How To Talk About Money On Your First Visit
Asking for money before you even know someone can feel creepy.
And it may not be appropriate. But....it probably is.
This potential donor knows why you're there, right? At the very least, they saw the signature line of your meeting request?
Think of it this way: if they know what you do, then it's actually weirder not to talk about money. Right? Kinda gets things off on the wrong foot?
Honestly, if you don't say something on this first visit, it only gets more awkward later.
Here are a few approaches that may help (thanks to peeps on Office Hours last week for asking!).
If s/he already gives at any level:
- "Thank you so much for your generous gifts through the years." And, as you discover what s/he is excited about/interested in, then name a level of support and ask about future interest: "It is amazing for students to have international experiences. We have a lot of donors who give $1,000/year to help with tickets - often that alone makes it possible. Some have...
How to Have Your Best Discovery Visit
First visits with potential donors are awkward.
You're meeting a stranger.
They're meeting you.
This can lead to all kinds of nervousness...
...and that voice in your head telling you you need to sound smart, be likeable, say all the right things AND ask for money...
This month, in Fundraisers' Monthly, we're talking all about the Discovery Visit:
- Phrases to help turn the conversation to money
- The best questions to ask in discovery meetings
- Tips to make your best case for your org
- Keys to being your best in every conversation
How can you show up to your next discovery visit calm and confident?
Here are the 4 keys to being your best in every conversation:
1. Be Authentic. - Be You. This sounds obvious and easy, but it isn't. I've walked into the offices of plenty of super-successful CEO's, lawyers, hedge fund managers, museum curators and filmmakers feeling inadequate. That voice in my head told me I wasn't smart enough or successful enough to be talking to those people.
But...
Friday Inspirations, Episode 4 :)
Happy Friday, Generous Changers!
This week flew by for us - as in, holy moly, where can I buy some more hours?! Hope it was a good one for you.
Coming up next in Fundraisers' Monthly is the discovery visit - how to have the conversation, what to (and not to) ask and how to turn the convo to money, even and especially when it feels super awkward.
So, we're in deep thought about great conversation....
Quote we're digging:
"Be interested, not interesting."
Dale Carnegie said that first - and it's fantastic advice for fundraisers...and every single person who wants to be a great conversationalist!
We're watching: the super brilliant Dan Pink on the ABC's of Persuasion.
- Attunement: Can you attune yourself to someone else, understand their perspective?
- Buoyancy: How to you remain afloat in an ocean of rejection? Fundraisers know all about this! Turns out questioning your abilities is more effective than pumping yourself up.
- Clarity: There's a ton of information...