Your Words Matter

Everything you say about your nonprofit is either pulling people in or pushing them away.

Sweet words draw people in like honey. Boring words repel people like vinegar.

So, what are the right, sweet words you should be sharing? How do you steer clear of the vinegar so people don’t leave your nonprofit to go find another one to support?

First, understand that messaging is about emotion.

Good messaging hits the audience in the feelz.

It’s short, concise, and easy to understand, and never confusing. It’s full of inspiration and makes the reader/listener FEEL something.

Your messaging should describe a problem that evokes an emotional response – people need to care about the problem you’re defining and want to do something about it.

Depending on your cause, you may want your donor to feel anger, fear, sorrow, compassion, joy, or something else.

They need to feel a sense of urgency that something needs to be done NOW to solve the problem your nonprofit addresses. Otherwise, there’s no reason for them to take action NOW.

And they need to believe that your nonprofit is ideal to provide the solution. (That’s when they’ll give.)

These are the critical points your messaging must make if you want it to be effective.