Comments on: Ask Without Fear!: A Simple Guide to Connecting Donors With What Matters to Them Most http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/ Participate In Fundraising Activities. Sun, 13 May 2012 21:53:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mitchell Teplitsky http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/comment-page-1/#comment-589 Mitchell Teplitsky Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:36:52 +0000 http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/#comment-589 I've been reading and recommending Marc Pitman' s "Ask Without Fear" blog to fellow fundraisers and clients for years, and now I'm doing the same for his new book. It's an excellent, pithy, common sense guide to asking for money. I like how Marc breaks it down to a series of practical steps that anyone can understand and implement. And how he includes practical examples of strategy and language. Most of all, I like his writing style -- he models the kind of enthusiasm that I think is at the heart of effective fundraising. He makes it seem not only doable, but fun! <br />- Mitch Teplitsky, fundraising filmmaker and consultant (http://www.soyandina.com) Rating: 5 / 5 I’ve been reading and recommending Marc Pitman’ s “Ask Without Fear” blog to fellow fundraisers and clients for years, and now I’m doing the same for his new book. It’s an excellent, pithy, common sense guide to asking for money. I like how Marc breaks it down to a series of practical steps that anyone can understand and implement. And how he includes practical examples of strategy and language. Most of all, I like his writing style — he models the kind of enthusiasm that I think is at the heart of effective fundraising. He makes it seem not only doable, but fun!

- Mitch Teplitsky, fundraising filmmaker and consultant (http://www.soyandina.com)
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Cheryl Flewelling http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/comment-page-1/#comment-588 Cheryl Flewelling Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:50:14 +0000 http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/#comment-588 Pitman's book is written in an easy to follow format, which can be implemented by an organization right away. The message is simple and straight forward. It is also very motivating and makes you want to pick up the phone right away to start the fundraising process. Rating: 5 / 5 Pitman’s book is written in an easy to follow format, which can be implemented by an organization right away. The message is simple and straight forward. It is also very motivating and makes you want to pick up the phone right away to start the fundraising process.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Ken Meifert http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/comment-page-1/#comment-587 Ken Meifert Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:22:27 +0000 http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/#comment-587 This book boils down the keys to inspiring donors to give generously to your cause. Marc's conversational style and real world success stories make the book fun and easy to read. You can't help but be inspired - and when fundraisers are inspired they succeed! Whether you are are new to fundraising or an old pro the concepts here are something we all need to keep in mind. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to raise money, and in today's tough economy these core principlas are more important than ever! Rating: 5 / 5 This book boils down the keys to inspiring donors to give generously to your cause. Marc’s conversational style and real world success stories make the book fun and easy to read. You can’t help but be inspired – and when fundraisers are inspired they succeed! Whether you are are new to fundraising or an old pro the concepts here are something we all need to keep in mind. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to raise money, and in today’s tough economy these core principlas are more important than ever!
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Morrie Warshawski http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/comment-page-1/#comment-586 Morrie Warshawski Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:42:31 +0000 http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/#comment-586 What a handy primer Marc Pitman has created for the novice fundraiser, and especially for members of Boards who have a fear of asking. ASK WITHOUT FEAR may be a quick read, but it is full of sage advice both general and specific. Pitman's REAL method (Research, Engage, Ask, Love) goes right to the heart of fundraising. It's refreshing to see a book on the art of the ask that includes a whole chapter on loving the funder, and ends with a note about qualifying donors by understanding their personalities. Buy a bunch for your Board and you won't regret it! <br />Morrie Warshawski <br />[...] <br /> Rating: 5 / 5 What a handy primer Marc Pitman has created for the novice fundraiser, and especially for members of Boards who have a fear of asking. ASK WITHOUT FEAR may be a quick read, but it is full of sage advice both general and specific. Pitman’s REAL method (Research, Engage, Ask, Love) goes right to the heart of fundraising. It’s refreshing to see a book on the art of the ask that includes a whole chapter on loving the funder, and ends with a note about qualifying donors by understanding their personalities. Buy a bunch for your Board and you won’t regret it!

Morrie Warshawski

[...]

Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: D. C. Dreger http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/comment-page-1/#comment-585 D. C. Dreger Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:49:12 +0000 http://fundraisingtargets.com/2009/12/ask-without-fear-a-simple-guide-to-connecting-donors-with-what-matters-to-them-most/#comment-585 I was surprised that Marc Pitman published a paperback book when I know him as being savvy about web and social networking presences. And I'm glad he published on paper rather than digitally--I find "real" books to be more readily accessible. <br /> <br />Marc has used the acronym R.E.A.L. as the framework for his discussion of the process of asking fearlessly. The words--Research, Engage, Ask and Love--represent activities that are "real," meaning they are very deliberate, sometimes difficult or time-consuming and conducted with a specific goal in mind. As a means to engage you, the reader, Marc tells great stories and debunks seven myths about nonprofits and fundraising. He offers numerous tips, tools and anecdotes to get his points across. <br /> <br />Connecting donors to the heart of your organization's mission is the core concept that R.E.A.L. addresses. The book opens with a quote from Harold Seymour (who first codified fundraising practice) that ends "...treat (people) well, for you need them more than money." The book closes with Marc's words that "you can become incredibly effective...in asking for money and in growing long-term relationships with people that love your organization." Learning what matters to donors will help you overcome hesitancy about asking and even gain you a new friend. Valuing the person above the money will make your fundraising experiences simple and meaningful. Rating: 5 / 5 I was surprised that Marc Pitman published a paperback book when I know him as being savvy about web and social networking presences. And I’m glad he published on paper rather than digitally–I find “real” books to be more readily accessible.

Marc has used the acronym R.E.A.L. as the framework for his discussion of the process of asking fearlessly. The words–Research, Engage, Ask and Love–represent activities that are “real,” meaning they are very deliberate, sometimes difficult or time-consuming and conducted with a specific goal in mind. As a means to engage you, the reader, Marc tells great stories and debunks seven myths about nonprofits and fundraising. He offers numerous tips, tools and anecdotes to get his points across.

Connecting donors to the heart of your organization’s mission is the core concept that R.E.A.L. addresses. The book opens with a quote from Harold Seymour (who first codified fundraising practice) that ends “…treat (people) well, for you need them more than money.” The book closes with Marc’s words that “you can become incredibly effective…in asking for money and in growing long-term relationships with people that love your organization.” Learning what matters to donors will help you overcome hesitancy about asking and even gain you a new friend. Valuing the person above the money will make your fundraising experiences simple and meaningful.
Rating: 5 / 5

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