Mailing preference service & telephone preference service

Katja Vincent

With the new regulations around mps and tps we are thinking about actively adding flags in our database to have more control and give fundraisers more info before contacting a donor. Thinking about this, I guess we’d need to do a scan on existing data and import the details to the database, and then we’d need to think about best way to keep it updated and how often we’d need to do it. We can ask print houses to screen for mps before each big mailing but it’s all the little things we do in house that will be tricky to keep up to date. Would you share the way of managing this in your organisation if you have already got a process in place?

Jody Johnson

We have created attributes for contact restrictions and contact types (what they want to receive) and have the staff members name and the date added with it. This allows us to see what type of contact they do and do not want. Our lists are quite granular and have been broken down into the different types of contact we do. 

Elizabeth Grover

I agree with Jody. A combination of attributes and solicit codes are the best way to track.

Heather MacKenzie

We are currently just using the solicit code field, but have some very specific codes, such as "Solicit Once a Year" which to us means we only send them stuff at year end.  I could easily envision attributes being a big help too though.  It would be it's own category, and then I'd make it a table field, with the ability to add more into the comments area.

Katja Vincent

Jody Johnson:

We have created attributes for contact restrictions and contact types (what they want to receive) and have the staff members name and the date added with it. This allows us to see what type of contact they do and do not want. Our lists are quite granular and have been broken down into the different types of contact we do. 

Hi Jody

Would it be possible to have a telephone call to speak to you about specifics? My direct dial is 01932-823103. Happy to call you if you let me know your contact details and preferred times.

Stephanie Ulmer

We use solicit codes as well to filter our mailing lists.

Leilani McHugh

Elizabeth Grover:

I agree with Jody. A combination of attributes and solicit codes are the best way to track.

I second the agreement - we primarily use attributes in our system to determine best ways to contact constituents..  We use BB's AddressFinder to annually refresh our addresses in the database.

Theresa Brown

The solicit code field is the best way I know of to do what you are asking.

Matt Page

I've been meaning to reply to this for a while as I asked some similar questions here back in March (https://community.blackbaud.com/forums/viewtopic/147/15328) (Note to admins perhaps we could merge these?)



The Institute of Fundraising have responded to the report from the FRSB and the complaints and the media furore and whilst I wish they'd been a little more combative in their responses, it looks like the upshot of this is going to be that we're going to need to buy a live subscription to the TPS.



The money's not the real problem however, it's how to tie that info in with RE. The data's only live for a month, so a one off solicit code switch isn't going to be enough. Anyone got any ideas on practical ways to do this with RE?



One of the main complications is that your hime number can be on the TPS, but the mobile isn't, or vice versa. And, of course, that it's a constantly changing list. 



I guess I need to look at at least a monthly pull off of all phone numbers, screen against the TPS and import/update of a solicit code / attribute, but I was wondering if anyone had found a good way to do this, or even, just to check, that people think the IoF's guidance means what I think it does as it also seems unclear.



Matt

Michael Steven

I actually just replied to Matt's original post (https://community.blackbaud.com/forums/viewtopic/147/15328 didn't realise it was from back in march oops!) specifically around recording TPS.



Regarding monthly updates, as we only do ad-hoc telephone fundraising, we would just do prior to each campaign, but you rais an interesting point - would a number on the TPS ever no longer be on the TPS in the future? Can't imagine someone actually asking to be removed from it, but perhaps a number gets removed if it is disconnected and re-allocated to another customer?



Mike

Alan French

The FAQ section on the TPS website states:

if you change your telephone package, obtained broadband or change telephone line service provider for example, we may receive notice from your current/old line service provider that your line has been made inactive. In this case your number would be removed from the file as the service is only intended for live numbers.

so it looks as though old numbers could come off the list automatically. Anecdotally, however, I moved house and changed both number and provider 8 months ago yet my old phone number is still coming up as being registered with TPS

 

Matt Page

Alan French:

The FAQ section on the TPS website states:

if you change your telephone package, obtained broadband or change telephone line service provider for example, we may receive notice from your current/old line service provider that your line has been made inactive. In this case your number would be removed from the file as the service is only intended for live numbers.

so it looks as though old numbers could come off the list automatically. Anecdotally, however, I moved house and changed both number and provider 8 months ago yet my old phone number is still coming up as being registered with TPS

I guess there is also the issue of if you then get an opt-in from the constituent at some stage so that you can then still telephone them.



Matt