2010 bridge conference primary research

2010 Bridge Conference
The Vizzini Syndrome
Utilizing Primary Research to Drive
Fundraising Strategy

“Vizzini Syndrome” Explained
 Vizzini Syndrome
o Is a tongue-in-cheek reference to a character in the 1987 movie “The
Princess Bride”, who believed his intellect and perception was so powerful
that he could “divine” the solution to any situation through what he knew
about the other person.
o For our conversation today, we use this reference to address the way many
of us, as marketing fundraisers, may have approached answering the
following questions at one time or another:
What makes someone support our cause?
What do our members / supporters want from us?
What motivates our members / supporters to give?
What would improve our relationship with them?
“Vizzini Syndrome” Explained

Selecting the Techniques
 The first of many steps in this journey, is identifying and selecting the
relevant techniques you deploy to gather your research data.
 Selecting a Primary Research Technique is dependent upon the
consideration of several factors:
Ultimately, the nature of the objective you aim to achieve
Resources
Size of the population of interest
Types of topics you want to research
Amount & Depth of the data required
 Selecting the correct technique(s), provide us the greatest chance of
shedding light on the question(s) we seek to answer about our donors.
Selecting the Techniques

Qualitative Research
 Qualitative research is conducted with a small respondent sample to
obtain a directional understanding of the range of opinions represented
within a certain group of respondents. The results are not conclusive as
to the proportions for any opinion. In many ways, Qualitative Research,
helps to inform us on the direction we should take in our Quantitative
Research.
 Characteristics:
o Exploratory
o Inability to generalize Results
o More “Blue Sky” & Creative
 Qualitative Research Techniques
o Live Focus Groups
o Online Focus Groups
o Ethnographic Observation
o In-Depth Interviews
Qualitative Research

 MBS In-Depth Interview Methodology
o The objectives of this research study were to determine what Mind, Body,
Spirit subscribers consider their primary motivations for subscribing,
whether they would consider giving a charitable gift and in what instances,
as well as the giving dynamics associated with donating via newsletter and
other channels.
o In-depth telephone interviews were conducted from December 1st through
December 5th among two groups – Subscriber Donors and Subscriber Non-
Donors – with 12 participants in each group (essentially, like conducting two
focus groups.)
 Participation Incentive: All participants recruited by telephone were
promised a $20 cash incentive.
MBS Subscribers In-Depth InterviewMBS Subscribers In-Depth Interview

 Male
o He donates to the Cancer Foundation and the AF and indicated that they are
about equal as far as one being favored over another. He got involved with the
Cancer Foundation when he was working as a Federal employee. He has
rheumatoid arthritis.
o He mentioned that he liked the way the AF does things, i.e. like calling first to
ask for an interview and setting an appointment for later.
o He reads almost everything online – Washington Post, Newsweek, and his
local Milwaukee newspaper. He watches mostly news and sports on TV and
listens to NPR radio.
o He donates online and is very comfortable with doing so – because he is so
familiar with the computer.
MBS Subscribers In-Depth Interview – Sample DataMBS Subscribers In-Depth Interview Example

 Research Findings / Observations
o Both donors and non-donor respondents said that they would be more
motivated to give to the AF if the disease began to affect them or a
family member more severely.
o A few respondents could not cite a „favorite‟ charity. They hesitate to assign
primacy to any charity they support or choose between causes.
o A small percentage do a “background check” on the organization before
they donate to it, especially to understand how much of their gift really goes
to the cause versus overhead.
o Several listed the Arthritis Foundation within their top five giving priorities.
Other priorities included diabetes and cancer research.
o Both donors and non-donors indicated favorable opinions of the AF and
identified it as a great source for trusted information – research, medication,
treatments, fitness, and community.
MBS Subscribers In-Depth Interview FindingsIn-Depth Interview - Strategic Findings

 Tactical Changes derived from the Research
o The role of Pain and the Severity of the disease on likeliness to give.
o Copy and Messaging strategies around the cycle of pain, and how best
it can be utilized to determine what role the organization should be
playing for each constituent
o Importance of multi channel
o Many subscribers may have given their 1st gift to AF online – offline
DM and event sponsorship response vehicles were identified as viable
as well, and in the case of DM it was preferred
o Many give annually or bi-annually
o Consider reducing the number of asks an online donors receives after
they have reached their annual or bi-annual “quota” of gift giving so as
not to alienate
MBS Subscribers In-Depth Interview Strategic OutcomeMBS Subscribers In-Depth Interview Outcome

Quantitative Research
 Quantitative research connects empirical observations and mathematical
expressions, to the data, and ultimately leads to informed strategies and
tactics.
 Characteristics:
o Measure Attitudes or Behaviors
o Structured research methodology
o All respondents are asked the same questions
o Has the ability to encompass some Qualitative topics
o Ability to generalize results
• Quantitative Research Methods
o Postal Surveys
o Telephone Surveys
o Face-to-Face Intercepts
o Online Survey
• Quantitative Analysis (Ways of Examining the Findings)
o Frequency Analysis (Bars and Pies)
o Cross-Tabulations and Significance Testing
o Single and Multiple Regression Analysis
o Conjoint Analysis
Quantitative Research

 MBS Subscribers Online Survey Methodology
o The survey was conducted from December 2nd through December 11th
among two groups – Subscriber Online Donors and Subscriber Online Non-
Donors. After fielding completed, a total of 238 online donors and 749 non-
donors had signed in and completed the 12-minute, 34-question survey. It is
important to note that participants agreed to take part in this study after being
invited by e-mail using Arthritis Foundation‟s internal list of Mind, Body, Spirit
Subscribers with current e-mail addresses.
 Participation Incentive: Participants did not receive any incentive for their
participation.
MBS Subscribers Online Survey
Cohort Universe
Sample
Population Respondent n
%
Response
Margin of
Error
Subscriber donors 3,500 3,500 238 6.8% ±6.13%
Subscriber non-donors ~175,000 21,000 749 3.5% ±3.60%
MBS Subscribers Online Survey

MBS Subscribers Online Survey – Sample SurveyMerkle / Arthritis Foundation
MBS Subscriber Survey –6/1/2010 –Draft 4
Thank you for accepting our invitation to participate in this Arthritis Foundation research. You are adding your
voice to many others so the Arthritis Foundation can serve you better. Let’s start with some questions about
communications.
Q. 1. Please indicate how frequently you read, watch, or listen to the following types of media…
Never Seldom Sometimes Often
1. Television    
2. Newspaper    
3. Magazines    
4. Mail    
5. Radio    
6. E-mail    
7. Internet    
Q. 2. Thinking about communications from nonprofit health and research organizations, please choose the 3
(three) things you would like most such an organization – like the Arthritis Foundation.
1. Provides me with news updates by e-mail
2. Provides me with news updates by mail
3. Provides a hotline to call about symptoms
4. Enables me to participate in advocacy efforts
5. Keeps communications short
6. Provides access to detailed information if I want it
7. Focuses on practical activities and changes in lifestyle to help me improve my health
8. Provides information and details about the research efforts being undertaken
Q. 3. Have you ever given a financial gift in response to a request…? (Select all that apply.)
1. Through the mail
2. On television
3. On the radio
4. On a web site
5. In an e-mail
6. In person
7. At an event
8. Other, please specify: _________
MBS Subscribers Online Survey – Sample Survey

MBS Subscribers Online Survey – Sample Data
 A wide variety of organization specific observations and insights can be
identified in the survey research data set.

 Additionally, a view into general
charitable giving, donor beliefs, and
behaviors can be understood. The
pieces of our donor puzzle take shape.

MBS Subscribers Online Survey – Strategic Outcome
o High proportion of MBS Newsletter Subscribers (9 of 20) – said that
they never have/or would not make a charitable gift.
o Just because you have a large captive audience interested in
your newsletters or information, it does not always translate to
a viable fundraising opportunity.
o More than eight in ten respondents (83%) are female
o e-Mail and Website Copy and Messaging changes to reflect
the higher percentage of females participating
o About half the Online subscribers are on fixed income – either
retired, employed part-time, unemployed or disabled; just four in
ten appear to be in their wage-earning years
o Consider the tactic of reduced ask amounts that are more
manageable for those on fixed incomes – combined with age
profiling begin Planned Giving cultivation
o The notion that online giving reduces mailing costs was selected by
the highest proportion of subscribers – more than eight in ten online
donors (82%) and over seven in ten non-donors (72%)
o Reinforce the cost savings and the “Go Green‟ environmental
benefits as well to leverage this finding
o Nearly nine in ten online donors (87%) and eight in ten non-donors
(78%) report being diagnosed with arthritis
MBS Subscribers Online Survey – Strategic Findings

 Member Conjoint Methodology
o The term “conjoint” is a contraction of the phrase “considering alternatives
jointly.” The goal of this process is to:
 Identify further refinements to membership attributes, including potential
tactical additions or deletions,
 Determine the individual attributes that drive the value of a membership,
 Explore the potential for improved ROI in light of costs and attitudes and
perceptions among audience segments.
 How it works
o Conjoint requires gathering data in an un-coached environment or setting. The
conjoint analysis is based on data provided by respondents who spend time with
a customized conjoint exercise.
o Campbell Rinker utilized two conjoint styles to produce the data for this analysis
and delivered a final model of expected behavior.
 Two series of choice tasks were presented in successive computer screens
in an online environment. , this made the task less complex and more
readable.
Member ConjointMember Conjoint

 Member Conjoint Audience
o Two groups of prospective members participated in these exercises, the
two groups are below:
I. Lapsed members of the Arthritis Foundation. These recruits had at one time
been AF members according to internal AF data records, but had allowed their
membership to lapse (with or without their knowledge).
II. Prospective members of the Arthritis Foundation. The same names Merkle, Inc.
routinely selects from direct marketing lists for use in Arthritis Foundation
member acquisition efforts.
o Additionally, we also examined one group of recent charitable health
organization donors.
 Participation Incentive: All completed participants received a $20 cash
incentive.
Member Conjoint - AudienceMember Conjoint - Audience

 Member Conjoint Findings
o Unlike typical survey research, the conjoint respondent creates their own
unique dataset. Aggregating the choices generated by multiple
respondents produces highly reliable models even with smaller sample
sizes. A sample size of say 500, has the ability to produce the confidence
intervals found in 10x‟s that sample size of a normal survey.
The output of any conjoint task is a series of “part-worth utilities.” The
utilities upon which these results are based fall within the acceptable
standard error term for conjoint studies.
Member Conjoint – Sample Data
Recruited Qualified &
Complete
% Resp.
Lapsed AF Members 205 88 42.9%
All Prospects (detail
below)
263 155 58.9%
Prospect List 155 77 49.6%
Panel Prospects 108 78 72.2%
Total 468 243 51.9%
Member Conjoint – Strategic Findings

 Compared to the Arthritis Foundation membership offer (held constant at $0
for comparison), respondents give slightly higher value to a similar Mayo
Clinic membership, and considerably less value to one from WebMD.
Member Conjoint – (Brand Value)Member Conjoint – (Brand Value)

 Of the possible membership benefits presented to respondents, the Over the
Counter Discount Card was most attractive, followed by coupons for ease-of-
use products.
Member Conjoint – (Membership Benefits)Member Conjoint – (Membership Benefits)

 Another advantage of the Conjoint Methodology is the ability to cut the
results data by sub-groups to gain further insight into the topic you are
researching.
Member Conjoint – (Membership Benefits by Age)Member Conjoint – (Membership Benefits by Age)

 Findings from traditional and conjoint research may be amplified by
segmentation analysis, in which audience clusters can be identified. Here,
Campbell Rinker assigns a value to respondent opinions using K-means
cluster analysis and illustrates their relationship to each other within a grid
using discriminant function analysis.
Member Conjoint – (K-Means Cluster Analysis)Member Conjoint – (K-Means Cluster Analysis)

 Bargain Shoppers (50%): This is the most price-sensitive group. They are
not happy about paying for the membership but are willing to do so because
the combined savings from all the discounts will make it worthwhile. This
group is least interested in Arthritis Today. These joiners are probably also
the biggest risk for lapsing if they feel they didn't get their money's worth.
Bargain Shoppers are playing the odds, taking something of a gamble on the
payoff they‟d like to get from the value, and if they get information in the
exchange, they‟re glad to have it, though it has less value for them. Bargain
shoppers are less confident of the value from discounts and coupons, AND
the information has less value for them.
Member Conjoint – Bargain Shoppers segmentMember Conjoint – Bargain Shoppers segment

 Page Turners (30%): Of all the groups, page turners are more price
sensitive. They are glad for the discounts, but are generally less focused
than other groups on the savings available. What they really like is the
magazine. People in this group might be likely to skew older and less
wealthy.
Where page turners and Bargain Shoppers come together is that they‟re
both price conscious. Page turners, however, see much more value in the
content AF provides.
Member Conjoint – Page Turners segmentMember Conjoint – Page Turners segment

 Spenders (20%): This group is not price-sensitive. They plan to spend on
arthritis-related products, services and medications, and they know they will
get their money's worth from a membership at any price up to $40. Ready
and willing to use every benefit extended. Likely to skew younger and more
wealthy.
Spenders recognize the value of the information that AF provides and
they‟re willing to spend for it, yet they consider the benefits to be a perk.
Spenders know they‟ll get their money‟s worth, and along the way know
they‟ll get good information and are glad for it. While Spenders have
confidence in the value they also like the information, however the
information is NOT what drives their decision.
Member Conjoint – Spenders segmentMember Conjoint – Spenders segment

 Membership Simulator
o This spreadsheet tool, developed by Campbell Rinker as a byproduct of the
Arthritis Foundation‟s Conjoint Research, enables a number of benefits to
be measured by relative value to determine which combination would be the
most successful.
Member Conjoint SimulatorMember Conjoint Simulator

o Benefits – Over the Counter Discount Card
o As the most favored benefit in this research project, the Arthritis
Foundation has begun exploring a number of partnerships in an
attempt to facilitate this heavily desired benefit for its constituents
o Cluster Segments – Bargains, Pages, and Cash
o Beginning to match offer to audience in the DM and Online appeal
streams, beyond just messaging
o Simulator – Combinations
o Not only used to back-validate historical Membership Price Point
Testing, but also demonstrated potential ROI for future testing benefit
combinations.
Member Conjoint – Strategic OutcomeMember Conjoint – Strategic Findings

2010 bridge conference primary research

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