The Fundraising Factory - Archive for the ‘Ask Letters’ Category

Kiss and Tell the Story

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

In a previous post I said I would write a couple of tips on good storytelling.  Here’s the second of three.

We all know the KISS rule.  Keep It Simple Silly. That means for me – stick to the story.

Every story has a beginning, middle and an end.

Start with the OMG, listen to this.  Grab the listener’s attention at the beginning with your dramatic headline.  I call it the hook – they can’t wait to hear more.

Draw them into your story by picking and choosing your words like you were selecting one flower at a time to create a magnificent bouquet.  The use of choice words create a picture in a listeners mind.  By doing that, the story teller taps into our imagination and transports us to a scene outside ourselves.

A good storyteller creates the end with an exact closing moment.  They know when  to return us to our own thoughts and experiences and leave us saying wow!

Go  for it and create your own magical mystery tour.

 

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ask Letters, Marketing, Speaking Engagements, Stories | No Comments »

Storytelling – The Heart and Art of the Matter

Monday, May 21st, 2012

 

In my last post I said I would write a couple of tips on good storytelling.  Here’s the first of three.

Words can Wow – vocabulary selection can make or break a good story.  As an artist, words are like paint colors to me.   Depending on when and where they are used each word holds hue, and value. They paint a picture or scene.   Be authentic when choosing words that express and reflect the emotional component of the story that you are sharing.  Feel the words you choose and your audience will feel them too.   Emotions, after all, are contagious!

 

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Ask Letters, Marketing, Speaking Engagements, Stories | No Comments »

The All Inclusive Fundraising Diet

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Too many times I hear from executive directors, volunteers, and development staff that they are restricted by board approval to move forward with fundraising ideas.  It is always a board’s responsibility to ensure that a non profit has the funds to provide services.  So what’s the hold up?  I have no idea but there is a fundraising diet that all non profits can use for maintaining a healthy,  balanced social network and financial foundation for their organizations. 

Gala events, annual dinner, and auctions.  These are a tremendous amount of work and the ROI has been proven to be poor.  However, there are benefits such as the relationship building opportunities that can be developed in the planning of the event and at the event as board members mingle and work the room.  These venues are usually a fantastic platform for story telling which,  as we know,  is one confirmed way to connect with the donor.  The monetary ROI may not be great but the PR, marketing, and networking is.  I give these events a thumbs up.  I’m also a bit of a party girl! 

Then there’s the physical activity fundraiser.  The bike-a-thons, walk-a-thons and tri’s for this and that are a staple fundraiser.  However,  not everyone wants to get up off the couch to support a non profit so it might be a good idea to include a lounge-a-thon in your line up.   ”Thons” are very effective for increasing community exposure especially through social media.

Bring on the ask letters, annual appeals,  and the death bequest category.  These are great because if you are asking for money through a letter it isn’t your first contact with the donor.  If it is, you should be ashamed of yourself.  The up front relationship development will have been done, therefore, the ask and appeal letter is like a maintenance donation. 

Grant writing cannot go unnoticed.  I will call these “bonus bucks” since grants need to be found and re-written in most cases year after year.

Finally a fundraising revenue stream must include the selling of products.  This is a category that is overlooked.  Products can be sold year round and generate more than %100 ROI.  In the case of fundraising products the donor actually gets something for their contribution and believe it or not they like that.  Their take away from a donation is long lasting.  Depending on the product you choose to sell, each time the donor sees their purchase they are reminded of your non profit.  See my post on (choosing the right fundraising product).   
Out of sight out of mind does not apply here!

 Happy Fundaraising,
Lucinda

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Ask Letters, donations, Donor, Fundraisers, Fundraising, Fundraising Products, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Donor Connection

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

This time of year mailboxes are flooded with fundraising “ASK” letters.  Although the causes may be worthy of a donation most of us have limited resources that only allow us to give to a few.

Here’s my two cents worth on the ASK…

1. Build trust.  Start off honestly, sincerely and from your heart.  Tell us why you personally are writing the letter.

2. Be a storyteller and share circumstances about peoples lives that have changed because of the money you have raised for your non profit.  When you share a great success story you immediately establish credibility.  Compelling stories move people to support a cause.

3.  Ask BIG!  Don’t hold back on what you ask for.  People will give what they can but you need to share the need for giving EVEN if it seems like a lot to ask.

4. Spell it out.   Let them know how their gift can be used.   Correlate dollar amounts to services needed by your clients.  They see how donations of different levels can help pay for heat, rent, food for a family any service your non profit provides. They connect on a deeper level and the donation becomes more meaningful.

5. Be Humble.  Recognize the current economy and how it effects donations.  The donor can understand a real human need and are more likley to empathize with these difficult times.

I hope my two cents makes sense to you and helps your non profit stand out from all those envelopes.

Cheers and Happy Fundaraising!

Lucinda

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ask Letters, Fundraising | No Comments »

Writer’s Cramp or Digital Digger?

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Mine and other blogs have been praising technology and social media.  You Tube, Facebook, and Twitter are critical marketing tools in today’s age.  But let’s not forget the good old handwritten letter.  Remember the days when you received a penned letter from a relative or close friend?  There was something special about opening that letter.  Studies suggest that people still desire and embrace that personal touch.  In fact many non profits rely on the personal connection of the handwritten letter as the first building block in establishing a strong relationship with a donor.  A prominent blog www.theagitator.net seconds this concept.  The author notes that “communications in digital form drives attention deficit and diminishing returns.”

My first thoughts on handwritten or not?

I visualize the wastebasket brimming with discarded start overs calling into question what this handwritten letter has on my carbon footprint.  Does this mean more work? If I handwrite a letter do I have to plant a tree now?

Of course, a handwritten letter demands attention to my penmanship, whereas the delete key, the new digit on my right hand  rearranges my scribbles and thoughts formulating eloquent communications.  I like that very much.

Let’s not leave out time and money.  I’ll need an envelope, the 42 cents and who knows how long it will be before my letter arrives to its destination.  On the other hand (get it)…other hand…the send  button is free and delivery is immediate.

The case for digital seems compelling…but here’s what I really think.  A hand written ask letter is more likely to be effective when it’s written by someone the writer knows personally.  It lends itself to a level of intimacy that digital communication doesn’t capture.  The reader connects emotionally, understanding the time taken, efforts involved, and the writers passion for the cause.

After all, the letter is permanent, leaving a lasting impression and your request will be given more consideration.  Whatever your choice,  handwritten or not , my recent post “Ask and You Shall Receive”- 5tips for writing an ASK Letter will surely help you either way.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ask Letters, Marketing | No Comments »