Did you survive the winter storm?
On Thursday night, I wasn’t sure if we were going to.
I thought we had prepared well.
But on Thursday, I learned that the propane heater we bought didn’t have the required 1lb tank.
So we had a heater – and no fuel for it.
Home Depot/Lowes/Tractor Supply – Out of 1lb tanks.
Amazon – adapter wouldn’t get here for a week.
Even local gas stations – no can do.
On Friday morning, my wife looked at me to solve this problem. She said she wasn’t sure what to do with the kids if we lost power.
So on Friday morning, I did the most embarrassing thing, for a father of three young children, possible.
I went and knocked on my neighbors’ doors for fuel.
I was nervous. Which neighbor do I go to first? What time should I arrive? Is 730 too early in the morning or just right? I wish I had just talked to our neighbors more before this.
I recognize these feelings.
They are the same butterflies that I feel at the beginning of any fundraising campaign.
Who should I talk to first? How do I segment my list? When is the best time to call?
And I defaulted to what I knew worked.
I went to the neighbors who had given our children halloween candy every year. I knocked at just before 8, and Ms Autry came to the door. When I mentioned who I was, she immediately recognized me.
A smile crossed her face.
She said “I’ll call my husband”.
At that moment, I felt the relief wash over me.
Someone cared what I had to say! Wow!
I got up more courage and phoned a friend.
“We need propane or an adapter. I’m hoping there are some by your house.”
They gladly looked. Went to two stores for me even.
Then another friend texted my wife back. They had a 1lb tank. We just needed a refill kit.
There was a refill kit at Home Depot.
Long story short, we did survive the storm.
It ended up being a whole lot of nothing. A few flurries, and a little bit of rain.
But it reminded me of the greatest lesson.
Whenever you’re nervous, start with the people who already care about you.
They will forgive your mistakes, your stutters, your inability to get all the words out.
And they will give you the confidence to talk to the next person.
And the next.
Until your network comes together.
And you fund what your nonprofit needs.
If you want the full Advice meeting outlines that can help you start your outreach for your fundraising campaign, just watch this video. And comment “Advice” down below.
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Dan
