Research indicates time and again that personal stories are a very powerful way to communicate, engage and inspire. But while personal stories almost always effectively tug at heartstrings, supporters often need to be expressly told how they can impact your story's ending before they'll be motivated to take action.

Steve Daigneault of M + R Strategic Services tells us how to make the supporter 'feel' in order to ensure both their empathy and their active involvement in your fundraising efforts:

MAKE THEM FEEL HAPPY
ie. 'You'll' not only help us reach our goal, you'll change our situation.'

MAKE THEM FEEL IMPORTANT
ie. 'Support us and we'll keep you updates on our future activities and growth.'

MAKE THEM FEEL ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING SUCCESS
ie. 'We saved 60 homeless animals who needed food and shelter. Together, we can save even more.'

MAKE THEM FEEL INCLUDED
ie. 'Jennifer Smith, Ted Johnson and Janis Doe have already joined in our cause. You can too.'

For more on this topic, request M + R Strategic Services' free e-book called, Storytelling and the Art of Email Writing.