The danger of being more creative

Be more creative!

I hate it when people say that.

I'm all for creativity. No question, we need more of it. Everywhere -- business, government, and especially nonprofits.

The idea of being more creative should get us excited, like a racehorse at the starting gate. We should feel freedom and energy to tackle challenges in new ways, to think big, to broaden our horizons.

But it seldom works that way when someone says Be more creative.

Because, sadly, what "be more creative" really means, almost every time you hear it, is this: Do the work in a way nobody has ever done it before.

Examples of what "be more creative" has meant in real-life fundraising:

• Leave out the reply coupon. It's not creative.
  
• Don't ask donors for specific amounts of money. That's old hat.
• Let's stop doing boring old uncreative direct mail. Social media is way more creative.

In other words, "I'm bored with the conventions. I want change."

That's not freedom. It doesn't help you think big. It never opens up new vistas. It's just a ticket for the express train to fundraising failure.

Here's why: When you ignore the body of knowledge we have about fundraising and about donors, your chance of spectacular failure skyrockets. No matter how "creative" it is.

An inexperienced tennis player hates the net. It's just in the way; you keep hitting the ball into it. And don't get me started about the boundary lines -- the game would be so much more fun without them!

An experienced tennis player loves the net. And the lines. Because they give the game shape, focus, and speed.

The truly creative fundraiser works with the knowledge we have. It gives focus to your creativity and innovation.

So be more creative. But in the smart, innovative, knowledge-based way.

Comments

[Jen Filla]

I loved your post! I'll be the first one to want to take a risk - who can't stand being told "that's the way we've always done it". But sometimes the same old thing is working - well. And sometimes it isn't. There's wisdom in knowing the difference. Thanks for the insight!