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5 Proven Ways to Make Your Fundraising Life Easier

5 Proven Ways to Make Your Fundraising Life Easier

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…
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Pop Art writer paper

5 More Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal

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…
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Pop Art on the air

How to Conduct Interviews That Give You the Best Fundraising Stories

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…
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Pop Art Great

Fundraising Story Goes from Good to GREAT [Case Study]

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…
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Pop Art Start

6 Winning Ways to Start Your Next Fundraising Appeal

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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3 barriers

It’s Not Just You: 3 Barriers to Success in Fundraising

Productivity, Self-Care, Writing
Some of the most common reasons fundraising can be difficult are in your own mind. Barriers to success built by you, for you. But don’t beat yourself up. It’s not just you. I know this because I do it too.…
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Pop Art Man surprise pointing finger

How to Master and Share the “Weird Stuff” of Fundraising

Fundraising Training Needs
I’m going to give you a quick lesson on how to play the string bass, the instrument I play. I realize you probably haven’t thought about becoming a bassist (more’s the pity). There’s a fundraising connection. Really.  If you’ve ever…
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Pop Art pink heart major donor

3 Ways to Raise Funds When Your Cause Isn’t Exciting

Donor Psychology, Writing
I’ve heard many a fundraiser bemoan the fact that their cause isn’t easy.   What do they consider “easy”? They often say it’s cancer. Or helping children. Or rescuing animals.  Whether those topics are actually easier or not is debatable.…
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Pop Art Muslim Woman Computer

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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