As an independent writer, I get the luxury of partnering with people who align with the same vision and values I try to uphold here at lonna.co.

One of these people is Patrick Kirby, owner of DoGoodBetter Consulting.

Patrick is many things, but first and foremost, he’s a nonprofit influencer who is transforming the way organizations raise money, engage donors and get dollars.

Awesome fundraising

I had the honor of editing his first book, Fundraise Awesomer! A Practical Guide to Staying Sane While Doing Good, which really is a how-to for anyone looking for ways to maximize time, minimize effort and revolutionize fun at work.

Since the book launched in June 2019, Patrick has been working nonstop to bring innovative resources, guidance, tips and tricks to the fundraising masses so that - no matter the cause - development professionals are gaining traction and getting dollars through the door.

One of his latest projects is DoGood Youniversity, which caters to fundraising professionals looking for bold, fresh, creative ways to engage and retain support. Classes range from a full course in embracing gratitude taught by well-known inspirational coach, Teresa Lewis, to my class, which focuses on how to write an emotionally-driven, fact-based fundraising appeal letter.

Similarities between fundraising letters and marketing letters

A majority of my clients are in the for-profit sector, and you wouldn’t think taking a course in how to write a fundraising letter would really apply to them.

Oddly enough, my Fundraising Appeal Letter 101 course is perfect for my clients and anyone who wants to use a little persuasion to gain audience engagement and interest in a product or service.

As with most things in life, if we look hard enough, we find there are more similarities than differences, and that goes for writing any type of letter where you’re trying to influence a decision. Good fundraising letters and good marketing letters all have these characteristics in common:

• They appeal to human emotion with storytelling

• They present the reader with a problem that needs to be solved

• They offer the reader solutions to the problem

• They share proof that the problem both exists and that it can be solved

• They inspire readers to take action, get involved and be a part of a solution

The extra great thing about the way I framed my course in letter writing is that by the end of it, participants have a full letter draft to share with stakeholders for review. It truly is a helpful tool in Patrick’s growing shed of do-good resources.

So whether you’re in the nonprofit universe or the for-profit galaxy, we’re all living under the same stars and can learn from one another how to power up those writing skills to create effective letters for your target audiences.

Ready to get writing?

Sign up for the course or contact me for more tips and tricks to maximize your marketing tactics.