Are you making it a practice to collect testimonials?
“Say what???” Testimonials? What are testimonials?
Testimonials are snippets of conversations that you’re probably having on a daily basis. They’re pure gold and chances are you’re letting them slip though your fingers!
- When a guest at your recent event raves about the work your organization is doing.
- When, in the course of your phone call to a donor, thanking them for their gift, the donor relates a story about how your organization helped her mother.
- When a mother calls your offices to tell you that her son’s English grade has gone from a D to a B+, thanks to the work your organization has been doing with him.
- When a foundation funder sends a special note along with their grant check.
Testimonials attesting to your good works can come from a variety of sources, from donors, to clients served, to board members to staff members to volunteers to Facebook fans.
And a pithy, well-crafted testimonial can give life to all of your nonprofit marketing copy – from your website, to your appeal letters, to your monthly giving campaign, to your grant proposals, to your email communications, to your social media.
When you make it a habit to listen, you’ll find collecting testimonials coming second nature to you.
- Make a practice of making regular thank you calls. Spend just 30 minutes a day on the phone connecting with your donors.
- Spend time “in the field.” Whether you’re raising money for a human service agency or a museum, spend some time on a tour, listening to the questions. Take a seat at the one of the tables at your soup kitchen
- What are your Facebook supporters saying about you?
- Could you conduct a contest to gather reviews on a site like Great Nonprofits? Check out the phenomenal testimonials The Telling Room has gathered.
Use your imagination. Compile a drawerful of testimonials for copywriting magic!
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I can’t wait to meet with you personally.
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