Earlier this week, I was talking with a client about their newsletter. It’s mailed to their monthly donors as a cultivation piece, with wonderful stories about how their gift has made a difference. It also goes to their active and major donors.
The communications department creates the piece, and, of course, it looks absolutely amazing! But it is probably also going to mail a week or more late.
The review process involves numerous people inside and outside of the organization. The communications director can’t even begin the design until all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. Review upon review, delays upon delays, even to create the piece.
Meanwhile, the donors are waiting to hear the next story of how their monthly gifts are making a difference. Active donors are not able to make a donation, because the newsletter is not in their mailbox.
So, as an avid Seth Godin “groupie,” let me share this little snippet from Seth Godin’s blog:
“Begin. With the humility of someone who’s not sure, and the excitement of someone who knows that it’s possible.”
So, can you change your mind set about “beginning the next project”? Can you handle not waiting till everything is perfect?
Because it never is.
But it’s certainly not going to do any good, if whatever it is you’re waiting to begin doesn’t reach the donors’ hands! If you expect your donor to care about your organization, and if you’re trying to convey that you truly care about the relationship with that donor, then that donor is waiting for you to begin—today.
Originally published by NonProfitPRO Today on February 12, 2018.
