Fonts That Make a Difference

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I just read an interesting article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy about different fonts and how they can make a BIG difference when it comes to how your reader engages with your material. Are you using fonts that draw your readers in or drive them away?

If you’ve worked hard on your writing, it probably has gone through several rounds of painstaking writing and editing (well, at least two). The process may have even involved some late nights and unhealthy doses of caffeine. I am quite certain that you would agree: Such a fine specimen deserves a great visual presentation!

Ask yourself: When was the last time someone said, “Yes, I can see what you’re saying”?

People need to be able to picture your message, both figuratively and literally. Our culture is extremely visual; it behooves you as a writer to not only notice this, but to also let that knowledge help you find more readers.

A clean, consistent, and provocative design is an essential ingredient of any well-produced message. Visual appeal grabs your readers’ attention and keeps them
around long enough for your words to inform, inspire, and activate. Without the right look, your carefully crafted piece can end up like an overlooked flower
lost in a field of weeds. If a reader happens to stumble upon your beautiful words, a poor design could mark it as not worth the hassle to untangle. Your forget-me-not
becomes a “remember-me-not.”

Solid graphic design techniques make readers take words more seriously. Why not enhance your strategy of “writing to make a difference”?

A good place to start is the font(s) you’re using. Check out this article and feel free to leave comments!

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

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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.

Ever thought about publishing a book? Learn more for free!

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Finding my book on the shelves at the Bellevue, WA Public Library: what a treat!

Ever since my first book came out at the end of 2010, Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact, I have been pleased to help several other authors independently publish! A few of those books are already available: Move Our Message: How to Get America’s Ear, Skyeview: A Sistah’s View of the World, Paris Chapter, and Bone Health Made Easy.

As these authors can attest, a book or ebook is a great way to share your experience and insights, bring more visibility to your cause, and establish yourself as a passionate authority (“author” is the root word here). With the expanding universe of independent publishing (a.k.a. self-publishing), the sky is the limit!

But how do you make indie publishing work for you and/or your organization?

I have created some free resources to help you explore this exciting opportunity:

  1. Watch a brief introduction to independent publishing in this segment I recorded on ToastmasterTime TV
  2. Read a brief handout from my Authors’ Panel presentation at the 2012 Writing for Change Conference
  3. Participate in my free October 24 webinar on the topic, hosted by NonprofitWebinars.com. Takeaways will include:
  • What a book/ebook can do for your organization (and you)
  • Advice on the style, structure, and voice of a book that creates social change
  • Introduction to independent publishing
  • Recommended resources

Ready to take the next step? If you would like to know more about what to expect in the editing and production process, contact me and I will send you a handy summary.

Happy writing!

 

Represent an Environmental Org? Read This!

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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”

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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.