Getting in the way of success. Success is like a river -- it's flowing -- and if you just get out of your office you can't help but get swept up in it. going on donor trips generates a plethora of moves on our donors. There are visit letters, visit calls, and visit emails -- and then the visits -- and then the follow-up from the visits. And then the follow-up on all the people you couldn't get meetings with. Preparing for, going on, and following up on donor visits is THE work of a fundraiser. When you stop planning, going, and following up on visits, all you're doing is going to staff meetings -- and you don't raise money going to staff meetings!

The end of October is the time to start reviewing your list and thinking about who you need to be in front of before the end of the year. Then, as mid-December approaches, you need to think about who you are going to meet the first week of the new year. 

Clark tells tells the story of a recent fundraising he went to, as a prospect, invited by a friend who had sponsored a table. There were a lot of things they did right, but one thing he really disagreed with. 

Systems are great. But in an effort to achieve economy of scale, how are you watering down the giving experience your donors have with your organization? Ask yourself this question often. 

Are you having a hard time believing that you can be really successful? Clark talks about nagging issues that erode at mental mastery. Are you experiencing any of these?

Clark talks about creating our own self-fulfilling prophecies. We become what we think about most of the time. Commit time to thinking about being a great fundraiser.. Plus, Clark talks about getting ready for #GivingTuesday

You want to know that you are doing a good job. You want to KNOW. You also want your boss to know. You don't want your boss saying, "I think she's doing a good job." You want your boss to come to you and ask you what you're doing, because your boss wants everyone doing it. This kind of success starts with mental mastery. Plus, Clark talks about getting ready for #GivingTuesday

You have precious little time with any donor to really make your pitch. In this episode Clark goes through ten things about great stories. Plus, are you ready for #GivingTuesday? Get our free Guide to Maximizing #GivingTuesday.

You're looking at a list of donors to your organization. Some of the names you know, but many of them you don't. How do you know which names to focus on? In this episode Clark talks about 5 things that get his attention when he's reviewing a list of donors. Here are 5 clues that a donor with a modest or short giving history may be your next major donor. 

How do you get your donors to choose you? How do you break through the noise. Out of all the non-profits they could love, how do you get them to love you? Clark talks about how he became a Cubs fan, becoming familiar with your donors, getting your donors to choose you, and why he's not a Cubs fan anymore. Get your donors to visit you!