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. π Start by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
Your ASK is an angel πΌ -- not a devil πΏ
Welcome! Make yourself cozy. It's the 48th issue of the Fundraising Writing Newsletter. Please forward this to someone swell. (They can subscribe for free!)
In this issue:
- Your ASK is an angel πΌ β not a devil πΏ
- A visual reminder for you
- Readably and viewably yours: free learning content you'll love
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Hiya!
Brett here:
Last week, Julie and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. Here's what we looked like on our big day:
For those keeping score, our first real date was on November 12, 1988. Dinner and a movie. U2: Rattle and Hum & Giordano's Pizza.
I remember being nervous to ask Julie out. I didn't know whether or not she wanted me to ask her out.
What if it was awkward?
What if she didn't really like me?
What if she said no?
My heart raced. My chest ached. My thoughts churned.
It's hard to ask!
Your ASK is an angel πΌ β not a devil πΏ
In fundraising, too, it's hard to ask...
Until, that is, you realize something very important:
Your supporters want to be asked!
That's why they're on your list. They're not "random people on the street." They're your supporters because they support you. They're your big fans. They're your treasured family. They want to help.
This mental shift is crucial.
Because ... if you worry about asking ... you won't ask as often or as compellingly as you should.
βT. Clay Buck tells a story he says helped him understand that we should never hesitate to ask anyone. You can listen to Clay tell it himself (on Mike Duerksen's excellent Build Good Fundraising Podcast).
Here's a lightly edited transcription of the story, in Clay's words:
I felt that.
Itβs all too easy to think people donβt want to be asked.
But . . .
Your ask is an invitation for donors to join you, shoulder to shoulder, helping others.
Your ask is an opportunity for donors to step up and show their kindness and love.
Your ask is a gift to donors that unlocks the generosity within themselves . . . which is doubly awesome because giving makes people feel good.
Your ask is not a devil πΏ to be avoided at all costs...
(Get that outta your head!)
βYour ask is an angel πΌ to be welcomed with open arms! Because this angel you send brings a glorious message β of how your supporters can make our world more heavenly.
So be not afraid to ask. Send more angels. Feel no guilt.
Your supporters deserve frequent chances to do more good (and feel more good)!
A visual reminder for you
(also on our Instagram page)
Readably and viewably yours: free learning content you'll love...
Each of the following represents a wise investment of your time. We loved them. Maybe you will too?
- βInflation and a Troubled Economy Should Not Affect Giving by Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels
β - βState of Fundraising: Giving USA 2022 β 8 Key Highlights by Amy Eisenstein
β - βHow I approach doing podcast interviews about my novels by Eliot Peper
β - βIt's a trap! by Steven Screen
β - "The Egg" β An animated video of a short story by Andy Weir
Until next time: May you always feel good about "sending more angels" and give your supporters ample opportunity to do more good in the world, without guilt or fear!
We'll see you in your inbox soon!!
All our best,
β
β
β
β
β
βJulie Cooper & Brett Cooperβ
Fundraising Copywriters
βFundraisingWriting.com
β
βPS: We wish our U.S. readers a merry holiday weekend (and we wish all our other readers a weekend worthy of off-season fireworks). We'll see you next in 2 weeks. Please stay safe and be well! β€οΈ
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. π Start by subscribing to our FREE weekly 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: β "...you, someone who loves them!" (Identity-based fundraising writing.) β Mail Bag π¬ β 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...
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: β Photos not required. But if you do... β 3 Tips for choosing the right photo for your appeal β 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...
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: β With your fundraising photos, do this, not that β 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...