Incentives V. Mission

There's no doubt that incentives (t-shirts, tote bags, bookmarks, benefit events...) are an important fundraising tool.

However, when incentives automatically become your "go-to" technique every time you launch a campaign, it's an indication that:

A) Your organization has become addicted to the boost in results an incentive can provide, or 

B) You've run out of compelling messages.

In the case of the former, overuse of incentives will stop working over time and will negatively impact your retention rate. However, this situation can be difficult to unwind on your own. 

In the case of the latter- get busy!

Start making lists to refresh your thinking:

10 awesome things your organization does
10 reasons someone should care
10 ways your organization makes a difference
Etc.

Then bring these fresh, important ideas into your campaigns. 

Incentives may get you that extra point, but mission is what will get you across the goal line consistently time after time.