Let's talk trust...
|
Fall festivals are one of my favorite things about this time of year, especially in Tennessee. Crisp air, activities for the kids, and pumpkins and mums galore. Then curiosity. As I looked down the row, I saw the same exact AI-generated banner at about a quarter of the booths. Same (or similar) colors. Some even had similar phrases. You have worked too hard to let AI make your mission look and sound like everyone else’s. When you look and sound like everyone else, people have no reason to pay attention to you. They’ll just keep scrolling or walk on by. Your branding goes beyond your website aesthetic and social media graphics – what does your brand voice sound like? What visuals or phrases can people remember you by? How are you demonstrating that you’re trustworthy? It all intertwines. AI-generated content waters ALL of this down. You deserve → More people becoming aware of your work. → More people joining your email list or signing up for your event. → A program that gets funded. → A fundraiser surpassing its goal. And AI-generated sameness won't get ya there. In the AI wave, I firmly believe that your differentiator will become how human-focused and approachable you are. People (donors, volunteers, prospects) are getting AI fatigue. They’re noticing when they’re being marketed to versus when you’re inviting them into a bigger conversation. They’ll notice the extra time and care you put into something they can connect with. As we head into the biggest fundraising season of the year, your mission can’t afford to be forgettable. I encourage you to remain deeply human. Post the unedited video. Share the candid photo. Send the email with an imperfect call-to-action. Share your wins, but also be honest about your lessons learned. That’s what your people will connect with. Use AI for other things if you wish, but keep your voice and image focused on what matters most – people who make your mission possible. I’m actually putting feelers out to bring something more analog to the nonprofit space. This is something I’ve been craving personally, and I’ve been hearing it from many of you, too. Stay tuned – you’ll be the first to know about it. I can’t wait to tell you allll about it VERY soon!
Trust is earned before you make an ask – and it must be maintained to keep a positive relationship with your supporters. If you’re looking for deeper connections with your supporters this year-end and beyond, I’ve only got one retainer spot left between now and the beginning of the year. Interested? Reply “retainer,” and I’ll send you some info. 🫶
|