Every week or so, I get a question like I did last night. It was basically, “How do you convince your boss to let me use social media?” So being a social media geek, I immediately posted the question on LinkedIn’s “Answers” tool. You can see the question and the answers here: http://www.linkedin.com/answers/non-profit/non-profit-management/NNP_MGM/975753-8616660 Three basic [...]

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I am fond of saying that “fundraising is an extreme sport.” Like great athletes, fundraisers need to focus on the basics. At Blog World Expo last November I got to do a live interview with Susan McLennan about those basics, treating people with respect, and an easy way to do a “thankathon.” Watch the entire [...]

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Happy Groundhog Day! It’s become my Groundhog Day tradition to repost my 2008 post: Fundraising Secret #11: Don’t Be A Ned. Enjoy! (And don’t be a Ned!) Fundraising Secret #11: Don’t be a Ned Click on the image to watch the clip. Does this sound like your fundraising efforts? Ned: Phil? Phil Connors? Phil Connors, [...]

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[Warning: Rant in progress] In my book Ask Without Fear!, I encourage fundraisers to PYITS–put yourself in their shoes. Thinking like the donor or prospect can save you lots of embarrassment in the process of asking for money. But never forget: you are not your perfect donor Your major gift donor prospects are not on [...]

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One of your 2012 New Years resolutions should be to get more media for your nonprofit. No matter how big your marketing budget is, chances are great that you could use more exposure. More postitive exposure! I know for nonprofits, it’s much easier to fundraise when the organization is getting positive press. And it’s great [...]

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Here’s a 5 minute recording of CC Chapman talking with me about using video in nonprofit work. Filmed at BlogWorld Expo in Los Angeles last month, you’ll see there’s a lot going around in the background…including voices from on high and a loud shriek!

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Here’s a video of my “Google+ for Nonprofits” session from BlogWorld Expo in Los Angeles last month. There were 2 sessions about Google+ there: Guy Kawasaki and Chris Brogan did one; I did the other. This was presented days before Google opened up pages for brands. The information presented here is still relevant but now [...]

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The year is coming to a close so it’s the season for “Top 10 Lists,” right? Here are the list of the top 10 most popular posts published here on FundraisingCoach.com in 2011. # 10. was actually a tie between both: 3 Easy Phone Tips and 3 Tips for Effective Fundraising Letters # 9. My [...]

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I love William Goldman’s classic The Princess Bride, and the movie of the same name. And as a dad, I’m proud that my kids can quote portions. (Not as much as me, but I’ve seen the movie a few dozen more times.) But did you know there are nonprofit lessons embedded in the story? Here [...]

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On Tuesday, 501 Mission Place hosted our monthly “Office Hours” on Google Hangouts. We had a blast! I hosted it using the “Hangout with extras” so I was able to give the hangout a title (not creatively called “501 Mission Place November Office Hours”). And we were able to play with Sketchpad and Notes right [...]

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