Nonprofit consumer storytelling can typically be a cringe-worthy matter, but it surely doesn’t should be. If we flip the script on the consumer story and as a substitute body it as a testimonial, it inherently provides dignity and respect into the method whereas collectively collaborating on client-related content material that motivates donors to take motion.
How do you do that? Create the content material with and never concerning the participant.
At each in-house communications place I’ve held, from Brooklyn Public Library to a Feeding America meals financial institution, workers and exterior stakeholders wanted consumer tales: Donors required tales in grant experiences; the fundraising group wanted as them for appeals; and, after all, reporters wish to put a face to the problems we’re serving to resolve. However — as we nonprofit of us know — many purchasers don’t wish to be purchasers. They usually actually don’t wish to speak about being a consumer. However in my 20-plus years of talking with individuals attending social service packages, I’ve discovered that there’s one factor purchasers do wish to share: gratitude. And they’re typically glad that will help you increase funds to assist extra individuals. So ethically empower them to take action.
EthicalStorytelling.com explains it merely: constituent first, donor second.
1. The Moral Interview Course of
As a substitute of asking individuals for his or her story, ask about their interactions with the nonprofit. As a substitute of listening to their historical past — what are the circumstances that introduced them to us — I ask these questions:
- How did you hear about us?
- What do we offer that others don’t?
- What would you inform a funder who’s hesitant to become involved?
- How has your interplay with us been?
- Anything you’d prefer to say that I didn’t ask?
Everybody has an opinion. So let of us give it. Getting their perspective on the group, reasonably than asking for private particulars is less complicated to share. And helps empower purchasers to pay it ahead.
2. Growing Moral Content material
Make sure you use person-first language that emphasizes the individual versus their scenario. This sort of language doesn’t intention to make the participant look dangerous, perpetuate stereotypes about who we serve or to make the reader really feel responsible — it’s extra narrative.
This step additionally helps make sure you converse concerning the individual the best way you’ll converse with them. Would you ever ask somebody “how did you come to be much less lucky?” No? Then don’t write about them that approach, both.
Dangerous: Stef is a low-income mom of three.
Higher: Stef is a mother who lives in a low-income space.
Dangerous: Please donate to assist the much less lucky, like Stef.
Higher: Please donate to assist guarantee mothers like Stef have a fully-stocked pantry.
These “higher” examples have the identical thought because the “dangerous” ones, however neither is degrading or embarrassing or defining the individual by their circumstances.
When you full stated ethically written content material, share it with the participant to make sure accuracy and their consolation with what you’ve written.
Be aware that, within the evaluate course of, it’s attainable the participant will change their thoughts about sharing this content material. It doesn’t occur typically, but when it does — in order that this work doesn’t go unused — you possibly can ask for those who can excerpt it by utilizing an nameless quote on social media, altering their identify and any figuring out traits, or use it in one thing much less public, like an enchantment. If it’s a tough no, respect that. However 9 out of 10 instances, they’ll evaluate, edit and approve some model of it. As a result of they wish to make a distinction for others.
3. The Moral Ending
After the content material is picked up on TV or is distributed in an enchantment or used on social media, share the outcomes — the place did we use it? Did individuals attain out to or to assist consequently? And to, once more, share an enormous thanks as a result of placing an actual face to a difficulty spurs individuals to motion in a approach that numbers don’t.
I get it In the event you’re pondering, “That is an excessive amount of work. We’re not doing that.” Particularly for those who’re working at a nonprofit that has one individual doing communications and improvement — or nobody doing communications in any respect. However all relationships are work. And we as nonprofit staffers ought to attempt to deal with this one with dignity and respect like we might some other.
The previous publish was supplied by a person unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed inside don’t instantly replicate the ideas or opinions of NonProfit PRO.
