Fundraising Is Beautiful

Is your fundraising ratio killing your fundraising?

The over-focus on the amount nonprofits spend on fundraising and administration (as opposed to accomplishing their mission) is throttling many organizations, keeping them artificially poor and less able to do what they exist to do. We talk about some alternatives to focusing on that fundraising ratio.

Program #44

Play: Is your fundraising ratio killing your fundraising? (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 12:46

It's all about editing

The good fundraiser knows that not everything you do makes good fundraising. We bring donors on board with the stuff that makes their heart sing. We don't insist that they fully get it before we'll accept their donations.

If you've been paying attention to what information donors respond to, you know what to say and what not to say. Editing happens all the time. Just take a listen to this podcast. It's edited from our previous podcast -- and it's just as true.

It's also the work of our now-former editor, Peter Li. We consider it some of his best work.

Program #33

Play: It's all about editing (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 2:26

How to Tell If Your Fundraising Is Good (Part 1: Writing Style)

Fundraising is a specialized form of communication. It's just plain odd in many ways. In this first part of a three-part series on the conventions and norms of fundraising, we look at the the way fundraising copy is written, and why it contains so much of these things:

• Urgency
• Emotion
• Low-grade reading level
• Repetition
• A P.S.
• Length
• Conversational approach
• Direct style

If you're someone who must okay fundraising copy, if you're writing fundraising copy, or if you hope to do either some day, this podcast will be a goldmine of practical information for you.

Program #30

Play: Good Fundraising, Part 1 (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 18:28

Podcast changes

The new season brings a couple of changes. Please re-subscribe to this podcast, as some goofy technical things have taken place behind the scenes!

Here are the links mentioned:

• TrueSense Marketing
• Future Fundraising Now

Play: Podcast Changes (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 3:18

Back from the Brink: How a Sick Organization Got Better

In this episode we interview Chris Doyle, President and CEO of American Leprosy Missions, an organization that's leading the fight against leprosy around the world. Back in the mid-90s, when Doyle joined, the organization was in an accelerating downward slide. Learn about the steps Doyle and American Leprosy Missions took to turn the corner and return to health. It's an inspiring story that shows what you can do by getting the basics right.

Program #24

Play: How a Sick Organization Got Better (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 26:27

How to Work with a Fundraising Consultant

Working with the right fundraising consultant or agency can take your organization to undreamed-of heights. Having the wrong partner can be as rewarding as a long afternoon with a hungry, sleep-deprived two-year-old. In this podcast we share the three things you should think about when choosing the right fundraising partner.

Program #19

Play: How to Work with a Fundraising Consultant (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 16:46

Branding and Fundraising, Part 2

We continue the discussion on how your brand can help or hurt your fundraising and reveal the top branding error that torpedoes so many nonprofits. And don't miss a rare disagreement between Steven and Jeff -- tensions rise over dueling analogies. Listen to find out if the argument erupts into fisticuffs!

Program #15

Play: Branding and Fundraising, Part 2 (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 17:32

Branding and Fundraising, Part 1

How does the discipline of branding help your efforts to raise revenue for your cause? How does it hurt? How do you decide how to spend your marketing dollars? Get ready for a feather-ruffling, controversial look at this difficult topic.

Program #14

Play: Branding and Fundraising, Part 1 (right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 16:58

Ditch Your Dignity - Part 2: What Not to Show

Is there anything you shouldn't show or describe in effective fundraising? Short answer: Yes. We look at this complex issue with some guidance that can help you make good decisions in this difficult and controversial area.

Program #5

Play: Ditch Your Dignity - Part 2
(right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 14:45

Keeping your donors

Learn about ten of the main reasons donors stop supporting a charity
and what you can do to prevent those things in your relationships with
donors. Includes four practical tips for keeping donors happily involved
with your organization.

Click here to listen to the podcast now: Keeping Your Donors (program #2)
(right click or "save as" to save the file for later).

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Time: 17:49