The world runs on email. Any guess how many emails are sent worldwide in a given day? Over 215 billion, according to the Radicati Group. That’s more than 149 million emails sent per minute. These numbers hurt my head a little bit. Now, yes, a lot of that is spam. But, spam aside, think about the amount of email you receive compared to the amount that actually gets your attention. Now think about your donors and prospects. They’re busy, … [Read more...] about Email Essentials for Gift Officers (Use These Word-for-Word Templates!)
Fearless Major Donor Solicitation
You’re ready to solicit your prospect—congratulations! Getting to this stage is often the culmination of many months, years even, of work. Let’s talk about how to make the most of the opportunity. … [Read more...] about Fearless Major Donor Solicitation
Have asking anxiety? Do these 5 things.
I had a hard time falling asleep the night before my first ask. My brain was in overdrive: What am I going to say? How will he react? There were also a thousand “what if?” scenarios I didn’t feel prepared to deal with. In hindsight, the stakes weren’t very high. But that didn’t matter. I had just been promoted to my first frontline fundraising role and this was my very first ask. I think it was for $2,500. Asking people to give their money … [Read more...] about Have asking anxiety? Do these 5 things.
Fearless 2016
I hope the early days of 2016 have been treating you well! And I hope your New Year’s resolutions are holding up. Last week, everyone at my office steered clear of the leftover holiday candy—pretty impressive. I tend to make more New Year’s resolutions than I can actually keep—or even remember over 12 months. Even if I only stick with one or two of them, I suppose I’m still better off in some way. Have you given much thought to your … [Read more...] about Fearless 2016
Cultivating with Holiday Cards
Well, it’s that time of year again. December brings the holiday season and peak fundraising season all at once. Organizations around the globe are working on their annual holiday card mailings. You know the one—generic card, lots of fuss over the list, more fuss over which ones the president will sign, anxiety over who may have been left out. And, at the end of the day, zero fundraising results. If you’re part of this process, my apologies. … [Read more...] about Cultivating with Holiday Cards