The $25,000 Reason Why Follow-Up is So Important

183 days.

That’s how long it took Bob to mail in a check for $25,000 after I asked him for the gift on a first visit.

The day we met I had 45 minutes on his calendar, but we spent 4 hours together.

It was one of my favorite visits.

Great conversation, an impromptu trip to a restaurant, and a new friendship.

He was so excited about our mission!

He texted his best friend after I left to put me in touch with him as he thought he would want to help too.

After I asked him for the $25,000 he said, “someone else asked me for $25,000 yesterday, but I’m way more excited about this.”

It seemed like a no-brainer.

I thought for sure the check would be sent out almost immediately.

Then I started to follow-up and… nothing.

Months went by without me being able to get any response from Bob.

After 6 months, his check finally arrived, but only after having another visit in person.

Bob had a lot of stuff going on in his life: he was a business owner, sick family members, travel, etc.

It’s easy to see a lack of action towards a gift as disinterest.

Many people would give up and say that Bob’s just not interested.

DON’T!

More often than not, people just have a lot going on.

The fortune is in the follow-up!

Related Resources:

• “One Visit Away” podcast
• Webinar: Scheduling Visits is Scary…but it doesn’t have to be that way.
• Why your greatest enemy in major gifts fundraising is the status quo
• 10 Follow-Up Questions You’ll Need to Deepen Your Conversation with Major Donors (and One to Avoid)

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