This document provides tips for making follow up calls to potential donors in a strategic and polished manner. It advises to try contacting an assistant or real person rather than leaving a voicemail. When reaching the person, ask if they received prior information that was sent and take notes to leave a clear voicemail message. The tips suggest making a personal connection by relating the donor's interests to the organization's work. It also recommends offering alternatives to financial donations, like volunteering or promotion, if a donation is declined.

1. Nuke a Cold Call
with Strategy and Finesse

2. H
I’m a systems and strategic thinker.
Who likes to make things look pretty.
ello, I'm Raechel. And I write tips, tricks, and guides.
No matter how small your organization is, a major key to
reach that next level is to start looking bigger than you
really are.
This series highlights topics
that are little, yet big. It’s
stuff that can help you look
bigger than you really are
and polish your
organization’s
outside perception.

3. So it’s fund raising time…
You did research, compiled a decent list of potential donors.
You proofed your letter. Then proofed it again.
Envelopes are sealed. And out goes the ask.
Now what? Follow up calls.

4. Cold calls (or even
luke-warm calls)
can rather be
intimidating.
They can also be
rather easy to mess
up when you’re not
prepared.
So here’s some
tips on making
calls with strategy
and finesse.

5. Try to get a hold of a real person.
Even if it’s the assistant of the person you want to talk to.
Real people make decisions and get the ball rolling.
. Voicemail boxes don’t.

6. But if you do get the voicemail box,
jot down notes beforehand so you
don’t forget something important
after the beep.

7. like this
Hello, this is (your name) from (your org’s name).
A few weeks ago I sent you information in the mail
regarding (your ask, event, campaign, etc).
Please let me know if you have received the
information and had a chance to review it.
I’d love to discuss the possibility of you contributing to our work.
Please contact me at (number) or (email address).
Thank you. I’m looking forward to hearing back from you soon.

8. When you do get a real person
First ask if they got
the info you sent.

9. This gives you them a chance to
review your project on their own time
and gives you a shoe in the door:
a reason for calling.

10. like this
Did you receive the information I sent you on (your project)?
No? That’s alright, I can send you another.
Does email work better for you?
Yes? Great, did you get a change to review it yet?
Oh, you didn’t, that’s alright, when would be a
good time for me to call back again?
See what we did there? Once you send via email, you
now have an alternate means to follow up with them.

11. So you’ve got a real person
And yes, they’ve reviewed your materials…
Make the connection.

12. Ensure they know why you’re asking.
It’s not because they got it, you want
it. It’s because there’s a connection
between you and them:
they care about something that
has to do with what you’re doing.

13. like this
We thought your interest in environmental concerns along
the lakeshore was a great fit with our upcoming event…
Are you interested in showing your support for animal rights in
our community with a gift this year?
So-and-So, who is on our board, felt you would have an
interest in learning more about our work…
We’re looking for educational advocates in our community who
will support our new literacy goals…

14. What if they say no?
Don’t let em off the hook.

15. You haven’t gone this far to let them
go just yet. Cash is always king, but if
donating directly isn’t an option,
offer several alternatives.

16. like this
Thank you so much for considering a donation. Although we’re
sorry to hear you won’t be financially contributing at this
time, would you be interested in supporting our work in other
ways?
Subscribe to our newsletter …
Show your support via our social media …
Donating in-kind materials or equipment …
Commit to attending our next event …
Sign our petition …
Post information about our organization …
Tell your friends about us …
Promote our latest video …

17. Try to get a hold of a real person.
Ask if they got your info.
Ensure they get the connection.
Don’t let em off the hook.

18. This was just a taste. For the full guide on this topic
as well as other spoonfuls, please visit:
goodhelpings.blogspot.com