Fund-raising letter writing

Write about pumpkins, not produce

Specific rather than general

Avoid or "prove" modifiers
- Delete modifiers that add little meaning
  - Very
  - Quite
  - Recently
- If you write that the president made an inspiring speech, prove your choice of "inspiring" with descriptions of or quotes from those who were inspired
- Alternatively, leave out the modifier and allow your reader to conclude the speech was inspiring.
Use specific nouns and verbs
- Poor: A period of uncertainty seems to have set in on this program; donors are reluctant to pledge.
- Better: Donors do not understand our case for support and are reluctant to pledge at rates we had projected.

You try it.

Use power words	Roger Gafke, CFRE Fund-raising, public relations & training services for non-profit organizations
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Write about pumpkins, not produce Specific rather than general Avoid or "prove" modifiers Delete modifiers that add little meaning Very Quite Recently If you write that the president made an inspiring speech, prove your choice of "inspiring" with descriptions of or quotes from those who were inspired Alternatively, leave out the modifier and allow your reader to conclude the speech was inspiring. Use specific nouns and verbs Poor: A period of uncertainty seems to have set in on this program; donors are reluctant to pledge. Better: Donors do not understand our case for support and are reluctant to pledge at rates we had projected. You try it.
[Home][Services] [ Experience] [ Writing Exercises] Phone: (57) 881-5446r FAX: (573) 881-5446, E-mail:roger@gafke.com, 325 E. Dripping Springs Rd., Columbia, MO 65202, updated: 7/03/2007