Make It Sing Right From the Start (or What Would The Beatles Do?)

We all know it’s important for our messages to start strong, right out of the gate. Paying outsized attention to how you open your message is well worth it. Below you will find a hopefully helpful set of ten suggested ways to launch your nonprofit message. But first, let’s take a cue from the art of songwriting. 

The late Sheila Davis, a legendary lyric writing coach, offered aspiring songwriters this advice: 

“Start strong. In a three-minute song there isn’t
a second to waste on rambling words.

“Your lyric must quickly do two things: make
contact with your listener, and then make him
want to hear more.”   

Using popular songs from her era to illustrate, Davis outlined seven ways to start a song. A couple of examples: You can start by asking a question  (“Do you know the way to San Jose?”) Or you can make a suggestion or request (“Take out the papers and the trash.”)

To check out this advice (and have a little fun), I took a boomer’s look at whether and how the Beatles used these seven approaches. Sure enough. They’re all there:

Drawing partly on the above list, here are ten ways (with accompanying examples) to start your nonprofit message so that it sings right from the start.

Next time you draft a message, try using these different approaches to find one that best fits your message. Then do what lyric writing coach Davis recommends:

☐ Don’t waste a minute on rambling words.

☐ Make an immediate connection with your audience.

☐ And make them want to hear more.