Writing Matters!

Like you, my to-do list gets longer and sometimes a bit vague and perhaps overwhelming...(or knee-dropping...in that it leads me to dependent-prayer!)

But just read the following, and it is good stuff for us all.....Communication is such a huge part of our lives; whether in email to a kid, our normal newsletter, etc...Here is some good advice:

Why Good Writing Matters – And How You Can Improve

from Dumb Little Man - Tips for Life by Ali

In today’s world, being able to write well is of vital importance, whatever your industry. You could be a computer programmer, a small business owner, an administrator ... whatever your job, it’s likely to involve a lot of words.

Just think of the things you might write in a typical working day:

• Emails to clients
• Internal memos or reports for colleagues
• Instructions for a subordinate
  
• A presentation for a seminar
• Notes or action points from a meeting
• New content for your company’s website

I’m sure you could extend the list. The fact is, text is the currency of the web: although video and audio content is slowly becoming more popular, text has massive advantages (like being searchable, very easy to produce and edit, easy to scan, and quick to download).

So why is it so important that every time you put fingers to keyboard, you write well?

Your Writing Must Give a Good First Impression
In many situations, the first contact someone will have with you is through an email or through reading a website. This could be when:

• You’re applying for a job, with a cover letter and CV
• You’re replying to an email from a prospective customer
• A client is reading your website
  
• A colleague passes on the email address of someone they want you to contact

There are also plenty of non-work contexts where this applies too, such as:

• You need to write a letter of complaint, and want to be taken seriously
  
• You’re creating a profile on a dating site
• You’re writing content for a community or hobby website

Again, these lists could go on and on. In all these cases, the quality of your writing and the way you express yourself is going to form a strong impression on the reader. You want that impression to be good!

Poor Writing Won’t Be Read
How many times have you skimmed blog posts, ignored pages of jargon on a company site, or even stopped reading as soon as you saw a badly-worded or confusing headline?

It’s probably not news to you that we live in a world saturated with information. If your emails are long-winded and rambling, if your blog posts are vague and ungrammatical, or if your website is full of corporate jargon, people simply won’t read it.

You’re Using Social Media – And You Can Be Found
I’d be willing to bet that you have some sort of online profile or presence. That might be on LinkedIn, for business; it might be a Facebook account, a Twitter stream, or even your own blog. It could be posts on a public message board.

If you’ve never tried this before, give it a go: type your full name, in quotes, into Google. What comes up? (If you have a common name, you might try adding your profession or location.) Would the results impress a prospective client or employer? Bear in mind that almost anything you write online can be found by people searching for you. Again, you want to give them a good impression with well-written content – even if that’s just your bio on LinkedIn.

So, if you know that your writing isn’t your strongest point, what can you do to improve?

Step One: Practice!
If you ever learned to play a musical instrument as a child, you were probably encouraged to practice regularly. Writing is no different: the more you write, the more confident you’ll become. If you need a primer on grammar or if you need to revisit some of the rules, here is are 50 writing tools that can help and here are another 40+ tips on punctuation.

For those who aren’t natural writers, it can seem like a chore to sit down and put words on the screen. Try spending just five or ten minutes each evening writing about something that interests you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your use of language: no-one needs to see this except you.

Step Two: Read It Aloud
One of the most powerful ways to “hear” any flaws in your writing is to read it aloud. If you’re someone who’s a fluent speaker but who struggles a bit with writing, this is a great way to make the most of the way you prefer to communicate. Problems which your eye skims over on the page can become very obvious when you hear them.

When you read aloud, you’re also much more likely to notice convoluted, overlong sentences – they’ll be the ones where you run out of breath!

Step Three: Get Feedback
When you have an important piece of writing that needs to be right, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. That could be as informal as asking a colleague or friend to read it over – ask them to let you know if it was confusing at all, or whether any of the sentences were hard to follow. It’s also worth asking them to look out for “clunky” words that just don’t sound right.

In some cases, you might want to consider hiring a professional writer or editor to look over what you’ve written.

Do you find writing a struggle, in your job or business? Have you got any tips to share?

Written on 9/28/2009 by Ali Hale. Ali is a professional writer and blogger, and a part-time postgraduate student of creative writing. If you need a hand with any sort of written project, drop her a line (ali@aliventures.com) or check out her website at Aliventures.

Focus on Old Peeps?

Interesting stuff from PHIL COOKE
(I don't buy it all; I am thrilled to have a few ex-teens on my support team; but...)

Everybody wants to reach "the next generation," and I can understand that. So when non-profits come to us for help, they want to focus on the 20-something crowd, and make sure their website is hip and cool and appeals to younger people. But the brutal truth is - when it comes to fundraising, older folks carry the load. Pop music belongs to the young, but trust me - giving belongs to the old. That's not to say we should turn off younger people, but don't be fooled by the illusion that they will actually support your cause.

People will reply: "Remember the massive amount of money that was raised through text messaging by young people after the Haiti earthquake?"

Yes I do, but where is it now? Young people are impulse givers. They get emotional and shed a few tears, and will text a $10 gift. But soon after, they're off to the next big thing. It's the older crowd that continues to give for the long term. The millions that were raised for Haiti or the Live Aid concerts are really peanuts compared to the long-term, sustainable giving that age 50 and older people do on a daily basis.

There's lots of reasons that I don't have time for now, but suffice it to say - focus on the older audience if you need to raise serious money.

By the way - that doesn't mean your TV, radio, or web campaigns have to be traditional or stodgy. Even old people want to be cool. But focus it on their interests, their values, and their goals.

Your chances of success will be much greater. My advice? Raise MONEY from the older audience, but raise your PERCEPTION with the young. After all, they'll be the next generation of givers.

Incredibly Valuable Advice!

WOW! I wish I had written this...well, come to think of it, I have, in varying forms over the years. But "The Body Builder" put it in a form that, yeah, I envy.

I beg you to make time (you'll never "find" time) to read and heed:

Successful Support Raising: Is it About Character or Gifting? Straight from the annals of Diary of a Wimpy Support Raiser come these pitiful excuses: “Shadrach, the reason I am not able to raise a lot of support—but you are—is because… 1. “You are gifted to do so” 2. “You have an outgoing personality” 3. “You have a lot of wealthy friends” 4. “You have a ‘cutting edge’ ministry position” Bull hockey! Thanks for allowing me a moment of crudeness as I debunk those four mythical statements. For the record: 1. There is no spiritual gift of fundraising. Please get that out of your mind. It is a decision of the will. 2. Actually, having a “life of the party,” used-car salesman persona can work against you. The best support raiser in our organization is a quiet, behind-the-scenes, 30 year-old single administrator who has simply met personally with every ministry partner and sincerely shared from the heart her vision and passion, and then….she asked! 3. Don’t we all get to choose our own friends? If so, why not broaden the number, location, and categories of the people you are building relationships with? If you love, serve, and minister to enough people, some of them are bound to end up having significant resources. And guess what? They’re going to want to invest in you…IF you will ask them! 4. I sit in a small office in Fayetteville, Arkansas, praying for and encouraging the staff around me. Most of my time is on the phone and computer. I’m not out on the campus or mission field. Maybe like you, I’m basically a home-office administrator. Sorry—nothing glamorous about it! OK, now that I got that off my chest, let’s make a list of five essential characteristics of a successful support raiser. Notice the word “characteristic” has the word “character” in it. In my opinion and experience, there is no heavenly anointing, magic formula, or magnetic personality. NO! Who we are in private will determine who we are in public, and if you will pray and cultivate these “characteristics” into your life and support raising, I believe you will see dramatic results: 1. Vision—Get with your co-workers to intercede and determine what is the specific and strategic part of fulfilling the Great Commission God has assigned to you. Illustrate it in crystal-clear terms your supporters can easily see and embrace. 2. Passion—Go to your prayer closet and ask the Lord to so burden you to fulfill that vision you want to weep and pound the table until it is reached. Share from your life and heart, and people will want to jump on your team! 3. Conviction—Draw a line down the middle of a notepad. One side: My beliefs. On the other: My convictions. Beliefs are simply your thoughts, doctrines, ideas about God, life, and ministry. Convictions, though, are different. They are the firm and resolute implementation of your beliefs; something you will sacrifice, even die for, if need be. 4. Courage—Are you willing to call or meet with anyone, anytime, anyplace to lay out your ministry vision, then muster up the audacity to ask them, face to face, to give…and then lend them enough dignity and honor to let them answer? 5. Perseverance—Day after day, year after year, in the midst of incredible obstacles and spiritual warfare, never ever give up. Being devoted to living and ministering on support requires an unswerving adherence to the vision, passion, conviction, and courage only God can provide. All the slick words and gifting in the world can’t help you, but “character” will withstand the test of time.

Write for Lazy Readers

If you are "on support" the Lord is your source, as He is for every one.

But, if you are "on support," your newsletter is your lifeline. As I've said before, a monthly letter is, in my mind, mandatory...assuming, of course, you'd like your donors to invest at least monthly?

It is ideal if they actually read your letter...prayer cover is priceless...

Interesting commentary from the guys at "Magneto Communications," a "secular" outfit:

I'm amazed you're reading this. I mean, it's hard work, isn't it? You're having to drag your sorry eyeballs along the line, making meaning of all these letters and words. Outrageous!

Actually, you're probably NOT lazy. BUT if you assume your readers are lazy, you'll write in a much more engaging, interesting way. People will be more likely to start reading, read more, and act on what they've read. Apply these tips to light a fire under your lazy readers:

• Pique their interest: Half the battle is getting people to start reading. Once they start, they'll probably continue (if you've done a decent job). To pique their interest, consider big, benefit-oriented headlines and subheads; large, interesting pictures, graphs or charts; and bullet points instead of long sentences.
• Short chunks: Long, dense blocks of text scream "hard work" to lazy readers, so chunk them down.
• Do the work for them: What work will they have to do when they read your writing? Do it for them. Readers will love you for including a short summary of the key points, interpreting results for them, partially filling in forms for them, and making the next steps clearer.

What do you think about this?

This is from "The Body Builders" people...I've read it a couple times, not even sure what I think...but I share it with you since some of you are, in fact, of the female persuasion! (In the beginning God created man...took one look and said, Yuck, I can do better than that!)

How Men Vs. Women Raise Support:
Five Differences

Venus—Mars, Oil—Water, Dogs—Cats: What other metaphors can I draw upon to demonstrate there are fundamental differences between men and women? Even though our culture is desperately trying to blur, if not erase, the lines between the two sexes and create a “genderless” society, let’s admit it: GOD MADE US DIFFERENT! It’s a beautiful and harmonizing diversity, though, not to be denied or exploited, but to be understood and appreciated. Consequently, the passages and principles may be the same, but how men and women go about raising their personal support has some wide variances. So, instead of me just “sharing” my heart on this subject, let me (as a full-blooded male) instead “list” my five key points:

1. Women want close relationships with their supporters
Not that men don’t, but for the most part, females who are raising support have a greater interest in finding out the spouse and children’s names, birthdays, ages and schools, interests and needs, etc…And more of their appointments may be in homes with both husband and wife present, seeking to know about their personal life, needs, and prayer requests.

2. Men strongly present their vision and goals
Women certainly do a good job of laying out their mission and role, but many men seem to put a real premium on confidently, even aggressively, reciting their purpose statement, showing alarming (sometimes shocking!) statistics, and communicating the specific and measurable objectives they hope to accomplish in the next 3-5-10 years. And man alive, they can really put together some impressive PowerPoint slides, allowing the donor to graphically “visualize” the story!

3. Women share with empathy and authenticity
Being open and vulnerable, even revealing fears and weaknesses, is the preferable approach many women are comfortable with. Connecting to the heart, rather than just the mind (or the pocketbook!), is of highest priority. Women may interpret some men’s penchant for actually asking for a decision on giving during the appointment as insensitive and uncaring or putting too much undue pressure on the giver.

4. Men focus on the big picture rather than details
“We want to win the entire world to Christ!” a guy might boldly proclaim, while a gal raising support may go hour by hour as to what her daily ministry schedule entails. At the same time, a woman may be busy producing and sending well-done (and personalized) monthly newsletters, while the man may be praying and building up enough courage to approach that major donor for a $5,000 or $10,000 ask!

5. Women enjoy the journey, not just the destination
For most ladies, support raising is not just a “necessary evil” or bothersome hoop they must jump through to get to their ministry. Many times, they find joy in the process, make new friends, and record lessons God has taught them in their journal. Yes, men may sometimes get to full support quicker because they are more focused on the end result (i.e. just “show ME the money!”), but they might miss out on the incredible blessings along the way.
Agree? Disagree? Add or subtract? I know it appears like I have been harder on the men than the women in this article. Maybe it’s just because I am all too familiar with the evil that lurks within our hearts!

Finally, if you want to become the COMPLETE and TOTALLY BALANCED support raiser: men, you may have to get in touch with your feminine side, and ladies, you may have to toughen up and think like a guy sometimes!

Not Support Related...or is it?

What follows is worth two minutes of your time...if for no other reason for you to then pass it on to those to whom you minister. The music is, well, a bit odd...but the insights significant:

Idolatry in Ministry

David Powlison observes, “Idolatry is by far the most frequently discussed problem in the Scriptures.”

In an hour-long message Mark Driscoll describes idolatry - particularly idolatry in ministry. You may not have the time to watch (but I recommend you do); so here is a summary.


Got enough guts to read it? It may be painful...



Driscoll shows that idols lie to us by presenting themselves as Saviors and mediators who can give us identity and make us righteous. But in reality they dishonor God and destroy people.
Driscoll asks 11 questions about ministry idolatry in particular:

1. Attendance idolatry: Does your joy change when your attendance does?
2. Gift idolatry: Do you feel that God needs you and uses you because you are so skilled?
3. Truth idolatry: Do you consider yourself more righteous than more simple Christians?
4. Fruit idolatry: Do you point to your success as evidence of God’s approval of you?
5. Method idolatry: Do you worship your method as your mediator?
6. Tradition idolatry: What traditions are you upholding that are thwarting the forward progress of the gospel?
7. Office idolatry: Are you motivated primarily by God’s glory or your title?
8. Success idolatry: Is winning what motivates you at the deepest level?
9. Ministry idolatry: Do you use the pressure of ministry to make you walk with God?
10. Innovative idolatry: Does it matter to you that your ministry be considered unique?
11. Leader idolatry: Who, other than Christ, are you imaging?

Here are the resources I’ve found most helpful in thinking through what the Bible says about idols and how to destroy them:

• David Clarkson, “Soul Idolatry Excludes Men out of Heaven” (1622-1686)
• David Powlison, “Idols of the Heart and Vanity Fair” (Journal of Biblical Counseling)
• Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods (watch his TGC talk here)
• G.K. Beale, We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry