Copywriting Archives

How AI Writing Can Defeat Your Best Projects … or Not

May 22, 2023

Jeff Brooks

Artificial Intelligence invaded the members-only community of The Fundraisingology Lab on Facebook recently. Sean Triner posted a letter thanking members of our special community of fundraising professionals for their involvement and their work. What he didn’t say, at least at…

Worried about “donor as hero” fundraising? Here’s another way to think about it

May 1, 2023

June Steward

Writing

Trigger Warning: this post contains examples of fundraising that address child sex trafficking. Imagine this. As a smart fundraiser, you’ve put together a compelling appeal. It has an emotional story. A tangible offer. And direct asks in all the key…

The Right and Wrong Images for Ethical Fundraising

March 27, 2023

Jeff Brooks

Values and Fundraising

Should a fundraiser raise funds by showing photos of people in need, in pain, or otherwise showing weakness? We’ve all seen photos of people (children, usually), often in the developing world, who show clear signs of malnutrition and/or disease: They…

Fundraiser: Disobey Your English Teachers to Improve Your Writing

February 20, 2023

Jeff Brooks

Writing

Before I found fundraising, I taught English. Mostly to first-year college students, usually some version of that English 101 course that you remember with either fondness or revulsion. We called it “writing,” but what we were teaching was “academic writing.”…

3 Elements of Every Effective Fundraising Story

December 5, 2022

Jeff Brooks

Storytelling, Writing

There’s a lot of theory about storytelling out there. Some of it is very helpful for hardworking fundraisers like you. Here’s what Writer’s Digest says every story needs: Orientation: The beginning of a story must grab the reader’s attention. Crisis: Something…

5 Proven Ways to Make Your Fundraising Life Easier

November 28, 2022

Jeff Brooks

Productivity, Self-Care

Call me lazy. I prefer to call myself busy. Either way, I’m always looking for ways to make life easier. And you and I are in the same boat: We create fundraising messages, and it’s hard work. Especially this time…

5 More Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal

October 3, 2022

Lisa Sargent

Direct Mail, Writing

Lisa Sargent’s last post on this blog, 6 Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal, was so popular, that we asked her to give you even more! Over to Lisa… The right lead on a fundraising letter is like…

How to Conduct Interviews That Give You the Best Fundraising Stories

July 25, 2022

Jeff Brooks

Writing

Decades ago, before I discovered my calling as a fundraising person, I was a journalist. One cool project I worked on was a series on street musicians who played at Seattle’s tourist-infested Pike Place Market. I’d hang out near a…

Fundraising Story Goes from Good to GREAT [Case Study]

July 11, 2022

Jeff Brooks

Storytelling, Writing

You know telling stories is the better way to motivate donors to give. You’ve probably also seen how that is much easier said than done. One of the main challenges is this: The story most likely to move donors is…

6 Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal

July 4, 2022

Lisa Sargent

Direct Mail, Writing

Ah, the terror of the blank page. That blank screen – that blinking cursor – that unstarted fundraising appeal – staring back at you from the void. Waiting for you to let it soar with a clear, powerful, captivating lead……

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How AI Writing Can Defeat Your Best Projects … or Not

Worried about “donor as hero” fundraising? Here’s another way to think about it

The Right and Wrong Images for Ethical Fundraising

Fundraiser: Disobey Your English Teachers to Improve Your Writing

3 Elements of Every Effective Fundraising Story

5 Proven Ways to Make Your Fundraising Life Easier

5 More Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal

How to Conduct Interviews That Give You the Best Fundraising Stories

Fundraising Story Goes from Good to GREAT [Case Study]

6 Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal

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Jeff Brooks’ Webinar: Your Roadmap to Record-Smashing Direct Mail This Year End

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Jeff Brooks’ Webinar: Your Roadmap to Record-Smashing Direct Mail This Year End

SESSION OPTION 2:

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Auckland: 12 Noon Friday, Aug 24
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SIGNUP FOR E-NEWS AND FREE FUNDRAISING TIPS

Nearly every single email can help you raise more money for your cause. You don't want to miss out.

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Dive Into Smarter Fundraising with Moceanic

Now is the time to jump on board to get even smarter about your fundraising

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SIGN UP FOR REGULAR, USEFUL FUNDRAISING TIPS FROM MOCEANIC

SESSION OPTION 1:

New York: 3:30pm Thursday, Aug 23 Los Angeles: 12:30pm Thursday, Aug 23 London: 8:30pm Thursday, Aug 23 Auckland: 7:30am Friday, Aug 24 Times don’t suit? Check out Option 2

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