Do you write like you talk? Would you write to your mother like that? Open the last appeal, newsletter, or email you wrote. Now read it out loud. Does it sound funny? And does it sound like you? Does it sound like you talk? If so, congratulations – you’re a step ahead of many. If […]
Why I still believe in mushy fundraising
Is donor-centricity a crock? Why I like mushy fundraising. There was an interesting discussion at The Agitator last month. (I think it began with Who Gets Fired? but I can’t promise I’m right. The conversation continued over days because it was important.) It raised a question: who’s to blame for lousy fundraising? Development staff, executive directors, […]
Hope or fear – which powerful emotion should you use?
Hope or fear… picture a year-end appeal. The goal isn’t met. Time is running out. Your appeal urges donors to act right away, or bad things may happen. “Can’t we keep it upbeat? You know, focus on the good stuff?” a board member will ask. “We know that’s more effective, right?” Well… I don’t think […]
The gift they want from you
I’ve been writing a lot about the role of emotion in fundraising. That’s because it’s so important! But let’s take it another step. Fundraisers often talk about relationship fundraising as opposed to transactional fundraising. You know donors aren’t ATMs and shouldn’t be treated that way. But there is an exchange that happens with a […]
Why Mr. Spock can’t raise money
Why Mr. Spock can’t raise money Poor Spock. He’s caught between his tidy Vulcan logic and messy human emotion. Most of the time, he relies on Vulcan cool. That wouldn’t work well for fundraising, though. Human beings don’t make purely rational decisions. This isn’t my guess; it’s science. We make decisions in the older part […]