In honor of the last season of Game of Thrones, let’s talk about dragons. Besides being mythical (maybe), dragons are big and fire-breathing and terrifying. Not something you want to handle on your own. But for fundraising? You want a dragon. I don’t mean something imaginary. I mean something very real, very big and right […]
Why the things you hate make good appeals
Why the things you hate make good appeals Ever seen an appeal you just hated? I mean, really hated? For most of my career, I’ve focused on annual giving – and especially on communicating with donors. I often open and look at the solicitations I receive. I usually have professional opinions on the appeals. But […]
Do you want to raise more money? You need a plan
Do you want to raise more money? If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. ~Yogi Berra Is this you? Many organizations share a problem. They’re either new and need to build a fundraising program… Or they’re not new at all but have never focused on building a fundraising […]
How to wreck your fundraising appeal
Statistics can wreck your fundraising appeal There are plenty of fundraising appeals landing in my mailbox and inbox. I’ll bet it’s the same for you. I open them, hoping to be moved, or learn something new. What I see is one characteristic that wrecks appeals. They’re all head and no heart. They’re built on carefully […]
Do you write like you talk?
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 […]