The Little Words Mean the Most

what do you want on YOUR gravestone?

 

Having the time of my life.

 

Because there's charity in my Will.

simone joyaux meditation garden

 

 

 

yeah: this EZ

 

Facebook, U fuc'd up:

 

On top of having to validate myself with Facebook every time I log in with Typepad

 

you're strangling my productivity, rich bro

 

 

 

 

 

seasonal bouquet, accidental poem, Sim Tom at the Love residence

 

 

Frenchy in love

Look what's arrived on my desk: delivering studio QUALITY voice-over for my latest online course

 

now if only I had a quality voice

 

 

 

REPORT to Sim One: Most of the day (it's now nearly 9 PM) I've spent working on my recordings for BGClubs of America, for my online course in donor-centricity. The equipment is set up. Works FAB, too. Makes your voice sound wonderful (and there are all sorts of special effects, if one wants to head that way). It's just taking time. Lots and lots of time. "Take 6." A phone rang. "Take 10." A motorcycle went by. "Take 14." My printer's too loud. "Take 19." The air conditioning can be heard.

 

 

REPORT to Sim One, DAY 2: [again] Most of the day (it's now nearly 9 PM) I've spent working on my recordings for BGClubs of America, for my online course in donor-centricity.

 

 

Damn: WHOLE NEW SKILL!

I NOW know, though, how to edit voiceovers, using GarageBand (a sophisticated application Apple throws in; capable of moon launches, if you want that; I've kept it SIMPLE).

That's cool, I guess. In truth, redoing "snippet takes" over and over and over is BORING. I would rather cross-country ski in dirt.

There's a teensy bit of pressure, too....

I'm trying to get all the recordings done before you return.

The air conditioning has to be off. All phones have to be behind closed doors (and mine unplugged, with iPhone switched off too). Printer off. The sound equipment is so sensitive I swear it can hear my heartbeat.

 

As of 2018, SMUMN Masters in Fundraising candidates now submit a portfolio of communications. I assign a grade to each.

 

It's not a long list. And I might add one or two more things. But, for now, this is the bull's eye. This is what I'm looking at, in descending value:

 

1. Donor-centricity

2. What happens in the first couple of seconds?

3. Did you pass the YOU test?

4. What's the grade level?

5. How's the skimmability?

6. Got offers?

7. Offers unburied?

8. How's your BIG type working?

9. Tell me something I don't know.

10. Are you proud you've slain the Jargon Dragon?

11. Now what?

12. How many calls to action?

 

Get these basics right. You'll build to succeed. Wrong? To fail.

Dear Michigan environmental advocacy groups...