Talisman Thinking Out Loud

Fundraising v Sales Tools

July 26, 2016 at 8:04 pm Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment

I’ve gone to more fundraising professional development than I can count. I enjoy attending live events. It gives me the opportunity to connect with new and current friends and colleagues. If I can learn 50% and affirm 50% I’m good. I get energised from attending and learning.

Recently, I have sought out professional development beyond fundraising – but still aligned. I’d like to recommend some resources that are making me think and re-think fundraising strategy, relationship marketing, donor engagement and how I participate/network in the community.

If you haven’t checked out The Go-Giver books and podcasts, I highly recommend them. I adapted Bob Burg’s cycle for use in fundraising relationship building.

Adapted from Go-Giver: http://thegogiver.com/movement/

• Create value in such a way that your prospects/donors/alumni will be attracted to connect with you; to invest with you and to refer you to others.
• Touch lots of lives with the exceptional value you provide. Your success is determined by how many people you serve, as well as how well you serve them.
• Build networks Expand and deepen your network of Personal Walking Ambassadors, drawing upon the information, relationships and wisdom from the community of talented and generous donors and alumni.
• Be Real Be comfortable bringing YOUR best authentic self to the table, and, continue doing that by learning, growing, and improving continually.
• Stay open to the abundance that is your right. Never again struggle because you understand how and why service works, and how and why you are able to attract the right people your way.

Then there is Chris Brogan. After listening to him on Hal Elrod’s podcast, I had to learn more. I had heard about Chris, but not followed up. Well I subscribed to emails as he dared us to on the podcast – not just to subscribe but, “See what I do with you once you’ve subscribed.” Let me tell you it is a lesson of what do with your donors online…and the email on “How to Win at Live Events” was terrific. Now I think I can work a room, but these three intentions really focus my attendance, participation and mindfulness.

How to Win At Live Events – Chris Brogan style

No matter if I’m speaking at or just attending an event, I go with three really simple intentions:

• Meet someone I can help in some way, or that I can introduce to someone who can help them.
• Meet someone who can teach me more about what I’m working on and help me accomplish my goals.
• Share with others whatever I know that might help them accomplish what they need to do.

The rest of the email is just a font of great information. I am happy to share it with you, just fill in the form below. But I really suggest you subscribe and watch what happens – be prepared to pay attention.

Next blog post some more inspiration…….stay tuned and if you like what your reading, please share with your friends and colleagues. Hint: Malcolm Gladwell has a new podcast……..

Entry filed under: Fundraising. Tags: Bob Burg, Chris Brogan, Donor engagement, Fundraising tools, Networking a room, The Go-Giver.