Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Is it still possible to make money in online fundraising?
The short answer to this question is, yes. While the rules have changed a bit since the early days of raising money online, the necessary elements all still exist in great supply. These are; a large and motivated donor pool, innovative organizations and fundraisers and the technology that brings it all together. This post will cover this complex topic with updates to come. In the mean time, voice your opinion on the relevancy of online fundraising in the comments section below.
The first step to success in online fundraising is the cause. While its possible to raise money for just about anything, what really promotes success is having a well defined mission statement. This is something that resonates with donors quickly. The shorter it takes to express your mission statement, the more likely it is that donors will stick around to learn more about your organization and its needs. This does not necessarily mean that they'll make a contribution, but donors who leave your site out of boredom, frustration or confusion certainly wont be making any.
After a well defined cause, presentation is the next most important element of online fundraising. Donors are quick to leave sites that are'nt easy to navigate. Ideally donors should be able to make an online gift in just one or two steps, the more complicated a donation system is, the less likely donations are to be made. Simple. modern interfaces are the key to increasing online donations.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Quick Rapport Technique.
As most fundraisers know, building rapport with donors keeps them on the phone and listening to your request. Rapport isn't a clever trick; it is a means of showing donors that you are interested in them and that you have at least some small things in common. We build rapport in almost every conversation we have whether on or off of the phone. Building rapport with someone you've just called for the first time can be a little harder, but it is certainly possible.
One simple technique for rapport building is knowing the state nicknames or motto's of the states that you're dialing into. Asking a donor how things are going in the Equality State rather than simply how things are going, makes your question more intimate. Donors really do open up when you take a personal interest in them. Listed below are the state nicknames.
The same technique can be used with sports teams political officials or virtually and personifying information. Of course the choice of which subject to bring up depends on the donor; people who don't like sports will be unlikely to want to talk about last nights basketball game with you.
This is just one of many rapport building methods. Try to come up with some of your own and leave them in the comments below. Thanks.
One simple technique for rapport building is knowing the state nicknames or motto's of the states that you're dialing into. Asking a donor how things are going in the Equality State rather than simply how things are going, makes your question more intimate. Donors really do open up when you take a personal interest in them. Listed below are the state nicknames.
State | Nickname(s) |
---|---|
Alabama (No official nickname)[1] | |
Alaska |
|
Arizona |
|
Arkansas | |
California |
|
Colorado |
|
Connecticut |
|
Delaware |
|
District of Columbia |
|
Florida |
|
Georgia |
|
Hawaii | |
Idaho | |
Illinois[32] |
|
Indiana |
|
Iowa | |
Kansas |
|
Kentucky | |
Louisiana |
|
Maine |
|
Maryland | |
Massachusetts |
|
Michigan |
|
Minnesota |
|
Mississippi |
|
Missouri |
|
Montana |
|
Nebraska |
|
Nevada |
|
New Hampshire |
|
New Jersey |
|
New Mexico |
|
New York |
|
North Carolina |
|
North Dakota |
|
Ohio |
|
Oklahoma |
|
Oregon |
|
Pennsylvania |
|
Puerto Rico | |
Rhode Island |
|
South Carolina |
|
South Dakota | |
Tennessee |
|
Texas |
|
Utah |
|
Vermont |
|
Virginia |
|
Washington |
|
West Virginia |
|
Wisconsin |
|
Wyoming |
|
The same technique can be used with sports teams political officials or virtually and personifying information. Of course the choice of which subject to bring up depends on the donor; people who don't like sports will be unlikely to want to talk about last nights basketball game with you.
This is just one of many rapport building methods. Try to come up with some of your own and leave them in the comments below. Thanks.
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