the most underused tool in your donor communications toolbox: the voice note.

We’re living in a world where most of our communication is quick, typed, and easy to ignore. Emails pile up. Texts get skimmed or forgotten. Reminders, notifications, and all the digital noise make it harder than ever to actually connect.

But there’s one little tool hiding in plain sight on your iPhone that can cut through all of it: the voice note.

Seriously. The voice note is a game-changer when it comes to donor communication.

Here’s why.

Your Voice = Emotion

Your voice carries warmth. It carries sincerity, excitement, gratitude—emotion. And emotion is what drives giving. No matter how beautifully you write an email, it’ll never quite land the way your voice does when you say, “I just wanted to let you know how much your support meant this week. Thank you.”

A voice note takes 20 seconds to record, but it can make someone feel seen, valued, and genuinely appreciated. It’s personal. It’s human. It’s memorable.

You Can’t Ignore a Voice

Let’s be honest: it’s easier to scroll past a text or swipe away an email notification. But when someone sees a voice message pop up—they’re more likely to listen. And once they do, they hear you. That’s powerful.

I’ve had donors respond to a voice note with things like, “That made my day,” or “I really needed to hear that.” And it wasn’t because I said anything groundbreaking—it was because they heard me. My tone. My energy. My genuine gratitude.

Tech That Actually Connects

In many ways, advancing technology is making us more disconnected. But this is one of those rare moments where tech gives us a tool to reconnect in a deeper way.

The voice note feature on mobile phones is such a simple, humanizing way to stay in touch with your donors. It’s not about replacing phone calls or handwritten notes. It’s about adding another layer to your stewardship strategy that’s quick, scalable, and heartfelt.

A Few Tips to Get You Started:

• Keep it short. 15–30 seconds is perfect. It’s a quick check-in, not a podcast.

• Be natural. Don’t overthink your message. Just speak like you would to a friend.

• Be specific. Mention something timely—a recent event, a gift, a shared moment.

• Don’t be afraid to show emotion. That’s the whole point!