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A visit to Big Sky country
underscored the value of authenticity for me this week. In a land
with more fly fishermen in one village that all the suburbs of my
hometown of Cleveland combined, I learned that creating
attractive lures often separates the outstanding fishermen from the
rest. The best lures are so life-like you almost expect
them to fly or jump out at you! The same is true in attracting
people to a greater cause.
Consider this real life example.
A station manager seeks every
opportunity to connect with their top donor prospects. Months are
often invested working through gatekeepers to secure an appointment.
Staff are assigned the task of researching the donor's passions and
interests as if this friend may be their last investor.
Communicating the lasting difference they could make with a
leadership gift is a priority. Before the manager is granted an
appointment, he is asked a series of probing questions by the
gatekeeper:
- What is the purpose and objectives
of the meeting?
- What stage is the project you will
present?
- What is the time frame for
completion?
- How will this benefit the
community?
- How can they get involved?
Finally, you are granted a 20-minute
interview. You want to make every minute count. So...armed with an
attractive, one-page Ministry Impact tool, you engage your new
friend with open-ended questions and a visual prop that crystallizes
your impact. Here's an example picture from WONU/Shine.FM in
Chicago:
Your leadership-giving prospect can
grasp the impact. This fits his passion and he responds with
enthusiastic interest and support to reach the next generation with
spiritual truth.
As Media Consultant Lynn Scarborough
writes in her outstanding book,
Talk Like Jesus, "Props help to
attract and retain audience attention. Props increase audience
participation because they use whole brain communication to learn."
Jesus used many visual images to communicate truth. For example,
Jesus' call to generosity was embodied by the poor widow who
contributed two mites to the Temple treasury (Mark
12:41-44).
The importance of a righteous lure.
What visual props can you use to ignite passionate response in the
hearts of those God has prepared to resource your ministry vision?
E-mail Mark
Kordic at
mark.kordic@advocace.com
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With 24 years of
experience in corporate and non-profit leadership positions and
almost a generation of experience in listener supported Christian
radio, Mark Kordic helps radio stations across the country grow
income from major donors and pledges.
Before joining Advocace, Mark was the Director of
Media Advancement for CDR Radio Network-The PATH®, the media
division of Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH. At The PATH®
he successfully served in a number of marketing and executive
positions, helping fund network expansion. Kordic also previously
served as assistant pastor at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in
Jamestown, OH.
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