The Few. The Proud. The Direct Marketers.
Ordinarily, getting an appeal into your donors’ hands is a matter of routine, carried out with the precision of a well-oiled machine. However, the last two years have been anything but ordinary in life and in our industry. These days, every time you sign off on an appeal, you’re sending troops into battle against supply chain disruptions.
Remember when nobody could find toilet paper? Well, that’s what we’re facing on a larger scale. Paper for printing is limited. Envelopes are getting harder to find. Press time is tighter due to higher demand and fewer staff at the printers, and prices are increasing—paper, fuel, you name it.
That’s why we’ve adopted the First Command of the US Marines: to improvise, adapt, and overcome all obstacles in all situations. And that’s going to keep coming in handy because we don’t see these challenges going away anytime soon.
Don’t worry, though! Milwaukee Direct Marketing is on it. Here’s what we’re doing to help your message get through:
Beginning the creative process sooner and getting final sign-offs ASAP. With printing and trucking delays becoming more frequent, in-home dates can be a moving target. We’ve tightened our internal proofing and production windows to maximize the time you have to edit, while also moving forward sign offs to maximize production time. The earlier we can get your mailing to the printer and to the post office, the better!
Leveraging long-standing partnerships. Milwaukee Direct has strong relationships with outstanding vendors who have and continue to smooth the way for your mailing to go out in a timely fashion. Because we drive a significant volume of work their way, we’re able to negotiate against price pressures in the market, and the printers are then able to buy paper in larger quantities. We also have a geographic advantage by being located in the Midwest, where much of the nation’s paper is still produced.
Considering all the options. The paper shortage occasionally requires some flexibility in choosing stock. And with envelopes at a premium, our Sales, Client Services and Creative teams are looking into alternative direct mail packaging – whatever it takes – to get your message into your donors’ hands. Last year, everyone was blindsided by these obstacles. This year, we’re anticipating the shortages and we’re staying well ahead of the curve.
What can you do to help?
Provide your edits fast and hit your sign off deadlines. The sooner we can get your edits, the sooner we can implement them and get your proofs approved, and the sooner we can produce your pieces. We are committed to making all the edits you need to your pieces, and getting them in home on their projected dates, but we need your help to do it!
Keep us in the know. We know emergencies happen and sometimes last minute changes have to be made. If you keep us in the know, we can begin to work with our vendors to hold mailings, adjust print schedules and make sure your needs are met, while keeping your mailings in home on time. We are more than your direct mail vendor, we are your partner! We’re here to help you navigate transitions, emergencies and last minute problems.
Buff up your digital marketing. Digital fundraising – email blasts and social media – is thankfully not affected by paper shortages or staffing issues. It’s fast, timely and also highly effective, with an average gift size that’s 75% higher than traditional giving channels. Milwaukee Direct has a robust digital program and would love to work with you to make sure you’re maximizing your fundraising!
Cultivate your monthly sustainers. When donors give automatically through their credit card or checking account, a delayed mailing will not have a negative impact on your bottom line. Talk to us about how we can help you craft a stronger monthly giving program and perhaps even acquire new monthly donors through digital!
Milwaukee Direct is committed to helping you stay in touch with your donors and keep your revenue stream flowing … no matter what battles come our way.
Not a Milwaukee Direct client, but want to be? Contact us to see how we can help you fight the production shortages and win donors!
By Tim Shelburn and Raianne Vasquez
Shelburn is the Production Manager with Milwaukee Direct. He has been with MDM since 2015 and coordinates all our printing, paper acquisition and production for each appeal and newsletter MDM creates. He is a master organizer and ensures all of MDM’s pieces are created and delivered in an efficient and timely manner.
Vasquez is a Client Account & Digital Manager with MDM Fundraising. She has been with MDM since 2018 and brings expertise in Facebook, display and Google Ads marketing. She is a skilled social media master with a keen eye for high-impact digital design and a passion for helping others tell their story through digital media. She can be reached at rvasquez@mdmfundraising.com