Get donor attention, see 19 laws & learn public speaking.
Three weekly insights to get funding
Namaste
The India Fundraising Conference is 5 February in New Delhi. And I’m giving the opening keynote speech.
Will you be there?
Register now, then reply/comment here so we can meet up.
— Kevin
💪🏽💛
Three insights
1. It’s harder to get attention than it is to get donations.
The hardest currency for you to earn:
Attention, not money.
So here are five fundraising tips from best-selling books. 📚
BREAK A PATTERN
“The most basic way to get someone’s attention: break a pattern. Surprise gets our attention. Common sense is the enemy of sticky messages.” — Made to Stick
START STRONG
“Your opening sentence should be the most memorable — tell me something I don’t know, would want to know, should know. Make this sentence as direct, short, and sharp as possible.” — Smart Brevity
SIMPLIFY
“Communication itself is the communication problem. The best approach to take in our overcommunicated society is the oversimplified message.” — Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind
BE UNIQUE
“In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is failing. Not standing out is the same as being invisible.” — Purple Cow
STAY CONSISTENT
“Clear, consistent communications distinguish your organization from others who are competing for the same donors, funders, participants, and media attention. In bad times, it becomes critical for survival.” — Brandraising
The ultimate goal?
“If you can get their attention, you are well on your way to getting a gift,” says Jeff Brooks.
It’s not money you fight for.
It’s mindshare.
Attention is the gatekeeper to generosity.
2. 19 laws of fundraising.
19 laws about fundraising I’ve learned while:
Working with 340 clients in 50 countries
Writing 200,000 words about funding
Getting 38,000 LinkedIn comments
Reading 100+ social sector books
Failing often at our own nonprofit
These laws are actually the chapter subtitles from my first book.
Save. Download. Commit them to memory.
What would you add to this list?
3. Public speaking magic.
Most of us are born terrible at public speaking.
But we can’t improve by winging it.
So the next time you talk in front of your team, get on stage, join a podcast, or even stand in the back of a truck to motivate volunteers, use this proven storytelling tool:
Public narrative.
Also known as: the story of self, us, and now.
🙋🏽 SELF
Why me.
👫🏿 US
Why here.
🚨 NOW
Why it’s urgent.
Public narrative was created by Marshall Ganz and has been used by the world’s thought leaders — from President Obama to fundraising greats.
Watch this video clip above to learn the framework.
It’s a snippet with my partner Eve Wanjiru from our Mighty Ally Brand Bootcamp messaging module.
Then remember:
Why you.
Why here.
Why now.
Speak boldly.
Engage deeply.
Fundraise greatly.
The weekly bonus
“The best way to think is to write.” — Farnam Street
Need my help?
If this advice is useful — but you’re ready to get even more fundable and findable — check out Brand Bootcamp.
It’s our self-paced, online course to maximize your funding. In just 15 minutes a day.
P.S.
The funder’s face when they don’t expect you to come in hot with such a bold brand and fearless pitch.
Hi Kevin! My colleague Rashmi Baruah from Latika will be at the Delhi conference and she would love to meet you - we are all huge fans here in Dehradun.
If you have some time to play while you are here in India, we will throw a party for you in Dehradun. (I make the best carrot cake in the Eastern Hemisphere.)