Hey there, welcome back to Nonprofit Courage Lab! It's Julie, and today I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that's crucial for every fundraiser: how to score more major donor meetings. We're going to get super practical here, talking about what might be holding you back and what you can actually do to land those meetings.

So, let's address a couple of common reasons why you might not be getting as many meetings as you'd like with potential major donors. First off, are you actually asking for them? It sounds simple, but sometimes we forget to prioritize reaching out and making those requests.

If that rings a bell, let's take a look at where your time is going. Check out your calendar, your recent emails—see what's eating up your schedule. Remember, building relationships one-on-one is key for donor retention. Neglecting your current donors can lead to a leaky bucket situation, and we definitely want to avoid that!

Now, when it comes to asking for meetings, are you doing it effectively? Maybe your approach needs a little tweak. Let's carve out some dedicated time in your schedule for reaching out, and then let's work on improving the quality of your outreach.

Start by setting a goal for how many meetings you want to ask for each week. If you're not asking for any right now, let's start small and work our way up. And remember, timing is everything. Try asking for meetings first thing in the morning when you're fresh and focused.

But what if you're already asking for meetings and not getting the responses you hoped for? It might be time to optimize your approach. One common issue is that donors aren't clear on why you want to meet with them. So, let's get straight to the point in your outreach.

Personalize your emails, drop in their first name, and skip the generic pleasantries. Show them that you've done your homework and that you genuinely value their time and support. Make it crystal clear why you want to meet and how much time you're asking for.

And don't forget to inject some personality into your outreach! Think about how you can make your emails more engaging and authentic. Share something about yourself or your interests—it's all about building a genuine connection.

Now, when it comes to follow-ups, consistency is key. Keep following up at regular intervals, but make sure your follow-ups are just as thoughtful as your initial outreach.

Remember, fundraising is all about building relationships and making meaningful connections. So, approach each outreach with intention and creativity, and you'll be well on your way to scoring more major donor meetings. Happy fundraising, my friend!

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2