Welcome, You! This is the 128th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a colleague. (Your colleague can βsubscribe here for free.)β In this issue: β With your fundraising photos, do this, not that β Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you β Wednesday, April 3, 2024 Hi Reader, Next week, I'll be in Toronto for the AFP ICON fundraising conference. You too? I'll be speaking along with Rachel Muir and Sarah Masterson, in a session called "What Not to Say to Your Donors, Eh? (And What to Say Instead)." If you will be at ICON, hit reply and let me know. Maybe we can catch a moment to say hello! In the meantime, one thing I'll be talking about in Toronto is... With your fundraising photos, do this, not thatDo you ever accidentally say one thing with your lips and another with your face? (I hate when that happens.) The fundraising equivalent is when your copy and your photos don't match. Your fundraising photos "speak" for you. Ask yourself: What do they say? And: Do they echo what your fundraising copy says? If the message of one of your fundraising photos and the message of your fundraising copy that goes with it do not match, something's wrong. Probably your photo. Here's an example of a photo that "says" the wrong thing in the context of the headline: This photo says, "We are warm and happy." (Notice the smiles and warm winter gear.) This photo does not match the headline copy asking for you to help. Why would you help? These two look like they're just fine! See? Don't do that! Instead... This photo says, "We are cold and in need of help." (Notice the lack of smiles, the light clothing, the snow, the tent...) This photo does match the headline copy asking for you to help. Clearly, these two look like they are in urgent need! See? Do this! Save your "problem-solved" impact photos for your thank yous, newsletters, and gratitude reports. Now β what do your fundraising appeal photos say, eh? Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge youFor your brain, heart, and funny bone...
Until next time: May your fundraising copy and photos always be in sync, so your donors can clearly understand that they are needed now.π Grateful,
β |
We're Julie Cooper and Brett Cooper, fundraising copywriters for great causes. Does your fundraising bring in as much money as it could? You can send donor communications that stir hearts to action. We'd love to help. π Start by subscribing to our FREE and fun weekly newsletter.
Our new puppy, Charlie. A puppy for your happy fundraising summer thoughts. This is the 173rd Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Hi Reader, Summer snuck up on me. So did this puppy. Meet Charlie! He's a cavapoo. We've had him for 1 week, and already we are head over heels. After Brett and I lost our dear Pepe and Daisy within 12 months of each other last year,...
This is off the wall! This is the 172nd Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Hi Reader, Brett here: I'm the kind of guy who counts on forgetting. (I know me.) That's why two of my best buds are Google Calendar and iPhone alarms. Best bud #1: Best bud #2: Maybe you're not like me, your memory is good as gold, and you are fond of saying "checklist schmecklist",...
Photo Credit: The Fundraising Summer School The professor holds forth, and I am all ears! This is the 171st Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can subscribe here for free.) Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Hi Reader, One of the highlights of my recent trip to the UK and Ireland was meeting Professor Russell James in person. Brett and I had met him virtually when he was the special guest for a couple of Tom Ahern webinars...