Cocktail Party Test
Fundraisers can make “civilians” a little nervous when they’re around (see Dan Rice’s article in the Spring 2008 issue of Planned Giving Tomorrow). What comments do you get when you tell folks what you do for a living? “Ugh, I could never ask strangers for money!” “Well, I hope you didn’t bring your begging bowl with you tonight – this is a friendly party.”
You have to love what you do, and let that love show, to be effective as a fundraiser – and be welcome at neighborhood picnics. The organization you work for brings good into the world every day, and you are an integral part of that transformation. You’ve got the right to be sincerely proud of being a fundraiser; to be enthusiastic and, okay, even a little corny about it.
The Test
To see what image you’re projecting, try an experiment at the next function you attend. With half a dozen people gathered around,
introduce yourself and in 10 words or less* tell them what you do.
Now – does the group immediately race to the buffet table? Or do they gather a little closer as somebody asks:
“Really? Tell me more.”
* In sales, they call this an “elevator speech”.=
Category: Planned Giving Marketing on June 17th, 2008