Be Like Beyonce
September. Sapphire. Virgo. Beyonce. Fundraiser.
Quick question for you.
Maybe we know each other well (hi Mom! – she reads every email) or maybe we’ve never met. Regardless I have a quick question for you –
When you think of me, don’t you think I’m just like Beyonce?
No??
Really, that’s kind of shocking. Considering that our birthdays are just one day apart – Queen Bey is September 4 and I’m September 5.
As we’re now in our September Sapphire (yes, that’s where the name comes from) Virgo season – let me tell you about Virgos:
Practical
Hardworking
Observant
And yet, we’re also –
Overthinkers
Stubborn
Perfectionists
This is pretty accurate for me. And while I don’t know Beyonce personally (though if you’re reading this, I’d love to connect!), I think we can agree she has displayed some of these traits.
The other big trait she has – or at least knows how to turn on when she needs to?
CONFIDENCE
So let’s put all these traits together:
Confidence
Practical
Hardworking
Observant
Overthinking
Stubborn
Perfectionist
Do you want to know what this also sounds like to me?
A fundraiser.
Maybe you’re like me, that as a fundraiser, you sometimes need to unleash your charismatic side.
You know that feeling when you are tired. And had a long day of meetings and never-ending emails.
And then you walk into a room that is filled with donors and prospects.
And you just turn on that smile, confidence, and charm?
Kind of like Beyonce does on stage?
But what if you just can’t get there? And you have a meeting coming up. What do you do?
Here are some tips to keep your confidence going –
Remember that your nonprofit matters. The work you do is REALLY important. And the funding you are seeking is necessary in order to make that work happen. You are an essential part of the process. Never apologize for asking.
Donors are people. Just like you and me. They eat, sleep, shower, get dressed. They have their likes and dislikes. They want to be treated with respect and earnestness. They want to make a difference.
You don’t need to know all the answers. Inevitably, you will get asked a question that you don’t know what to say in response – sometimes it’s awkward, sometimes the question has no answer, and sometimes the question is rude. And you just don’t know what to say. THAT’S OK. Remember that you can say simply – I don’t know how to answer that OR I don’t know the answer to that question. Let me get back to you. And then actually do.
To quote Glennon Doyle: “We can do hard things.” How does this relate to us as nonprofit leaders and fundraisers? Well, we are in scenarios that are difficult and where we may not know what to do or how to proceed. But just because something is hard, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Be ok in the uncomfortable.
Final Thought
People give to people. And remember how donors are people? No one wants to give a donation to a person who seems tired and unexcited about the work that your nonprofit does. Your work matters! You are here to change the world. But you have to get people as excited about the mission as you are. Remember to be like Beyonce and unleash your confidence.
Do you need some help in improving your confidence when speaking with donors? Contact me to learn more and we can discuss how we can work together.