Editor’s note: this guest post was contributed by Jennifer Miller or TrueSense Marketing.
Nonprofit stories come in all forms. Long. Short. A few words on a Facebook post. A 30-second video. The length of the stories isn’t important. What’s important is that the story moves you. Makes you feel something. Makes you want to do something.
Powerful stories don’t have to come from you. Often, the power of someone else’s words is much more motivating than anything you could spin.
Here’s an example:
This is a letter a little boy wrote to a social services organization after his family received toys during the holidays.
Isaac’s own words hold all the power.
If I made an attempt to write Isaac’s story, I can guarantee you I would fail miserably compared to the authenticity and emotion Isaac puts forth here.
Read his note again. You should feel something. Happiness. Empathy. The point is — you’re feeling — not thinking.
And that’s when you know a story is powerful.
Jennifer Miller has 21 years of experience in direct response. She’s worked for 10 years as a Creative Director at TrueSense Marketing (www.TrueSense.com, www.linkedin.com/company/truesense-marketing; @TrueSenseMktg), helping nonprofits raise more funds through donor-centered strategies.
