Are you ready for the new year?

Feb 9, 2022

You’ll be successful if you faithfully do the best you can with what you have

There is only one person who can make (or break) this year for you – that’s YOU!

What is your fundraising strategy?

If you are happy with the amount of donations your ministry is receiving then, greatkeep doing what you’re doing. But if not, then perhaps something needs to change, and now is a good time to start the change!

Here are some thought starters for you…

PPPPP

Heard of that one? It stands for  Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

It’s in the same vein as “Failing to plan is planning to fail

So if you haven’t already sorted your fundraising calendar for this year,  Here’s a little video to help you plan when to send out your appeals. In this video Steven from worklessraisemore.com gives you a strategy for planning your annual calendar to help you bring in more donations.

He’s talking mail appeals, but hey, you can adapt it for radio. instead of mailing, you might like to put a regular weekly 10 minute slot on your station where the manager/CEO/Board member shares something fundraising focused and inspirational (and planned).

Same old same old

Repetition might be boring to you but it is a necessary part of any fundraising. That’s why I keep saying things like “tell your listeners you are a listener supported station”. Think you can say that once and everyone will get it? Nope!  Tell them, tell them, then tell them again – and maybe they will get it, but chances are you will need to tell them a few more times.

Here’s an interesting article with more.

So do your PP to PPP.

Record Your Donor Details

Here is a simple Excel spreadsheet for recording your donor details.

Download

Read a little more on CRM systems.

CRM Software

There are literally hundreds of  options for a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system for your ministry. There are some free options but usually they are limited to a short time or a small number of records.

One truly Free option worth exploring is TNTConnect

 As CRM software is a rapidly changing field you are probably best to do your own search.

More Fundriasing Tips here…

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In an earlier post I said that when it comes to fundraising… You gotta Ask! And that it is a 3-step process. Ask Thank Report I then said that Asking shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable because… You are only inviting people to do something you already do yourself....

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If your ministry is flourishing and growing and you are happy with the results of your fundraising activity, great!   Why not share with us what you are doing so others can learn. If however, your ministry needs more donations to facilitate growth, then read on... The...

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In an earlier post I said that when it comes to fundraising… You gotta Ask! And that it is a 3-step process. Ask Thank Report I then said that Asking shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable because… You are only inviting people to do something you already do yourself....

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Did you know that one way your radio ministry can raise funds, is by being generous! Now that doesn’t make sense… or does it? Let me explain how you can demonstrate generosity like this… Vision Christian Radio runs two on air fundraisers for its own ministry each...

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Surveys and asking people for their opinion can be a helpful tool but they can also be very misleading.  Especially when it comes to fundraising. First off, understand that your donors really want to give you truthful and helpful answers to your questions. After all,...