Crafting Meaningful and Impactful Donor Testimonials
You know the drill. When you need a testimonial from someone who supports your organization with their time, talents, or treasure, you ask if they will write a few words that you can share online. You eagerly anticipate every word they’ll say, knowing they’re passionate about your mission and have enjoyed partnering with you.
But here’s how the process really goes:
It takes weeks to receive their response.
They focus on aspects that, while important to them, don’t truly align with your messaging goals or communicate the intended impact.
Their statement is unclear. Not all donors have the same level of writing ability, which can diminish the quality and impact of the testimonial.
That’s a problem.
But we have a simple solution!
Interviewing Your Supporters to Gain High-Quality Testimonials
You'll get higher-quality content that aligns with your objectives by conducting short interviews with your donors and crafting testimonials on their behalf. Because most interviews will take 15 minutes or less, you’ll respect the supporter’s time and experience. And, of course, you’ll allow them to approve the statement before you publish it.
To help you through the process, we’re providing five questions to ask during your supporter interview so you can craft a testimonial in a way that aligns with your communication goals while capturing the genuine voice and experience of the donor:
Supporter Interview Questions:
1. "What motivated you to support our organization, and how does our mission resonate with your personal values or experiences?"
This question aims to uncover the personal reasons behind the donor's support, highlighting the emotional connection to the nonprofit's mission.
2. "Can you share a specific instance or story where you felt your contribution made a significant difference in addressing the problem we're tackling?"
This encourages donors to reflect on their support's tangible impact, providing a narrative that clearly demonstrates the problem/solution aspect.
3. "How has being a part of our mission and witnessing the change we're making together affected you personally?"
This question is designed to elicit emotional responses demonstrating the personal fulfillment or satisfaction a donor gets from their involvement.
4. "How has our organization effectively addressed the core issues we aim to solve, and what changes have you observed since you started supporting us?
This seeks the donor’s perspective on the effectiveness of the organization’s actions toward its mission, emphasizing the problem-solving aspect.
5. "What would you say to someone considering supporting our organization about the role they could play in making a difference?"
This invites the donor to speak directly to potential donors, sharing their views on the importance and impact of becoming a supporter, which can be a powerful endorsement.
These questions are designed to elicit responses that highlight the donor's emotional journey, the impact of their contribution, and their personal connection to the nonprofit's mission, making for compelling and authentic testimonials.
Why the Interview Process Works:
There are multiple benefits of collecting interview-based testimonials:
1. Consistency in Messaging:
By conducting an interview and writing the testimonial, the nonprofit can ensure that the message aligns with its overall communication strategy and mission, maintaining a consistent tone and style across all testimonials.
2. Time-Efficient for Donors:
Many donors are busy individuals. Writing a testimonial might be a time-consuming task for them. By taking on the writing process, the nonprofit makes it easier for donors to contribute their stories without the burden of crafting a well-written piece.
3. Highlighting Key Aspects:
Nonprofits are more adept at identifying and emphasizing the aspects of a donor’s story that will resonate most with potential donors. They can expertly weave in problem/solution narratives and emotional impacts that a donor might overlook.
4. Quality Control:
Professional writing ensures high-quality, engaging, and error-free content. Nonprofits can utilize their expertise in storytelling to create compelling and persuasive testimonials.
5. Donor Comfort and Authenticity:
Some donors may feel uncomfortable or unsure about writing their experiences. An interview approach can capture their authentic voice and perspective in a more relaxed and conversational setting.
Talking with your supporters to make great testimonials is a super idea for your nonprofit! It's like having a friendly chat where you get to hear all the amazing stories about how your work has helped them or made them feel good. When you do the talking and writing, you make sure these stories are just right – not too long, not too short, and super clear for everyone to understand.
Think about it: When you ask your supporters to write their own stories, it might be tough for them. Not everyone likes writing, and they might be super busy. But if you do a quick interview, they can just talk and you do the writing. This way, you get awesome stories that sound real and true because they are!
These stories are like gold for your nonprofit. They show new people how great it is to help out and be part of your team. When others read these heartwarming stories, they'll want to jump in and help, too!
So, go ahead and start chatting with your supporters. You'll be amazed at the fantastic stories they have to share. These stories are not just words – they're powerful tools that can bring more helpers and smiles to your cause.
Remember, our Quirk team is here to help. Interviewing supporters and writing testimonials is one of the many services we provide. If you’d like our involvement, we invite you to schedule a call and let us take on the heavy lifting!
