Donor Connection
Today is the first day of summer. Also known as the longest day of the year.
It also begins the longest season of “traps.” We hear things like:
“Nothing happens in the summer.”
“Everyone is away on vacation.”
You can add to this list of traps, “Thanksgiving to New Year’s is a distracting time for everyone.” Or, “After Mother’s Day it’s all about graduations and weddings.”
But you will most likely agree that of all the traps mentioned above, summer takes the cake!
Even if we assume that everyone goes somewhere during the summer, most people do not go away for the entire summer.
What a great time for donor connection. A “short” note or email. A text or voice mail. These go a long way. Don’t discount the summer.
Although it is a tough time to gather people together, the lack of group meetings opens the door for better one-to-one encounters.
Two of my largest solicited gifts came from meetings during Christmas week and 4th of July week. The donor was around and there was little on the schedule.
So…… start the summer off right with donor connection:
Make a list of people you want to see one-to-one (see face-to-face fundraising).
Call or email for a short appointment.
Prepare appropriately.
Celebrate your success.
Will you take the “short” way this summer? Or will you fall in the same trap with the others?
Written by: John J. Corcoran
President & CEO at D’Alessandro, Inc.
