| A blog (or weblog) is a great communication tool and | | | | doing and the results of your efforts. Fundraising is |
| can be used to engage donors and prospects in | | | | emotionally based. What better way to convey the |
| online conversations. You can tell compelling stories | | | | emotion of your cause than to show photos and |
| from your organization and ask for a gift. | | | | videos, and have audio testimonials of your clients? |
| Here are the steps to take to fundraise with your | | | | 5. Invite your donors to share their opinions and |
| blog. | | | | views in your blog. Engage them in conversation. Give |
| 1. Know your donor audience. Do they hang out | | | | them opportunities to give you feedback and advice. |
| online or will you have to help them find you? Put | | | | 6. Ask your donors to support your work with a gift. |
| your blog url everywhere so people can find you. | | | | Offer a "Donate Now" button that they can use to |
| 2. Know your edge and your key messages. An edge | | | | make a gift right away. |
| is the platform you will use to speak from. To find | | | | It will take time to sustain a great blog and ideas for |
| your edge, figure out what is the controversy in | | | | publicizing it once you have it up and running. Here are |
| your mission. For example, a food bank can use | | | | a few tips for writing content.o Keep it |
| "People right here in our community are going hungry" | | | | conversational. Write like you talking to a specific |
| as its edge. Key messages might be "That's not okay | | | | donor.o Tell stories. They're much more interesting to |
| with us" and "we're going to do something about it." | | | | read.o Find a specific time of day to write and make |
| 3. Drive traffic to your blog. Post the link to your blog | | | | it a habit to post as often as you can (at least 3 |
| everywhere. Gather email addresses from your | | | | times a week). |
| donors and send them email invitations to join in the | | | | Ask a volunteer to help you write. (Great way to |
| blog conversation. | | | | engage a volunteer!) |
| 4. Tell your stories. Share your statistics and facts. | | | | Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to raising |
| Help your donors see firsthand the work you are | | | | money with your blog! |