How do you write a campaign letter asking for money?????

[bleedingheart]

I am helping a Democrat run for office locally and I need a good intro line or two...the rest I already have ...but my beginning...it sucks so bad I can't even bear to share it.


What would seem okay????

Thanks!!!!

bleedingheart

[applegrove]

1. Lot's of really short paragraphs. n/t

[bleedingheart]

2. but I need help with the beginning....

should I say..


Dear Sir,


Let me introduce myself, I am Joe Candidate and I am running as the Democratic Candidate for Dog Catcher in the third ward.

I plan to.....blah blah....


In closing I am asking for your vote and your support.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
tear away contribution form???

[applegrove]

3. The only direct mail letter I witnessed being written started out more

personal... I went for a walk last night ... and it struck me...

I would look up direct mail advice. There likely is something attached to the DNC or some such group. Sort of a political direct mail 101 page for Democrats.

Don't know ... but I would google it first.

Good luck with the campaigns.

[Chan790]

4. yes, plus.

something about the candidate to connect him to the recipient. Tell them who he is, why he's running.

[bleedingheart]

5. yeah...I got that part....so you think the first part is okay...

it is so hard to do this type of stuff and I am trying to help...normally I am good at writing but in this case I am not a good fundraiser...asking for money makes me squeamish....sounds crazy...but it does...

[Child_Of_Isis]

6. asking for money makes me squeamish

You'd never make it in politics then. :rofl:

[Chan790]

7. Yes,

It's to the point and clear and not weighted down by wasted words or thoughts. There is a such a thing as too much. If it takes more than 20 seconds to read a letter, most people won't.

As for asking for money making you squeamish...it comes with time. I was awful at it at first. It takes practice and gets easier the more you do it.

I find these three things comfort me when I'm asking for $.

1.) I truly believe in the issue/cause/person and it's just my job to express why, if they choose to not donate I've still done my job.

2.) Anybody on a mailing list or call list is there because they are already sympathetic to the issues and interested in what I'm talking about.

3.) Any dollar raised is a dollar more than they had before I asked for it.

Edit:Applegrove is right. short paragraphs. I like to use 4: Opening, Who the candidate is, views/issues, request for money.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

10. I notice that most email or snail mail that are asking for contributions

don't mention the money directly very much at all.

They usually just talk about the importance of the cause or campaign, and then have a part to send a contribution. Often they'll circle an amount, not too high or low, and say that amount would really help.

Can you forget the money, focus on the reasons you're helping with the campaign and write from your heart?

Good luck.

[SheilaT]

8. You also need to ask for a specific amount.

If possible, you will target the mailing and ask for more money from those you believe can give more.

When I ran for office last year I was very bad at fund-raising. I sent out perhaps a hundred letters, all personalized, which was nice, but not very effective.

[bleedingheart]

9. Yinz guys have given me great advice!