Incorporating Planned Giving Into Your Fund-raising Strategy (2 of 3)
The Color Yellow
When you think of the color YELLOW you probably think about a school bus, taxi, a caution light, the sun, or maybe even Lance Armstrong.
I want you to start thinking about the color YELLOW in another way. Stay with me. I’m going to make my point.
I went on the internet and ask what if my favorite color was YELLOW, what would that say about my personality? Here’s the answer;
You are an original and powerful
thinker, capable of overcoming
great obstacles.
You are always searching for new
ideas, methods and styles, you can be
very productive, when focused on a
course of action.
Now does that sound like anybody you know? Do you want to start claiming “YELLOW” as your favorite color? Probably.
I want you to start thinking YELLOW in these ways:
YELLOW is Sunshine
YELLOW is Cheerful
YELLOW is Hope
YELLOW is Happiness
All are qualities needed as a fund-raiser. But more importantly YELLOW denotes “caution”, which means to me always approach the business of raising money for your organization with Caution. Over confidence as as well as under confidence will not serve you well with the prospective donor.
YELLOW or caution denotes to me, I had better be prepared for any situation that could arise during my visit or association with a prospective donor. YELLOW or caution means I will listen with both ears and eyes, because I know the prospective donor is more willing to give when he/she is talking than when I’m talking.
YELLOW or caution means I will not debate the prospective donor on any subject. The donor has an opinion and so do I, but you don’t share your opinion when visiting about a possible gift.
What do you do when you see a YELLOW school bus…..yes you slow down…well that’s what I mean slow down and go about the business of raising money with all the gusto and energy you can muster, but stay in the area of caution.
When we go about raising private support for our schools, organizations and museums, we need to think YELLOW. Why? Because during the solicitation process we must stay calm and relaxed, yet be prepared to change if the prospective donor gives us the “green light”.
THINK YELLOW!
…and yes my favorite color is YELLOW!
by Jerry F. Smith
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