No one comes to a solicitation meeting as prepared as you. As a Mission Controller, you will have done your homework on all fronts and it’ll show.
You’ll know a lot about your prospect and you’ll be conversant about your organization. You’ll have taken into account as much information as possible before settling on an amount to request.
Making an Impact as a Mission Controller
As the Analytic Introvert, plans and methods inspire you. You admire “how” your organization accomplishes great work as much as “why” it does it. You excel at setting up systems, which makes you superb at following up and following through. Donors won’t fall through the cracks when you’re involved.
As an introvert, you’ll be most comfortable reaching out to a prospect in writing first and that’s fine. Don’t let anyone tell you phone is better – it’s just another tool. Use email or a formal letter depending on the relationship. You can even text if that feels right though, as a Mission Controller, you’ll probably find texts insufficient.
Perhaps your greatest strength is your ability to observe. You listen intently and ask great follow up questions, engaging your prospects and making them feel heard.
One caution, you can get a bit mechanical and apply systems where customization is key. Every donor is unique and deserves personalized attention – including writing all your correspondence from scratch.
Don’t let efficiency get in the way of good relationship-building.
Asking Matters is the first time I’ve ever seen fundraising training address my introverted, detail-oriented personality (Mission Controller), though I have a Masters degree in Nonprofit Management and have worked in nonprofits for 20 years. Prior to Asking Matters, I’ve always felt I needed to be a Rainmaker to be a fundraiser, a shoe that just doesn’t fit and I can’t wear well.
Wendy Kang, Executive Director
Saving Grace, Winchester, Oregon
Your Secondary Asking Style Makes a Difference
If your Secondary Asking Style is Rainmaker, the other analytic Style, you come uber-prepared with all the facts and figures, outcomes and strategies.
But visionary and personal stories are important as well, so take the time to meet with program staff or participants so you can share their experiences with your prospects.
If your Secondary Asking Style is Kindred Spirit, you’re particularly introverted and have a strong tendency to listen rather than speak.
While generally this is an asset as it’s more important to learn from the prospect than it is to talk about the organization, sometimes you’re too cautious about asking questions and probing. Most people enjoy being asked about themselves.
