Overcoming Fear: Your Key to Better Fundraising (and a Better Life)

There’s nothing like fear to prevent you from getting what you want. And, it’s not only about fundraising. It applies to all areas of your life.

Fear Holds You Back

Fear holds all of us back from…

• Requesting a raise
• Asking out a romantic interest
• Applying for a new job
• Trying something new
• Soliciting a major gift

Fear Leads to Regret

I’ll never forget my 6th grade camping trip, where I was the only one in my class who chickened out and didn’t do the zip line. Fear held me back, and I regret it to this day.

Fortunately, I had a chance to remedy the situation (sort of). I was in Costa Rica with my family a few years ago and went on a zip line with my son.

Now, the zip line in Costa Rica is MUCH higher and longer than the one at the campsite in 6th grade. And I’m still deathly afraid of heights. But I promised myself I’d never let fear prevent me from doing something again. I’ve tried to live by that philosophy ever since.

Fear is a Fundraiser’s Greatest Obstacle

One of the key reasons people don’t raise as much as they could for the organizations they work and volunteer for, is fear.

• Fear of rejection
• Fear of offending or losing a donor
• Fear of embarrassment
• Fear of messing up

Of course, I can’t guarantee that any of those things won’t happen. They might.

You might get rejected. You might offend or lose a donor. You might be embarrassed or make a mistake. What I do know is that none of these things spells the end of the world. Moreover, if you don’t take any forward action due to your fear, you won’t make any progress at all.

In other words, if you don’t overcome your fear and get out and ask, you won’t raise any more than you are right now. That much is obvious, right?

And if you overcome your fear of asking for money, it’s more likely that you’ll raise significantly more money this year, next year and for years to come.

But wanting to overcome your fear and actually overcoming it are two different things. So what can you do to conquer your fear — especially your fear of asking? I know a technique that works wonders.

Admit Your Fear to Conquer It

Here’s a strategy that’s worked for many of my clients…

Admit your fear.

Yes — admit your fear to yourself and to your donors.

Recently, I coached an executive director to tell donors that she hates fundraising. In fact, she now tells donors she’d rather be doing anything other than fundraising. BUT, she continues, the organization is too important for her not to be out asking for financial support.

She apologizes in advance in case she embarrasses herself or offends the donor — which of course, results in her NOT getting embarrassed or offending the donor, even if she trips over her words or says something awkward or offensive.

A healthy dose of truth gives gives her instant credibility and shields her from the any mistakes she might make. Try it — it’s a wonderful technique to at the very least circumvent your fear.

So what are you giving up by giving into your fear? What will you try to overcome it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.