Direct mail is still an essential part of most charities’ fund-raising efforts, even as text messages and online solicitations grow increasingly popular.

Yet it is harder to grab supporters' attention with direct mail, due in large part to the bad economy and to the glut of information competing for donors' time.

Join us on Tuesday, June 29, at noon U.S. Eastern time for a live online discussion about how to overcome these hurdles and write appeals that persuade recipients to give.

The guests:

Alan Sharpe is director of direct development with the Gideons International In Canada, in Guelph, Ontario, where he manages the organization’s direct mail, major gifts, planned giving and other programs. Mr. Sharpe is the author of several books about fund raising and direct-mail appeals.

Jeff Brooks is creative director at TrueSense Marketing, in the fund raising consultancy’s Seattle location, and writes about fund raising on his blog, Future Fundraising Now.