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Antoinette Tuff is my hero

I’ll buzz them in so you’ll know when they are coming, okay? Okay, so just stay there calm. Don’t worry about it. I’m gonna sit right here so they see that you didn’t try to harm me, okay. It’s gonna be all right sweetie. I just want you to know that I love you. I’m […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donors Tagged With: emotion, hero, love

7 words and phrases that should die

You know what happens when someone tells you not to think about a pink elephant? Suddenly you can’t get that creature out of your mind, right? Something similar seems to be happening to me as I think and write about writing. My jargon-o-meter is on high alert these days. So, for a little fun, here […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, Donors, jargon

Writing for someone else’s voice

If you write fundraising appeals, chances are someone else will sign what you write. So how do you write in a way that’s both compelling and believable? The most important thing is not that the letter sounds like the person signing it. The most important thing is that the letter is effective. So resist complaints […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, direct mail, Donors, fundraising appeal, Nonprofit

Don’t fall in love

Sometimes you can choose when to fall in love It feels wonderful to be in love. Colors are brighter, sounds are sweeter. You know, all that pop song stuff. But it’s a dangerous thing to fall in love with your own writing. Or with your own organization. Don’t get me wrong – you want to […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, donor-focused, fundraising writing, writing for donors

An endearing appeal from a novice

Sometimes we work so hard at getting it all right. We read everything we can find. We learn all the rules. We labor over each appeal, sure it will be “the one”. And sometimes a complete novice gets an awful lot right. By being sincere. By staying focused on a single message. By working toward […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, email appeals, Fundraising, solicitation

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