More thoughts on Rainmaking
Last time, we looked at a concept in the book How To Become A Rainmaker by Jefferey Fox. In that book, he say's the "Killer Sales Question #1" is Do you have your appointment calendar handy? What a great question. According to Fox, this results in an appointment more...
Conference for Nonprofits
The lovely folks at Blackbaud have asked me to do two seminars. If you're coming to Conference for Nonprofits in South Carolina this October 22-25, you can find me doing "Creating Donor Evangelists" on Monday and "Asking For Money: Taking the Fear out of Face-to-Face...
Have you thought of a non-event?
We've had an interesting discussion on the AHP email list on holding "non-events," events that raise money but don't have any real event. Rodger Wetzel from ND gave these great suggestions: One example: A Non-event Send out invitations that say something like: (Your...
Example of using stories
In my decade or so of doing fundraising, I don't ever remember having a community member tell me they really liked a fundraising letter I sent them. This summer it happened! Someone at the gym I go to told me how much they enjoyed the letter they'd just received....
Thoughts on Rainmaking
We've spent the last few issues of Extreme Fundraising looking at the importance of story. While reading Jeffrey Fox's "How to Become a Rainmaker" I recently read a question that will help you tell your story. Right at the beginning of the book he says: Always Answer...
Who’s Telling Good Stories?
A few weeks back, a reader asked me for examples of organizations that told their stories well. I drew a blank. Do you know of any groups that you think are telling their story well? Let me know by making a comment to this blog post. One group that is incredibly...
Another job opportunity: Cape Cod
Here's another great looking job opportunity that's come across my desk: Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation Senior Development Officer (Major Gifts) Hyannis, MA Summer 2006 NATIONAL SEARCH Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation (CCHF) is seeking a talented, senior fundraising...
Quick Survey UPDATE
WOW! I'm excited about the enthusiasm you're expressing for this upcoming course!! Thank you all for the quick response to my Fundraising Master Mind survey. Unfortunately, I wasn't clear on the first question. I'm trying to see what course you think would be the most...
Help Needed: Quick Survey
Greetings from Maine! I'm looking at starting a very special Fundraising Coach Master Mind Group next January. This group would be limited to 12 participants. Through weekly calls, we'll focus on a specific fundraising or nonprofit management topic. Over the weeks,...
Fundraising in the Bible
For the first time ever, my ongoing article on Fundraising in the Bible is available in web format. Web pages: https://fundraisingcoach.com/bible.htm PDF version http://www.scribd.com/doc/5985940/Fundraising-in-the-Bible-A-look-at-some-fundraising-stories-in-the-Bible...
Poor service? You’re busted
Check out Jeff Brook's post on poor service: Donor Power Blog: Poor service? You're busted. Great links to a scary (but believable) call to AOL and a Comcast tech guy asleep on a couch on hold with his own tech support! But then check yourself, is your nonprofit...
A good time to throw stones
A few weeks ago, I reported on a a href="https://fundraisingcoach.com/2006/06/27/whos-telling-your-storywhos-telling-your-story/ ">talk by Andy Goodman on the importance of story. A few days ago, one of you posted this comment to that post: I recently found your site....
The word that can destroy your marketing
Check out the great post The word that can destroy your marketing over at the Donor Power Blog. I'll give you a hint: the word is one letter long. What do you think it is?
Career Change?
This just came across my desk. Hope it's helpful! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VIRTUA HEALTH FOUNDATION _________________________________________________________ Virtua Health is South Jersey’s leading community-based, not-for-profit healthcare provider servicing residents of...
End of your year?
June 30 is the end of the fiscal year for many of you. How are you going to set goals for next year? If you haven't already tried the MagnetGoals Goal Setting program, why not do it now? It's free and powerful. You can subscribe to the e-course by going to the bottom...
Who’s Telling Your Story?
A few months ago, I attended "Meet the Funders" conference hosted by the Maine Philanthropy Center. The highlight for me was the keynote address by Andy Goodman on storytelling. If you ever are able to hear him speak, I highly recommend it! He persuasively explained...
We’re not as rational as we think we are
Here's an interesting article from the New York Times: Investing in Good Deeds Without Checking the Prospectus. How could this affect your fundraising? Especially since we all think we're being rational... [I received this on a very helpful daily email of philanthropy...
Job Opening: Maine’s Childrens Home for Little Wanderers
This just came across my desk. The Maine Children's Home is an incredible organization here in Waterville. Director of Development - Maine Children's Home, Waterville, ME This position requires a proven track record in identification, cultivation, stewardship &...
Objections and direct mail
We’ve spent the last couple of issues of Extreme Fundraising looking at objections. Before we go further, let’s use what we’ve learned. After reading this, see if you can use it this week. Those of you who’ve been subscribed for any length of time know that I err on...
4 Times to Deal with Objections
We've spent the last couple issues of EFE looking at objections. If you're asking at high enough dollar amounts, you know they're going to come. Objections pop up in just about any walk of life—sales, dating, family... By now you know that I believe objections...
Postion Opening
My friends at Blackbaud just sent me this. If you think it may be a fit for you, give them a call! Blackbaud seems like an incredibly cool place to work: Our rapidly-growing public company (www.blackbaud.com) needs people with at least five years experience in...
5 Reasons to Like Objections
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone said "yes" when you asked them for money? But they don't, do they? Often, they come up with a reason they can't possibly give at the level you've requested. Despite how it feels, objections are actually a very good sign. While a "yes"...
Possible career opportunity
I just received this email from a colleague in MA. Does it fit you? From time to time, we advise our friends about the executive searches that Mersky, Jaffe & Associates conducts in the nonprofit sector. I am pleased to share with you a position description for an...
Get REAL: Dealing with Objections
Last issue I said we'd learn to "Live/Love/Like" the person whether they say "yes" or "no." But asking for money rarely results in a simple "yes" or "no." Nine times out of ten, people raise objections and tell you why they couldn't possibly give what you'd asked. So...
The E-mail Solicitation Guide is in print!
The "$100,000 Guide to E-Mail Solicitation" is now in print! If you really like having a hard copy of this text--which is smart since you get to see the actual emails I write about--and if you aren't satisfied with the free download from Fundraisingcoach.com, this may...
Get R.E.A.L. Review
Since last fall, we've been working through the basics of asking people for money with the simple four-step formula: R.E.A.L. Research, Engage, Ask, and Love 'em/Like 'em/Live with their decision. So far, we've looked at RESEARCH and ENGAGE and ASK. I hope these steps...
Survey Update
Here are the latest updates for the book naming contest: Which is your favorite title? (You may vote for more than one.) 44.40% The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Asking for Money 22.20% The R.E.A.L. Simple Guide to Raising Money for Your Nonprofit: Why Individual Donors...
Fundraising Tips
The Chonicle of Philanthropy is always a wealth of information. In the article called Development Dollar Divide, they report on the awful and peristant gender gap in salaries. This is the 21st century, can't we get on the same pay scale?! Anyway, the last bit includes...
Seth’s Blog: The 80/8 Rule
Here's an interesting tidbit from Seth Godin. The 80/8 Rule Shane Wilson points us to Jim Barnes who quotes James Allen, Frederick F. Reichheld and Barney Hamilton, The Three "Ds" of Customer Experience, Harvard Business School Working Knowledge:Â A study by Bain &...
Using Props, Part II
Last time, I introduced the concept of using props as a crutch during a solicitation. We specifically looked at the power of using a gift grid. One of the most effective props is a simple rendition of the completed project. Get an artist to paint a picture of the...