Category Archives: Copywriting

Show, Don’t Just Tell: Writing to Inspire, Motivate and Recruit Volunteers

Do you work with volunteers on a regular basis? Want to learn the in’s and out’s of best practices in the field? If so, you may want to know about E-Volunteerism online journal. It’s  “a journal to inform and challenge leaders of volunteers.”

Earlier this year I spoke at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, convened in Chicago by Points of Light. My book, Writing to Make a Difference, was featured in the conference bookstore, where I met the good folks who publish E-Volunteerism.  They invited me to submit an article, and voila: a new partnership was born.

The article was just published, under the title “Show, Don’t Just Tell: Writing to Inspire, Motivate and Recruit Volunteers,” and I’ve posted a PDF of it for you. It starts out like this:

Your organization is always looking for great volunteers to embrace your mission, help carry it out and even help spread the word to others. The pool of potential volunteers out there is endless! And you know that many people would love to find a convenient way to help make a real difference in their communities. Volunteering with your organization offers them that opportunity!

There’s just one problem.

How can you inspire, motivate, and recruit those potential volunteers? How can you use the power of your words to prompt a reader, listener, or viewer to move from the armchair to the work site?

To read the rest, I invite you to download the article HERE. If you’re interested in learning more about the journal, just check it out HERE.

Represent an Environmental Org? Read This!

I am looking for donor appeal letters from environmental organizations of various types (conservation, environmental justice, grassroots, policy, etc.) on a variety of topics. I’ll be collecting them between now and October 1 and will be reviewing them for great techniques to share (and not-so-great techniques to avoid).

If you have a letter that has worked for you in the past I would love a copy! And if you have a letter that sort of bombed I’m interested in that, too!

I will share my analysis, and your letter may be featured in my upcoming workshops on this topic (thus, your org will get more exposure).

Want to share?

Please attach a note about the success of the letter (it can even be written on the back of the envelope) and send to:

Dalya Massachi
PO Box 5607
Berkeley, CA 94705

I look forward to reporting back!

Thanks,

A great new way to benefit from “Writing to Make a Difference”

Have you found inspiration, support and practical ideas from Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact?

Hundreds of people already have, from many different walks of life: nonprofiteers, small business entrepreneurs, students, government agency staff, consultants, volunteers…the list goes on.

A few comments from readers:

“It’s as though I have a personal writing coach looking over my shoulder with a smile to encourage me to make what I’ve written more clear and more effective. I heartily recommend this book. It will give you confidence and the specific tips you need to make your writing sing.” — A reader on Amazon.com

Writing to Make a Difference is the best writing tool you could have for your socially responsible business. If you write event announcements, newsletters, fundraising letters,  press releases, business letters or any related writing, you need this book.  And don’t forget email, websites and posting online.  This is an organized and practical manual; it is easy to use and fun to read.  You will use these techniques every day.” – Diane Adkin, US Sales Coordinator, Canaan Fair Trade

Writing to Make a Difference is the most thorough, practical, compellingly readable, downright inspiring guide to nonprofit writing that I have ever seen. If you write or if you edit writing by others—this book will help you do a better job.” — Genevieve Richardson, Librarian, Dayton Metro Library

Writing to Make a Difference is a great balance of both instructional and interactive tips, tools, and exercises for those who want to effectively communicate the difference they are making in the world. Alandra L. Washington, Deputy Director, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

“This is one book I would recommend to every member of my team – grant writers, fundraisers, staff, and every board member.” — Johnson Hor, Esq, Board member, Art Endowment, Inspire to Do, Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco

“I’m very impressed with this book. Every progressive organization should have a well-thumbed copy handy.” — Susan C. Strong, Executive Director, The Metaphor Project

Writing to Make a Difference is a rare book of welcome mixtures, combining the accessibility of a “how-to” guide, rigor of an educational text, and practicality of a professional manual—all presented with the warmth of a trusted friend.” — A reader on Amazon.com

Now there’s another way you can benefit from the book! Just tell your friends about it by sending them to this link: http://bit.ly/c64ABf . Ask them to write in the purchase comments box:

“referred by (followed by your name and email address)”

and YOU will receive $2 (via PayPal) for each purchase they make. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make, so go for it!

If you prefer to have your bonus donated to a nonprofit organization of your choice, just have your friends put the nonprofit’s name and email address in the comments box.

We all could use a little bonus here and there (especially in this struggling economy) so I hope you take advantage of this special offer.

New article in “Putting on the Polish” series

OpportunityKnocks.org, a leading website for nonprofit professionals and jobseekers, just published the final article in my “Putting on the Polish” series. Whether you are seeking a new nonprofit job or just recently got hired, you will want to ensure that your documents strike the employer as clean and professional. In this three-part series, I share some tips on how to polish up your work to make it stand out and shine.

The third and final installment, focused on proofreading (sometimes called light copyediting), gives you tips on proofreading your piece for more than just typos. The first two installments in the series helped you cultivate conciseness and eliminate sneaky redundancies.

Going through your piece one last time to sniff out little problems will help you project a professional, polished image to the world. This last step can make the critical difference between iffy and solid.

Final proofreading is actually harder than it looks. You have to keep in mind dozens and dozens of grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules. And you are still bound to miss things on your first go-round.

To get some tips on how to proofread like a pro, see the full article.

PS: Readers of my OpportunityKnocks column are eligible for a special discount on Writing to Make a Difference!

2-Part Webinar (with feedback): 7/18 & 7/25

On July 18 & 25, I will offer a special 2-part webinar that shares its name with my book: Writing to Make a Difference. This highly interactive and practical webinar offers opportunities to get hands-on practice with your own marketing materials.

You can take advantage of two special offers:

1) The webinar itself at only $19.95 (84% off the regular price)

2) Your copy of my 2011 book, Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact, at a 20% discount

Every day, more of us realize the strategic importance of developing outstanding marketing materials – both offline and online. Whether you’re an accidental or emerging writer or a seasoned wordsmith, this webinar will help you create materials that are tailored to your mission and market.

The webinar is designed for nonprofit, green business, or other community-minded professionals who use their writing (offline or online) to promote social change. If you are responsible for crafting or editing marketing material that will answer the question, “What’s In It for Me & Us?” then this webinar is for you!

Here are some of the key topics and techniques that we’ll cover:

  • The ABC’s of copywriting, including understanding and advancing your “brand,” focusing on your intended readers and their needs, and emphasizing the benefits you offer
  • Spotlighting your mission repeatedly
  • Maximizing your collaborations
  • Connecting on a person-to-person level
  • Sharing stories
  • Writing with reader diversity in mind
  • What  to look for when editing your piece, and how to give constructive feedback to your colleagues

To sign up, just visit: http://bit.ly/Nh1f7Z.