Like tattoos, some brand mistakes don’t erase.

Fundraising choices are a hat, haircut, or tattoo.

Horrible brand decisions will stick for life.
↳ Just like bad body art.

And ruin your ability to raise money.

But luckily, most marketing and donor communications aren’t using permanent ink.

So James Clear says to think about your decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos.

Let’s break it down. ⤵

“Most decisions are like hats. Try one and if you don’t like it, put it back and try another.”

The cost of these mistakes is low, so experiment often with new brand elements.

Like:

🧢 Testing social media formats
🧢 Aiming to reach a new target audience
🧢 Picking the best communications channels

“Some decisions are like haircuts. You can fix a bad one, but it won’t be quick and you might feel foolish for awhile.”

But you should certainly still take these bigger marketing and fundraising risks from time to time.

Like:

💇🏾 Getting assertive in messaging
💇🏾 Updating your visual identity system
💇🏾 Launching a bold, new advocacy campaign

“A few decisions are like tattoos. Once you make them, you have to live with them. Some mistakes are irreversible.”

These brand choices are rare — so it’s important to name them, move slowly, and think carefully.

Like:

🦋 Firing a chief fundraiser
🌹 Merging or folding sister/sub-brands
🐉 Renaming and rebranding the organization

The golden rule here?

Hats off to brave fundraising choices.

And a bold haircut can renew your comms.

But ink your brand with intention, not regret.

💪🏽💛

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The Daily Bonus

A decision-making cheat sheet from Rachel Turner.

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