Two simple quotes for you today about gratitude.
First, from Millard Fuller, the Founder of Habitat for Humanity:
“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting.”
Second, from yours truly, who stumbled onto the same idea on Twitter a few months ago:
“Most people think that it takes a happy organization to show real gratitude to their donors. In my experience it’s the opposite: the organizations who choose to show real gratitude to their donors become happier.”
Look, there are lots of ways a fundraiser can show real gratitude to their donors. Off the top of my head, look up @LeahEustace on thank you calls increasing donor retention, or @johnepp and @agentjenlove on their incredible “Gratitude Reports” (instead of “annual reports”), and of course @thattomahern on donor-focused newsletters that give credit to donors.
But I’m not talking about that now.
I’m talking about what’s holding your organization back from doing those things.
I have two words for you…
Just Start!
You won’t be great at it at first. But your donors will feel it.
You’ll stumble. But your future fundraising results will improve.
You’ll even shoot yourself in the foot by saying things like “Thank you for supporting us as we do incredible things…“
You can make all kinds of errors. You can be the most self-centered Thanker of all time – and still you’ll raise more money! Why? Because…
Donors Love to Feel Needed and Important
Showing real, emotional gratitude is one of the primary ways you can make a donor feel needed and important.
Get good at that, and you’re on your way to raising a lot of money.
So start! Start acting grateful to your donors, and sharing your organization’s gratitude, and you will become a more grateful organization.
Are your receipts and thank you letters dripping with gratitude, or filled with marketing copy?
Is your newsletter about what the donor did, or about what your organization has been busy doing?
Just start! And I suggest that this January, immediately after a lot of your donors have just given, is a great time to start!
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Would you breathe a little easier as you start 2019, knowing that your appeals, e-appeals, and newsletters are going to work better than they ever have before?
How about also knowing that you won’t have to do them yourself? And that you’ll have time to work on other important things – and you’ll save thousands of dollars?
A team of experts from Better Fundraising can create your appeals, e-appeals and newsletters for you. You’ll free up a time to focus on important things that aren’t getting done now, and your fundraising will raise more money. It’s like an “EASY” button for your fundraising communications, and your first month is free – an average savings of $3,500. Wonder if it’s a fit for your organization? Fill out this super-short form and we’ll get in touch!
