I just set up my first Twitter page and am exploring how to leverage this “broadcasting” app.

You can find me at https://twitter.com/RickCram.

Are you on Twitter? And if so, are you on to follow or be followed?

Some have the perception that the person in control of a meeting, such as a sales call, is the one doing all the talking. Truth is, the person who asks more questions and listens is in greater control.

“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.”

— Anonymous

If you’re interested in being more effective with your fundraising…and doing it more efficiently…you’ll find this webinar time well spent.

Hosted by OneWorld.net in Washington, D.C., four speakers presented to a local and an online audience on May 21, 2009.

My presentation, “Understanding Your Donors and Using this Knowledge Effectively,” was the second one.

Use the following links to bring up in different browser tabs or windows the podcast (audio only) and the slide show.

With the .mov version of the slide show, you’ll need to PAUSE and PLAY the movie to keep pace with my comments on each slide. First launch and play the podcast and advance it to when I am introduced (about one-quarter of the way into the podcast), then launch the movie of the slide show.

Click Here for Podcast

Click Here for Slide Show Movie

You’ll hear references to my document with a list of key questions to have answered before developing any appeal or marketing piece. Contact me for a free copy.

I look forward to your comments and questions.

Meanwhile, the three other presenters were excellent and the audio of their presentations are worth your time, as well.

To the families and friends of the PLGA Foundation and to the 500+ good people who turned out for the event on May 31, congratulations on making the first annual PLGA Foundation Ride and Family Fun Festival a great success.

You’re close to reaching the goal of raising $500,000, yet you’ve accomplished so, so much by demonstrating and delivering “hope” for kids…and their families…with PLGA brain tumors.

After reviewing a good number of quotes on “conviction” (one of the 7 C’s of Persuasion), I found one that makes a good point…

“Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct.”

-  Thomas Carlyle

Your conviction not only challenges you to act it out…work it and live it out…it is one of most powerful catalysts for motivating others to take action.

How are your convictions leading to actions with your marketing, sales and fund-raising?

Fill in the blank, and then answer the question.

“If you were king, what would you do to improve __________?”

At least once a year, everyone in your management team should address this question, with the pressing issues filling in the blank.

A good way to know what to place in the blank is to ask and answer the question, “What is the largest challenge facing our organization?”

The “king” question should be posed to middle management, line and staff, customers, channel and center-of-influence constituents, as well, once a year or when your conducting research to strengthen your brand and key strategic issues.

Have you ever asked and answered the “king” question? Were you surprised by the results?

Author Harold J. Seymour wrote, “Leaders are the ones who keep faith with the past, keep step with the present and keep the promise to posterity.”

What are you doing to keep step with today and keep that promise of your brand and your business for the future?

With the addition of one new product sampling program, one of our clients realized a 28% growth in their business last year.

Did you know that a positive sampling experience (whether you’re selling a product or service) is one of the most powerful of all marketing tools?

What are you doing to create sampling opportunities?

It’s essential to know why customers say “yes” to you and…equally so…why customers say “no.”

These are two important questions in our strategic evaluation, when we’re assessing a new client’s current situation and as part of our periodic evaluations and strategic planning. 

Without knowing the answers to both questions, all that is communicated through marketing and sales is vulnerable and potentially handicapped. Yet, it’s common to see these questions have not been asked, at least for some time.

Do you know why people are saying “yes” and “no” to you?

When was the last time you asked?