Tips 7-8-9 ! For fundraising in 2009!

7.) Stick with what works. If your annual appeal always seems to work, even though its a tad tired or not that much fun-stick with it! If that big spring event has always been your best fundraiser, don't cancel, don't try and reinvent it, run it again only this time be a bit more efficient and more focused. With limited resources and donors who are feeling a bit under siege, now is the time to keep focused on the basics and on the fundamentals.

8.) Consider greater use of online resources. Increased communication, increased donor stewardship, learn more about your donors, make sure you are telling your donors as much about you as possible. There are many free or close to free ways of communicating with your donors-consider starting a blog, using twitter, setting up a facebook profile for your organization, utilize an online newsletter service such as constantcontact.com. There are many very affordable ways of dramatically increasing the touch points between your parish or non profit and your supporters.

9.) Cut expenses strategically. Every organization has expenses that can be trimmed. But you must resist the urge to overdo it or to cut in areas which might ultimately jeopardize your income. Now is NOT the time to cut your major gifts officer, to dial back from three to two annual appeal mailings or to cut back on your communication, outreach and stewardship efforts. It does take money to make money. Cutting the wrong expenses could actually accelerate the pace of financial pressures your organization is facing.

A brand called you!

Two or three years ago Fast Company magazine ran a cover story called "A Brand Called You". Written by Tom Peters - This was the first time that I read about the concept of personal branding, as in branding yourself, the individual. What is the John Cunneen brand?

Now I had witnessed this with various personalities such as the sales guru Brian Tracy or Zig Ziglar, Tom Peters himself was a major personal brander, Tony Robbins-these folks, for me, were the original personal branders. The Fast Company article was the first to begin to fuse together one's personal and professional achievements, web presence and blogosphere/social networking renown.

I link the article as a reminder to myself and to anyone who happens to be reading this blog. The world has changed, you are a brand, we are all brands, we collectively make up the brand that is The Cunneen Company. You as a development director, pastor, volunteer, are all part of your non-profits brand, you are all your own brand.

What does this mean to our organizations?
What does this mean to us invidiually?

I havent the slightest clue but I find it far more interesting then this clumsy post gives it credit for.

Dont listen to me, check out what Tom Peters has to say:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/10/brandyou.html?page=0%2C0

John :)