13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

I'm not a typical directresponse copywriter but I am fairly new

by Vargas
11 replies
I've read every book, taken courses and copied from the greats until my hand cramped up to learn copywriting. But I want to write fundraising letters for nonprofits. But I have a problem that I need help with.

I have compiled a list of nonprofits and the people in charge of their fundraising. And I have no idea what to say in the email selling my services. I have a portfolio. However, my portfolio includes exactly one letter I wrote for an NGO in the Philippines which they were thrilled with. If you had little experience what would you write in an email to pique the interest of a decision-maker for a nonprofit?
#copywriter #directresponse #fairly #typical
  • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
    If nonprofit fundraising's your passion, first get your portfolio samples up there. Develop a little more experience, a larger portfolio and a reputation for results.

    Here's one way:

    Building capacity through pro bono service | Taproot

    These are legitimate organizations that need help. I'm sure if positioned correctly and you do a stellar job, they'll help boost your career as compensation.

    - Rick Duris

    PS: I'm not a fundraiser. I got that link from Joe Ditzel. Gotta give credit where it's due.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564285].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vargas
    Thanks Rick,

    I've never heard of Taproot before I've heard of catchafire.org which is basically the same thing.

    I will check out Taproot. I do have a fairly large portfolio of other types of writing. Case studies, press releases, video scripts. Would those help my chances with nonprofits?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564330].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by Vargas View Post

    I've read every book, taken courses and copied from the greats until my hand cramped up to learn copywriting. But I want to write fundraising letters for nonprofits. But I have a problem that I need help with.

    I have compiled a list of nonprofits and the people in charge of their fundraising. And I have no idea what to say in the email selling my services. I have a portfolio. However, my portfolio includes exactly one letter I wrote for an NGO in the Philippines which they were thrilled with. If you had little experience what would you write in an email to pique the interest of a decision-maker for a nonprofit?
    You don't need a portfolio.

    1/2 of your prospects won't even ask about experience if you promote yourself correctly.

    Alex
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564343].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BethSager
      I was the business manager of a non-profit theater and also worked hand in hand with a couple of other non-profits in my duties.

      My advice to you is to make sure you target non-profits with a pretty big budget. Ours was $500,000 a year and the other two were much higher - a few million. Even with that, the staffs were very small and there was never enough money. If something needed done, we did it ourselves.

      I have no doubt there are many non-profits that would love your services, but as money is tight and donations down with the so/so economy, I would just try to make the most of your marketing time to ensure those you market to will have the money to hire you and pay you what you deserve.

      Best of luck!
      Beth
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564398].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
      Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

      You don't need a portfolio.

      1/2 of your prospects won't even ask about experience if you promote yourself correctly.

      Alex
      Best advice given.

      If you REALLY pay attention, you'll see that a lot of your clients mirror the confidence in your copy.

      Meaning...

      If you come across as knowing EXACTLY what generates persuasion and results, you'll get clients approaching you who will respect you as the authority.

      However...

      If your copy lacks confidence and does NOT make prospects think you're an authority, then yes, they'll ask for tons of proof - making you feel inadequate.

      I have some great testimonials that I've never used. I also don't use numbers in my own copy - like a lot of my peers do. And guess what? I get lots of high-end clients who NEVER ask me for my portfolio.

      Sure, some do. And sometimes I'll send them a few links. But for the most part, I get clients based on them responding to my copy...

      ...and me responding directly to their wants and needs.

      Mark
      Signature

      Do you want a 9 figure copywriter and biz owner to Write With You? I'll work with you, on zoom, to help write your copy or client copy... while you learn from one of the few copywriters to legit hit 9 figures in gross sales! Discover More

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564427].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

      You don't need a portfolio.

      1/2 of your prospects won't even ask about experience if you promote yourself correctly.

      Alex
      Right. And really, you shouldn't share your content. As soon as you hand it over to your client, it becomes their possession. I have had clients who, after the copy had been up for awhile and been ticking along making them consistent money, thought they should "improve" it. By adding new SEO terms they now wanted, and slapping on sentences about this or that new service. Suddenly the copy sounded like grinding gears. Do I want my prospects to see this? No thank you.

      And many prospects are thieves. Yes. They think they can take a little of this, a dash of that and plug it all together into a magic converting piece. No. What they create is a Frankenstein monster of copy. It turns on its master. Again, no thank you. My copy is NOT open for people to steal.

      I make this clear up front. If a prospect cannot handle that, no problem.

      Now. Watch this video:

      Signature
      >> How To Grow Your Online Business [FREE Training Video, No Opt-In, from 10+ Year Vet]

      >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564941].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vargas
    I'm pretty sure the list of nonprofits I have all have a big enough budget. I just need help wording an email I would send directly to the development director the person who handles all the fundraising.

    Considering this time of year is the all important end-of-year fundraising I would like to get out there offering my services while they're all very busy and could use my help.

    I've heard that many don't ask for samples so that's not something I'm too worried about. It's still nice to have one though.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564441].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sidneyng
      There's a course on AWAI on Writing for Non-Profits.
      Haven't gone through the course - but I think they also include the necessary training and how to hunt for the relevant clients.

      And yes - I do agree with the rest - it's how you "pitch" yourself that counts and of course delivering at the end :-)

      All the best!
      Signature
      13 Things I Wished I Knew When I First Started Out...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564584].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    Networking Is Key

    "Nonprofit is a close-knit sector. Everybody knows each other, and a lot of jobs are filled through referrals and recommendations. Writing positions are rarely advertised. So try to get to know the people at the major nonprofits that you are interested in. Volunteer. Network at local gatherings of nonprofit and fundraising professionals. Writers typically are hired by executives with titles like fundraising director, executive director, and marketing director."

    -Steve Slaunwhite

    Nonprofit Jobs - Writing Copy
    Signature
    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564602].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vargas
    I am aware of the AWAI course for writing for nonprofits. The good thing about that course is it also includes a directory of about 600 nonprofits that do fundraising mailings and hire freelance writers.

    I love Steve Slaunwhite he knows his stuff and has given me a lot of constructive criticism on my own copywriting in regards to writing case studies. I asked him about nonprofits using case studies and he told me that nonprofits focus mainly on writing grants, and donor communications like newsletters. Even though 90% of the successful fundraising letters I've studied use case studies.

    His advice on networking is good, but I don't think nonprofits are as close-knit as he makes them out to be.

    I need to find a good way to pitch my services via email though.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8564722].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
    Originally Posted by Vargas View Post

    Thanks Rick,

    I've never heard of Taproot before I've heard of catchafire.org which is basically the same thing.

    I will check out Taproot. I do have a fairly large portfolio of other types of writing. Case studies, press releases, video scripts. Would those help my chances with nonprofits?
    Vargas, let me clarify.

    You're not building your portfolio so you can show samples. You're building a portfolio of recognizable non-profit organizations you've done business with.

    Get it? In this case, do not confuse samples with high profile Client names.

    While I don't write for this market, I have been in this market off and on since the 80's. Steve/Joe have it right. This market *LOVES* when a service provider drops a few names in the community into the conversation.

    When they do business with you, it implicitly raises their own self-esteem as well as their prestige in the non-profit community. To them, hiring a proven copywriter or grant writer is a BIG deal.

    Beth has it right. Given the choice between hiring you and doing it themselves, their preference will be to do it in-house. That means you must bring to the table something they don't already possess besides time.

    And that's experience and expertise. That's your value.

    Do a few pro bono projects first. Build that portfolio. Get some experience in a non-profit environment. You'll find that email you want will be infinitely easier to write after you've done that first.

    - Rick Duris
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8565027].message }}

Trending Topics