I am so excited I can hardly stand it! We’ve just released our newest e-book, The Asking Workbook: How to Ask for Big Gifts for Your Great Cause. It’s the culmination of decades of asking – and training others to ask – for contributions.

We wrote the book because almost every day we meet someone who is afraid to ask for money for a cause they care about. We understand that asking can be scary. For a capitalist culture, American’s are amazing uncomfortable talking about money.

But, fundraising actually isn’t about money at all. It’s about putting values into action.

If you can connect with a prospective donor about your shared vision for a better world, it’s amazing how quickly fundraising can become satisfying and even fun. We promise!

If you present an opportunity to invest in a worthwhile cause, you’re potentially doing the prospect a huge favor. We all want to make change in the world. A donation is a great way to do it. And giving to a solid organization that we can trust – well that’s just magical!

Even though you might agree with me up to this point, I understand if a little thing like terror is still preventing you (or your volunteers) from asking someone for money – face to face.

Our new e-book offers a simple path for making the ask. It’s a system that works. Even for those who suffer from severe trepidation.

The key is to follow these start-to-finish steps to implement a thoughtful, donor-centric ask:

1. Ask the right person at right time – this means doing your research.
2. Have a specific goal and strategy for bringing prospect closer to the organization. An ask doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a multi-faceted relationship.
3. Set the stage for the ask by making the meeting place comfortable and easy for the prospect.
4. Get the meeting – this is the hardest part!
5. Prepare for the meeting by putting together the best possible solicitation team and practicing.
6. Use our simple Asking Path^TM to structure the meeting. This includes having a solid pitch, making a well-prepared ask, and being ready to handle the prospect’s responses. It also means listening as much as talking.
7. Follow up and keep in touch with the prospect.

These steps take the mystery out of asking. We’ve seen them transform the most nervous neophytes into experienced and enthusiastic solicitors.

We invite you to dig in and give it a go. And, because we so appreciate you, we’re offering you a 10% discount on anything in our store, including The Asking Workbook. Just enter the code: LUCKY10