Let's face it folks: 2023 could be a tough year for corporate partnerships. It could even be more challenging than trying to figure out what's next for HBO's hit TV show White Lotus. Fortunately, I know a corporate partnership AND White Lotus expert. Brittany Hill from Accelerist! ➡️ ➡️ Weeks before the finale aired, Brittany told me EXACTLY what was going to happen on the show! She was crazy accurate on everything.? With these types of powers ?, and her immense well-known expertise in corporate partnerships, who else would be better to tell us EXACTLY what will happen in the partnersh ..read more

I'd wager a coffee (a fancy one too!) that you are not spending enough time thinking about how to get people to open your emails. With more and more emails flooding people's inboxes these days, how can you get yours to stand out and get opened? One tactic that I believe has worked for me and others is using an "emoji identity" in my subject line. For some time now, in the subject line of my newsletter I've used these emojis: ?? ? = Selfish ? = Giving I'm not alone in using an emoji identity. The popular Marketing Brew (part of Morning Brew) always uses a ☕️ emoji in its subject line.   ..read more

    In my last newsletter of 2022 we had a contest . I got a ton of responses! I think about 75% of you said I was the wise ass on the right. Sorry, but I'm the one ON THE LEFT!  ? From the group of people that chose correctly, I randomly chose three people to receive Selfish Giving t-shirts. ?? Congratulations to the winners! ?? TOM MURPHY KARL ZIEGENFUS LAURA ATWELL Hit reply to this newsletter and share your t-shirt size and your address and I will get the shirt right out to you! A big thanks to all who participated. Several of you remarked how fun it was to have a cont ..read more

    Just a quick note this week wishing everyone a very happy holiday season. Whatever you celebrate this time of year, I am wishing you the very best in health and happiness for the season and for the New Year. I am very thankful for all of you! I count you all as a Christmas miracle! Just a heads up that I will NOT be publishing a newsletter next Wednesday, December 28th. I'll be back in your inbox on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Now, about that picture at the top. I haven't shared it in a few years. One of those precious kids is me circa 1972. The other is my really ugly identical ..read more

Last week I reported on CVS being accused of fundraising fraud at checkout. While I think its likely CVS will be vindicated of the charges, there are a few takeaways we should all keep in mind for future checkout charity programs. ❌ Companies shouldn't soley rely on consumer donations. While CVS pledged to make up any shortfall for the $10 million they agreed to raise, there was no direct pledge of dollars from CVS to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Frankly, it looks better when the company makes an upfront donation. Think of it as a sort of prerequisite for doing checkout charity. In ..read more

2023 is right around the corner. Here are three things you can do RIGHT NOW to be better at partnership sales in the new year. ☑️ Strive for more consistency. If you want more consistent success in your partnership program, you need more consistency in your actions. This means dedicating time every day to prospecting, cultivating, and closing partners. No excuses. ✅ Start creating checklists. Checklists reminds you of what works and keeps you from making silly mistakes. Start with my Partnership Solicitation Map (PSA) and break the sales process down further with an actionable checkl ..read more

The #1 emotion you have to deal with in almost every partnership meeting is FEAR. The prospect's fear that you're not the right partner The prospect's fear that you'll make them look stupid The prospect's fear that you don't know what you are doing The prospect's fear that a bad partnership will get them fired How will you address the prospect's fears? ✅ You have to assure the prospect that you are the right partner. This means not only talking about yourself, but also discussing alternatives they are considering and why each one comes up short compared to you. ✅ You have to show the ..read more

FACT: I have yet to meet a partnership professional that didn't salivate at the prospect of getting ACTUAL PROOF that a nonprofit partnership helped a company sell more stuff. Everyone wants this! When I'm writing partnership case studies, most nonprofits request: "Can you ask if the partnership has helped them sell more XYZ?" I get the desire to want to know. I really do. But I've concluded that you may not want to know the answer for two important reasons. 1️⃣ Based on my own experience asking many, many corporate partners this very question, 95% of the time the answer will be a hard NO (or ..read more

Who are your Perfect Partnership Prospects (PPP)??? Do you have a list of them that you refer to often? Are you creating content specifically for them to get them on board? Are you connecting with other people within the company so you have multiple touch points? I ask because I had a great conversation last month with JOANN about their partnership with the National 4-H Council (4-H). Yeah, I'm talking about that JOANN - the nation’s category leader in sewing and fabrics and one of the fastest-growing competitors in the arts and crafts industry. They have 850 stores across 49 states and a robu ..read more

One of the things I really enjoy about writing case studies is I get exposed to all kinds companies and how they raise money for their respective partners. Last week I had a great conversation with a large retailer (1000+ stores) about its checkout charity program and how they absolutely blew the lid off their fundraising goal. Here are four solid lessons that could help you smash the record of your next checkout charity program! ???? ? Confirm your hunch about your partner. “One of the reasons our employees are so successful in asking customers to donate is because they know, love, and have p ..read more