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Whether asking for a sponsor, a silent auction donation, or recruiting volunteers, there are three "P"s to keep in mind when writing your requests.

1. Be Positive - In today's world it is easy to get caught up in difficulties or problems, whether it be in why you need to hold a fundraiser or in the difficulties in procuring the volunteers and donations that you need. Re-read your piece and confirm that every request and fact is viewed from a positive angle. Be the "glass half-full person." Enthusiasm and optimism are catching and a positive attitude will lead to better results than a guilt-ridden or depressing request.

2. Personalize - Why is reality TV so popular? We are social by nature and curious about others. This is your cause. Don't forget to include why this is so important to you. If possible, include a personal story or anecdote. The more the reader feels connected, the more they will be inclined to want to be included.

3. Proofread: perhaps the easiest task to perform and one of the most neglected. If you are a parent, you will undoubtedly have spent hours reminding your child to proofread their work before turning it in. The same should apply to your writing as well. After working on a brochure, letter or information sheet, the first inclination is to send it off as soon as possible. Try to leave room so that you have at least a day before distributing your writing, at the very least give yourself a few hours.

If you read over a piece immediately after writing it, knowing what you intended to say is so ingrained that you will automatically pass over errors. Coming back after a break will allow you to see the piece fresh and you'll be surprised what you may catch.

Another trick-of-the-trade is to read the document out loud. Having the added sense of hearing incorporated into your proofreading will catch many minor errors that can stand out like a soar thumb to your reader.

Take a moment to be positive, personal, and proofread. These three small steps will be huge contributors to getting your event off to a terrific start. PearlBids v8.1 makes it easy for you to fine-tune your text in advance and then send it out to as many contacts as you'd like.