Life and Mission
Storytelling and writing are essential skills for missionaries, ministry and nonprofit leaders. In fact, if you struggle to tell stories, you'll struggle to raise the funds you need. Kay Helm is a writer & editor with experience in missions and the business world. She founded Mission Writers in 2022 to help missionaries write fundraising appeals and powerful stories to share with supporters. In this podcast, she offers tips you can use today to improve your missions & nonprofit writing.
Episodes
Today, and in the next few episodes, we’re going all the way back to the most basic building blocks of storytelling: who, what, where, why, when and how.
Simply including these in your content isn’t enough. Over the next few episodes, we’ll discover how using these building blocks effectively can move you from just reporting dry facts to building a world your donor can step into.
Whether you're a missionary, a nonprofit leader, a change maker of any kind, you know that a powerful story can open hearts for people to join you in your mission.
In season 4 of the Life and Mission Podcast, we're looking at the building blocks of every persuasive story: who, what, where, why, when, and how. Sounds basic, But I'll offer a few twists that you might not have heard before.
Grab your notebook a...
In this episode, I'm answering questions about nonprofit newsletters.
- How many newsletters should you send?
- How fancy do they need to be?
- What else can you do with those stories?
- Why send a print newsletter by mail when you can send email instead?
- One key thing you don't want to leave out.
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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries an...
Storytelling is an essential skill for fundraisers.
What do stories do?
- Stories help us connect.
- Compelling stories increase empathy.
- Stories reflect our values.
- Stories reveal truths.
- Stories help us see others in a new way.
- Stories give us context.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've bee...
The time between Thanksgiving and December 31 is by far the biggest giving season of the year. People expect you to ask. If you don't, the assumption will likely be that you don't need their money.Here's what you need to do now.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-orga...
You know you need to tell more stories to raise funds - but where do you find these stories? In this episode, I share five ways to find the stories you need.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and...
In the Food Network show Chopped, just before chefs present their first dish to the judges, they must answer the question, “What would it mean for you to win?”
It's a question every nonprofit must answer.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in respons...
Do you think of yourself as an expert? Maybe you should. We need you to share your knowledge and experience with us.
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Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for ...
Your supporters want to help. Asking them for advice helps you and engages them at a deeper level. You’ll both be glad you did!
Often, when you ask for advice, supporters will tell you exactly how they prefer to be asked for money. The transparency you show in conversations around how you raise funds invites them to also be transparent about how they approach giving.
This isn’t a trick to get them to give more. It is an invitation...
In the last episode, we looked at gaps in your storytelling that cause friction. This week, we’re looking at friction in the donation process.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some grea...
Why aren't people giving? Maybe there's too much friction–little things in your messaging or in your presentation that cause hesitation or second-guessing. This week we look at friction in storytelling, and what to do about it.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing...
Every story needs change, regardless of the story's focus. By recognizing this and emphasizing it, you can engage and connect with your audience more effectively.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and...
Sports can teach us a lot about nonprofit storytelling. In this episode, we're looking at two examples of sports using storytelling to reach people and to teach people – two things all nonprofits need to do.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response ...
If you've got a book, you need a course to go with it. Here's my interview with the man who can help you do that, Dr. Lucas Marino.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great...
When we are writing to move someone to action, we must be clear. Not clever. Only crystal clear will do.
I recently attended the Hope Words conference for writers, where one of the speakers was Katherine Paterson. Mrs. Paterson is the author of over 40 books and the recipient of many awards for her writing, including two Newberry Medals.
She told us about a time when she got a note from her long-time editor about a c...
As ministry practitioners and nonprofit communicators, we are often called to sit with difficult stories of human suffering and injustice. Even though we are storytellers, not every story is for sharing. Our words are also meant for remembering, exploring, questioning, and hoping.
Resources
Mark Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
Michael Card, A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in t...
Parables have a way of getting around our defenses, short-circuiting our stereotypes, and making us think in new ways. In this episode, we're looking at the role of parables in Jesus' ministry, and how you can use stories to break through walls in your nonprofit's messaging.
Check out Jesus' parable in Matthew 13, and his answer to the disciples when they ask why he tells so many stories.
Thing...
The Fundraising Super Bowl is your nonprofit's big game - and winning looks like raising the funds you need to serve. Here are some lessons from that "other" big game.
Football coaching legend Vince Lombardi famously said to his almost-champion Green Bay Packers team, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”
What he meant was they needed to execute the basics well, if they expected to win the big champions...
Being a guest on podcasts is a great way to share your message. Here's your guide to being a great podcast guest.
Find full show notes and a checklist at lifeandmission.com
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments a...
In this interview with Eric Nevins, founder of the Christian Podcasters Association, we discuss the potential waiting to be unlocked through podcasting.
Eric hosts the Halfway There Podcast.
Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some ...
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