The Ask: How to Ask for Support for Your Nonprofit Cause,
Creative Project, or Business Venture
About Laura’s New Book
Asking is every aspect of our lives. It should be as natural as walking, having an enjoyable conversation, smiling, and breathing…but I know for many of you it is the one thing you dread the most.
During my wonderful experience of speaking and training people on how to Ask, using all the tools laid out in the first book, The ASK: How to Ask Anyone for Any Amount for Any Purpose, it became crystal clear that in addition to learning how to ask for money to support a non-profit, hundreds of people asked me if the same principles apply if you are asking for money for a creative project; asking for advice; asking for a promotion, raise, new job title; asking for feedback, in short….Asking for everyday living. Well this new book will cover it all, from non-profits that need restricted and unrestricted money; to businesses that need their sales and marketing forces to craft their asks that results in enhanced sales: and to the individual who has dreams, and goals, and a strong desire to have the best and most fulfilling personal and professional life possible, with the help of a little financial backing…of course.
The uniqueness of this book is that it will show that there is much to be learned on how to ASK in the non-profit sector, the business sector, and the everyday living sector. By that I mean so often board members drop their expertise and skills in their businesses when they attend a charity board meeting. Why? We have so much to learn in the non-profit world from their skills and expertise that can help us be more business-like in approaching select donors. Conversely, the business sector can learn a great deal on how fundraisers identify, cultivate, and ask donors, (clients in the business world), for money, for an opportunity to invest in the non-profit and all the satisfying rewards that go along with establishing and solidifying long-term relationships. What boggles my mind is seeing and hearing how many people, regardless if you are in the non-profit or business sector who cannot ask for something that is important and personal, such as medical advice, a raise, a promotion, or to financially support an independent film, a new play, a concert, or art exhibit, because they are afraid of rejection, afraid of offending someone, and most importantly, afraid to examine their views on money and what emotions that brings up for them.
Well this book I am most certain will be the bridge across all these sectors that will make Asking for anything, easy, enjoyable, meaningful, and rewarding. As you can tell I have written this book in an extremely conversational style, so that it is more inviting and enjoyable for you to learn. Trust me, I take any ASK extremely seriously and I by no means want to imply that in certain circumstances you will need to work with challenging people during the ASK and that this takes time, focus, and dedication. This is why I have organized the book in a very logical and progressive fashion so that you can follow along and experience the sequence of steps that need to be taken before, during, and after the ASK.
If you believe that you and your organization are worthy of the vital resources you need to be successful…read on and feel confident knowing you will learn how to ASK for what you Need and Deserve.
Praise for Laura’s New Book
“It’s surprising how simple the formula for success is when you boil it down to its basic elements. You have to know your objectives, think through all the details, have a plan for action, follow through and follow up. What’s more surprising is how elusive these simple principles are in real life, usually because people simply don’t know how to ask for what they want and deserve.
Laura Fredricks knows how to ask. I watched her put her methods into action at Pace University, where I sit on the Board of Trustees, in running a major capital campaign. More important for the readers of this book, she knows how to coach others to get the results they want. Her strategies for success apply equally to the business and the nonprofit world, the institutional and the personal spheres, and this book translates those strategies into concrete advice about how to turn your goals into action, no matter what the setting.”
—Ivan Seidenberg
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Verizon
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“Do you want to think bigger about who you are and what you offer the world? Of course, you do. Then you need to do the work but you shouldn’t do it alone. That’s why you must be able to ask for help. Laura’s book will show you how to do so with grace and strength. Highly recommended.”
—Michael Port
New York Times Bestselling Author of The Think Big Manifesto
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“In her new book The ASK, Fredricks, who teaches her winning strategies to organizations world-wide, shows people in both the business and nonprofit worlds how to make asking for anything easy, meaningful, and rewarding. She covers nearly every type of asking situations from million-dollar campaigns to funding a new business to getting a raise.”
–NYC Resident Magazine
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“Unless you ask, how can you know that the road is open for business?”
—Maria Isabel De Guzman Vendrell
Certified Yoga Teacher IYT
Puerto Rico
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“Asking for money is something everyone else is supposed to do—not the artist, the performer. Wrong—while I resist learning how to do the task for myself it is the only way I can be sure I can fulfill my ideas, my dreams, my goals of where I want to perform. Read this book with me and we both will learn and get what we want.”
—Jay Clayton
Jazz Vocalist and Educator
New York
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“When my patients ask me questions I am able to help them so much more effectively and tailor my expertise to their needs. In the end they are relieved of pain and I am gratified that I could help them much more quickly because…they ASKED Great Questions.”
—Dr. Pam A. Charles
Rehabilitative Neurological Specialist
New York
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“In my experience asking is all about imparting a sense of urgency and making your ask crystal clear and positive, not apologetic or assuming the person will be offended. Laura gives great examples of how to make each ask a positive experience for the asker…and the person being asked.”
—John E Möller
Director Office of Protocol
The University of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia
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“Laura is the wizard of strategic fundraising and this is a guidebook for all of us to use in every day matters whether it’s asking for a raise or negotiating with our partner. Seasoned executives as well as newbies in the business world will benefit from this compendium on how to get what you want out of life—just by asking.”
—Donna Weaver, Founder, WeaverWorks, Yardley, Pennsylvania
former corporate communications executive in the apparel industry
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“This book is a clear, road map for initiating and making the ask in the not-for-profit and business sectors. As the President of an Executive Recruitment Firm, this book is an invaluable resource for planning your career and landing your best job.”
—Gail L. Freeman
President, Freeman Philanthropic Services
New York
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“I teach face-to-face solicitation. I do face-to-face solicitation as a volunteer. And I work with my clients to get them to do face-to-face solicitation as part of their annual fundraising program.
Laura’s book is very helpful to organizations that realize this is a must-do in any effective fund development program. And, the book helps you reduce your fears.
The book is filled with great examples with specific language to use. Check out the wonderful responses that Laura provides when a prospect expresses concern or doubt or delay. Use the handy lists to find the right solicitors, identify the best prospects, and more.
Read this book if you want to improve your face-to-face solicitation program — or start one.”
–Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE. Author of Keep Your Donors: The Guide to Better Communications and Stronger Relationships; and Strategic Fund Development: Building Profitable Relationships That Last.
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ISBN 0-7879-7856-6
US $39.95
www.josseybass.com
Wiley, John & Sons, Inc.
Published January 2006