Are You a Relationship Wrecker?

4. You're out of touch

In her new book, "The Nonprofit Marketing Guide: High-Impact, Low-Cost Ways to Build Support for Your Good Cause," Kivi Leroux Miller describes how many nonprofits take a Grandma-Knows-Best approach. "Grandma-Knows-Best nonprofits write newsletters full of articles about the organization, its activities, and its issues, with little regard for who actually reads the newsletter. In fact, they aren't even sure who's on the news
letter list, and it really doesn't matter. Knowing wouldn't change the content."

We all love Grandma, but she's a little out of touch. Instead, Leroux Miller advises us to channel the "Cool Aunt" when communicating. "Cool Aunt nonprofits know who they are communicating with and are constantly checking in with their audience … They regularly adjust the content of their communications, and even their publishing schedule, to be relevant to their audience right now … As much as possible, their newsletters are tools for not only delivering content but also sparking conversation and interaction."

5. You're boring

Fundraising and communications are as much art as they are science. This means you have to find ways to keep your content fresh. Take a step away from your desk. Go for a walk. Volunteer. Take in a play. Read the comics. Better yet, talk to some of the people who are recipients of your services. Still not inspired? You may be in the wrong line of business.

6. You're channeling Chicken Little

The news is filled with tragedy. From the oil spill in the Gulf, to the suffering in Gaza, to the flash flood in Arkansas, there is more than enough grief to go around. It's hard not to be seduced by all this distress, but you must try to stay positive. Your supporters don't want to feel powerless and hopeless. Instead of waxing on and on about the perils of the world, remember to talk about your successes. Tell a story about that one starfish you saved and how your donors made it possible.