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It’s not about you

It’s not about you. Sorry. Quite often, I go through my mail and see appeals that disappoint me. It’s not that the cause is wrong (those I rarely even open). It’s the self-aggrandizing tone. I’ve been thinking about this for years and have held off writing anything. I don’t want to point fingers at any […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising staff Tagged With: donor communications, donor relationships Leave a Comment

Donor conversations: the secret to meaningful connections

Things have gotten pretty loud out there So I’ve been thinking about listening, particularly to those who care about your cause. But let’s step back a little first. If you see donors only as financial sources, you should broaden your outlook. No one wants to be loved only for their money. Do you want donors […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communication, donor relationships, donor survey 7 Comments

Why your great story leads to a better world

If you’ve been wondering why I’m making such a fuss about stories, read on. Here’s the thing. Insiders (that would be you, nonprofit hero) understand all the details. We eat, sleep, and drink our organizations’ missions – the “why” of our work. But almost none of your donors or might-be donors do. They have their […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communications, Fundraising, storytelling Leave a Comment

Transform your interview process into storytelling magic

The best stories are personal If your organization wants to communicate well with donors – in a way that moves them to feel connected to your mission – you’ll need stories. Stories are how we relate… and have been forever. It’s a human thing. Consider Neanderthal cave art. Even before we were Homo sapiens, we […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communications, storytelling Leave a Comment

HOW to tell me a story

If you’re a fundraiser, telling a good story is a skill you need. Why? The simplest answer is that stories – not facts – are how we make decisions. But there are lots of delicious layers to that answer. Stories are how we relate Facts – especially statistics – light up a part of our […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communications, storytelling 1 Comment

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