--- title: "What's Wrong with \"Ask > Thank > Report > Repeat\"" description: "What's Wrong with \"Ask > Thank > Report > Repeat\"" image: https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/file-3555669812-jpg/blog-files/istock_000041441090small-300x199.jpg --- ### Get weekly nonprofit marketing ideas straight to your inbox ** [301.289.3670](tel:+1-301-289-3670) / [888.618.2015](tel:+1-888-618-2015) [**Contact](http://imarketsmart.com/contact-us) [**  Careers](http://imarketsmart.com/careers) - - - [![Imarketsmart](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logo-basic-300x451.png?width=300&height=45&name=logo-basic-300x451.png "Imarketsmart")](http://imarketsmart.com/) [Get a Demo](http://imarketsmart.com/request-a-demo/) # Marketsmart Blog # What's Wrong with "Ask > Thank > Report > Repeat" ![Old Way or New Way](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/file-3555669812-jpg/blog-files/istock_000041441090small-300x199.jpg?width=300&height=199&name=istock_000041441090small-300x199.jpg)My pal [Steven Screen](http://betterfundraisingcompany.com/) is one of the best fundraising copywriters in the U.S. Seriously! He and his friend [Jeff Brooks](http://www.futurefundraisingnow.com/) have a [great podcast called Fundraising Is Beautiful](http://www.fundraisingisbeautiful.com/). You might want to check it out. One of the things they like to promote is their rule of thumb for effective fundraising: **Ask > Thank > Report > Repeat**   I like this concept. It's smart! We all know that too many nonprofits just ""Ask > Ask > Ask. So, "Ask > Thank > Report > Repeat" is much better. But I think it's missing one very important additional element— *ENGAGEMENT*! Therefore, I think the following works better: ***Engage* > Ask > Thank > Report > Repeat** **Valuable engagement opportunities will involve your supporters on a deep, emotional level. ** Here are just a few ideas to show you what I mean. You can provide: - Offers to get involved (such as a chance to volunteer) - Offers to participate in events (such as walks, rides, golf outings, galas) - Offers to take a tour (of a hospital, for instance) - Offers to watch a video - Offers to download an eBook or infographic - Offers to send a letter to Congress (for advocacy) - Offers that give supporters a chance to tell their story (so they can explain why they care) - Offers that give supporters a chance to give you their feedback (via a donor survey) - Offers that give supporters a chance to meet you, your staff, your volunteers, or your leadership (face-to-face, via a webinar or a Google Hangout) - And others offers... the list is endless **Sadly, most fundraising is absent meaningful engagement because it's time-consuming.** But, nowadays you can leverage technology to provide fantastic one-to-many engagements. Without engagement your relationship with your supporters will focus more on the transaction. Engagement will bring the transactional nature of donating up a level— to a serious, emotional relationship. **What do you think?**   LIKE THIS BLOG POST? PLEASE SHARE IT AND/OR SUBSCRIBE - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **Posted by**Greg Warner February 18, 2015 [** Next](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/how-to-get-all-of-your-planned-giving-marketing-questions-answered-for-free/) [Previous **](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/5-ways-you-can-ensure-that-your-supporters-never-feel-donor-remorse/) Search this site on Google Search Google #### Get Weekly Tips ![](http://11034n4348rz28bwol8ogod8.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/majorgiftmotivatorCTA-e1438624761470.png)Get captivating motivational quotes~*hand-picked for major and planned giving fundraisers*~delivered via email every Tuesday.![](http://11034n4348rz28bwol8ogod8.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/majorgiftmotivator-tile-sidebar-image-e1438802110804.jpg) [![Get Motivated](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1716178/3152951d-d234-4e33-8af5-19882b865e06.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1716178/3152951d-d234-4e33-8af5-19882b865e06) ### JOIN THE CLUB Become a better fundraiser! 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