The Right Moves
What are your top all-around, be-all-and-end-all tips for fundraisers?
President, PJBarden Inc.
1. Use many of the fundraising options available to you. The more legs you have on your stool, the more likely you are to stay steady when the earth starts rocking. Remember what grandma used to say: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Who knew grandma had a fundraiser's good sense?
2. Don't look to save money on the outer envelope of an appeal mailing. No matter what's inside, it's wasted if the envelope doesn't compel the donor to open it.
3. Invest in your star team members. I'm not ready to say the monthly calls from headhunters to top performers will be back in 2012, but as more opportunities open up, quality fundraisers will have options that were absent the last three years. Make sure they know there are growth opportunities right where they are.
President, Jean Block Consulting
1. Promote your successes and outcomes.
2. Link the donor to outcomes of his gift.
3. Focus, focus, focus on the benefits to the donor — no sob stories!
4. Learn the value of the You:Me ratio in ALL fundraising.
Creative director, TrueSense Marketing
Raise funds from your donors, not yourself. Remember that you are not your audience, and when you create messages that please you, you miss your donors. Fundraisers who embrace this concept always raise more funds, innovate smart and learn useful new things.
Social-media manager, fundraisinisfun.com
1. Rapid response: In today's wired world, people expect immediate answers. When donors get in touch, one should try their best to respond quickly and answer the donor's inquiry. Donors appreciate this, and it helps further the conversation.
