Raise Your Voice: A Cause Manifesto

An important book you'll want to keep handy and reference regularly if you're serious about connecting meaningfully with your audience and the world at large. In Raise Your Voice, Brian does a phenomenal job articulating a set of powerful principles that any brand can use to strengthen their overall communication strategy. And don't be fooled. While the book is mainly geared towards non-profits, the ideas inside are definitely universal enough to benefit any brand or marketer who applies them. So don't skip out.

I read "Raise Your Voice" in one sitting. Brian's eloquent manifesto for non-profits is equally applicable to for-profits. It's not a how-to-book, thank goodness! We have enough of those. Brian makes you stop and think about the purpose and mission of your organization - why you exist in the first place and how you fit into the ecosystem around you. We so often mistakenly confuse our organization with the cause itself - a big mistake. Brian makes it simple and clear and powerful. This is a must read for anyone, regardless of industry or sector. Please, read it!!!!

Such a powerful book. I run a school-based competitive robotics club that depends on donations. This book has given me such great insight into how we should be communicating with our sponsors and donors, and potential sponsors and donors! Easy to read and full of great, useful information!

I felt very inspired after reading “Raise your Voice”. I loved the theme of speaking with one voice on behalf of a meaningful cause. The book really resonated with me because of my personal connection to mission–driven strategy and design. I especially love the twelve principles that are timeless and can serve as a foundation for improving non-profit and faith-based communications. This is a gem of a book.

Great book

For non-profits looking to clarify their message and have an impact this is a very valuable read! Brian provides insights and suggestions that were very helpful for our organization. Highly recommend!

Unique ideas from a unique voice. I particularly appreciated the balance between inspiring the reader philosophically and giving very concrete advice for nonprofit PR. A must have book if you are responsible for public relations, board leadership, or program development. Loved it!

Have already used it for non-profit strategic planning. I bought a copy for each board member and had them read it prior too the strategy sessions. They loved it. Planning on presenting this book to other non-profits! I am a big fan!

If you ever served on the board of a not-for-profit this book is a must-read. Brian's Sooy leverages his experience in working for not-for-profit's to help shape your message to ensure that it will inspire those who serve.

"Raise Your Voice" is the guidebook for you. It's full of practical insight on how to help your cause fulfill its promise and invite donors to be part of the difference you make in people’s lives. This guidebook will show you how strategic communications attract, engage, and retain supporters. Filled with insights into how strategic communications attract, engage, and retain supporters, "Raise Your Voice" is a guidebook that enables your cause to fulfill its promise and invite your donors to be part of the difference you make in people’s lives. The book will teach you everything from crafting an effective message that resonates with potential donors all the way through developing strategies for retaining them as long-term partners in change.

An important book you'll want to keep handy and reference regularly if you're serious about connecting meaningfully with your audience and the world at large. In Raise Your Voice, Brian does a phenomenal job articulating a set of powerful principles that any brand can use to strengthen their overall communication strategy. And don't be fooled. While the book is mainly geared towards non-profits, the ideas inside are definitely universal enough to benefit any brand or marketer who applies them. So don't skip out.

I read "Raise Your Voice" in one sitting. Brian's eloquent manifesto for non-profits is equally applicable to for-profits. It's not a how-to-book, thank goodness! We have enough of those. Brian makes you stop and think about the purpose and mission of your organization - why you exist in the first place and how you fit into the ecosystem around you. We so often mistakenly confuse our organization with the cause itself - a big mistake. Brian makes it simple and clear and powerful. This is a must read for anyone, regardless of industry or sector. Please, read it!!!!

Such a powerful book. I run a school-based competitive robotics club that depends on donations. This book has given me such great insight into how we should be communicating with our sponsors and donors, and potential sponsors and donors! Easy to read and full of great, useful information!

I felt very inspired after reading “Raise your Voice”. I loved the theme of speaking with one voice on behalf of a meaningful cause. The book really resonated with me because of my personal connection to mission–driven strategy and design. I especially love the twelve principles that are timeless and can serve as a foundation for improving non-profit and faith-based communications. This is a gem of a book.

Great book

For non-profits looking to clarify their message and have an impact this is a very valuable read! Brian provides insights and suggestions that were very helpful for our organization. Highly recommend!

Unique ideas from a unique voice. I particularly appreciated the balance between inspiring the reader philosophically and giving very concrete advice for nonprofit PR. A must have book if you are responsible for public relations, board leadership, or program development. Loved it!

Have already used it for non-profit strategic planning. I bought a copy for each board member and had them read it prior too the strategy sessions. They loved it. Planning on presenting this book to other non-profits! I am a big fan!

If you ever served on the board of a not-for-profit this book is a must-read. Brian's Sooy leverages his experience in working for not-for-profit's to help shape your message to ensure that it will inspire those who serve.

"Raise Your Voice" is the guidebook for you. It's full of practical insight on how to help your cause fulfill its promise and invite donors to be part of the difference you make in people’s lives. This guidebook will show you how strategic communications attract, engage, and retain supporters. Filled with insights into how strategic communications attract, engage, and retain supporters, "Raise Your Voice" is a guidebook that enables your cause to fulfill its promise and invite your donors to be part of the difference you make in people’s lives. The book will teach you everything from crafting an effective message that resonates with potential donors all the way through developing strategies for retaining them as long-term partners in change.

After reading "Raise Your Voice" in one sitting, I shared it with the marketing director + a few board members at a local private school I'd been working with. They needed help understanding that they all have roles to play when it comes to marketing: First and foremost, they must be raving fans themselves who inspire others to join them in a greater mission! While most of the examples outlined in the book pertain to nonprofits, I found it especially applicable to schools—both K-12 and higher ed institutions—which often struggle to align marketing, admissions, development, and the administration around common goals. The 12 values help to accomplish this. Highly insightful and practical!

Although the author claims this is not a how-to, as an Executive Director of a non-profit, I found the book to be *better* than a that, because the principles can (and should) be applied to almost every activity we could undertake, from crafting mission/vision/purpose statements all the way down to writing a newsletter, blog post, or even tweet that will inspire, engage, and yes, fundraise. I found Mr. Sooy takes a decidedly and refreshingly relational approach that is still grounded in solid reason: "...your goal is to build relationships, through engagement, to arrive at stewardship. Marketing is too often a one-way, short-term, transactional exercise. Relationships are built through conversations and interactions to engage your audience. Marketing may tend to drive one time interaction, relationship building encourages long term engagement and stewardship...when you view engagement as a continuum, you will find that marketing will need to decrease while relationship building will increase." (selections from pp. 28, 29, 30) In that vein, I found the author's "engagement continuum" a valuable tool for considering those relationship building activities. After locating the real work of the non-profit squarely within the work of building relationships, in part two the author has 12 sections he calls his "Cause Manifesto." With simple titles like "Be Focused," "Be Meaningful," "Be Grateful," and "Be Positive," one might be tempted to think that the contents are just platitudes, but that is far from the truth. The author puts real meat to these statements (he has a skill for engaging both head and heart). I look at these 12 items as "checkpoints" or that I can use to make sure my organization is effective, meaningful, relational. Lastly, I appreciate that the author has a distinct note calling non-profits to integrity within the work we do. The author reminds us with statements like "What's on the label should reflect what's in the bottle." We've all seen what good non-profits can do when empowered to do so. Unfortunately, we've also seen massive failures and frauds, and we've all been in situations where we might be tempted to cut corners. The author empowers us that we really can "raise our voice" and do with with integrity, effectiveness, and real results for our causes.

I am very excited about Brian Sooy’s new and extremely valuable book “Raise Your Voice”: A Cause Manifesto”. I have worked in the non-profit arena most of my life and Brian's points make perfect sense to me ... he knows of what he speaks. This book should serve as a clear call to action for the non-profit community, because it is full of powerful observations about how people think and behave. “We’re informed by what speaks to our minds and thoughts; we’re inspired by what appeal to our hearts.” Brian is speaking to both my brain and my heart here … we need to know the reasons why, but we also need to feel the needs. Both cognitive and emotional motivation is important and Brian does a great job of explaining why this is so and how we can make it happen. Brian does not write like the usual leadership guru … thank goodness. Brian recognizes the need to speak to both our minds and our hearts, both internally and to those we serve. Some things have to “make sense”, while others are felt in our hearts with no proof needed. Heart and mind are both essential for the organization to survive and thrive, but too often we focus on one or the other. Nurture both the rational and the emotional … and you will succeed. “You must be certain they (your audience) understands who you are, what you do, why you matter, and what difference you make.” This speaks to the need for congruence and clarity of purpose in our actions and our communications. I have seen what happens when you either depend on others innately recognizing the value of your good cause and of trying too hard to be a “business” without the soul. Brian also talks about designing your organizational communications in comprehensive and thoughtful ways that move way past the usual corporate mumbo-jumbo. He uses the same terms we have seen elsewhere: Purpose, Mission and Values, Goals and Outcomes, and Strategy, but in a very focused way. This book is all about getting your act together by using solid design principles and effective communication strategies to craft a shared vision. Why is this important? Well, in Brian’s words: “Your organization communicates with your audience through every verbal, visual, printed, and experiential touch point, where you intend to or not.” In this highly competitive world, we cannot afford to fail in our communications. Obviously, I am sold on Brian’s book and will be applying what I am learning specifically and immediately in several venues … but don’t take my word for it that this is one valuable book. Read a sample chapter or take the plunge and dive into the entire book ... you will be glad you did. Bonus thought: While directed at non-profits, most of the valuable stuff applies quite nicely to the for-profit world as well. Enjoying a book that reminds me of how things can and should be ... John

When I read the title of Brian Sooy’s book Raise Your Voice a Cause Manifesto I went scrambling for the dictionary. What would an author imply by use of the word Manifesto in the title? Manifesto recognizes a platform, a proclamation, an announcement, or in deeper meaning, a statement of belief. Manifesto originally indicated “proven public declaration explaining past actions and announcing the motive for those still forthcoming. (Source thesaurus.com) For this book, there are a number of non-profit organizations who understand the importance of declaring their unvarnished intent with absolute clarity and unmitigated purpose. I can’t remember the last time I found 150 pages containing this much immediately applicable content. From the outset, Brian Sooy dispels the myth that your non-profit is a brand. He tells us “Your organization is not a brand. It is the voice of your cause. Your organization is a group of committed volunteers, professionals, and ambassadors who want to achieve significant impact”. Is it any wonder that the title of this book is Raise Your Voice? Using the familiar quadrant illustration we are able to understand the realm of competing factors in our quest for funding. While the author describes appeal to audiences in greater detail, the underlying factors are broadly categorized as Emotional: Inspired by compassion – heart OR Rational: Informed by facts – mind. The infographic created for this book is an excellent synopsis of the book. I won’t replicate it here, but please find the link to it at the end of this review. These are my takeaways from what I found inspiring and motivating in Raise Your Voice – A Cause Manifesto by Brian Sooy. Strategic Principles: If a cause is meaningful, it will be worth believing in. A communication plan is essential. It’s one bridge between the strategic plan and its execution. Then the author includes a structure to start building one. Inspirational Principles: Create compelling narratives to tell your story using visual and verbal language. Perceptions vary. Stakeholders and prospective stakeholders want to be familiar with the causes and organizations they support. Help your audience understand your organization’s character, purpose, mission, and culture. Relational Principles: Non-profits seek funding. That’s how they continue to exist. It’s important to nurture genuine relationships of gratitude and trust through authenticity and transparency. Acknowledge every donation, being authentically grateful. Being grateful matters. Every communication is a donor communication and being grateful must be the tone at every touch point. Aspirational Principles: Leadership of non-profits demands confidence and inspiration. The staff and supporters of non-profits believe courageous leaders who continue to change the world. Be positive. Be powerful. Be courageous. Your non-profit cannot thrive without these three perspectives interacting and threading through your culture. Do these words describe your organization? Dynamic, Encouraging, Optimistic, Visionary, Focused Aren’t those qualities you would want in an organization you support? Brian Sooy wraps up his handbook for Raising Your Voice with some powerful thoughts. “It’s not about brand, it’s about identity and perceptions.” Let this be your motto: We will believe our cause is meaningful, and act in the belief that it has the power to change the world. This post has the infographic I mentioned earlier. John E. Smith consistently writes noteworthy posts about current issues that make a difference. [...]

Brian Sooy's book is focused on non-profits but is applicable to most any organization. It helps you to stop and ask some important questions. Questions that too many organizations just don’t take the time to ask or don’t ask because they may realize they’re heading in the opposite direction. What you’ll learn in this book, I think, is pretty well summed up on Page 2: “A nonprofit should not be perceived as a soulless corporation, but as a group of individuals who want to make a difference, to change the world, and to have an impact in the lives of people for generations to come”. You won’t get to the best place possible without purpose, mission/vision, goals/outcomes, and strategy. Know – for sure – why you’re in business. Be specific on how to get there. Have clarity in it all. Your business is a whole lot bigger than the people at the “top” or the name on your stationary. Raising money; communicating with donors, employees, and customers; and marketing your brand are all things that require you to “raise your voice” to be able to relay your cause. Whether a non-profit or for-profit, you’re in business for a reason. This book will give you the designs that just may help you get your culture back in line and your reputation improved.

I found this book to be a wonderful read, with great insight and wisdom. It shows the reasons (and how to) to focus on building and strengthen relationships through strategic communications. When you do, your organization will become purpose-driven and flourish, thrive, and grow to achieve improved outcomes and revenue-generating results. This book has tremendous value for any organization, not just non-profits. This book will simply make you better at what you do.

I have the "Raise Your Voice" Manifesto posted next to my desk. This book, Raise Your Voice, has helped my organization imagine the possibility of what's next and how are we going to gather support from our donors and other stakeholders. I have honed my strategic communications, and am better able to speak with purpose, express my organization's values, use data to provide evidence to back our messages up, and offer a place for our community to share their ideas and for us to listen. At the heart of this manifesto, I've learned how to express gratitude and trust through our messaging, something that is indeed critical for nonprofits now more than ever. If little old me can help change the world from my little desk in northeast Ohio, then Raise Your Voice can help anyone get there. Raise Your Voice has helped me be courageous, take bold steps and speak out loud. Thank you. What a powerful book!

I appreciate the dozen character traits that Brian focused on! I was struck the most with "Be Grateful". It is a character trait that I want to focus more attention and I am grateful that Brian articulated what I have been thinking. I LOVE the fact that he gives each character trait a unique color to help simplify, yet identify with his message. I had the chance to choose his "green card" that says "Be Grateful"! Thank you, Brian, for writing a practical, easy to follow guide to focus on all 12 character traits! Well written! I highly recommend for anyone that not only wants to improve themselves, but assist their business with focusing corporate attention! :)

Brian Sooy's phenomenal book is not your typical how-to book on fundraising. It is a very concise book about mission driven work. It is written for those who live and love their organization's mission and achieving goals in fulfillment of that mission. As an executive director for a non-profit, this book fundamentally changed the way I approached the idea of increasing support for my organization. The great take away for me was that the most important voice in any charitable organization is your own - that your personal story of how and why you believe in and support your mission has the power to inspire and engage donors and volunteers. It encourages you to speak in the first person (from your own perspective), which is inherently more trustworthy, powerful and insightful. This book has influenced both my presence on social media and how I engage with donors and volunteers. It is a must read for board members, staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations. This is the field guide for being the change you wish to see in the world.

Some other reviewers were able to read "Raise Your Voice" in one sitting, but there was too much depth for me to chew on to digest all at once. It was more helpful to just a chapter a day (or every couple days) to understand and implement. Each of Brian's twelve "Manifesto's" are very insightful and practical for those in the non-profit world. And they are also spot on for any person trying to be a productive human being. The book not only impacted my non-profit work, but also challenged and bettered me as a person. The greatest takeaways for me happen to all be "C" words. Clarity, Credibility, and Character. Throughout "Raise Your Voice," I was reminded that my mission must be clear, and I must communicate it to my audience with clarity in a language they understand. I must also build credibility with those I'm seeking to serve, and those from whom I'm seeking funding. And it all revolves around character. I gain credibility with high character, I'm a better servant with high character, and the twelve Manifesto's are a blueprint for developing character. Not a fast read for me, but a good, life-changing read.

This book really resonated with me. I've sent most of my career in the nonprofit space, with a focus on Marketing. I do believe many nonprofit organizations are struggling right now, as they are playing the short game, concentrating on immediate revenue. The message Brian puts forward is to think more about long term strategy, put the mission front and center, and position your organization as the one that will best serve that mission and concurrently reach impactful, clearly connected goals (in partnership with your constituents). I've chosen to use Brian's book as part of a college-level Nonprofit and Cause Communications course I'm developing for the Fall. That's how much I believe in the principles he puts forward!

As a development professional, I am always looking to learn about industry trends, cutting edge ideas, ways to do my job better and frankly, ways to be inspired, renewed and motivated. Brian Sooy's book, Raise Your Voice A Cause Manifesto, is truly a book that offered a clear, concise guide to communicating my organization's values through the twelve principles. More than that though, it reminds me of why I do what I do for a living. Raising money is a very personal business. The results I get will come from people.....people who require, consciously or subconsciously, many different things like being heard, being thanked, being appreciated, feeling they make a difference, etc. That is why I keep Raise Your Voice A Cause Manifesto near my desk and use it as a devotional, too. I will pick up the book, open it to a random page and read the reminder, message, tip or insight I need for that day. I count on it to be just the right juice I need so I can keep my goal and focus before me, and still offer just the right thing, in word or deed, to my donors. A must-have for development professionals!

In full disclosure, I'm the acquisition editor of RockBench Publishing Corp., the book's publisher. So I could obviously be biased, especially if you note that I like all (but one) of the books we've published. But the vetting process is very thorough and so the truth is that bad work just doesn't make it to print under the RockBench umbrella. This book went through several iterations as Brian developed it, and all the way up until the third one I was hesitant and wouldn't commit to publishing it. I'm not sure the world needs a single book on branding, much less 1,000+ different titles. So I kept pushing back and Brian really dug in, developing the concepts uniquely and then tying them together like clothespins on a wide blanket. For example, his development of the important distinctions and interplay between mission, values, culture, etc., is worth the price of admission alone. I'm tickled pink to have published this, and it's gratifying to know that non-profits around the very world will do a better job just because of Brian's work.

I finished reading Brian Sooy’s new book, Raise Your Voice, a few weeks ago, but since then it hasn’t stayed on my office bookshelf. When I was writing an internal memo to staff about an upcoming change on our website–it helped me be strategic and focused. Again I opened it when my team and I were setting up a $1.2 million fund raising communications plan for a building project–it helped us be courageous and engaging. When my creative team was choosing design elements for a mailing to our donors–it helped us be grateful and inspiring. And today I’m writing a blog article and Raise Your Voice is once again open on my desk, reminding me to be social and meaningful. Brian Sooy states right up front that his 12 principles for non-profit communication are not a how-to list, rather they’re conversation touch points meant to change thinking. Thanks, Brian, for starting conversations, changing our culture, and moving our cause forward. This is one book that won’t be relegated to the bookshelf anytime soon.

Telling a story, connecting with donors is at the core of any successful nonprofit. What I found interesting about Brian Sooy's approach is that he asks questions that maybe we think we know the answer to. However, in reality we may not be able to fully articulate our own values. His tools and approaches are common sense and something I think the nonprofit sector desperately needs. If we can't communicate our own brand, mission and vision how can we expect our donors to? This is a must read for any size of nonprofit!

From the first time I read the Cause Manifesto on Brian Sooy's website I was hooked. Non-profits are frequently so focused on "this is how we've always done it" or "this is how ALL non-profits like us do it" that they become mired in their own language and processes. Raise Your Voice will help any organization figure out what their mission REALLY is and help them articulate it clearly and use it to make every decision and to shape every communication. It will help you focus on what really matters to your constituents and will help you stay true to why your organization exists. I heartily recommend this book and I reccomend Aespire as an organization. And every non-profit should have a copy of the Cause Manifesto posted on their walls!

As a program officer for a Cleveland nonprofit who very infrequently has a direct hand in organizational messaging (or so I thought), I was skeptical as to what Brian Sooy's book "Raise Your Voice: A Cause Manifesto" would be able to offer me. However, things quickly began to "click" with a section that explained what an organization is and does, in reality - which, according to Brian, can be explained as the overlapping segments of what the organization SAYS it is and does and what the public PERCEIVES the organization to be (picture a Venn Diagram). This means, simply, that organizational messaging isn't the only important thing in advancing your cause - perception and feedback from the public and your stakeholders (volunteers, partners, etc.) is equally critical to the essence of what your organization is and, therefore, what it is able to accomplish. Additionally, although I am not the CEO or a member of the marketing team, I realized that I could have a direct hand in how our organization is perceived through my work and and messaging for my own program, therefore positively influencing the capacity of our organization as a whole to strive toward our mission. Working in international relations, it is often difficult to boil down, briefly, what our organization does vis-a-vis our mission - particularly by way of how it serves local Clevelanders. In my particular program, which relies heavily on volunteer engagement, I would often find it challenging to communicate why people should volunteer to spend time with international visitors if they didn't already "get it." Given that we are not an organization that works with issues such as combating hunger, or poverty, or homelessness - but, rather, international exchanges - it doubled the difficulty in my communications with prospective volunteers as to why their time and contribution would "matter." Through Brian's book, I have begun the process of reformulating how I present our work, with cause being the focal point of messaging to prospective and current volunteers. Per Brian's advice, I have also begun to find ways to promote the role of some of our longer-term volunteers as "stewards" of the program, such as through volunteer testimonials that I can share with prospective volunteers or even adding a link on host feedback forms for experienced volunteers to recommend friends and family as potential new volunteers. In all of my volunteer thank-you notes, I have also made efforts to mention the impact of each person's time in furthering our organizational mission and that their contribution worked directly toward the cause of increased international engagement and awareness. Thanks to the critical thinking and inward reflection prompted by Brian's book, I am beginning to keep cause as the focal point of even my most menial daily tasks - reinvigorating me as a nonprofit worker and getting more people excited about volunteering in international relations. Whether you are an Executive Director or part-time volunteer, I couldn't recommend "Raise Your Voice" more highly!

Outstanding read! As a marketing professional who has spent years working with for-profit clients, this was a refreshingly different perspective. The 12 guiding principles of the Cause Manifesto are applicable to every marketing professional who is seeking clarity & focus in their communications. Any organization that reads and commits to these principles is bound to see an improvement in their overall messaging. As I was reading the book, I realized I have applied many of these same principles to my for-profit clients over the years. This book does an excellent job explaining the reasons why each principle is important to the process. If you're passionate about a cause or just involved in marketing, this book is an excellent resource and read.

We start with a good read. Raise Your Voice combines examples, experiences, and brief bullets providing a roadmap for promoting your favorite cause. After you've read it once you might just want to slide it into your pocket so you have a handy reference whenever you need it. It doesn't end there though. Go to causemanifesto.org and you'll find tools you can download to support your communication of your cause. I'm raising my voice now, once you get your copy you'll raise yours too.

Most books about non-profit leadership, mission, and vision give abstract advice without giving much clarity to "what do I do now?" I've been in the non-profit world for most of my career and there has not been a book that offers more clarity, practical insights, and direction as Raise Your Voice. This should be in the hands of every non-profit leader today. Sooy makes this book easy to read and you'll have more ideas and ah-ha moments with each turn of the page. I could not recommend this book more. Josh Taylor Assistant Vice President for Culture and Innovation University of Mobile

I've read Brian's book, worked with him in the community, and contracted with him to do work for my foundation. Brian understand's the complexity of effective branding and power created when mission, vision, values, beliefs, and action are aligned. Brian practices what he preaches. Brian Frederick

I had the opportunity at a professional design conference to hear author Brian Sooy discuss the four dimensions of communication that he discusses in "Raise Your Voice" and found his perspective on how to align messaging with specific audiences very thoroughly crafted and useful. When creating content, whether visual or verbal, it can be a difficult task to try to get inside the head of your intended audience. Sooy's principles serve as succinct guidelines for me that help to pin point how best to "speak to their minds and appeal to their hearts." After applying them, I find myself feeling more confident that a project will achieve its intended objective. If you sometimes feel like you aren't quite hitting the mark with your communications, I think you will find this book very helpful.

I have worked in the non-profit sector and know first hand how hard it is to be 'heard' among so many other organizations competing for donors, volunteers, etc. Brian's new book: Raise Your Voice will help you clarify your message. It will teach you how to share your stories with others...the stories that will compel others to share your message as well. It is a great marketing book for charities and I would even recommend it for all other types of organizations. The principles in this book are timeless.

I have read this book two times since I received it last week. It has changed my thoughts on what it means to promote and bring awareness to the non-profit I am involved with. I realized that in some ways we have been are a "brand" that has not engaged or inspired its supporters. Brian's message is clear and reinforced with personal examples so I felt as if he was working along side of me and not just conveying information. This is a "Must read" for any one involved with a non-profit, not just board members.

I have worked extensively with Brian in sharing this book with the nonprofit world through the organization that I serve in for one reason - this material is fantastic! Brian simplifies the often messy process of trying to find clarity in the communication and leadership process. The Cause Manifesto presents an organization with 12 areas to bring about growth, as they seek to impact the community. I highly recommend this short, easy (yet profound read) to any leader!

As you begin to read this book you very quickly come to realize that Brian is writing, not with non-practical idea's of grandeur, but rather from a proven track-record of experience. If readers take the time to truly slow down and allow his perception, concepts of "The Cause Manifesto," and the "Part One" strategies to soak in ... they could potentially ignite a much-needed change in their organization. I love Brian's passion for trimming the fat of distraction, bringing clarity and helping the reader hone in on thinking with a "mission-driven design" mentality. This is a must read if you are at any level of leadership in a growing organization!

Sooy's "Raise Your Voice" offers an insightful introduction to mission-driven design, and a blueprint for organizations to put this thinking into practice so they can communicate with clarity. "It's beyond branding and more than storytelling," Sooy says. The book walks readers through twelve tenants for helping an audience better understand and embrace your cause. It's inspiring! The book could be a workshop for non-profit organizations to create positive communications, or a guide for for-profit groups that want to establish a culture that gives back. For the individual, it's a book that can be read almost like a devotional, each chapter triggering positive action: Be Strategic. Be Focused. Be Meaningful...Be Social. Be Grateful. Be Courageous. I highly recommend this well-written book. Its message, and clear direction, will not disappoint.

“Raise Your Voice” by Brian Sooy is a fabulous common-sense-that-isn’t-so-common book. I could have easily read it in an afternoon, but chose not to, in order to let the words soak deeply into my mind and heart. I appreciate how the author has written the book in short sections, which truly make reading the book, full of practical information, a luxury in today’s fast-paced world. He’s done a wonderful job with the boxed sections, which I think add an extra dimension to the book.

It's not easy to find a marketing and branding book for non-profits that's both wise and practical. Brian has managed to deliver both in Raise Your Voice.

Raise Your Voice is a terrific book for any organization that wants to gain clarity with their communications to achieve greater impact. It offers both inspiring and practical advice and lots of examples to help nonprofits be courageous, engaging, focused and strategic. I highly recommend it!

I just finished reading Raise Your Voice by Brian Sooy and it was everything I had hoped it would be–insightful, thought-provoking and informative. It is well-written with practical, applicable suggestions and guidelines. Although written to help non-profits develop clearer direction and communication, it can easily be applied to any business model. Loved it and I will use it as a beacon for years to come.

Great book! Perfect for the practitioner but great for students, too.

Brian may be my brother, yet as a lifelong leader in various kinds of non-profit ministries I found many insights that would be useful for leading any non-profit. Most impressive are the 12 specific ideas that are the "Cause Manifesto." How significant it could be if a non-profit leader devoted one month to each of these, spending focused time understanding the idea, teaching it to his or her team, relating it to the constituency, and solidifying its practice in the culture of the organization. After one year of focus -- any organization would be more effective. Congrats, bro! You've done well. Mark Sooy, author of "Lessons in the Silence of God"

Sustainability of any organization hinges upon operational excellence, fulfilling your mission and sharing with the world what you are up to! Brian Sooy provides practical insight for organizational leaders to be most effective in exhibiting integrity, generosity and responsibility in advancing their cause. This is a must read!

Brian has done a great job of assisting not-for-profits and for profits in the issue of clarifying your message. Practical, filled with wisdom, and a great read for any leadership team... ministry or business oriented.

As a church leader learning how to effectively communicate your mission is essential. Raise Your Voice is full of insight and actionable ideas to better communicate to your organization. As non-profit leaders we believe in the importance and urgency of our cause now it is time to get that message out more clearly, powerfully and effectively. Raise Your Voice will help give a blueprint for being heard in a noisy world!

Brian Sooy's new book, Raise Your Voice, will strike a chord with mission-driven organizations seeking to refine their messaging. The book itself speaks with its own authentic voice and will indeed, help organizations harness their strengths and convey powerful messages to the world about their unique social value.

Brian's heart and passion for supporting non-profits and philanthropies shines in "Raise Your Voice." Brian's 12 principles serve as great focal points for our school when we are planning communication campaigns. Not only do they serve large scale efforts, but I also have them on my desk as a visual reminder to communicate from my heart with intention. Kudos Brian for utilizing your gifts and serving a larger non-profit audience!

Raise Your Voice gave me a practical way to communicate that helps me work my mission plan. For example, I found the ideas and concepts in the chapters on being insightful and trustworthy excellent reinforcement. The guidance from this book is already helping to establish credibility with our partners who buy into what we believe and are passionate about, not just what and how we do it.