If you’re going to write a book about likeability, you need to tell people how they can get better at it. And in his book The Likeability Factor, author Tim Sanders does just that. After defining likeability and making a case for its importance, he offers practical tips and exercises for improving your likeability (aka your “L-Factor”). So, why does this matter for fundraisers? Well, when you have the choice, who’s calls or texts do … [Read more...] about The Likeability Factor by Tim Sanders – Friendliness
inner game
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 … [Read more...] about Have asking anxiety? Do these 5 things.
Fearless 2015
I don’t know about you, but my honeymoon with 2015 ended about a week and a half ago. We tied the knot on Jan. 1 and immediately left town for a few weeks of wedded bliss - the perfect escape from reality. But, now we're back home. And we're starting to get on each other's nerves. A month ago, 2015 could do no wrong. She was perfect in every way. Now, she's starting to seem a little...ordinary. And apparently I'm just … [Read more...] about Fearless 2015
Fearless Qualification Visits
I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but I've definitely had a few “qualification visits” that weren't. As in, the visit happened, but the qualification didn't. At some of them I chickened out and didn’t ask the hard questions. At others, I simply let the conversation get away from me. I left these meeting without any new information about my prospect’s capacity or interests. The result: a wasted opportunity. … [Read more...] about Fearless Qualification Visits
Fearless Outreach
I love visiting with potential donors. Breakfast, lunch, drinks, dinner, their office, their house, the club, their boat (true story), doesn’t matter. My happy place is out of my office. And my nightmare is a visitless week spent at my desk. Or in meetings. But, for as much as I like being out, seeing people, I don’t always like asking for visits. Makes sense, right? Fundraising is a lot like dating. And asking someone out (especially … [Read more...] about Fearless Outreach