The most important day of the year is just around the corner. I’m not talking about a religious holiday, or an election. I’m not talking about a day of international significance or a world-changing event.

I’m talking about Mother’s Day — the most important day of the year. (Mom, I hope you’re reading this).
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Stories are powerful — our brains seem to be hard-wired for this ancient method of sharing information. As a result, including stories in your emails may seem like a no-brainer. But there’s a problem: Non-profits are adding stories to their fundraising messages… and they’re not working.

How can smart organizations harness the power of stories to communicate with supporters and get them to donate? In M+R’s newest publication, we dig into what makes stories powerful, explain recent test results that can help non-profits avoid falling into the personal story trap, and offer concrete tips for crafting emails that successfully use stories to compel supporters to give.

Click here to read “Storytelling and the Art of Email Writing” now. (PDF)

Click here to download a webinar we held on this topic, ask questions, and follow the ongoing conversation!

Nearly every high-profile national organization uses new media to mobilize grassroots supporters and put pressure on lawmakers. But a new study showing that as many as half of congressional staffers believe online form messages to be fake has renewed the debate about the political efficacy of online advocacy. Do lawmakers really listen?
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