SOFII · How to be an effective client

CDE project 21: working with suppliers as partners

by The Commission on the Donor Experience

This project will aim to show fundraisers how to be an effective client and so to get the most for their donors from their prudent and well-managed investment in supplier services.

A strange, old-fashioned plea for respect

by George Smith

In this latest article George Smith doesn’t mean that all fundraising is nice and all advertising nasty. He does mean that advertising is generally pretty silly and that fundraising is pretty damned important. And we fundraisers would do well to dwell on the difference.

A sector divided

by Alison McCants

Alison McCants, direct marketing manager of UK charity The Brooke, asks three revealing questions: How are fundraisers trained to work with agencies? How do we know how to get the most from an agency? And, how do we know when they’re not doing the job well enough? This is a great read that will get you thinking about how you manage your agency relationship.

Top tips to get the best from your agency - part 3

by Gill McLellan

Part three of Gill McLennan's insight into how the best relationships are managed and she shares more tips on how to get the most from your agency, as well as your colleagues, to ensure your project is the best it can be.

Have I told you lately that I love you? Part two

by Derek Humphries

OK, so you’ve done your strategic speed dating (also known as a pitch), and it’s time to get on with some proper work.

Have I told you lately that I love you? Part one

by Derek Humphries

In this two-part article, Derek Humphries offers some really valuable advice on how to develop the relationship with your agency in all its stages, from initial courtship all the way through to an amicable divorce at the end of the project. And he tackles the issue of pre-nuptial agreements, what to do if it all goes wrong and, just as importantly, what to do if it all goes right…

Hello! Testing! Testing! Testing!

by Andrew Papworth

Andrew Papworth says that testing is a vital part of good fundraising.

It’s hard work being a client these days. Part 2

by Andrew Papworth

We won’t be surprised if you have been putting off starting to prepare your brand book because it appears to be an awful lot of work. Now Andrew Papworth shows just how important it is and how it will actually save you time when preparing your successful fundraising campaigns.

It’s hard work being a client these days. Part 1

by Andrew Papworth

A brand book is possibly the most important document that you could have if you really want to be an effective client and get the best from your suppliers Andrew Papworth explains why it is so important and how to go about the daunting task – and make no mistake it is – of preparing one. With his guidance it will be made easier.

Building the fundraising dream team

by Ken Burnett

This addition to SOFII’s How to be an Effective Client showcase will help you assemble the team that’ll produce your next great fundraising campaign.

Working with suppliers: building partnerships based on value for money

by Mark Astarita

Click here to find out why Britain’s No 1 fundraiser thinks the relationship between client and supplier is so important. And why a few training sessions on how to be a good client (and supplier) would be a welcome addition to any fundraising conference.