The best suggestions are the ones that come from people in the field. AFP recently listed some good ones.
Donor deadlines: Deadlines are a problem. One way to get donors to remember them is to tie their gift deadline to a holiday: "Send it before you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner. Send it before you take your wife out on Valentine’s day.
Automatic debits for donations: Lapsed donors often feel guilty about not responding and can often be induced into giving a gift if it’s debited from their credit card or checking account.
There’s anonymous and there’s anonymous: Always ask if donors want publicity for their gift — a great way is a "checkbox on direct mail, sponsorship contracts, deeds of gifts" that specifically asks if donors are to be recognized.
"When donors say that they wish to remain anonymous, make sure you know what they mean—anonymous only from the media, or anonymous even from your own board of directors."