Putting it All Together

April 26, 2011 | by Carrie Hane Dennison | Posted in User Experience

Being in the web content field, I notice when things work and don’t work more than most people. I am also extremely loyal to companies or organizations that are nice to me. It’s good to feel needed and wanted. So last week when I got a thank you card from my local blood donor service (Inova Blood Donor Services), I saw a campaign come together wonderfully.

Step 1 - You're Eligible

I try to give blood regularly, but don’t always know when I’m elgible (8 weeks after a donation), and don’t always know when there is a blood drive near me. I was glad to get an email 8 weeks after my last blood donation telling me I was eligble once again.

Step 2 - Coming to a Location Near You

But I didn’t have time to see if there was a nearby blood drive. So I did nothing. A few weeks later, I got another email telling me there was a blood drive coming up near me – with a link to make an appointment. It happened that a day or two later I saw the sign at my son’s preschool that the church was hosting a blood drive in a week or so.

Step 3 - Put it on the Calendar

I went home and signed up. The process was very easy and I had a confirmation email minutes later – with a link to add to my calendar. This helped me to actually show up at the right time on the right day.

Step 4 - Reminder

The day before the blood drive, I got a reminder that I had an appointment the next day.

Step 5 - Donate

I was glad to see so many people donating or trying to donate that Sunday morning. I took my turn, ate my cookies, and drank my juice. I felt selfless and good about myself for doing something so easy for me but that is so important to another person.

Step 6 - Thanks

Imagine my surprise about 3 weeks later when I got a card from Inova. Not only did it thank me for donating blood, but it told me that my blood had been used for a transfusion that saved someone’s life. That is why I give blood. I had never thought about how it was used, but was confident it was being put to good use. Now I know that it really did help someone.

This complete campaign has served to keep me as a regular donor.

With all the busyness in my life, it’s helpful to have the reminders that I CAN donate, where and when it will be easy to donate, and finally, a reminder of WHY I donate. It is all an effective use of technology to do something that is essential to life.

What cohesive campaigns have you seen that really work to accomplish something?