Storytelling - Raising Funds through Stories, Vision, and Analogies

"Tell me again ... again!" the two sisters say with electric excitement after hearing their grandpa's story. Like the sisters, we've all experienced a strong desire to hear a favorite story again and ... again!

Few things reach us and teach us like a well-told story.

We want to laugh at the funny parts, cry at the sad parts, and struggle through the tough parts even when we already know what's going to happen. After all, we've heard the story dozens of times and can recite the story word-for-word!

Think about your favorite song. Do the melodic phrases tell a story so powerful you know every word by heart?

That's effective storytelling!

Think about a movie that impacted you so deeply you can't wait to see it again. Does the plot twist, do the actors overcome the impossible, or is the dialogue so powerful the emotions they evoke leave you with chills?

That's effective storytelling!

Few things reach us and teach us like a well-told story.

That's why I focus on storytelling when I fundraise.

I've learned a few things about storytelling that capture people's attention and guide them in their decision-making, and I encourage you to try these things the next time you ask someone for a gift:

First, tell true stories that show impact.

When I was a Director of Development in Arizona, I collected stories from parents whose children had amazing experiences through the Boy Scouts of America. I captured one of those stories along with a simple picture and mailed a one-page letter with a return envelope to a few thousand families whose kids were also in Scouting. One month later, more than $50,000 arrived through the mail from generous people who loved the story and wanted to ensure more kids had amazing experiences like the one featured in the letter.

Second, make sure to V.O.T.E.

When we "vote," we cast our opinion and hope others will join us in a desired outcome. Similarly, when we V.O.T.E. we share:

• Vision for the future,

• Obstacles we can overcome Together, and

• Examples of what is already working.

As a consultant for Lifestyle Christianity in Watauga, TX, I advised the team to share a vision of what will happen in America when more Power and Love training schools were available throughout our great nation. During the first Lifestyle Christianity gala, we shared the big vision that 20,000 people will be trained and equipped in 15 states with an ultimate outcome of 3.2 million people receiving the love of Jesus.

After sharing the vision, we outlined the obstacles we could overcome together, which was simply to fund 16 events at $60,000 each for a goal of $960,000.

Then, we featured an example of what was already working. A beautiful family joined us on stage to share their testimony of how they were equipped at a Power and Love training school, and how their family was on fire to share the love of Jesus with anyone anywhere. The event raised more than $1.1 million in gifts and pledges. Praise the Lord!

Last, let accurate analogies flow like a raging river.

Have you ever noticed it can be difficult to connect with other people? Ha! We share an idea with someone and they receive the idea in a completely different way than you intended. We think what we said is as clear as a sunny California afternoon, but what they heard is as cloudy as a Seattle morning.

The solution? Ask the person you are talking with what is important to them and then use that information to directly relate to them. This is in no way a strategy for manipulation. Far from it! This is a way for you to speak from your heart and show that you care for the person by speaking their language.

Use your imagination

to develop accurate analogies.

Check out these examples:

• For my friend who founded a speedway in Colorado, I asked him for a lead gift to expand nonprofit services in the Denver area. I gave him the analogy that his gift would be like bolting a supercharger onto a high-performance racecar. He understood right away because I spoke his "speedway" language.

  
  

• For my friend who founded a construction business in Georgia, I asked him to name the Executive Board Room for a project in Ghana, Africa, because he understands the importance of having a place for the highest-level business meetings. The analogy I gave him was the "Grand Canyon Experience" because that particular experience was one of the most memorable and impactful in his life. By equating the project to something he cared about, I spoke his "outdoor adventure" language.

  
  

• For my friend who founded and operates a gas terminal in Arizona, I asked him for a gift to name several venues at a camp in West Virginia. The venues were all related to something he loved - triathlons! He would name a running path, a lake, and a biking path. The analogy I gave him was related to fuel terminals because that was his daily business language. Therefore, I said his gift would be like adding a new fuel terminal to serve hundreds of thousands of new customers. He got it because I spoke his "gassy" language! Forgive me, but my family doesn't like to fuel my puns, so I exhaust my readers instead. Tank you very much!

Final thought:

What I've shared with you only works

when you really care for the person you are asking.

When you care, you share real stories, you describe how a vision specifically relates to them, and you know without a doubt what accurate analogies will bless them. Ensure your heart is in the right place, and everything I've shared will elevate your fundraising to new heights!

Remember to ask in love.

Bless you,

Derek

Derek Bechtel is the Founder and CEO of RDK Philanthropy,

whose mission is to grow the impact of faith-based individuals and entities through expert-level philanthropic services.