It’s easier for some people to ask for a donation than it is for others. Some people approach potential donors with confidence while others try their best to ignore the butterflies swarming in their stomachs as they get ready for the big ask.
Blogger Amy Eisenstein offers pointers on how to fundraise with ease and improve your results while you’re at it.
For Eisenstein, it’s all about rehearsing what you’ll say.
“Most people wouldn’t dream of going on stage or making a big presentation or business deal without practicing first, so why is this any different?” Eisenstein wrote. She’s got a point, eh?
Here are a few tips she recommends:
- Be specific. Explain exactly what you’re raising funds for, how much you’d like from donors, and what they’ll receive for their donation.
- After the ask, be quiet. In other words: If you talk first, you could lose. “In the potentially awkward silence after making an ask, practice being quiet. You’ve asked, and now it’s their turn to talk. They may need a moment to collect their thoughts and think about what you’ve asked them for, so let them,” says Eisenstein.
- Be prepared for any response. “There are three answers a person can give once asked for a donation: yes, no, and maybe. Practice how to respond to any of these and have a follow-up plan for each,” Eisenstein advises.
For more tips on asking for a donation, check out Eisenstein’s full article.