Tag: fundraising
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How to utilize the right words
Is there ever a reason to utilize “utilize” in writing? I’m gonna say No. Utilize is an almost-exact synonym of use. So use use instead. There are a couple subtle shadings of utilize that are slightly different. But you’re not likely to need those in fundraising. And most readers are not aware of those things.…
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The power of simplicity for fundraisers [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Want your fundraising to do better? Make it more simple. I know there’s a lot you need to know about fundraising, but that’s probably the single most impactful piece of advice anyone can give you: Keep it simple! If your fundraising is trying to educate your donors, explain your processes, or demonstrate the science behind…
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Does your fundraising mean anything at all to your donors?
I keep seeing this online ad. It pops up between Words With Friends games. It just says: Pennzoil: Innovating since 1913 The graphic is mainly the Pennzoil logo. I don’t know anything about motor-oil buyers. Maybe they are strongly motivated to buy from 100+ year old companies that claim to be innovative. But I doubt…
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Good fundraising is much more than well-written copy
Copy is never produced by just one person. Forget the image of the lone writer in a garret, pounding out inspired prose in a steady stream. In any project, the written word is just one link in a long chain that includes: If you appreciate the power of good copy, you’ll not only hire a…
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Language change literally drives some fundraisers crazy
The horror! Some dictionaries now give a new definition for the word literally! The entire planet is literally going up in flames! Or so you might think, to hear people react to the news that some dictionaries now acknowledge the odd way many English-speaking people use literally to mean almost exactly opposite of its main…
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Tools to make your digital content inclusive (and effective)
The good news: There are a ton of great tools that can help you make your digital content accessible and inclusive. The bad news: well-designed accessible content is still uncommon. Too many content creators just aren’t paying attention to this. That includes many nonprofits. Even those whose mission includes promoting accessibility! Here are some excellent…
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9 ways to write better subject lines
The subject line is the most important part of an email. It’s typically seen by your recipients in their inboxes alongside dozens of other subject lines. They are highly likely to delete it without a second thought. Here, from the NextAfter Blog, are some guidelines for getting your emails noticed — which gives them a…
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Why they give
It can be hard to remember why donors donate. It’s hard because their reasons are usually simpler and more internal than our reasons for valuing our cause. That’s why so much fundraising misses the mark. Because it basically says, “You should donate to this for these reasons” — backed up by facts, statistics, and high-flown…
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How (and why) to give donors permission not to donate
Give donors “permission” not to donate. I know that may seem odd, because they clearly have that permission whether you give it or not. And most donors, most of the time (including your best donors) exercise their right not to give. Still, when you give that permission, you recognize their autonomy and put a decision…
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Good fundraising writing: It’s not about avoiding your peeves
Years ago, I worked at a company where one of the best ways to get ahead was to talk. A lot. Being able to filibuster at a meeting or write staggeringly long emails marked you as a winner. The content of what you had to say wasn’t as important as word count. It was the…