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3 Habits of Highly Effective Fundraising Writers

Writing
Fundraising writing is unlike most any other type of writing. It’s simple, urgent, conversational, emotional, repetitive, and old-fashioned. And it can be tricky, for sure. The good news is that you can learn the skills needed to create effective fundraising…
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Pop Art Hand with pen and open book

The No-Nonsense, Works-Every-Time Secret to Effective Writing

Writing
I think I know the true difference between excellent writers and everyone else:   It’s not talent (though talent is good). It’s not a secret their English teacher told them but didn’t tell the rest of the class. It’s a…
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Pop Art Theatrical masks Happy Sad

How to Balance Doom & Gloom with Happy and Hopeful in Your Fundraising Appeals

Donor Love, Writing
Here’s an important appeal-writing question from fundraiser Miriam: “All the fundraising appeal trainings I’ve attended say the best appeals talk about an immediate need, and the more dire it is, the better. That tenet goes against all our messaging, which…
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Pop Art Personalised Experience

Want More Fundraising Revenue? Give Donors a Personalised Experience!

Direct Mail, Writing
You’re at a party with people chatting all around you. You can’t hear specific conversations.  But then something happens: your name is mentioned.  Instantly, your attention is captured!* Your brain has an amazing ability. It sifts and sorts through millions…
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young writer

Writing Advice with Heart and Soul that Can Make You a Better Fundraiser

Books, Writing
Book Review: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott “To be a good writer, you not only have to write a great deal but you have to care.”  – Anne Lamott Confession:  When nobody’s looking,…
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Critique Fundraising

How to Critique Fundraising so You Help Make It Better

Writing
Writing fundraising materials is hard. Want to know what’s even harder? Writing useful critiques of fundraising materials. Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of an unhelpful critique and wondered why it was that way: The person doing it is…
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How to Keep Writing When You’re on Empty

Creativity, Writing
NOTE: This blog post was written during — and is about — normal times. Now is not a normal time. There are a number of suggestions below — like “sneak out to a movie” and “do your work in a…
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Pop Art Fundraising Gold e1571122650180

One Rule That Can Turn Your Fundraising to Gold

Writing
“This is why people should give!” the new executive director said. He dramatically threw a newspaper on the table, leaned back, and glowered at everyone sitting around the conference room. The newspaper was folded open to A13. Near the bottom…
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Pop Art Senior Woman Riding Scooter e1570866857578

2 Truths Your Donors Wish You Understood about Direct Mail

Creativity, Direct Mail, Donor Care, Donor Love, Donor Psychology, Writing
I am a Gen Xer. I am not the core target market for direct mail. In my early twenties I had to learn two lessons quickly in order to do my job as a Fundraising Appeal Manager. Lesson one: The…
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Pop Art Mail with Wings

26 Tips for More Effective Fundraising Writing

Fundraising, Writing
1. Write the call to action (the reply device or landing page) first It’s very un-Zen to say it, but fundraising is more about the destination than the journey. You’re going to arrive a lot more successfully when you know…
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