- Find your stories. Don’t start a presentation talking about what you do, the figures, how much it costs. Turn it round; focus on what that really means – one human detail. Bring any factual detail you share down to that level. That is what will engage people.
- Go to your supporters, don’t expect them to come to you. In today’s world, we are used to tailoring the communications we get, the pictures we see, the cat videos we watch on the Internet. Think about how people want you to talk to them, and what they want to hear. It’s not about what you wan, it’s about how you can partner with them to help achieve their aims. Charity isn’t a begging bowl, it’s an opportunity for supporters to achieve something, whether it’s staff retention or the pride of running a marathon for a good cause. Start there.
- Those moments of sudden panic when you realise you don’t know the answer to something? That’s okay. It is okay not to know how something should be done. It is important to ask questions and keep asking. It’s important to really think about what someone is saying, rather than rehearsing a possible answer in your head so that you sound knowledgeable. In fact, it’s better to ask questions – you will understand more, but you’ll also show you have an enquiring, interested mind. Humility is appealing.
- Be professional, but informal. People often expect fundraisers to know little about business or professionalism. Prove them wrong. But don’t try to prove yourself; you can be friendly, relaxed, informal, creative. It’s the best thing about the sector.
- Do be creative; it’s a job, but if you know you belong in fundraising you will probably also know that it’s a space where you get to use your ideas, to think about the best ways to communicate something, to tell stories with pictures, words, emotions. Whatever field of fundraising you are in, harness your creativity. It’s what will make your work, and your cause, come alive.
- Look around – at ideas, news, marketing, social media. Fundraising cannot and should not exist in a silo; it’s what is fantastic about it. Don’t get trapped at your desk, your office, in the fundraising world; keep your eyes open, keep inspired, be open to ideas. Take a notebook with you everywhere.
- Suggest solutions – if you think it won’t work, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to say so. If you’re new to a field it’s not easy to challenge people, especially if they are more experienced than you. Here’s the thing though – your opinion counts. Suggesting ideas doesn’t mean dismissing someone else’s, and if you’re in the right workplace, they will be impressed if you come to them with a new idea.
- Share your knowledge – don’t think you don’t know enough – get involved. Present, write, find your own network, your people. You’ll be amazed at how helpful people are. By and large, people are in fundraising because they care. They want you to succeed because it helps us all succeed in making the world, yes, a better place. Don’t be shy. Say it out loud. Get it printed on a t-shirt now.
- Always have a sense of humour. You work in fundraising, which means you'll inevitably end up dealing with children, animals, giant monkey cotumes, and dressing up as Santa. Embrace it; you'll never be bored.
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