What children’s books get right — and fundraisers can too

Children’s books — the good ones, anyway — work because they realize kids won’t put up with the crap many authors want to shovel onto them. The story has to stay simple, on-target, and focused on the reader.

Fundraising — the good stuff, anyway — is just like that!

As noted at the Communicate! Blog, at 5 lessons for nonprofits from children’s books.

The important conclusion — one that can make any fundraiser who grasps it into a superhero — is this:

Great writers make us feel that the ending of the story depends on us.

… you want your readers to feel that they are irreplaceable. If they can see their donations as the key thing needed to ensure a happy ending, they will not only give. They will want to give. So much depends upon their heroic action!

That’s it. How to succeed at fundraising.