We’re in a series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. On the surface, these seem like basic questions. But in the world of nonprofit storytelling, they are the bridge between a donor’s heart and the transformation we want to see in the world. 

Today's show is all about "who," and we have three main characters: you, the people you serve, and your donors. 

When you get the "who" right, your writing stops feeling like a sales pitch and starts feeling like an invitation to a shared mission. 

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Today, and in the next few episodes, we’re going all the way back to the most basic building blocks of storytelling: who, what, where, why, when and how.

Simply including these in your content isn’t enough. Over the next few episodes, we’ll discover how using these building blocks effectively can move you from just reporting dry facts to building a world your donor can step into.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Whether you're a missionary, a nonprofit leader, a change maker of any kind, you know that a powerful story can open hearts for people to join you in your mission.

In season 4 of the Life and Mission Podcast, we're looking at the building blocks of every persuasive story: who, what, where, why, when, and how. Sounds basic, But I'll offer a few twists that you might not have heard before. 

Grab your notebook and get ready to tell stories that build relationships and raise more for your mission!

 

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Send me your questions

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

In this episode, I'm answering questions about nonprofit newsletters.

• How many newsletters should you send?
• How fancy do they need to be?
• What else can you do with those stories?
• Why send a print newsletter by mail when you can send email instead? 
• One key thing you don't want to leave out.

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Send me your questions

Support the show

Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Storytelling is an essential skill for fundraisers.  

What do stories do?

• Stories help us connect. 
• Compelling stories increase empathy.
• Stories reflect our values. 
• Stories reveal truths. 
• Stories help us see others in a new way.
• Stories give us context.

Send me your questions

Support the show

Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

The time between Thanksgiving and December 31 is by far the biggest giving season of the year. People expect you to ask. If you don't, the assumption will likely be that you don't need their money.Here's what you need to do now.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

You know you need to tell more stories to raise funds - but where do you find these stories? In this episode, I share five ways to find the stories you need.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

In the Food Network show Chopped, just before chefs present their first dish to the judges, they must answer the question, “What would it mean for you to win?” 

It's a question every nonprofit must answer.

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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Do you think of yourself as an expert? Maybe you should. We need you to share your knowledge and experience with us.

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Send me your questions

Support the show

Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Your supporters want to help.  Asking them for advice helps you and engages them at a deeper level. You’ll both be glad you did!

Often, when you ask for advice, supporters will tell you exactly how they prefer to be asked for money. The transparency you show in  conversations around how you raise funds invites them to also be transparent about how they approach giving. 

This isn’t a trick to get them to give more. It is an invitation to understand each other and to come into a closer relationship. 

Be sure to report back to them and let them know how their advice helped!

Send me your questions

Support the show

Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you in January. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!