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Chris Stoddard
International Speaker, Author & Charity Fundraising Specialist - CEO @ RaiseMore - £20m+ raised for charities globally -
Professional Background
Chris Stoddard’s career journey is a testament to his belief in the power of compassion and support for individual dreams. Beginning his professional path as a Law Lecturer, Chris had the enriching experience of guiding enthusiastic students towards achieving qualifications that would significantly shape their careers. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for writing, leading him to transition into the role of a Book Editor. Sensing the need to expand his boundaries, Chris took the bold step of establishing his own publishing company, focusing primarily on direct mail sales. This endeavor not only honed his writing skills but also allowed him to perfect the art of crafting compelling copy that catalyzed successful conversions. In 1983, after selling the company, Chris took a brief hiatus from the corporate world, returning once again to his roots in Herefordshire where he engaged in cider-making. This period served as a reflective interlude, allowing him to contemplate his next career moves.
Upon returning to the professional scene, Chris's strong desire to make a positive impact led him into the realm of charity copywriting. His commitment to using his talents to benefit communities and support causes close to his heart culminated in the formation of RaiseMore, an organization dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized charities with the fundraising prowess typically reserved for major organizations. Under Chris’s leadership, RaiseMore has distinguished itself by enabling numerous charities to flourish and exponentially increase their impact, embodying his philosophy that while one may not be able to help everyone, everyone can certainly help someone.
Education and Achievements
Chris's academic background laid a solid foundation for his successful career in law and, subsequently, in writing and fundraising. He pursued a Bachelor of Law at the prestigious University of Birmingham, where he not only learned the intricacies of law but also nurtured skills that would later prove invaluable in his various professional pursuits. Chris also attended Rydal School, an experience that likely bolstered his academic and critical thinking skills.
Throughout his career, Chris has earned multiple accolades that highlight his exemplary work in the field of charity fundraising and direct mail copywriting. Among his notable accomplishments are Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards at the Direct Response Creative Awards for his work with esteemed organizations such as Help the Aged, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and BTCV. These awards stand as a testament to his innovative writing and strategic approach to raising awareness and funds for vital causes.
In addition to his writing accolades, Chris has contributed to shaping future generations of fundraisers as a contributor to The Open University's Fundraising course. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker, leading him to present at numerous fundraising conferences worldwide, where he shares his insights and experiences with audiences eager to learn from his success.
Achievements
Chris’s journey is marked by a dedication to his craft and an unwavering commitment to community service. Through his multi-award-winning contributions, he has been recognized as a leading figure in charitable fundraising, particularly in crafting effective direct mail campaigns that resonate with donors and inspire action. His work has not only garnered awards but has also made a significant impact, helping small charities reach their potential and enhance their visibility.
As a partner at Fundraising Blueprint, Chris continues to expand his influence in the fundraising landscape, offering innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by small and medium charities. In his previous roles as CEO at My Pet Matters and CSDM LIMITED, Chris led initiatives that fostered community engagement and awareness, further demonstrating his dedication to meaningful endeavors.
Driven by an intrinsic motivation to help those around him, Chris lives out Winston Churchill's declaration: "Never, never, never give up." His philosophy revolves around the belief that with determination and passion, anyone can achieve their dreams. His mantra serves not only as inspiration for himself but also as a rallying cry for those he mentors and supports in their endeavors.
In conclusion, Chris Stoddard’s multidimensional professional background is characterized by impactful education, rich experiences in law and writing, and an unwavering commitment to charitable causes. His journey from a law lecturer to a multi-award-winning copywriter and fundraising entrepreneur showcases his dedication to empowering others while pursuing his passions. As he continues to inspire, educate, and create lasting change, Chris reminds us all of the profound impact that one individual can have on the world around them.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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Clay's AI capabilities are at the forefront of personal CRM innovation. Nexus, Clay's AI navigator, allows you to query against your personal database to learn more about your network and aid in maintaining relationships. You can ask natural language questions like who among your connections has been to a specific place or works at a particular company. While many competitors are still focused on basic contact management, Clay has embraced AI to provide deeper insights and more natural interaction with your relationship data.
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