Hello, Changemaker!

Karen Nilsen

Hi I’m Karen. I want to share with you the tactics I’ve used to build digital power and engage a supporter base of millions. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

How ‘Why’ Is the Most Important Question You Need to Answer

What draws people to your cause? What motivated your supporters to take their first action? What did they feel when they first donated? Why do you exist? The answer to all these questions is the same. And...

4 minute read

What draws people to your cause? What motivated your supporters to take their first action? What did they feel when they first donated?...

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Don’t Let These ‘Cognitive Biases’ Hurt Your Conversion Rates

Cognitive biases are powerful mental distortions that affect the way we think and behave. They are so powerful that they can lead people to act against their own best interests. If you understand them, you can...

2 minute read

Cognitive biases are powerful mental distortions that affect the way we think and behave. They are so powerful that they can lead...

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Can You Name Your Headline’s ‘Value Proposition’?

Okay, back up—what’s a ‘value proposition’? Think of your value proposition as the reason your reader should care about investing their time in your page. Importantly, think about this from your reader’s perspective (not...

2 minute read

Okay, back up—what’s a ‘value proposition’? Think of your value proposition as the reason your reader should care about investing...

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Buttons vs Links: Which Converts More Clicks?

If your action email has one job—to get your supporter to click through to a destination—then what’s the quickest way to get them there? In the history of Animals Australia’s (several thousand) email broadcasts, there’s no...

2 minute read

If your action email has one job—to get your supporter to click through to a destination—then what’s the quickest way to get...

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Should You Send Emails from Your ‘Organization’ or an Actual Person?

Here’s how the internal dialog usually goes: “We’re torn. We see other organizations sending from individual people but how do we know if that would work for us?” ... “What about our organizational ‘voice’?” .....

5 minute read

Here’s how the internal dialog usually goes: “We’re torn. We see other organizations sending from individual people but how do we know if...

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How to Write CTAs Like a Boss

Whether you’re seeking donations or actions, the formula for writing an effective CTA is pretty simple. To persuade your supporter to drop everything and respond to ask, you need to convince them of two things:...

2 minute read

Whether you’re seeking donations or actions, the formula for writing an effective CTA is pretty simple. To persuade your supporter to drop...

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