Filed under: Networking
A short while back, my friend Joe Kennedy asked several church planters–via our Facebooks–for pointers on writing a proposal. I do not think Joe is writing a textbook. His request had a serious tone in that it was direct and to the point; something many proposals lack.
I answered immediately that I have seen very few (none?) I really like. I was about to send Joe an answer, but realized it might be better for me to do the work I’d already promised out. Now, I have a moment–3 days later, 10:00PM, which tells you something of my lack of time management lately.
First, watch this brief talk on fund raising from a self-titled “serial investor” David Rose: Ted.com
(http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/david_s_rose_on_pitching_to_vcs.html)
Now integrate what Mr. Rose taught into what you are trying to do, which is raise money to support your new church, business, club, whatever. The main reason I have rarely seen a proposal I liked is that I have rarely seen one that made me want to reach for my wallet. Even if I have no money, your proposal should make me want to give you something of value. Money comes to mind first because it’s easily accessible–I’m usually sitting on some. I could also give advice, connections, or ongoing coaching–each is valuable and few are ever requested.
Here are the elements I crave.
- Purpose statement–what are you trying to do?
- Vision–what is the end that you have in mind?
- Leadership–what makes me think you can pull this off?
- Market conditions–what’s it like where you’re going? Who is your audience? Why will they buy what you’re selling? Why is it in that package (church model)?
- Strategy and tactics–how will you do it?
- WIFM (an investor’s favorite radio station): What’s in it for me? In business, investors expect a return. I expect to know that you will build something about which I care.
- Partnerships and alliances–who else is in on this? Include coaching and assessment for the future–no coach, no money.
- Expected outcomes and potential barriers–what’s likely to happen and what will get in the way?
- Values–what will you measure? How is status granted at your place?
- Funding request–how much will it cost, and when do you need it?
- Self-sufficiency–when will you be off the dole?
- Timeline–what happens when?
All this is nice package. No typos. Photos, charts and graphs in color. I know about graphics, and yours better be good. I also know about fluff and your proposal better have none. Say it all in less than 15 pages including the nice cover. Package it in PDF format so I can open it, and put it online because I will probably lose my copy. I do not need a hard copy, but many people do–make friends at Kinko’s.
Hope that helps.
Filed under: Productive Life
A guy in the publishing biz once told me what kind of books I should write in order to get published (by his major publishing house). He told me to write things I do not want to write, have no passion about, and can easily crank out. Read that: “For the money.”
Where I come from we call that “selling out.” Maybe that’s why Jesus never wrote a book. He could not see himself selling out. Maybe that’s why Paul wrote material the Scribes refused to publish. I’m not in the same league as Jesus or Paul, (no lashed for me, thank you) but I really do not want to write stuff just because I can and a publisher tells me it will sell. Since when do publishers have a clue or care about world-changing? Publishers tried to keep the Bible out of print–did you know that?
Along comes the Internet! Aha moments burst forth all over the planet. Suddenly, the publishers are going belly up, and voices of the people are being heard.
Today, I found doxtop.com free, open access publishing. I am elated. This is what the Internet was made to do. No longer are we bound to read things edited and sequestered by elitist others. The printing press is digital. Let the market decide who is good, not some suit in NY or Nashville.
The day will soon arrive when it’s no longer a snooty deal to be published. Not long from now, people will sell their stuff online, and (here’s the kicker) they will make more money than they did with Mr. Snootypants publisher. Another friend told me he received a whopping 10-30 cents per copy for the books he published (and he is a writer who is published frequently). His last book sold well and netted him only a few thousand dollars. Not much for a year’s work.
I told him to sell his next book online for $10 per copy. He will make significantly more with significantly less hassle, even if he sells 1/3 as many books. Of course, he will not have the title of whiz bang published book dude. He will just be able to afford vacations in Hawaii and college for his kids. The day is here–check it out www.doxtop.com.
Filed under: Networking
Brad's Zero Award T
I am inspired by one of my former students. Brad is planting a church in Alabama. He wants people to know Christ more than he wants them to do or stop doing other things, like gambling. Wait, don’t hold his funding yet. Brad thinks that knowing Jesus personally is the best cure for distructive behavior. He is frustrated that so many in our tribe seem to think otherwise. He has a point.
Today, Brad writes of his frustration over a Christian newspaper that seemed to place more importance on stopping gambling than on stopping evangelistic apathy in local churches. For my (few) readers who are not crazy about evangelism, watch this - Penn Gets Bible - and shut up. There are kind ways to tell people about Christ. Before my Christian friends get all wound up, Penn also rants on legalizing marijuana, a substance from which he abstains (YouTube it). Now, before ADD gets the best of me, . . . back to Brad.
Here’s part of Brad’s blog (because I know how to cut and paste).
Today a friend showed the latest edition of …the statewide Baptist Newspaper. On the front page was an article about this huge push from the governor and other politicians, pastors and concern citizens to stop illegal gambling and prevent the spread of legal gambling in Alabama. Sounds great, and don’t get me wrong, I am not all about gambling, I’ve seen what it does to people and families to become addicted. But … it was that which was on the inside that garnered little notice, and has no where near the popular following that the anti-gambling movement does and that is this.… a list of all the Baptism [sic] in the state by church, and association: (… that is how we Baptist count “conversions” since we believe in adult/believer’s baptism.) The first thing that caught my eye was all the zeros by the individual churches. … How is it possible for a group that exists to “Make Disciples” makes none in 365 days?
Why will people who claim to know Christ mass for political rallies but run to the hills when their pastor mentions Evangelism? …I think if witnessing got you political brownie points, there would be not a single church with zeros on a report like that.
I would really like to hear from you on this. How does this make you feel?
No matter what denomination you are.
Baptist, how does this make you feel?
Non- baptist, how does this make you feel about us as a denomination?
And especially to friends that are not yet Believers, How does this make you feel about Christians?
Filed under: Productive Life
For many people, March means the beginning of Spring and the world starts looking brighter. Dull, old, depressing February is finally over! If you need to kick the blues, my friend John Thurman can help. This is a reprint from his recent newsletter (more at johnthurman.net).
| Six Drug-Free Ways to Beat Back Depression
By John Thurman, M.Div., M.A., LCMHC Feeling blue? Are you in a minor depression? Want to try and avoid medication?
With the roller coaster financial market, looming lay offs, rocky relationships and high divorces…it is no small matter that 6 million men were diagnosed with depression last year. While you should get checked out by your doctor, and might look into some short-term therapy, here are four things you can do to push back depression.
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