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 approaches

The answers are boiling down to three basic categories:

1. If they need to be convinced, they’re too stupid/old/out-of-touch,
2. Ask for forgiveness rather than permission, or
3. Show them results

I was honestly shocked to see people answering in the tone of #1. Weird. Insulting your boss or your nonprofit board isn’t very productive. And let’s face it, social media can be an incredible time suck. It takes time to learn anything worth learning.

My answer was inline with the #2 group. Just start doing it. Begin personally so you get to know the platforms without dragging your nonprofit’s brand into it. But just get out there and do it.

But I loved the #3 group. My favorite so far is from Todd Buker:

From the viewpoint as an ED in my own organization, social media sold me on two points: 1) Amplification/reach and 2) SM’s impact on SEO.

Granted, we were late getting into it (less than one year ago). However, we have had two big events since we began seriously implementing consistent SM (Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo/YouTube and WordPress), and both events have seen noticeably higher attendance and dollars raised. Not to mention our web traffic has improved dramatically, most of it coming from Facebook. There are no lingering doubts!

Show them results

So jump and and create results. Or show them studies like Blackbaud’s annual survey.

Here’s an idea of how you might get buy in:

1. Start yourself: Social media is social. It is virtually impossible to be “successful” on social media without having a personality. Practice being a person before you get your organization on there.
2. Look for interesting people to follow: Follow people interesting to you, not necessarily people you feel you should be interested. Definitely follow people in your cause space to see how they are using the tools. But if you have an interest in bocci ball, follow them too. Social media is much easier to learn when you enjoy the people you follow.
3. Set goals: You need to know how to measure success. Define it. Tip: Do not anticipate raising much money with social media. Instead, set engagement goals. Or attendance at events. Use a link shortener like bit.ly so you can measure how many people click on your link. If you have access to your own site analytics, use those too. CrowdBooster.com also helps you see what posts get shared the most.
4. Don’t be “that guy”: Resist the urge to be incessantly telling people how incredibly cool you or your organization is. Instead be interesting. How do you know if you’re interesting? People will start following you. And retweeting you. And +1′ing your posts. And liking your updates.

Do that and you’ll be off to a great start!

How do YOU convince people?

Tell us how you convince people! Leave a comment here or over at:
http://www.linkedin.com/answers/non-profit/non-profit-management/NNP_MGM/975753-8616660

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

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2. How personal should your social media be?
3. Getting Started with Social Media

I’d argue this is especially true for fundraisers. People don’t really get what we do. And when we’re successful, the bar gets raised!

Either way, it’s like killing the proverbial goose that lays the golden eggs in hopes of getting more gold. It just kills the goose and stops the eggs.

So Valentine’s Day seemed like a great excuse for this month’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival to share ideas on how we as fundraisers need to take care of ourself.

Here is the Nonprofit Blog Carnival roundup

• My own entry was a Valentines Day card for fundraisers including a link to a thank you video I recorded last June.

• Joanne Fritz from About.com tied Kermit together with Girl Scout cookies in her Causes. Caring, and Community — Plus Kermit. In this post, she says, “Each organization had its own version of a pressure cooker…” and reminds us that caring for the cause itself is transformative for us.
• Gayle Thorsen goes beyond the great ideas of wine and yoga–both great ideas in my opinion–to a full five more ways to take care of yourself and your team! To self (and staff): Great job!
• Lori Jacobwith shares how health issues last year helped her put 9 forms of self-care into the practice. Great tips, even involving Outlook! Taking Care of Ourselves
• Over at OpportunityKnocks.org, Sam Davidson has a great post on not letting your nonprofit job crush your soul. Don’t Let Your Nonprofit Job Crush Your Soul
• Margaux Smith has a great post over at 101Fundraising.org encouraging us to get away from your desk and reminding yourself why! Get Away from Your Desk and Remind Yourself WHY
• David Yamada points us to an article by Michael Bader about the causes of burnout and a call to an ethic of self-care. Burnout in the Non-Profit Sector

As a bonus, check out the 11 steps for having fun at work! 11 Ways to Motivate Employees and Make Fun at Work. It’s from the “Chief Effective Officer” at blinds.com! I figure if blinds people know how to take care of themselves, surely there’s a lesson for us!

And, lest we forget that our donors are the ones changing the world, Jeff Brooks has a great reminder of 5 Ways to Love Your Donors.

What ways do YOU take care of yourself?

Tell us here in the comments!

Katya Andresen is hosting next month’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival. Check out her call for submissions at http://www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com/site/picture_this_your_brilliance_here

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

1. How do you take care of yourself? | Nonprofit Blog Carnival
2. Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants
3. Part of the Carnival

Ok. I was one of the people. And I was talking to my aunt and uncle in a restaurant in Hanover, NH.

But then on NHPR, I heard a person talking about how our US government was designed to run on compromise. And when people begin to lose the ability to compromise, the government is designed to breakdown. Then later on NHPR, an author was talking about John and Abigail Adams wanting far more from the American Revolution than we got from the war. But they felt it needed to take time. So they were open to compromising on issues and accept some freedoms instead of all freedoms.

And this morning I’m hearing it too. The interesting thing is that when talking about our parties’ inability to compromise most people, myself included, cite Ted Kennedy. He used to go for the throat in debates on the floor and then go out for drinks afterwards with the same people he was attacking. Now people elected to Congress are living in their offices to save money and having their families grow up in their home states rather than be with them in DC. So no more cocktail parties that mix ideologies.

Even the Founding Fathers, had social occasions where they had to interact with people the bitterly opposed.

Is your nonprofit board over politicized?

If socializing is so important for a national government to be effective, how much more so for your nonprofit’s board?

Do you give your board members time to see themselves as people? Here are a few ways you might do that:

• You could have a board meeting at a board member’s house instead of at your nonprofit

  It’s amazing how a change of venue can strengthen relationships and help people see each other in a different light.

• You could add a quarterly reception at a local pub or restaurant

  It doesn’t have to be required, just a place that everyone knows the board members will be hanging out for an hour once a month. This will work better if the board leadership is committed to making it happen by being there.

• You could take 10 minutes in each board meeting to hear people’s stories about why they are on the board

  The energy in the room shifts perceptibly when people start sharing their stories. Why not use that to your advantage?

• You could have a retreat or a work day

  Every nonprofit seems to have something that needs more focused attention whether it be fundraising training or cleaning up a vacant lot or walking trail. Getting the board to work together on something like this outside of the normal board meeting can be a great way to socialize too.

• You could use a Google+ Hangout

  If your board comes from all over the country or region, use technology to your advantage. Try holding a Goolge= Hangout or using Skype or some other video conferencing tool. This allows you to see each other in your “natural habitat.” If you’re not familiar with Google+, check out my article How to hold a Google+ Hangout and why you should

Not everyone will go for this “socializing” thing. It seems a bit wasteful time-wise. But as your board members learn to trust one another, they will become more comfortable in sharing their hopes and concerns for your nonprofit. That will lead to much better governance.

Can your nonprofit really afford to NOT provide times for your board to socialize?

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

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2. Board Training
3. Are You Engaging Your Board?

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 interview here:

Buy the book or DVD at the Ask Without Fear! page on FundraisingCoach.com.

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

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3. Fundraising Secret #27: The basics ARE extreme

As a fundraiser for a nonprofit cause, you are changing the world. Making it a better place.

We need people like you!

Loving the askers

If we’re good at fundraising, we spend considerable time thinking about how to best thank our donors. We throw galas, write notes, set up tours and appointments with the Executive Director. This is perfectly appropriate as they are the ones that fund what we do.

But today I want to say thanks to you, the asker. The #1 reason anyone makes a gift is because they’re asked. They are asked.

How do you say thanks to yourself? As you know, precious few will do it for you. I’m not moaning or griping when I say that. It’s just the way it is in most charities.

Don’t let it be that way today.

Today, show yourself some love

Today do something to thank yourself:

• give yourself a pat on the back,
• watch the brief thank you to fundraisers video I recorded in June
• write yourself a Valentine’s note and send it in the mail
• call and leave yourself a voicemail thanking your self for the great work you’re doing.
• or do something far more creative.

It’s up to you. You’re changing the world. Be sure to stop and say thanks.

Tell us about your Valentine to yourself

Share what you do here in the comments!

And if you are a blogger, write about your saying thanks. Then enter it in this month’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival.

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

1. Show ‘em you love ‘em
2. Fundraising Secret #39: Learn to love objections
3. Ask Without Fear Radio Show – Jay Love from eTapestry

Since Valentines’ Day is this month, the Carnival topic is: As a fundraiser, how do you take care of yourself?

I believe fundraising is the best profession in the world! But it can be incredibly stressful, grueling, and thankless.

We often focus on letting donors know we love them, but how do you show yourself the love?

Nonprofit blog readers

If you’re a blog reader, sit tight. I’ll post a round up of the best of the blogs right here on FundraisingCoach.com at the end of February.

Nonprofit bloggers

If you’re a blogger, here’s how to be part of the carnival (even if only as a clown!)

• Write a post if ideas of how you take care of yourself. How do you as a fundraiser reenergize? Give yourself a pat on the back? Recover from the “no”? Feed your creativity? Stay inspired?

  There isn’t a right or wrong type of post. Yours may be funny, serious, or even emotional.

• Email your permalink to nonprofitcarnival@gmail.com or fill out this handy form by Monday 2/27.
• I’ll sift through all the submissions and, with the help of my team, will choose the ones that best fit the topic. Posts well written and relatively recent (within the last couple months) are best.
• Check back here on February 2/29 to see if your post made it. And to get great ideas on how to keep yourself motivated for the long haul!

Let the carnival begin!

I look forward to your creativity!!

To get an idea of how the posts will be collected at the end of the month, check out January’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival. These are posts relating to “dreams” (since we observed MLK Day here in the States!).

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

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But never forget: you are not your perfect donor

Your major gift donor prospects are not on the same life trajectory as you. They have different life goals, work patterns, and values. This is good. This is why they are in a financial place for you to be talking to them.

So listen to what they want.

Based on my trainings around the world, 70-75% of the people reading this blog are outgoing, gregarious extraverts who love to be recognized. Don’t assume your donor wants their name up in lights. They may simply want a note of thanks from the CEO. Or maybe a quiet coffee with her.

On the other hand, if you tend to be more introverted and detail oriented, remember that your donor may indeed want to have his name listed as prominently as possible. Or to be recognized at a big gala.

Today, take off your ear muffs

Even if you could never conceive of anyone really wanting “that” [splashy recognition, quiet recognition, whatever], listen to what the donor wants.

As you go through your day today, take off your ear muffs to listen. It might even help to stop at the donors office door and pantomime taking off ear muffs.

You’ll be able to raise alot more money when you remember that you really aren’t your perfect donor.
[The rant is now over]

How do you stop assuming you know and really listen? Tell us in the comments!

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

Other Possibly Related posts:

1. Perfect opportunity for a corporate ask?
2. Rant in progress: You’re going to have to ask!
3. Fundraising Secret #16: ALWAYS be interested in the donor as a PERSON

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!

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

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I just was. And it was so cool!

I just made a donation to an amazing nonprofit, Amirah. [Full disclosure: I am on their board.]

A couple minutes later, Google Chat popped up with the message:

You just donated to a great cause! Thank you…

Cool. Simple. Real time.

Remarkable, really.

Don’t Blow this Off

Some of you will be tempted to dismiss this with a comment like, “Yeah. But you’re on their board.”

So what?

When was the last time you made a personal thank you to a board member in a way he would love?

Why not do it today?

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

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2. A Twitter chat for fundraising and marketing for small nonprofits – today!
3. Fundraising Secret #96: Use Google Docs

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 there is even more nonprofits can do.

How are YOU using Google+ for your nonprofit?
Let us know in the comments!

The above video is only one of over 100 recorded sessions from BlogWorld Los Angeles 2011. You can get all of the videos — plus nearly 100 bonus interviews and other bonus content — by picking up the entire Virtual Ticket here: BlogWorldExpo Virtual Ticket [affiliate link]

(c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC

Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days!

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