Updated 3/29/23
Nonprofits are proud of their communities, often reflected in their large email lists, and rightly so. However, the quality of your supporters is more important than the quantity. Now is the perfect time to do some housekeeping and start your next fundraising email off with a clean and organized list of supporters.
Here are some tips to get you on your way to clean and organized nonprofit data management:
1. Identify and Remove False Emails
Sometimes Excel imports extra rows, and records with “@noaddress.ea” are created. These records are invalid and should be deleted from your email list. You should also set a reminder for yourself to do this quarterly to ensure that your data stays clean.
2. Remove Quotation Marks
Search for and delete double quotes from your data before import. They can cause issues with importing and exporting data and can also affect your email deliverability. It’s important to remove any unnecessary characters to ensure that your data is clean and organized.
3. Implement Form Field Validations
Decrease user error by using form field validations on your forms. You can specify the correct format for dates, emails, donation amounts, and custom fields. By doing this, you can ensure that your data is accurate and complete.
4. Review Import Instructions
Moving forward, make sure you know the correct way to import your data. Garbage in equals garbage out. Take the time to review your import instructions to ensure that you’re importing your data correctly.
5. Update List Based on Changes in Regional Laws
It’s essential to follow regional laws, such as GDPR and CCPA, when collecting, storing, and processing data. Ensure that you have explicit consent from your supporters to collect and use their data, and that you’re transparent about how you will use their data. As these laws are regularly updated, be sure to stay on top of potential changes as they may impact your email lists.
6. Regularly Audit Your Email List
Perform a regular audit of your email list to remove any inactive subscribers or subscribers who have not engaged with your emails in a long time. By doing this, you can improve your email deliverability and engagement rates.
Conclusion
Keeping your email list clean and organized is crucial for nonprofit data management. By implementing these tips and using effective data management software for your campaigns, you can ensure that your nonprofit’s data is accurate, up-to-date, and helps you achieve your goals. For more information, connect with an Engaging Networks team member about our donor engagement solutions.
