Does your fundraising appeal need a makeover? Are you under deadline and working on an appeal? You’ve probably heard you should write fast and edit slow. And so you should. But how do you turn that rambling first draft into an effective appeal – fast? There’s definitely an art to writing a great appeal. It […]
Are you facing the terror of the blank page?
“But If you’re a writer, you know the terror of the blank page. I’ve said it all before!” The cursor blinks, daring you to give up. Your hands are poised, willing your brain to direct them. And still, the blank page. Are you working on an appeal? Finding it hard to come up with something […]
8 easy ways to write a better appeal
Want to write a better appeal? Here’s what I know about writing good fundraising letters: You can practice and study for years and still feel like you’re only scratching the surface. There’s always something new because we’re always learning something new. So perfection will always be out of reach. But don’t let the perfect get […]
The trouble with your entitled donors
Entitled donors? What rights do your donors have? How concerned are you about your donors’ concerns? Have you thought about what they’re owed from your organization – or from you? How about something basic: how much control do they have over what communications they receive? Can they request less mail or email – and have […]
Why you might be focused on the wrong thing
Wrong focus? It’s not about you. I was thrilled to see an article in the New York Times about giving. And even more excited when it featured Tom Ahern, Jen Love, and Jennifer Shang. The article’s title – Asking for Money? Compliment the Donor, Not Your Organization – lays it right out there. My mailbox, […]