Politicians talk a lot. It comes with the territory. Politicians ask for things and thank people for things. But in this endless process of asking and thanking, something vital is often forgotten. Give up? Listening. When people are willing to offer up funds, sometimes in very large amounts, to help your campaign, they want something in return. And more than patronage or prestige, what donors often want is an honest response to their concerns. It’s easy to make your donors aware of what you want. Learning what donors want can be tricky. Here are some tips to get started.
1. Intentions
It’s not surprising that investors want to know where their money is going. Being able to provide a specific use or project towards which donations will be used is very important. Vague or flippant responses are very bad ideas and will likely ensure that your donor is a one-time donor. The devil is always in the details.
2. Privacy
Another common concern, especially among first-time donors, is whether their information will be made public after making a donation. These rules can vary, but you should always have an honest answer for the donor, no matter how small the donation.
3. Appreciation
Most donations are not given out of a want for attention or desire for praise. Donors do, however, expect a certain level of acknowledgement and appreciation. A well-worded “Thank You” in a timely manner can make all the difference.
4. Ongoing Communication
Many donors offer funds to organizations with the implied understanding that, to some extent at least, they are becoming a partner to that organization. Keeping donors in the loop with frequent communications is a great way to live up to that expectation and encourage repeat donations.
5. Grace Period for Solicitations
The worst response to a donor is one that seems ungrateful, and asking immediately for another donation can quickly diminish any camaraderie established through a previous donation. Give donors a little space. Some will give again without prompting. Others should be given a break. Donor fatigue is real.
6. Don’t Mix Up the Christmas Gifts
A worst-case scenario is mistaking one donor for another, or thanking a donor for the wrong donation amount. Not only can these mistakes be insulting, they also make your campaign or organization look unorganized. Know your donors, their donations, and the names of their dogs. It’s just common sense.
Raise the Money is a platform for processing contribution to campaigns and organizations. RTM can take care of all the details and keep you up to date about your donors and their donations. Use RTM’s analytics and stay on top of your donations in real time.