The Race You Want to Lose
We live in an era when anyone can announce anything to everyone. You’d think that would be a good thing.
In most cases, it’s not. It’s only valuable for true emergencies. Storm warnings. Terrorist attacks.
Most of the time it’s a race for cheap attention. For nonprofits seeking the unearned notice of followers on social media, it’s quickly turned into a race to the bottom. Me, me, me, me!
Just blast it out there and see who responds. That, unfortunately, is the way too many nonprofits do their fundraising. Anyone and everyone. Pursuing this tactic gives you incredibly low response rates, small gifts and the kiss of death — basement-level gift renewal rates.
There is another way. Social media has its uses. However, building a fundraising program that delivers more revenue year after year requires a different approach. A different way of thinking.
Principle 4 of The Eight Principles is Learn & Plan. Learn who will naturally support you by mutual interest, then plan how to reach them. Principle 5 of The Eight Principles is Work from the Inside Out. Begin with those who are closest to you by proximity and affinity, and work outwards.
These two natural laws of philanthropy taken together will put you on the race to the top—your own private summit.
Larry believes in the power of relationships and the power of philanthropy to create a better place and transform lives.
Larry is the founder of The Eight Principles. His mission is to give nonprofits and philanthropists alike the opportunity to achieve their shared visions. With more than 25 years of experience in charitable fundraising and philanthropy, Larry knows that financial sustainability and scalability is possible for any nonprofit organization or charitable cause and is dependent on neither size nor resources but instead with the commitment to create a shared vision.
Larry is the author of the award-wining book, "The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising." He is the Association of Fundraising Professionals' 2010 Outstanding Development Executive and has ranked in the Top 15 Fundraising Consultants in the United States by the Wall Street Business Network.
Larry is the creator of the revolutionary online fundraising training platform, The Oracle League.
Reach Larry on social media at:
Twitter: Larry_C_Johnson
LinkedIn: larryjohnsonmegrace
Facebook: TheEightPrinciples
