Ep. 04 | Get Your Donors to Pay Attention Amidst the Noise
You’re sharing your heart. You’re talking about what God is doing through your ministry. You’re inviting people to partner with you, to join the mission, to make a difference.
But instead of leaning in with curiosity and support…
You’re met with polite nods. Glazed eyes. People just aren’t hearing you.
Why Aren’t They Listening?
The truth is: your donors are good people. They care. They’re generous.
But they’re also overwhelmed with noise—emails, ads, text threads, podcasts, and nonstop notifications.
So if your message isn’t cutting through that noise, it’s not because it’s unimportant.
It’s because it’s unclear who you’re talking to.
Let me show you what I mean with a quick story.
The Airport Analogy: Tuning Out the Noise
Imagine sitting at a loud, bustling airport gate in a big city. There’s constant background noise—people talking, announcements, shuffling bags. You’re zoned out, maybe reading or scrolling your phone.
Suddenly, you hear your name.
You look up.
Who’s calling me?
Someone knows me. I need to listen.
Your ears perk up because it was personal. That message was for you.
That’s exactly what it takes to engage your donors.
They need to hear their name, metaphorically speaking. They need to feel like what you’re saying was meant for them.
So how do you “call their name” through all the digital noise?
The Key: Get Clear on Your Ideal Donor
When your messaging is too broad—when you’re trying to talk to “everyone”—it lands with no one.
But when you’re specific, when you write like you’re speaking to one person, that is when the magic happens.
Here’s a 4-step framework to help you identify and speak directly to your ideal donor:
1. Think of Your Favorite Donor
Think about the donor who truly “gets it.”
The one who doesn’t just give—they care. They check in. They want updates. They celebrate wins with you. They’re invested in your mission.
That’s your ideal donor.
Start with them. Use their traits to shape the person you’re speaking to in your messaging.
2. Clarify Their Demographics
Go beyond just “middle-aged woman.” Get detailed:
Gender (or couple, if they give as a unit)
Age range
Marital status
Do they have kids? Grandkids?
Education level
Income range
All of these shape how they communicate, what they respond to, and how they make giving decisions.
3. Understand Their Emotional Priorities
Now get to the heart:
What do they care deeply about?
Do they value faith? Family? Simplicity? Innovation? Legacy?
Do they want their giving to feel effective and meaningful?
For example, entrepreneurs often value efficiency and impact. Parents may prioritize safety and legacy. Grandparents may care about passing on values.
Speak to what matters to them—not just to you.
4. What Do They Want That You Can Help Them With?
This step is crucial:
What do they want that your ministry helps them achieve?
Maybe they want to:
Make a meaningful difference
Help vulnerable kids
Spread the gospel
Fulfill their purpose
Leave a legacy of generosity
Your ministry helps people. But your donor wants to be a part of that. Show them how their gift creates their own transformation—fulfilling their desire to matter, to live on mission, to help others.
Bonus Step: Give Your Donor a Name
Yes, seriously. Give your ideal donor a name. “Nick,” “Casey,” “Anna,” whatever fits.
Why? Because when you write a donor email, film a video, or write a post, you’ll have someone specific in mind.
What would Nick want to hear about? How can I get Nick’s attention? What would Nick think about this email… this post… this title?
You’ll write with clarity. And it’ll feel personal to your readers—because it is.
Why This Works
Once you’re crystal clear on your ideal donor, here’s what happens:
✅ You start using language that sounds like them
✅ You describe problems and desires they personally relate to
✅ You stop sounding like a vague announcement and start sounding like a trusted friend
And most importantly:
You cut through the noise.
They hear you.
They see themselves in your story.
And they respond.
Ready for Clarity?
If you’re thinking, “This sounds great, but I need help putting it all together,”—I’ve got you.
Through my 1-on-1 coaching, I’ll guide you step-by-step to:
Identify your ideal donor
Build your ministry’s brand story
Use that story to create messaging that grows your support
➡️ Start with a free discovery call at irisstorytelling.com/get-started
And if you want a quick way to evaluate your current messaging, grab the free Ministry Message Checklist to see where you’re losing people and how to fix it.
Final Word
When you stop shouting into the crowd and start calling someone by name…
That’s when they’ll finally hear you.
You don’t need louder messaging.
You need clearer, more personal, more strategic messaging.
And when you get that clarity—donors listen. And join. And give.
-Lisa