help me out. I've got to say, when I started the pledge drive, I was frustrated that so many regular readers could skip by without throwing a few bucks in the kitty, but in the end about 125 of you came through with donations ranging from $2 to $250. Before revealing the exact total later in the week, I think that I can confidently declare this effort a great success. Thank you very much. It means a lot for me to be able to do something, and I sincerely appreciate everyone's help. Now do me another favor and answer this question. UPDATE: Any regular readers that think I'm unfairly calling you out as cheap-asses: please read my third comment. Posted by Bill at July 5, 2004 02:34 AM | TrackBack (1) CommentsI appreciate you doing the drive, Bill. Take it easy, and blog when you like, about what you like.
Posted by: Jon Henke at July 5, 2004 08:52 AM Some of us just paid $3000 in medical bills and honestly don't have a fricken dime to their name. Just realize that not all of us just "skipped" over something like that. I can't afford to pay attention I'm that broke right now. Enjoy your rest and look forward to some more excellent coverage in the future from you. Posted by: Serenity at July 5, 2004 11:45 AM I don't hold anyone individually accountable, Serenity; it's impossible, because people have their own financial priorities and problems. I realize this. What I can look at and be annoyed by is the overall number. When I get 14,000 visits from beginning of pledge drive to end, and 125 people give, it's a bit strange. At one point, that 125 number was only 10, which is what incited the frustration that I refer to in my post. Obviously, things picked up. I'm not calling anyone specifically out, it's fine. And as I mention, in the end, it was all good. Posted by: Bill from INDC at July 5, 2004 12:25 PM Amen, Bill. I just got back from two months of sparse to nil posting. It's taking a while to get back in the saddle, but this time I'm pacing myself. Posted by: Eric at July 5, 2004 12:31 PM You did good Bill. Posted by: Scott at July 5, 2004 11:10 PM Happy 4th. Let Freedom Ring. Posted by: Jane at July 5, 2004 11:26 PM Bill, I kind of understand where you're coming from with the numbers point. I'm a Development Officer and I run into that all the time with our appeals to individuals. I think, "My God, these people use (and some abuse) our services, why the hell aren't they giving?" Assuming a whole bunch of things, just shy of 1% ain't bad for internet fundraising. Posted by: Nathan Hamm at July 5, 2004 11:35 PM Depends on the fundraising. An appeal for $5, via PayPal, to blog readers (higher incomes, educations), on a right-wing blog, to benefit a miltary family ... should do better than 1%, IMO. Posted by: Bill from INDC Journal at July 6, 2004 09:50 AM If you're wondering what this is about, just ask the Raging Faggot. Posted by: Friend of Raging Dave at July 6, 2004 06:03 PM Um, what are you talking about? Posted by: Bill from INDC at July 6, 2004 07:07 PM The 1% rule applies to direct mail, telephone solicitations and advertising pieces placed directly on the door of the home. The dynamic is different here, of course, because individuals are voluntarily visiting your website, which you would think would give them a higher predisposition to respond to a solicitation. On another point, is that 14,000 unique visits or just total visits? That would make a difference in how you compute success. Posted by: Tongue Boy at July 7, 2004 11:23 AM Tongue Boy, you're right about the numbers applying to those particular kinds of outreach. Do you have any good research on internet fundraising? I'm looking for some good stuff. Our NYC affiliate cooks with electronic fundraising. They have a lower response rate than other methods, but it's a bigger return on investment. Fundraising is a pretty depressing line of work sometimes. It never seems to live up to your expectations. Posted by: Nathan Hamm at July 7, 2004 02:27 PM |
