Read a piece today from the DM News, speaking about Dos and Don’ts of Online Fundraising.

For a person raised in the direct mail world, online fundraising can sound intimidating to say the least - but if you look at the suggestions, strategies and tactics noted, you’ll find them sounding very familiar. Use personalization wherever possible, as it improves results; track every piece of outgoing email so you can determine the source; test copy in the subject line.

All of these strategies are very much like tactics nonprofit mailers have always done. Personalize your mail piece, make sure you code the mail piece so you can read list and package results, and test, test, test. The two channels are much more alike then different.

The 4 experts quoted in the article go on to give some simple, but very useful tips. Learn from every person’s actions and non actions; don’t skip over small details; never stop building prospect and email files.

In my eyes one of the true powers of the online media is how it can be utilized to bring your organizations message and mission to people through others. Ask your constituents to be stewards for your cause. Interact with people in ways that are important to them individually. Inspire people!