profile

Subscribe to the Fundraising Writing Newsletter

Make magic moments for your donors ((3 ways)) ๐Ÿฆ„

Published over 1 year agoย โ€ขย 3 min read

In this issue:

  • Make magic moments for your donors ((3 ways)) ๐Ÿฆ„
  • Do you have a donor magic moment to share?
  • Readably and audibly yours: free learning content you'll love...

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Hi Reader,

Most people occasionally think of their life as if it takes the form of a timeline, don't you think?

Something like this. maybe:

But really, if most of us were to create a timeline of what truly matters in our life, it would probably look more like:

๐ŸŒ… ๐Ÿ‘ช ๐ŸŽ‰ โค๏ธ ๐Ÿถ ๐Ÿ’” ๐ŸŒ‡

In other words, life is full of moments.

Some of them are tragic. Some of them are magic.

Our magic moments are what comprise the timeline that matters most. They're what we'd choose to remember.

Wouldn't it be great to have more magic moments?

Well, good news.

Sometimes we can make magic moments for ourselves.

Sometimes we can make magic moments for others.

Including our donors . . .


Make magic moments for your donors ((3 ways)) ๐Ÿฆ„

Yesterday, I got an email from the amazing Rachel Muir, who is a wizard of magic moments.

She included this video, which gave me chills of joy:

Why did Rachel's video move me so?

Because it reawakened my heart to the magic moments we can help make for our donors.๐Ÿ’›

If you've watched this video . . . don't you feel the same?

Don't you just want to get out there right now and text your donors with the very words Rachel asked her seminar attendees to use in a text message to one of their major donors, then and there during the training?

(A training that just so happened to take place on Valentine's Day.)

I.e., here โ€” the message pasted below โ€” which Rachel kindly conjured for us โ€” to fill donors' hearts to brimming:

On this day of hearts and flowers and everyone celebrating love, I just want to tell you how incredibly grateful I am to you and the love and support you show our organization.

Rachel later shares that these words were like big bear hugs for the hearts of many donors across many orgs. These same words can likely do the same for you and your donors on future Valentine's Days.

On all other days, you can take Rachel's advice and come up with similarly heartfelt messages. ๐Ÿ’Œ

Now, my wee little heart is rubbing its happy hands in excitement at all of the lovely future moments just waiting to happen!

As for the 3 ways you can make magic moments for your donors...
โ€‹

1. See Rachel's idea, above.

Also, check out Rachel's League of Extraordinary Fundraisers.

(If you need fundraising training, this would be a wise, happy, magical link for you to click.๐ŸŒŸ)
โ€‹

2. Consider making a phone call after a first gift.

This can go a long way toward nurturing a new relationship with a donor.

For example, Vida Joven de Mexico did this.

Within a day or two of making my first gift, I received a phone call from Beth Beall, Vida Joven's executive director, asking me why a person from Chicago cares about kids in Tijuana. ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿงก๐Ÿงก

Beth's phone call really made an impression. It touched my heart. I'm sure I've given more since then because of that powerful, emotional, magical first connection.

(Find it hard to make so many calls? You might consider trying a ringless voicemail app such as Slydial.)
โ€‹

3. Personalize your communications with:

  • handwritten notes (everyone โค๏ธs these)
  • stamps placed at an angle for that all-important human touch (thanks to John Lepp for that golden idea!)
  • bigger envelopes (especially as opposed to #10 envelopes: the ones the dreaded bills come in)

And keep those donor magic moments a-comin'!


Do you have a donor magic moment to share?

โ€‹Neon One is running a contest based on "Generosity Moments."

You could win your organization a donation of $500.

To enter, just click this link and share your donor magic moment.

The contest ends Friday, so act fast.

Good luck!


Readably and audibly yours: free learning content you'll love...
โ€‹

Each of the following represents a wise investment of your time.
โ€‹
We loved them.

Maybe you will too?

โ€‹


Until next time: May you see the magic in all your donors โ€” and make as many magic moments for them as possible.

We'll see you in your inbox soon!!

All our best,

โ€‹

โ€‹

โ€‹

โ€‹

โ€‹
โ€‹
โ€‹
โ€‹

linkedintwitterenvelope-open

โ€‹
โ€‹PS: You deserve to raise lots more money for your good cause. Why not recruit an "all-star team" โ€” The Case Writers โ€” to take on your donor communications?

Imagine having all of these people on your side: Tom Ahern, John Lepp, Jen Love, Jeff Brooks, Maggie Cohn, Leah Eustace, Andrea Hopkins, Aimee Vance, and us (Julie & Brett).

Interested? Contact us, risk-free.

Subscribe to the Fundraising Writing Newsletter

Hi! We're Julie Cooper and Brett Cooper, fundraising copywriters for great causes. Does your fundraising bring in as much money as it could? You can send donor communications that stir hearts to action. We'd love to help. ๐Ÿ’› Start by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Read more from Subscribe to the Fundraising Writing Newsletter

Welcome, You! This is the 130th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a colleague. (Your colleague can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: โœ… "...you, someone who loves them!" (Identity-based fundraising writing.) โœ… Mail Bag ๐Ÿ“ฌ โœ… Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Hi Reader, Some tips are so simple that, when you hear them, you might have the urge to smack your forehead and exclaim, "I should have thought of that!" and "I can...

2 days agoย โ€ขย 4 min read

Welcome, You! This is the 129th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a colleague. (Your colleague can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: โœ… Photos not required. But if you do... โœ… 3 Tips for choosing the right photo for your appeal โœ… Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Thursday, April 11, 2024 Hi Reader, If you read my fundraising photo tips newsletter from last week, this right here is where I pull a Columbo and say, "Just one more thing." (If you...

8 days agoย โ€ขย 4 min read

Welcome, You! This is the 128th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a colleague. (Your colleague can subscribe here for free.) In this issue: โœ… With your fundraising photos, do this, not that โœ… Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you Wednesday, April 3, 2024 Hi Reader, Next week, I'll be in Toronto for the AFP ICON fundraising conference. You too? I'll be speaking along with Rachel Muir and Sarah Masterson, in a session called "What Not to Say to Your...

16 days agoย โ€ขย 2 min read
Share this post