2. #CoalitionU
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall Blake
President
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
• Vice President of Community Affairs for
Independence Blue Cross
• UAC Board Member and co-chairs the
UAC Marketing Committee
• Over 35 years’ experience in Corporate
Management, Public Relations and Communications
• Serves as an associate minister at the Vine Memorial
Baptist Church
Hostess
4. #CoalitionU
The Power of Storytelling
• A compelling story inspires people to get
involved and gives them a reason to
support your work!
• Stories powerfully connect us to our
listeners
• Stories trigger the ancient human muscle
of the imagination
6. Organizational Storytelling:
Breaking Through the Clutter
Tim Spreitzer, SVP
Tierney
hellotierney.com
tspreitzer@tierneyagency.com
Kate O’Neil, Account Dir.
Tierney
hellotierney.com
koneil@tierneyagency.com
13. 13
“P&G understands the
importance of building an
emotional brand connection with
their customers. They also know
their target audience well and
what makes them feel.”
- Colin Shaw
CEO, Beyond Philosophy
14. 14
Put your audience first#1
Lead with your message#2
Starts with great storytelling
Anecdotes
Examples
Details
Facts
Key Message
M
B
Keep it simple#3
Constantly ask “So What?”
Met the goal;
more to do
Improved
efficiency
How many people are
still in need?
More people will be
served this year
15. 15
Give it 3 parts#4
Starts with great storytelling
Opening Body ClosingOpening Body Closing
Introduce a villain & hero#5
Use visuals when you can#6
Repeat the take-away#7
17. • The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia used story telling
to help raise awareness and drive donations to support their
summer programs through the “Christmas in July” campaign.
17
The Salvation Army
19. #CoalitionU
Putting your Story into an
Appeal Letter
• “Set the stage” for your story
• Strong opening sentence or impactful quote
• Make your letter personal
• Include organization’s mission and
accomplishments
20. #CoalitionU
Putting your Story into an
Appeal Letter
• Connect the reader emotionally
• Include 3 very clear asks throughout the letter
• Make your letter personal
• Make it easy to give
• Make the donor the hero
21. #CoalitionU
Putting your Story into an
Appeal Letter
Tactics that Work!
• Use variable data (e.g. “Dear John” vs. “Dear
Friend”)
• Include photos or images
• Indent paragraphs, use bolded
lines, italics, underline
22. #CoalitionU
Putting your Story into an
Appeal Letter
Tactics that Work!
• Read draft letter out loud to others
• Use outer envelope to create a sense of urgency
• Personalize as much as possible
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. Group Sessions
Your story should follow these guidelines:
– Articulate your organization’s mission
– No more than 2 minutes in length OR 1 -2
paragraphs
– Be compelling
– Have a call to action/Ask