July 11, 2008, Newsletter Issue #167: It's Who You Know

Tip of the Week

If you haven't already done so, you should have a list of contacts either saved in an e-mail address book (name and e-mail address), Microsoft Outlook, or even an Excel spreadsheet as I had not too long ago with the person's first and last name in separate columns (for sorting purposes), company, e-mail address, and even a how I knew them column.

Print this list and comb through it making notes and ordering in order of priority how you will contact them/talk to them about the fundraiser. Completely depending on the nature of the fundraiser you will call or e-mail different contacts. For example, if you are orchestrating a spaghetti feed or ice cream social for a boy at school who was in a car accident you would logically start with the parents of the kids in the same class, or in the same athletics and school activities. They would all pull together for this cause.

It really is who you know! That's why for larger-scale fundraisers you would start with who you know or who you get leads regarding, and have them start listing who they know or branching out to their network.

We'll save cold calling for a last resort. Start with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and don't discount those you're in clubs and attending meetings with. I was recently trying to make a list of women and all of a sudden remembered a bunch of women from my weekly Toastmasters Club!

BONUS: If you're really stuck and honestly feel you don't know that many people, take a small notepad and for one week list everywhere you go and if you see someone you know or do business with and talk too. These people and businesses (your bank, your dry cleaner, restaurants you eat at frequently, the coffee shop, Wal-Mart) give you a great place to start recruiting volunteers/donations!

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