Proof Positive:
Work that works
How’s the thinking? What’s the creative like? Does it get the job done?
Here are just a few of our success stories. And how we made them happen. If you’ve got a specific issue you don’t see represented, contact us. With over four decades of fundraising leadership, we’ve created winning approaches for all kinds of challenges. Maybe one a lot like yours.
Of course, that’s just the jumping-off point. The real answers we’ll find together.
proof positive #8: Short Form Television
A valuable lesson learned in donor response to need versus success
Opportunity
After years of using television to acquire sponsors who gave $30 monthly to help one child, World Vision was ready for a new approach. With a focus on addressing specific issues like hunger, children orphaned by HIV and AIDS, or exploited children, a lower price-point of $20 empowered donors to make a difference while making a smaller commitment.
Approach
After the initial run of TV spots aired, two things were determined. First, the need of these children was a powerful motivator, especially the chance to end their hunger. Second, the emotional and somewhat graphic approach of the spots was both compelling and sometimes disturbing. So to address concerns that we had told more of the children's suffering than was necessary, the spots were slightly revised to focus more on solutions and success, and lighten up on the heavy emotionalism.
Results
In a head-to-head test of the "need" spots versus the "success" spots, need proved to be a significantly more powerful driver. Need delivered:
• 36% lower cost per call, saving $100 per person
• 7% higher credit card usage, meaning better long-term value donors
• 33% lower acquisition costs overall
The proven approach of emotionally involving donors in the need outweighed the value of focusing more on the organization's good works.