A colleague of mine explained that one had to earn the right to ask personal stuff OR for the business. You earn that right by being a professional, and engaging the person on their professional level. As a fundraiser, even if you are meeting with a donor in their home, instead of asking about a kid’s soccer picture, you ask about how they achieved their current position and what made them a success.
You can never say THANK YOU too often nor too late
In this age of digital communication, it is easy to think that it is more important to be quick with a response or a thank you….I would like to share a few brief stories of how handwritten notes have impacted my career.
Manage the Elephant in the Room
An agenda helps everyone to be focused on a goal, and to understand your expectations as the meeting organizer. It makes the most of your meeting with your prospect and demonstrates respect for the time they are giving you.
This glass is always empty
Before you suggest that my territory is too small for some sort of plan, answer this: are there parts of your territory that routinely require you to drive 25 minutes plus from your base of operations? It is easy to think 25 minutes, one way, as not that much area, but that is actually about an hour of “windshield time”. If you go and comeback for 2 or 3 appointments in a day, that is 2-3 hours of productivity you lost (and may be making up after hours).
Fundraisers, it’s time to ACT!
Sportscasters would define him as a natural talent, and Michael Jordan would quickly correct them and explain how he had to work everyday to be the best, and if he couldn’t he stepped aside (ref: his brief baseball career). In his words, “My practice habits were great”.
As a fundraiser, It’s time to be honest.
Before everyone gets really upset, Fundraisers are very honest and work very hard to honor donor intentions. They do a great job of communicating with donors and addressing community concerns. The are very honest with everyone….except themselves.