Using inspired fundraising techniques, I can produce direct mail/email campaigns that will increase the number of donors and volunteers for your nonprofit.
My favorite hangout– Taos Mesa Brewery
From Small Business Owner, Back to English Teacher
I have felt a little bit out of place since returning to Austin from Taos, New Mexico. I had to adapt my aspirations to my changing situation. From 2001 – 2009, my wife and I spent our time in Taos owning and managing an art gallery, and selling real estate on the side. It was the greatest adventure of our lives.
Family, however, has a way of calling you back. We returned. Relying on my degree, a BS in English and Spanish Education from UT Austin, I fell into teaching English ninth graders. Nine years prior, before leaving Austin, my job had been teaching eighth graders language arts and reading. While I had only moved up one grade, the level of maturity in the students was immensely noticeable. I went from being a language arts teacher to being an English teacher.
I have felt a little bit out of place since returning to Austin from Taos, New Mexico. I had to adapt my aspirations to my changing situation. From 2001 – 2009, my wife and I spent our time in Taos owning and managing an art gallery, and selling real estate on the side. It was the greatest adventure of our lives.
Family, however, has a way of calling you back. We returned. Relying on my degree, a BS in English and Spanish Education from UT Austin, I fell into teaching English ninth graders. Nine years prior, before leaving Austin, my job had been teaching eighth graders language arts and reading. While I had only moved up one grade, the level of maturity in the students was immensely noticeable. I went from being a language arts teacher to being an English teacher.
Left or Right?
Living Off the Grid
In Taos, we had been living off the grid (solar and water collection) in a 30 foot trailer while building an adobe house in the small village of Tres Piedras. Stone by stone and brick by brick.
My wife and I had become accustomed to the expansive mesa views of the high desert, as well as significant drops in temperature during the fall, winter, and spring months. The sunshine always prevailed, though. This experience gave me a unique insight into survival and how much we really need to get by.
Overcoming Stroke Through Writing
Five years ago, I became a stroke survivor. Much to my dismay, I am still trying to recover from its effects. As part of my recovery, and as a way to get back in the workforce, I responded to an ad posted by American Writers and Artists, Inc. (AWAI) on Pinterest. For the last 12 months I have become distracted, to say the least, with The Accelerated Program for Six Figure Copywriting. In addition to The Accelerated Program, I had already started promoting my own stroke recovery blog, handysports.org, back in November 2014. I have always wanted to put my writing skills back to work, and now with people wanting to show me how to make money at it, I feel there's no more excuses for not promoting awareness for nonprofits. Even after a stroke.
On that note, I felt it necessary to enroll in another course called Copywriting for Nonprofits: How to Write Inspiring Copy for the Fundraising Market, so I can learn how to better ply my skills. I will be able to learn from masters.
In Taos, we had been living off the grid (solar and water collection) in a 30 foot trailer while building an adobe house in the small village of Tres Piedras. Stone by stone and brick by brick.
My wife and I had become accustomed to the expansive mesa views of the high desert, as well as significant drops in temperature during the fall, winter, and spring months. The sunshine always prevailed, though. This experience gave me a unique insight into survival and how much we really need to get by.
Overcoming Stroke Through Writing
Five years ago, I became a stroke survivor. Much to my dismay, I am still trying to recover from its effects. As part of my recovery, and as a way to get back in the workforce, I responded to an ad posted by American Writers and Artists, Inc. (AWAI) on Pinterest. For the last 12 months I have become distracted, to say the least, with The Accelerated Program for Six Figure Copywriting. In addition to The Accelerated Program, I had already started promoting my own stroke recovery blog, handysports.org, back in November 2014. I have always wanted to put my writing skills back to work, and now with people wanting to show me how to make money at it, I feel there's no more excuses for not promoting awareness for nonprofits. Even after a stroke.
On that note, I felt it necessary to enroll in another course called Copywriting for Nonprofits: How to Write Inspiring Copy for the Fundraising Market, so I can learn how to better ply my skills. I will be able to learn from masters.
Dragon in Action!
Dragon Naturally Speaking is Putting Me Back to Work
My speech is slower than it used to be. I stutter, and find myself unable to find the right word some of the time. There are incidences when people share the "uncomfortable" pause with me while I search my mind for the correct words. Ironically, I must rely on Dragon Naturally Speaking because I cannot type effectively due to the semi-paralysis on my right side. Dragon is a voice recognition program that transcribes my words as I dictate, enabling me to create text.
My speech is slower than it used to be. I stutter, and find myself unable to find the right word some of the time. There are incidences when people share the "uncomfortable" pause with me while I search my mind for the correct words. Ironically, I must rely on Dragon Naturally Speaking because I cannot type effectively due to the semi-paralysis on my right side. Dragon is a voice recognition program that transcribes my words as I dictate, enabling me to create text.
2016 Annual VSA Texas' Board Dinner at Gustos Italian Kitchen
My First Nonprofit Experience
Three years ago, because of my gallery experience, I was asked to sit on the board of directors of VSA Texas which is a nonprofit organization for arts and disabilities. From my experience helping oversee the organization, I became fascinated with the marketing and fundraising aspects. From a writer's point of view, I began to see the possibilities of raising money and increasing support for nonprofits, and how there might possibly be a career in that. Through AWAI, I learned this was the case. With that in mind, I have been writing on behalf of organizations to promote events every chance I get. During Amplify Austin, I also wrote copy for Easter Seals of Central Texas. I have included those pieces in my sample section.
For Profit vs. Nonprofit
There is a dilemma when trying to decide whether to write for either nonprofit versus the for profit. As a one time small business owner I can see how if I had known about the value of copywriting, it would've helped me be successful even during the recession during 2008 – 2012. But I have settled on writing for nonprofits as my niche because of the good they can do for society as a whole.
Take for instance Easter Seals and the ways in which they help the disabled, as well as children. Known originally as the National Society for Crippled Children, they have been around since 1919. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is another well established organization. It is a safe place were kids can go after school with caring mentors who help them find success. Public Broadcasting, or PBS, is a news organization that serves all Americans with content and services that inform, educate, and inspire.
1.5 Million Nonprofits with More Money to Go Around
The majority of nonprofits are community-based, meaning you most likely can find an affiliate within your community. One example is the Salvation Army, which provides disaster relief locally and nationwide. They also assist those suffering from drug addiction. Then there's the ubiquitous nonprofit called Goodwill Industries, who offer job training and placement for the disabled, as well as GED opportunities for the general public.
In all, there are more than 1.5 million nonprofits, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS). Of the record $373.25 billion raised in 2015 (www.charitynavigator.org), nearly $26.5 billion was raised online. Incredible!
That tells me that though Internet transactions are growing, people still prefer to donate by check or cash. Nonprofits could use a copywriter like myself to enhance their community image, either online or in print, to help raise money for programs and other expenses.
Three years ago, because of my gallery experience, I was asked to sit on the board of directors of VSA Texas which is a nonprofit organization for arts and disabilities. From my experience helping oversee the organization, I became fascinated with the marketing and fundraising aspects. From a writer's point of view, I began to see the possibilities of raising money and increasing support for nonprofits, and how there might possibly be a career in that. Through AWAI, I learned this was the case. With that in mind, I have been writing on behalf of organizations to promote events every chance I get. During Amplify Austin, I also wrote copy for Easter Seals of Central Texas. I have included those pieces in my sample section.
For Profit vs. Nonprofit
There is a dilemma when trying to decide whether to write for either nonprofit versus the for profit. As a one time small business owner I can see how if I had known about the value of copywriting, it would've helped me be successful even during the recession during 2008 – 2012. But I have settled on writing for nonprofits as my niche because of the good they can do for society as a whole.
Take for instance Easter Seals and the ways in which they help the disabled, as well as children. Known originally as the National Society for Crippled Children, they have been around since 1919. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is another well established organization. It is a safe place were kids can go after school with caring mentors who help them find success. Public Broadcasting, or PBS, is a news organization that serves all Americans with content and services that inform, educate, and inspire.
1.5 Million Nonprofits with More Money to Go Around
The majority of nonprofits are community-based, meaning you most likely can find an affiliate within your community. One example is the Salvation Army, which provides disaster relief locally and nationwide. They also assist those suffering from drug addiction. Then there's the ubiquitous nonprofit called Goodwill Industries, who offer job training and placement for the disabled, as well as GED opportunities for the general public.
In all, there are more than 1.5 million nonprofits, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS). Of the record $373.25 billion raised in 2015 (www.charitynavigator.org), nearly $26.5 billion was raised online. Incredible!
That tells me that though Internet transactions are growing, people still prefer to donate by check or cash. Nonprofits could use a copywriter like myself to enhance their community image, either online or in print, to help raise money for programs and other expenses.
Vic on the Riverwalk in San Antonio
What I Can Do For You!
This is a little bit of who I am and what I aspire to be. Every organization could benefit from someone who produces good copy in the way of content, case studies, blogs, SEO, direct response, and especially fundraising. I would like to think that writing for nonprofit organizations can be more rewarding, in terms of karma, than the for profit alternative. There is so much to be done to help nonprofits grow and maintain their fundraising at a level where they can continue to get things done.
I can discover and then express the concerns of your supporters; work with board members and staff to highlight your strengths and the amplify the promise of your nonprofit. I will use my persuasive style in ways that frame the research effectively.
Being donor centered is crucial to any nonprofit campaign or message. I will get to know your clients and supporters as well as I can and convey those stories to potential donors and volunteers.
By pursuing all these strategies, I feel I can motivate more people to support your cause.
This is a little bit of who I am and what I aspire to be. Every organization could benefit from someone who produces good copy in the way of content, case studies, blogs, SEO, direct response, and especially fundraising. I would like to think that writing for nonprofit organizations can be more rewarding, in terms of karma, than the for profit alternative. There is so much to be done to help nonprofits grow and maintain their fundraising at a level where they can continue to get things done.
I can discover and then express the concerns of your supporters; work with board members and staff to highlight your strengths and the amplify the promise of your nonprofit. I will use my persuasive style in ways that frame the research effectively.
Being donor centered is crucial to any nonprofit campaign or message. I will get to know your clients and supporters as well as I can and convey those stories to potential donors and volunteers.
By pursuing all these strategies, I feel I can motivate more people to support your cause.
