20. 2-0. Double dimes.

This is the 20th issue of Whiteboard Wednesday. That means someone is still reading it, and for that we are grateful! And if you’re new to the game, you can read past issues here.

This newsletter is a labor of love for us, and we hope to continue to grow its reach. If you know of anyone who could benefit from subscribing, send them here.

But enough about us…

by Dave Kirby dave@vidarecreative.com

I wish (OH, how I wish!) people would just give during our fundraisers because we shared the impact of the ministry and told a story to demonstrate that impact. 

Unfortunately, that’s often not the case.

If you think about the reality of your listeners’ lives and their habits, you know they are busy and distracted, probably overwhelmed. Add to that the sheer volume of marketing messages they receive in an average day (some estimate 10,000 per day), and it’s easy to see how you become “part of the noise.”

Telling a passionate and emotional story is the WHY. Urgency is always the WHY NOW. Both are critical to your fundraising success. This is my “Giving Grid,” and the upper right quadrant is where you want to be, full of passion and urgency.

Unfortunately, using enough urgency to motivate people to give in the moment creates a challenge in the future to inspire them to give again. They give on impulse, then, when the emotion dies down, they lose interest. That’s why many of our clients have told us they see the biggest drop in retention rate in the 30-60 day range after the first gift.

According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, 2 in 10 people who give to your organization will give again. But, if you can get them to give the second gift, your chance of a third gift skyrockets to 60%.

So getting that second gift is SUPER important. The lifetime value of a donor starts with month two.

How do you do it? Here are my three tips for getting that second gift.

Oh yeah, and convert them to monthly giving. In the same study mentioned above, the likelihood of a third gift from a monthly donor is 90%. So do everything you can to convert those single givers to monthly recurring.

Remember, it’s easy to get them to give that first gift on impulse. It takes dedication and commitment to form a relationship with your donor to get the second one.

By Paul Goldsmith  paul@vidarecreative.com

In our culture, being busy is often considered a badge of honor. But could being strategically lazy be the key to outstanding leadership? Yes. 

That is the thesis of an exceptional book by Jim Schleckser, "Great CEOs Are Lazy: How Exceptional CEOs Do More in Less Time." Schleckser explains the premise his company arrived at after interviewing more than a thousand CEOs, "Great CEOs are very clear about working hard on a very limited number of tasks that make all the difference to their businesses, and they refuse to spend significant time on anything else."

In this way, being lazy isn't about inaction but focused action. It's about dedicating more time to identifying and eliminating the biggest constraints that hinder growth and focusing less on the smaller, insignificant details. It takes discipline to avoid the tyranny of the urgent and focus on what matters most. Here are five steps to do just that:

Identify the Biggest Constraints

The first step in embracing this "lazy" approach is identifying the significant constraints to growth. Is it not having the right-fit people in the right positions on the team, sub-par content quality in certain areas, a lack of financial resources, or something else? Pinpointing the main obstacle enables you to develop targeted strategies and, ultimately, propel the station forward.

Eliminate the Constraint

Once you identify the constraint, your singular focus should shift to creating solutions. Rather than spreading your efforts thinly over various minor issues, channel your energy into conquering this major challenge. Like a gardener who spends time nurturing the root rather than tending to each leaf, addressing the root cause can lead to flourishing growth.

Align with Christian Values

For leaders in Christian radio, aligning the solutions with core Christian values is crucial. Love, integrity, and faithful stewardship guide your decisions. By trusting in these principles and committing to them wholeheartedly, you can create an environment that thrives spiritually and practically.

Delegate and Trust Others

The principle of being "lazy" also means being humble and recognizing that you can't do everything yourself. Delegating tasks, trusting team members, and encouraging them to grow allows you to concentrate on the most important issues. By empowering others, you foster a spirit of collaboration and shared success.

Reflect And Pray

In a world obsessed with constant action, it is vital to pause and reflect. Wise leaders take time to think, pray, and seek guidance. Integrating these moments into your daily routine allows for a clearer understanding of the mission and a deeper connection to the path you're called to follow.

This lazy leadership philosophy encourages focus, clarity, and intentional action. It teaches us to recognize the importance of concentrating on what truly matters and letting go of everything else.

By embracing this approach, we can continue building stations that resonate with listeners, honor God, and positively impact our communities. This form of laziness, guided by purpose and driven by faith, is a powerful tool for transformation and growth.

This is a new feature for Whiteboard Wednesday. It’s a quick bullet list of things you can implement today to help in your fundraising efforts. Quick and to the point. 

3 tweaks to make your online fundraising more effective:

I want to leave you with this quote from James Clear:

"You're more likely to unlock a big leap in performance by trying differently than by trying harder. You might be able to work 10% harder, but a different approach might work 10x better. Remain focused on the core problem, but explore a new line of attack. Persistence is not just about effort but also strategy. Don't merely try harder, try differently."

What can you “try differently” today?