In today’s climate, uncertainty is a constant. Between shifting audience behaviors, economic pressure, and political turbulence, it’s no surprise that many arts organizations are feeling stretched — emotionally, financially, and strategically.
So what does it really take to run successful campaigns today? It’s not just about creativity or timing. It’s collaboration, staying grounded in what your data is telling you, and then taking bold action; even when (especially when) the path forward feels unclear.
If your campaigns are feeling flat or fragmented, it might be time for a reset.
Here are three powerful shifts to help you align your teams and drive stronger results:
1. Collaboration Is Your Secret Weapon
Silos between marketing, box office, and development aren’t just inefficient, they’re costing you revenue. When departments work together, campaigns get smarter and more strategic. You promote the right offer, to the right people, at the right time - and audiences feel the difference.
They also feel if you are not running your campaigns collaboratively. Key opportunities get missed, and communications risk conflicting or overlapping meaning your patrons can end up overwhelmed about what action to take or when to take it.
Development and marketing especially must ensure that they are aware of the relationship and recent engagement of each patron they contact. A donor may have just attended their first performance in two years — or be in the middle of a renewal decision.
Coordinated outreach ensures your communications feel personal and timely, not transactional.
2. Listen to the Right Things
When things feel fragile — budgets, audiences, morale — it can be tempting to lean on the familiar. But campaign success now depends on noticing what’s changed, not just repeating what used to work.
It's okay to not have all the answers. What matters is that you and your team makes space to ask the right questions:
Many orgs find it difficult to take the time after a campaign to assess what worked and what didn’t. But this reflection is where real growth happens. Without it, teams risk repeating the same mistakes or missing opportunities hiding in plain sight.
A thoughtful post-campaign review helps you spot what resonated with your audience, what drove conversions, and what needs to shift next time — turning experience into strategy.
Taking action is vital — but taking the right action is what drives revenue. Don't rely on gut instinct or what worked before. Smart campaigns start with strategy, backed by real performance indicators and yes, aligned across teams.
Be bold in your asks. That second-time buyer? They might be ready for a membership, donation or a deeper investment. But they won’t act unless you invite them clearly and confidently with a compelling and relevant next step.
Meet patrons where they are, acknowledge their current relationship with your organization, and consider — with purpose and data — how you might build greater connection and deeper commitment.
Courageous action doesn’t always mean dramatic change. Sometimes it’s as simple as sending the right message, at the right moment, to the right person — and doing so with intention and care.
In challenging times, boldness looks like staying connected, being consistent, and believing that what you offer still matters — because it does.
You don’t need to figure all of this out alone. TRG’s free Marketing Assessment is designed to help you take stock of where you are — and where you could be going.