Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2 New Fundraising Seminars for 2009

2009 looks like it'll probably be a challenging year. Since many are having their education budgets cut, I've put several tools up on the web. These are packed with incredible content and are conveniently available for you to learn without leaving your office!

  1. Who's Telling Your Story? Storytelling is the best way to non-threateningly market your nonprofit, prospect for new donors, and reinfoce your culture with your staff. Some of the things you'll learn about nonprofit storytelling include:

    • a 2500 year old method to structure an effective story that still works today

    • 5 categories of stories to use to reinforce your organizational culture

    • Why stories of times you've failed are as important as stories of times you've succeeded

    • A 3-step tool to help you tell stories in ways that board members, volunteers, and staff will find themselves repeating them - singing from the same sheet

    The MP3 is $97. The flash video with the PowerPoint slides is $127. Or you can have both for the same price: $127! To see the full list, check out Who's Telling Your Story? at http://fundraisingcoach.com/storytelling/

  2. Ask Without Fear! EXPANDED! I kept the book intentionally slim so others would feel motivated to get out and ask people for money. But people keep asking me to expand on the book. Now, in 4 1/2 hours of teaching spread out over three webinars, I have the luxury to go into much more detail.

    So much is covered, it's impractical to list it all here. So go to Ask Without Fear! EXPANDED fundraising seminar to see the more than 90 items listed!

    Each webinar is available for $197 individually. Or you can get all three and a free copy of a workbook to help you put this strategies into practice for only $497. Much cheaper than going to a conference!


Be sure to check out all the fundraising seminars and webinars at the Fundraising Coach Store! You can still get great ideas for fundraising, even if your organization doesn't want you traveling to conferences!

Monday, December 29, 2008

"Ask Without Fear!" featured in The Rotarian

 

Marc and his fundraising book are both featured in the January issue of The Rotarian, a magazine that goes to 500,000 Rotarians in North America.

Part of the article includes:

People intimidated by the idea of fundraising, Pitman says, should keep in mind that the exciting part is what the fundraising leads to. “There are two dangers for nonprofits,” he says. “One is that they go down the road of not funding their mission, and then they can’t accomplish anything and they fall apart. The other is that they become this fundraising machine and get so good at fundraising that they forget their mission.”

Read the entire article at The Rotarian's website.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Double listing for "Fundraising Seminar" on first page of Google

Last week, I watched a video improving traffic to your site from StomperNet. They gave ideas on how to optimize your site to help people more easily find you in web searches.

Wednesday night, I put these tips in place for my fundraising seminar website. By this morning (Friday), it was on the first page on Google for the the search term "fundraising seminar"!

If you're new to SEO, I'd suggest checking out the many free webinars at Stomper Universe.

As for me, I'm going to be seeing out to get my fundraising seminar page to be one of those two listings! :)

FundraisingCoach.com listing with fundraising seminar

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Hear great tips on recruiting volunteers from VolunteerMatch's Greg Baldwin

Today's Ask Without Fear! Radio Show conversation with Greg Baldwin, President of VolunteerMatch.org was amazing!

In our hour together, he shared thoughts on:

  • corporate philanthropy
  • making experiences meaningful for volunteers on their terms
  • how different age groups approach volunteering
  • and his conversations last week with President Barak Obama's transition team.

Greg has a terrific ability to shape ideas and help people re-imagine the possibilities of their mission.

You can listen to the show by going to:

This is a show you do not want to miss!

FundraisingCoach.com listed in Top 10

Roger Carr listed the Fundraising Coach blog as one of the Top 10 Fundraising Blogs on Blogs.com!

Quite an honor. And be sure to check out Roger's blog Every Day Giving.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Greg Baldwin, founder of VolunteerMatch.org, on the Ask Without Fear! Radio Show

I am pleased to announce that Greg Baldwin, founder of VolunteerMatch.org will be my guest Tuesday on the Ask Without Fear Radio Show!

Join us as we talk about volunteering, something that will become increasingly important as donors feel the economic slow down, and creative ideas on how to fundraise for a nonprofit that wants to do for volunteering what eBay did for yardsales. Click on BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 25 to join in the fun. This is a LIVE show so be prompt!

You can listen be either:

  1. going to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/marcapitman or

  2. calling the calling (347) 996-5931.

The show is free but if you choose to call, your telephone company will charge the same long distance charges that you'd pay to call your Aunt Ethel in NYC. I hope you can listen in!

Feel free to send me any questions you have for Greg by simply replying to this email.

The show will be recorded so you can listen to it anytime you want. The link will also be available at:
http://fundraisingcoach.com/radio-show/

Saturday, November 15, 2008

AWF on the shelf at Borders

Wednesday, I signed more copies of Ask Without Fear! at the Border's in Bangor, ME. That's why they've got those nifty "autographed copy" stickers in the corner!

Here are some pictures of them right smack in the middle of the management section! As you can see, it's in very good company!


Sunday, November 9, 2008

Fundraising Coach on CBC's "Definitely Not the Opera"


Burning some more of my 15 minutes in the spotlight, I was included in a segment on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Definitely Not the Opera.

A podcast of the best parts, perhaps including my segment, is available at http://www.cbc.ca/dnto.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Ask Without Fear! mentioned in CA newspaper article

Thanks to Google News Alerts, I found out I was quoted in the Yuba Prospector. The article is sensationally called: Charities Left Squirming to Stay Alive.

I was never contacted. And I didn't say all that I'm quoted saying. I certainly didn't suggest nonprofits stop innovating!! But I guess it gets the word out about Ask Without Fear!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

FundraisingCoach.com listed in top "100 Blogs that Will Inspire You to Be a Better Person"

Christina Laun has posted a list of "100 Blogs that Will Inspire You to Be a Better Person." In her introduction she says:

Everyone needs a little help sometimes in getting motivated, feeling happy or just getting those creative juices flowing. Luckily, the Internet is full of places to find inspiration. These blogs can help you get moving towards your goals, whether you want to give back more to the community, feel better about yourself, or just get in shape.

And I'm glad to say that FundraisingCoach.com's blog is included in the "Giving Back" section!

Check out the list for yourself: "100 Blogs that Will Inspire You to Be a Better Person

Monday, September 22, 2008

AFP include FRC's comments in Fundraising Tips in a Troubled Economy

Today the Association of Fundraising Professionals published a terrific article "Fundraising Tips: Do’s and Dont's in a Troubled Economy."

Here's a quote from the AFP article, by Matthew Haag, senior director of major gifts and regional programs at the University of Rochester:
“...don’t stop communicating. Now is an opportunity to show that you are interested in them beyond the financial, because you know some just don’t have it to give right now. Don’t lose sight of the long-term relationship you are building.”

And they included comments from my "Recession-proof Fundraising" article.

Be sure to read the entire "Fundraising Tips: Do’s and Dont's in a Troubled Economy" for some great reminders about how to fundraise even in these unstable times.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

REGISTER NOW for "Ask Without Fear!" LIVE fundraising training on 9/13

I'm thrilled to announce a brand new fundraising seminar: Ask Without Fear! LIVE!

There's still time to register for this full day fundraising seminar that will be held in Waterville, ME on Saturday, September 13. Why a Saturday? Because the most important people--our board members and volunteers--work day jobs. It's easier to get volunteers and boards to a Saturday event!

The Ask Without Fear! book is intentionally slim. This week's full-day seminar expands on each of the "Get R.E.A.L." steps, gives remarkably practical ideas for fundraising, and makes them approachable for nonprofit staff and boards of trustees or volunteers.

We're going to have a blast. And, we're going to do it at a bargain. This type of full day training normally costs $500 or $600. It's certainly worth it! These tools will help you raise far more than that.

But for this seminar is being offered for only $127, including breakfast and lunch.

For all the details, including a list of some of the things you'll learn, go to: http://fundraisingcoach.com/awf-LIVE/.

Hurry, space is limited! Register today!

REGISTER for "Ask Without Fear!" LIVE!! on September 13

I'm thrilled to announce a brand new fundraising seminar: Ask Without Fear! LIVE!

There's still time to register for this full day fundraising seminar that will be held in Waterville, ME on Saturday, September 13. Why a Saturday? Because the most important people--our board members and volunteers--work day jobs. It's easier to get volunteers and boards to a Saturday event!

The Ask Without Fear! book is intentionally slim. This week's full-day seminar expands on each of the "Get R.E.A.L." steps and makes them approachable for nonprofit staff and boards of trustees or volunteers.

We're going to have a blast. And, we're going to do it at a bargain. This type of full day training normally costs $500 or $600. It's certainly worth it! These tools will help you raise far more than that.

But for this seminar is being offered for only $127, including breakfast and lunch.

For all the details, including a list of some of the things you'll learn, go to: http://fundraisingcoach.com/awf-LIVE/.

Hurry, space is limited! Register today!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Free Fundraising Q&A Saturday, 8/23



I'm thrilled to be having a free fundraising question and answer time at the Borders Books & Music in Bangor this Saturday from 1 pm to 2 pm.

If you live in Central Maine, would you consider downloading this 8.5 x 11 fundraising promotional poster and putting it up around your town?

Sunday, August 10, 2008

SOFII features Marc A. Pitman

The Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration (aka SOFII) is an awesome collection of amazingly successful fundraising campaigns from all over the world.

And I'm honored to be featured on the site! Check it out at SOFII Top Tips. [A free membership may be required.]

Friday, August 8, 2008

8/23 Borders Books & Music hosting "Ask Without Fear!" book signing

The Bangor Borders Books & Music is hosting a book signing at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 23.

Come get your copy of Ask Without Fear! signed by me. Or get copies for your entire board of trustees.

And come with any and all fundraising questions! I love helping fellow fundraisers!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Monday, July 28, 2008

7/29 Chad Norman is my guest on the Ask Without Fear! radio show

I'm pleased to announce that Chad Norman, resident Web 2.0 guru at Blackbaud is my guest tomorrow on the Ask Without Fear Radio Show!

Join us as we talk about how to use new tools to help us in the timeless role of development. Click on BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 a.m. tomorrow to join in the fun. This is a LIVE show so be prompt!

Either:
  1. go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/marcapitman or

  2. call the "call in" number (347) 996-5931.


The show is free but if you choose to call, your telephone company will charge the same long distance charges that you'd pay to call your Aunt Ethel in NYC. I hope you can listen in

Feel free to send me any questions you have for Chad by simply replying to this email me at marc@fundraisingcoach.com

The show will be recorded so you can listen to it anytime you want. The link will also be available at: http://fundraisingcoach.com/radio-show/.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

8/12 Free "Ask Without Fear!" seminar and book signing

The Waterville Public Library is hosting a free 60-minute Ask Without Fear! fundraising seminar on Tuesday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m.

If you're in the area, we'd love for you to come! To see all the things we'll try to pack into those 60-minutes, go to the Ask Without Fear! fundraising seminar page.

A book signing will follow the seminar.

7/30 Marketing News Radio interviews Marc

On Wednesday, July 30, Marc will the guest on the American Marketing Association's Marketing News Radio.

Tune in at 11 a.m. CST (noon Eastern time).

This is a live call in show. So you can call in with your own questions! Go to the Marketing News Radio page for the details.

Feel free to email questions before the show to: radio@ama.org.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

"Ask Without Fear" in EMHS newsletter

The July 2008 "Pathways," an employee newsletter for the Eastern Maine Healthcare System, ran a story on Ask Without Fear!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

"Ask Without Fear!" listed as "Top 7 Reads"

EveryDayGivingBlog listed Ask Without Fear! as one of Top 7 Reads for Nonprofit Marketers and Fundraisers.

Other books on the list include Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes and Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.

The blogger, Roger Carr, writes:
This book by Marc A. Pitman should be read by everyone who is involved in any way with fundraising. It provides a step by step method to ask for funds that is not only effective, but also removes much of the fear that is attributed to fundraising.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

FundRaising Success Magazine features "Ask Without Fear!"

In the June 2008 issue of FundRaising Success magazine, Ask Without Fear! is listed as the first of "Four Books to Add to Your Fundraising Library!"

In the comments, they say:
"Pitman has distilled the process of fundraising...and reveals powerful secrets to help fundraisers handle objections."


Tuesday, April 29, 2008

About.com reviews "Ask Without Fear!"

About.com Review of Ask Without Fear!About.com's Nonprofit Guru, Joanne Fritz just posted a delightful review of Ask Without Fear!.

This is how she starts out:
It must be the years of graduate school that have resulted in my current love for small, easy-to-read, even "sassy" books.

I just found another one, Ask Without Fear: A Simple guide to Connecting Donors with What Matters to Them Most, by Marc A. Pitman

I think it may be the first time I've been called "sassy"! :)

Read the entire AWF review at: http://nonprofit.about.com/od/fundraisingbasics/fr/fundraisingfear.htm