by Rebecca Hodson
In the frenetic realm of fundraising and development, where every email feels like a throw into a vast, echoing abyss, discovering effective strategies is nothing short of miraculous. Enter the humble email forward—an unsung hero in the battle for attention. It might seem as thrilling as watching paint dry, but trust me, this tactic is a game-changer.
The Master Plan
Picture this: you’ve just sent out your meticulously crafted email—whether it’s an earnest plea for funds, an invitation to a lavish gala, or a casual nudge for a Zoom chat. The clock ticks, your inbox remains eerily quiet, and you start contemplating your life choices. But before you spiral into despair, try this: wait a week and then forward that same email with a refreshingly straightforward follow-up note. Something like, “I know you’re probably swamped, but just checking in to see if you’ve had a chance to consider my previous email.”
My Personal Revelation
Recently, I decided to test this strategy with a group of 30 very important, yet alarmingly non-responsive, prospects. My initial outreach yielded a pitiful 2 replies, which had me contemplating a career in competitive knitting. But, after a week of drumming my fingers on the desk, I hit the forward button on the original email with a breezy, “Just checking in” message. Suddenly, the floodgates opened. I received 15 replies, turning my inbox from a ghost town into a bustling metropolis.
The Lesson
This experience taught me a crucial lesson in persistence. Much like the tortoise’s steady crawl towards victory in that quaint fable, a simple follow-up can work wonders. The next time you find yourself marooned in the sea of unanswered emails, remember: a modest forward with a polite nudge might just be the key to transforming your outreach efforts. Sometimes, all it takes is a little persistence—and a lot less angst.
