Episode #186
Have you ever felt like you weren’t as good at fundraising as other people are?
Maybe you don’t like to pick up the phone and call donors, or go to events.
Brian Saber felt that way. But then he realized that his style of fundraising was just different. In this week’s video, Brian shares how he was able to not only boost his confidence, but also how he was able to help improve the asks of the volunteers around him.
You’ll also learn how you can strengthen your solicitation calls by pairing up with a person who has the opposite style of asking from you.
You can learn more about asking styles and find out what kind of asking style you have by going to the Asking Matters website. Just click here.
If you have any stories or ideas around asking or different styles, please share them in a comment box under the video. Your Movie Monday friends will thank you!
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If you have any stories or ideas around asking or different styles, please share them. Your Movie Monday friends will thank you! 🙂
Thanks so much for this one! My strengths lie mostly in the story-telling line. I’ve got a couple of extroverts on staff and on the board. I think we can work together and both feel more comfortable.
Remember that its not about YOU, its about the donor. Just as there are different asking styles, there are different donor styles. The important thing is to align the donor with the “right person” at your organization, who has the kind of asking style that will be the best fit. Our organization just did this last week…two Board members who were very good at telling stories met with two donors who are emotionally involved with the organization, while another Board member and myself met with a “just the facts” foundation.
Thank you Brian. I have been fundraising for 20 years in Australia and whilst I would be considered an extrovert, still believe that you can build the relationship with your donors without getting in their face!! Sending a quick email about something exciting that has happened, inviting them to special events and calling when appropriate are all part of my personal style. I don’t like brashness. I like passion and honesty and I try to bring this to the table with every interaction with the incredible people who support the organisations I work with, along with my very special colleagues. As previously mentioned by Reine, it’s about the Donor. Treat them in the way they want to be treated. Respect them and their decisions every step of the way. The gift is a given when you treat donors in the right way and you inform them of the need. I recently secured a $1m cash gift along with a $2m pledge for my organisation in exactly this way.
HI Brian, thank you.. as an intuitive introvert myself who has been insecure about fundraising, this is a real boost!
i just finished the book Quiet by Susan Cain, which really confirms a lot of what you were saying as well. Keep up the great work!
there are many styles of asking and it takes the right combo of ‘touches’ and people to do it.
happy fourth! Cheers, erica
Excellent overview of the different asking styles – and reinforcement that there isn’t just one way to go about it! The quiz – assessment came out spot-on. Very helpful! Thanks for sharing.
Many years ago I hired Brian to train a volunteer campaign committee to ask, using this approach. It was fantastic that people felt more comfortable, knowing their style. And, as I was in Sydney Australia, he delivered it all online over a few live sessions. Great to have this reminder.