How can humor be used to boost fundraising without detracting from the cause?

1 Know your audience

The first rule of comedy is to know who you are talking to. Different types of humor appeal to different people, depending on their age, culture, background, and preferences. You don't want to make jokes that are too obscure, too crude, or too insensitive for your target donors. Do some research on what kind of humor they enjoy, and avoid anything that might alienate or hurt them. You can also test your jokes on a small sample of your audience before launching them to a wider audience.

2 Know your purpose

The second rule of comedy is to know why you are making jokes. Humor should serve a clear purpose in your fundraising strategy, not just be an end in itself. You can use humor to attract attention, to convey a message, to build rapport, or to motivate action. For example, you can use humor to highlight a problem, to show the impact of your solution, to express gratitude, or to inspire generosity. Whatever your goal, make sure your humor is relevant, appropriate, and consistent with your cause.

3 Know your limits

The third rule of comedy is to know when to stop. Humor can backfire if you overdo it, if you misuse it, or if you forget the seriousness of your cause. You don't want to make jokes that are too frequent, too long, or too distracting from your main point. You also don't want to make jokes that are too sarcastic, too cynical, or too trivializing of your cause. Remember that humor is a means to an end, not an end in itself. You should always balance humor with sincerity, empathy, and urgency in your fundraising communications.

4 Know your style

The fourth rule of comedy is to know how to deliver your jokes. Humor can be expressed in many ways, such as words, images, videos, sounds, or actions. You should choose the style that suits your personality, your medium, and your message. You should also practice your delivery, whether it's written, spoken, or performed. You want to make sure your jokes are clear, concise, and catchy. You also want to make sure your jokes are respectful, authentic, and humble. You don't want to sound like you are mocking, bragging, or begging.

5 Know your feedback

The fifth rule of comedy is to know how to measure your results. Humor can be hard to quantify, but you can use some indicators to evaluate its effectiveness. You can look at the reactions of your audience, such as likes, shares, comments, or laughs. You can also look at the outcomes of your campaign, such as donations, sign-ups, or referrals. You should track and analyze your data, and learn from your successes and failures. You should also ask for feedback from your audience, and listen to their opinions and suggestions.

6 Know your ethics

The sixth rule of comedy is to know what is right and wrong. Humor can be a force for good, but it can also be a source of harm. You should always use humor responsibly, and respect the values, beliefs, and feelings of your audience and your cause. You should never use humor to manipulate, deceive, or exploit your donors. You should also never use humor to harm, ridicule, or disrespect your beneficiaries, your partners, or your competitors. You should always use humor to enhance, not to diminish, your fundraising mission.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?