The Beauty of "No"

Perhaps the most common fear among fundraisers—professional or volunteer—is hearing the word “No.” from the lips of a potential investor.

I actually think that getting a “no” is better than hearing “yes.”

What??Are you crazy?

I may be, but not for this belief.

“No” is an opportunity.

When you hear “no”, it’s an opportunity to reassess what you really need, want, and are asking for.??You see too often “asks”, as fundraisers politely put it, are born of an urgent need to pump financial resources into their organization.

Not that money is bad.?It isn’t.

Think differently.

“No” is an opportunity to transform you, your organization, and—most importantly—the life of investor.

How?

By seeking a much more fulfilling “Yes.”

First, you need to know that “no” from the mouth of a potential investor is very rarely “no".?

In the words of Chris Voss in his book, Never Split the Difference, the potential investor is more likely saying:

·?????I am not yet ready to agree

·?????You are making me uncomfortable (fundraisers have a way of doing this to investors)

·?????I don’t think I can afford it.?(Notice the emphasis on “afford”)

·?????I want something else

This is where open-ended questions asked of the potential investor can open doors and create incredible opportunity.

IF, you’re listening.?And that’s a very BIG “if” for many fundraisers.

You know the ones.?Those who are driven to get their yes.?Do or die.?“I need to make my quota—this week.”

In my own career, I’ve seen a “no” to my request for six-figures go to a “yes” for seven figures.?

Really.

All because I chose to listen to my investor.

Think back on the “no’s” you’ve received.?Are you really convinced they were actual flat, refusals?

Most nonprofits seem to think they must “sell” their worth to potential investors.?Make it a transaction.

Give it a rest, already.

Philanthropy is about relationships. ?Not transactions.?It’s not even about money.?This is where so many get sidetracked and make raising transformational philanthropic revenue so much more difficult than it need be.

To be successful—long term, sustainably successful—requires your entire organization to understand, apply and internalize The Eight Principles?. Repeating them by memory or putting them on the wall much as you would a mission or vision statement simply won’t do.

(OK, so what the hell ARE The Eight Principles??Just the natural laws that govern all philanthropy, that’s all.)

You must make them a part of who you are.

When you do, magic happens.

What confounds me is why so many involved in raising funds for worthy organizations and causes, do so by chasing the latest cool technique or method—regardless of whether it’s the right approach for them.

Principles ARE universal.?Methods ARE NOT.?Success is dependent on internalizing the principles then choosing the methods which are right for YOU.

Helping organizations create magic is what drives us here at The Eight Principles.?

I’d love to speak with you. Schedule a call with me and we’ll talk.

In thirty minutes or less, I will give you a path to deliver that magic.?It’s complimentary.?There’s no obligation.

The best part??It doesn’t take buckets of money to achieve your goals.?It’s desire and will.

To Everyone:?My goal is simple.?To show all who really want it the clear, proven path to abundance.

To Your Fundraising Success,

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Have you read the book yet??If not, get a copy HERE.

Join the thousands of others who have put it on the list of Best Fundraising Books of All Time, ranked first two-years running in the North American Book Awards, Business and in the collections of over 1,100 libraries.