Creative

Fundraising copywriting is a craft. And like other craftspersons, we copywriters begin our training by learning some fundamental prewriting techniques designed to help us organize our thoughts so we can transcribe what's in our heads onto our documents. But, also like other craftspersons, as time goes by and we become more proficient and confident, we tend to skip those basic practices and jump straight into the job.

Over the years, many nonprofits have shared their fundraising secrets with us and we’d like to pass those on to you. Keep the following in mind as you begin to plan out your fundraising initiatives for the year: 1. Make your case with your donors. 2. Appeal to your donor's personal side. 3. Manage your funds responsibly. 4. Thank your donors. 5. Create a culture of fundraising. 6. Develop a well-thought-out fundraising strategy. 7. Utilize fundraising software.

Here are nine ways that your nonprofit can continually create magical content that will have your supporters clamoring for more on social media and all your other content marketing channels: 1. Figure out the why. 2. Tell stories. 3. Use video. 4. Create infographics. 5. Showcase impact. 6. Be transparent. 7. Improve and upgrade boring print content. 8. Less is more. 9. Respect the channel.

In a webinar, "How to Write Moving Personal Profiles About Clients, Donors and Other Supporters," Kivi Leroux Miller, president of Nonprofit Marketing Guide, offered five steps on "The Ins and Outs of Writing Profiles":

The year was 2003, and I was insanely busy in my second position in nonprofit fundraising, grant writer for a regional organization serving women and children. Although I’d been hired only weeks earlier to develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for corporate and foundation prospects, already I’d been called off task any number of times.

And now I was given the assignment of creating my first annual report.

Fundraising communications is meant to be a conversation — not a one-way street. I understand you have a lot to share with your peeps. But being all talking and no listening makes donors feel used, invisible and unheard. And that is NOT how we want our valuable supporters to feel after hearing from us. So, here are a few tips for authentically engaging with your donors in your fundraising communications …

One of the best ways to improve your donor churn rate is to improve your donor communications. Here are six of the worst donor communication mistakes and some tips for how to avoid them: the "one and done," the "me, me, me," the "broken record," the "word vomit," the "disconnected" and the "show me the money."

Speaking with one voice and sending consistent messages is key in fundraising success. Getting your team energized and feeling comfortable with sharing your story is a critical step in getting everyone prepared and comfortable to ask for a gift!

Oh, wait, it’s just another nonprofit e-newsletter! Check this list to make sure you are maximizing the opportunity.

You should avoid focusing on things your donor really doesn't have any interest in. With that in mind, here are "Three Things Your Donor Doesn't Give a Hoot About," from Willis Turner, senior copywriter at Huntsinger & Jeffer.