Nearly 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. raised $295 billion in donations last year ... and freelance copywriters are urgently needed to help them raise even more this year.
Dear Copywriter (or Aspiring Copywriter):
Does writing for nonprofits sound like - well, sound like there wouldn't be much profit in it for you?
That's a common assumption ... and it's totally wrong.
My colleague, JH, told me he earned $400,000 last year writing fundraising letters for nonprofit clients - and he writes only a few hours a day.
Yes, there is little or no money in writing fundraising letters for small local nonprofits, which have limited budgets and plenty of volunteers willing to do anything for free.
But the big national nonprofits - everything from Covenant House to the North Shore Animal League - have staffs of well-paid marketing managers who pay their freelance copywriters handsomely to craft sales letters that support their causes, promote their message, and bring in a flood of donations.
How handsomely?
Well, I have to admit that at first glance, it seems like nonprofit copywriting doesn't pay quite as well as for-profit copywriting.
On average, the fees paid by major clients to fundraising copywriters are about HALF the fees major clients in the for-profit sector pay.
But that's actually pretty good, and let me tell you why....
First, commercial copywriters command fees of $6,000 ... $8,000 ... even $10,000 or more to write a DM package selling a product.
So at half those rates, fundraising copywriters are still getting paid pretty well -- $3,000 to $5,000 or more - for fundraising mailings.
Write a package a week and you can easily earn $150,000 or more writing copy for nonprofit clients.
Second, the average fundraising package is much shorter and simpler than the average commercial DM package.
Take a look at the fundraising mailings you get: most are a one or two-page typed letter, a reply form, and an envelope for mailing back your donation.
Compare that with an 8-page letter selling a complex software package ... or a 16-page magalog selling a nutritional supplement ... or a 40-page digest selling a financial newsletter.
Fundraising packages are usually less than half the length and complexity of DM promotions that sell products or services.
Consequently, they often take HALF the time to write - or even less -- and therefore, on a per-hour basis, can be equal to or actually more profitable than commercial assignments.
This high per-hour compensation in the nonprofit sector is a fact very few fundraising copywriters talk about -- perhaps because they don't want the rest of us to catch onto this secret and move in on their gravy train.
Add fundraising letters to your repertoire NOW
In our e-book How to Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter, Mary Guinane McNamara and I spill the beans about the highly profitable non-profit sector ...
... and show how you can write great fundraising copy - and get highly lucrative freelance copywriting assignments - from nonprofit clients.
Including:
- Why fundraising copywriting is one of the most rewarding niches in the business - both financially and otherwise. Page 3.
- 6 shortcuts to help you quickly build your fundraising copywriting skills and knowledge. Page 28.
- The 14 key motivators that get people to donate to worthy causes and how to use each in your copy. Starts on page 64.
- Convenient, easy-to-use formula instantly reveals whether your copy is centered on the donor -- or just a boring "puff piece" for your client. Page 18.
- 5 ways to market yourself to potential nonprofit clients as a fundraising copywriter. Page 29
- 3 types of copywriting nonprofits use to find new donors and keep cash flowing from existing supporters. Page 6.
- 5 things that make fundraising more challenging than for-profit copywriting. Page 71.
- 10 tips for writing more powerful fundraising copy that pulls in donations in record amounts. Page 74.
- Fundraising copywriting is a seasonal business. Here's how to plan your calendar for both the busy season and the slow season. Page 30.
- The 7 deadly sins of letter writing - and how to avoid each in your fundraising copy. Page 17.
- Where to find potential nonprofit clients who hire freelance fundraising copywriters. Page 31.
- Can you charge your client a bonus based on how much money your letter raises for them? The answer may surprise you. Page 7.
- How to parlay your personal history and life experiences into a closer working relationship with your first fundraising client. Page 32.
- Using the "4 P's" formula to make a compelling case for giving to your client's charity. Page 19.
- How to make sure the fee you quote for writing a fundraising letter is within that particular organization's budget or price range. Page 34.
- Choosing your fundraising clients - pros and cons of working directly with nonprofits vs. through fundraising ad agencies. Page 9.
- 4 tips for raising money and votes for political candidates. Page 77.
- Easiest places to break into fundraising copywriting - and get your first nonprofit experience - when you are new to the field. Page 35.
- The biggest mistake copywriters make in fundraising letters and how to avoid it. Page 20.
- Getting copywriting assignments from ad agencies that handle nonprofit clients. Page 36.
- How to earn $500 per page or more writing copy for nonprofit organizations. Page 10.
- Writing copy to generate donations on the Internet. Page 37.
- What makes fundraising direct mail different from commercial sales letters? The answer may surprise you. Page 21.
"This product offers a ton of great information on this topic, and I've already read through it twice, highlighting passages and making notes." -- John Torre
"I ended up writing a commercial script after picking up your book on writing for non-profits. It airs this Sunday and I've already been paid." -- Ray Burton
- Raising money for nonprofits with a blog ... mobile marketing ... social networks. Page 39.
- 10 things you must ask your client about the assignment before you start writing your fundraising letter. Page 12.
- 3 ways to build a great portfolio of fundraising samples that's good enough to get a major nonprofit to hire you to write a DM letter for them - even when you're a novice. Page 42.
- How to make your client and his fundraising goals invisible to the reader - and why you must do so. Page 22.
- 9-step copy checklist. Run your copy through this checklist BEFORE you send it to the client. Page 55.
- Setting and getting your fees for writing fundraising letters ... welcome kits ... newsletters ... acquisition packages ... donor appeals ... and more. Page 44.
- 10 most common questions beginning fundraising copywriters ask us about the business ... and one good answer to each. Page 47.
- How to establish an emotional connection between the person who signs the fundraising letter and the potential donor. Page 13.
- The incredibly potent "crybaby copywriter" technique for touching the reader so powerfully he can barely see his checkbook through his tears. Page 23.
- How to write fundraising e-mail marketing messages that get donors to increase their contributions online. Page 57.
- 2 questions in the reader's mind your letter MUST answer in order to convince him to give you his hard-earned money. Page 14.
- 25 tips for creating kick-butt web sites for your nonprofit clients. Page 60.
- The most compelling motivator prompting people to give you their money ... and how to profitably exploit it in your client's fundraising efforts. Page 25.
- 12 most common assignments nonprofit clients give to their freelance copywriters -- and the primary objective behind each. Page 15.
- Does guilt still work as a powerful force for bringing in donations by the truckload? Page 26.
- How to find out what other fundraising copywriters are charging for the same assignments you are bidding on. Page 16.
- 7 questions to ask when editing a fundraising letter after you've written the first draft. Page 27.
- Fundraising associations and groups ... reference books ... courses ... magazines ... online newsletters ... web sites ... blogs ... and so much more. Starts on page 53.
- To order your copy of How to Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter on a 90-day risk-free trial basis, just click below now:
Make money as a freelance fundraising copywriter - starting today!
The writer's tips in How to Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter can help you earn an extra $10,000 ... $15,000 ... even $25,000 or more in your freelance copywriting business this year -- with lucrative assignments from nonprofit clients.
But it won't cost you $10,000 ... $1,000 ... or even $100 to profit from Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter.
Instead, you pay only $29 ... less than I charge for just 5 minutes of my time ... about the cost of making a small donation to your favorite charity.
And that's what I charge you only if our methods work for you. If they don't, the cost is zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada....
Try it risk-free for 90 days
That's right. If, after reviewing Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter, you aren't making thousands of extra dollars writing copy for nonprofit clients....
Or you are not 100% satisfied for any other reason ... or for no reason at all ...
We'll refund your $29 payment in full. No questions asked. And you can still keep the e-book absolutely free with my compliments.
That way, you risk nothing.
So, what are you waiting for?
To order Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter on a 90-day risk-free trial basis, click below now:
Sincerely,
Bob Bly
P.S. Quick-Response Bonus! Order Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywrite today and you get a FREE 59-page Bonus Report, Take Your Copywriting to the Next Level (list price: $29).
In it, you will discover:
- How to prepare for a freelance copywriting assignment - page 3.
- The 8 fundamental rules of persuasive writing - page 6.
- How to write a good advertisement - page 28.
- Reaching your donors on a deeper level with the BDF formula - page 40.
- The magic of "false logic" - page 35.
- Determining the ideal length for your direct mail letter - page 50.
- Is there too much hype in direct marketing today? page 53.
- Tips on using testimonials - page 44.
- How to write subject lines that increase open rates - page 38.
- The BDF formula for reaching your prospects on a deeper level - page 40.
- The shocking truth about features and benefits - page 23.
- And more....
To order Make Money as a Freelance Fundraising Copywriter ... and get your FREE Bonus Report ... click below now:
Bob Bly has been a writer since 1979 and a full-time freelance writer since 1982. He earns more than $500,000 a year from his freelance writing, and became a self-made multi-millionaire while still in his 30s.
Bob has written copy for more than 100 clients including Phillips, Agora, KCI, 21st Century, Weiss Research, EBI Medical Systems, Sony, IBM, AT&T, Grumman, Crain Communications, McGraw-Hill, IBM, Intuit, Nortel, and AlliedSignal.
Bob is the author of more than 95 books including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Direct Marketing (Alpha), The Ultimate Unauthorized Star Trek Quiz Book (HarperCollins), The "I Hate Kathie Lee Gifford" Book (Kensington), The Science in Science Fiction (BenBella), and, with Bo Dietl, Business Lunchatations (Penguin).
He has published more than 100 articles in such publications as Subscription Marketing, Direct, Business Marketing, Writer's Digest, and Amtrak Express.
Bob's writing awards include a Gold Echo from the Direct Marketing Association, an IMMY from the Information Industry Association, two Southstar Awards, an American Corporate Identity Award of Excellence, and the Standard of Excellence award from the Web Marketing Association. He also taught writing at New York University.
Bob has appeared as a guest on dozens of TV and radio shows including The Advertising Show, Bernard Meltzer, CNBC, and CBS Hard Copy. He has been featured in major media ranging from the LA Times and Nation's Business to the New York Post and the National Enquirer.
Mary Guinane McNamara is a freelance direct response copywriter who specializes in fundraising copy. She began copywriting full time after serving children and families professionally in both the non-profit and public arenas for many years.
Working from her home office in the Midwest, she has provided copy and consulting to clients across the country. Her client list includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, MADD, Toys for Tots, COPS, NYC Ronald McDonald House, CureSearch, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Junior Blind of America, Salesian Missions, Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, Ford's Theatre Society and many others.
She has shared her passion for using words to change lives with new copywriters through her own mentoring program and as a coach for the American Writers & Artists Institute and Accelerated Training Services. For more information, visit the website of The Write Answer at www.twacopywriting.com.
What they say about Bob Bly"I started down this road of copywriting for direct marketers by purchasing your book. Since then I have made about $50,000 in copywriting fees. I feel a debt of gratitude toward you!"
--Ray Edwards
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"One of the best copywriters in the business."
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"There's no better copywriter than Robert W. Bly, the man I call the 'King of Copy.' He can teach you more about the art and science of marketing than anyone I know."
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"20 years ago, when Bob Bly starting teaching copywriting, the field was deeply shrouded in mystery. Now, thanks to Bob, learning copywriting, though still a tricky proposition, is much easier."
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"For over 25 years, Bob Bly has set the gold standard in results-oriented business-to-business writing."
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"Mr. Copy."
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"There is no greater authority on business-to-business direct response copywriting then Bob Bly. What impresses me most about Bob Bly is his knack for making things clear and simple."
--Scott Miller
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"Perhaps the most famous copywriter of them all."
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"[A] freelance writing dynamo...."
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