Life and Mission

Your donors are busy. They’re tired. They make decisions all day in a world where everyone is clamoring for attention. Here's a simple way to help them "catch" your stories.

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Our stories have the power to move supporters along on a journey: introducing them to a problem, dispelling myths, offering hope, introducing them to our organization, showing them how we solve the problem, building trust, and inviting them to take action. 

At any point in time, you'll have people at different stages along these five levels of awareness:

1. Unaware - They don't even know there is a problem.
2. Problem Aware - They know about the problem, but not about solutions.
3. Solution Aware - They know about solutions, but not so much about your organization or the work you do.
4. Brand Aware - They know about you! But they aren't convinced you are the right fit for them.
5. Most Aware - They get it! They know about the problem, what you do to solve the problem, they know, like, and trust you, and they're ready to join you (just waiting for you to ask). 

It’s important to think about the donor’s journey, and where they are in it, when crafting our stories. We must also consider our organization's goals (increase monthly donations, bust a myth around the problem we solve, attract volunteers, etc.) and position ourselves and the story accordingly. 

Adjust your flaps–address potential donors according to the stage of awareness they're in. 

Do this, and donors will be more informed, engaged, and ready to respond when it’s time to ask for their support.

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

My guest today is Joy Capps, author of Joyful Copy—How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically. 

There are a lot of copywriting formulas and blueprints, and many ways to reach your audience. But not all ways line up with what we know to be ethical and true. Joy created her Joyful Copy framework to help us write marketing copy that isn’t slimy. Based on Galatians 5:22-23 and Philippians 4:8, her framework filters best practices of copywriting through the teachings of the Bible.

Links

Connect with Joy at joycapps.com
Instagram – @joycappswrites
Facebook
LinkedIn

Get the book – Joyful Copy–How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically on Amazon, or at joyfulcopy.com

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective?

Airbnb runs an ad featuring a family of shaggy “monsters” enjoying their vacation. the goal of the ad is to invite people to become hosts on the platform. It starts where many of us are when it comes to inviting strangers to stay in our homes–it’s a little scary. But then we see a delightful series of scenes: enjoying beautiful views with a cuppa tea, a family hike, collecting shells, talking selfies, watching a movie, playing games…

These are simple things we enjoy with our own families.

The shaggy monsters clean up after themselves, straighten a picture on the wall, and leave a thank you note. As they close the door, we finally see them as they really are–a human family, just like us.

Click here to watch the ad.

Kevin Morby’s song, Beautiful Strangers, provides a relaxed musical backdrop. Not a word is spoken. It’s a beautifully orchestrated story with an important message:

Strangers aren’t that strange. We have more in common than not.

The stories we tell carry this kind of power to connect, too.

Unfortunately, in our attempts to elicit emotion (or donations), we often emphasize our differences rather than our shared humanity. When we do this, we miss opportunities to present a realistic and nuanced view of the problems we solve. At worst, we reinforce stereotypes and even exploit the people we are called to serve.

Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective?

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

I got a message today from a supporter who needs to stop her monthly donations. I'm thinking of my friends in ministry who raise support–missionary support or raising funds for the ministry as a whole–and you’re on the field, you’re doing the work, and you get a message like this.

The temptation is to shrink back. The temptation is to say, "Well, people are hurting (they are) and so I feel bad asking for money to support the ministry." But I want to encourage you that this is not the time to pull back. 

The money belongs to God. 
It’s not yours. 
It’s not your donor’s money. 
It’s God’s. 

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1

Things are being moved around, yes. Some donors will leave you. But some will also come to you. Coming or going, we’re still called to relationship. We’re in this together. The resources belong to God, and He will move them around from time to time. 

You still have to do your part. 
You still have to be ready to receive.
You have to make it easy for people to give.
You need to ask.
Not only ask–more than ever, you need to tell stories. 

Fundraising is part of discipling and leading and ministering to the people God has given you for this season. You pray together, weep together, celebrate together.

If you feel bad about asking for money, ask yourself a few questions:

1. Do I only talk to my people when I need something? 
2. Am I sharing the ministry with them without asking for money? (stories)
3. Do they ever get to see the smiles I get to see? 
4. Do they ever experience the joy and fulfillment I feel on a day when I absolutely know that God is with me, and that God loves without reserve the people He’s called me to serve? 

If you haven’t been telling stories, sharing the work, sharing the joy, then start now.  We grow closer by sharing stories. 

We are fundraisers, but it’s not the only thing we are. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We bear one another's burdens. We share one another’s joys. We celebrate all that God is doing and look to Him with eager expectation.

We find solid ground to stand on when we remind each other of God’s faithfulness. Don’t just say He’s faithful, share the story of how you know he’s faithful. This is the word of your testimony. We are always called to glorify the name of the Lord.  Stories help us to see how He is moving and working in the world today.

We need that. 

There is a time to ask - and yes, you can ask in tough economic times. But at any time, you must tell stories. And you must tell stories before earning the right to ask. 

Share the stories. Share them with boldness and confidence in the Lord, as you trust Him to turn hearts and resources where He wishes. 

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

How to make your fundraising materials more inviting and easier to read, so more people can join you in your life-changing mission. 

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

My interview with Katie Hornor, author of Flamingo Marketing: How to Leverage Unique, Stay Relevant and Change the World

[00:02:28]  Leverage your unique
[00:04:11]  Why mindset is so important
[00:06:03]  Doing hard things
[00:09:26]  Time management
[00:13:08]  Legacy
[00:14:03]  Details on the book

Katie has bonuses for you at freeflamingobook.com

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

My three top takeaways from the Virtual Event on Virtual Events, and how you can serve your people by sharing the things you learn.

I try to attend something every year that’s outside of but adjacent to my field. It helps me see things with fresh eyes. New possibilities, solutions to old problems, and a break from the routine.  I recently attended The Virtual Event for Virtual Events and came away inspired and energized.

Here are my top three takeaways that any communicator (even if you're not doing events) can use:

1. Write in sand, not cement. You don't have to have it all figured out. Jump in. Get into the mix. Have those fun awkward conversations as you figure things out. Go on a journey with your people and figure it out together! 
2. Macro clear, micro easy. Get absolutely clear on what problem you solve for the people you serve. How do you make a difference for them? Once you’re clear on that, the other things fall into place.
3. Show what’s possible. Everything you do shows the people you serve what is possible, so you can't afford to play small. 

My challenge to you:
Take something you learned through an event, conference, sermon, or personal experience and share that with your with your audience. 

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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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

You need to tell stories to raise more funds for your mission, ministry or nonprofit. But why is that? What exactly is it that stories do?

Every known culture tells stories. This is the way we make sense of the world and our place in it. All through the donor journey, especially with people who are not yet aware of you and your mission. Stories help draw them in, and help them get to know, like, and trust you. 

Why Tell Stories?

• Stories help us connect – When you listen to a story, your brainwaves  actually start to synchronize with those of the storyteller. 
• Research shows compelling stories cause our brains to release oxytocin, increase empathy, and have the power to affect our behaviors.
• Stories help us remember who we are and what we’re about. Donors give to their values. Telling stories that reflect those values help donors make good decisions about whether you’re a good match for them. 
• Stories reveal truths – your storytelling can help people see the world in a new way. Shift perspectives, overcome prejudices.
• Stories offer dignity and context for beneficiaries, and give them a voice.
• Stories put our critical minds aside for a moment, and we willingly enter into the narrative. We try to find ourselves in the story. 
• Stories give us context to make sense of all those things.

You don’t just “need a story” to fill a space in your newsletter. You need a story to show donors what they can accomplish by giving to your mission. Where do they fit in this story? Not just through giving, but in the big picture of a world where this thing is a problem. They can reflect their values, glorify God, ease suffering, and experience deep personal satisfaction by stepping into this story and playing an active role.

In our ministries, stories are an invitation into a world most people haven’t experienced. If I live in America and I’m immersed in church culture, and all my friends are Christians, I don’t give much thought to what it’s like to not know who Jesus is. To not have ever seen a bible. So, when you say you need funds to go and preach the gospel, or to live in another culture for several years so they can have a bible in their language, you can’t just start there. You have to bring donors into that world and give context to what you do and why you do it. You do that with stories.

I’m convinced one of the most powerful helps for us to tell better stories is to think about why we tell stories in the first place! 

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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!

It's a new season for the Life and Mission podcast! 

Mission Writers

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 soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!