If you haven't done Step 1 yet, go here.


We think we know what our supporters want or expect of us. Is that true? Best way to find out is to ask them. That's what this step is all about.

The whole point of this is, “No more assumptions and no more setting bars that aren’t real.”

  

Write a few survey questions.

  • Here are some examples.  

  • Resist the urge to offer cultivation methods you dislike or find draining, no matter how much you think you "should" be doing them. Be free, my friend!

  • Consider your capacity. For example, don't offer monthly prayer letters or quarterly phone calls if that's not something you can do. 

  • Encourage open-ended feedback.
    Maybe you love to write, so your prayer letters are a novel. And maybe your support team would appreciate seeing you take that gift of writing and put it into a short Instagram post or text message instead. It's ok to ask what they'd appreciate LESS of, alongside asking what they'd appreciate MORE of. 

Send that survey. 

Send a little or a lot.
You might have to use a few or all of these methods to get a good sampling of respondents:

  • Google form: Here's how to create & send. Good for surveying a lot of people. Can send link via text, email, social or all. 

  • Standard text message: Good for surveying a few people / quick, short responses. Higher response rate. 
  • Standard email: Good for surveying a lot of people / longer responses. Lower response rate. 
  • Phone call: Good for surveying a few people and getting in-depth responses. 
    You might have to use a few or all of these methods to get a response from each donor type. 
  • Friends & Fam. People who were your friends & family before you joined staff.
  • The Executive. Higher-capacity donor. Usually in an executive or leadership profession. 
  • The Adopter. Those who tend to respond to your prayer letters. 
  • The Cricket. Those who never respond to anything. Hint: Ask for their advice.

 

Review Insights.

What did you learn from this exercise? Anything surprising? How good were you at predicting what your supporters wanted? Any areas where you were way off base? 

Consider discussing your findings with an MTD coach, a teammate, or your spouse.


Update your "Likes List"

Compare your "Likes List" to your supporter's insights. 

What's the same? What's different? Ask the Lord to reveal how your strengths/likes can minister to your supporter's needs. 

Writing: Maybe you love writing, but discovered your supporters prefer short updates. How could you minister that strength to your supporter's need? Maybe you could blog, but send a text with a short description and a link to read more? Or move toward writing short, but more frequent updates on a social platform in a private group just for supporters? 

Videos: Maybe you enjoy making videos, but some supporters would prefer a call every once in a while. How about turn that into a video call to meet both of your needs? 

Deep connection: Maybe you enjoy deep connection but discovered only a handful of supporters enjoy that as well. Great! Free yourself from thinking you have to offer this to everyone. 

Prayer: Maybe you love to pray, but you have some supporters who want to hear from you more often. How about calling or texting to pray for them? 

Here are more ideas on Creative Ways to Connect With Supporters.

Yes, it's going to take some creative thinking. All you need are 3-5 cultivation activities. Consider bringing an MTD coach, teammate, or your spouse into the process. You can do this. 


Next → Step 3: Create Your Custom Cultivation Plan