Storytelling: The Fundraiser’s Most Persuasive Tool
"Numbers numb, jargon jars, and nobody ever marched on Washington because of a statistic" according to marketing guru Andy Goodman. So why do so many of us talk about our mission in dry, accounting terms - number of meals served, percentage of homeless helped, and how efficient we are with your charitable dollars? We are hardwired to respond to stories, not statistics. Giving comes from the heart, so we need to learn to speak to the heart. We’ll explore the science of decision-making and dissect the elements of a good story: the building blocks that allow you to construct a compelling, suspenseful story about your charity. Be careful: once you experience the power of storytelling, you may have difficulty going back to the old way you used to cultivate prospects!
Learning Objectives:
Understand the principles of the story arc: place, character, conflict, resolution and outcome
Learn to frame your story, use concrete details, evocative description, and other elements to amp up the impact of your message
Become a more persuasive advocate for your organization