Writing a Powerful Call To Action: 
Is It Motivation ... or Manipulation?

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. (Exodus 35:21, NLT)

A Word For Writers

Tapping into emotions is the key to writing a powerful ask.

“Emotions are the fire of human motivation,” says top copywriter Gary Bencivenga. “They’re the combustible force that secretly drives most decisions to buy.”

But is it manipulative for the Christian writer to tap into emotions in order to motivate a reader to take action? 

Consider this fact: God created us with both minds that think and hearts that feel. The need for love, uncertainty of the unknown, satisfaction of achievement, drive for recognition, yearning for significance, the appreciation of beauty, and the need for security – all of these emotions are gifts from God.

Just as our minds can become dulled and must be stimulated, there are times when our feelings become lackluster, suppressed, or stifled and must be reignited, too. 

When Moses led the campaign to build the tabernacle, he didn’t manipulate the Hebrews. He simply presented the need and reminded them, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded …Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution” (Exodus 35:4, ESV).

That powerful call to action roused the people’s emotions. They were motivated. Then, “All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord” (Exodus 35:21, NLT).

A Wise Word

A powerful call to action uses emotion to motivate readers.

A Word To Pray

Loving Father,

You created us with emotions. Help me use words and images to motivate my reader’s emotions in a healthy way. Let their response please You. 

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

---

More Devotionals for Writers

The FAQs Page: Use it to Make a Call to Action ...

The Click: Get Your Reader to Take This First Step ...

The Campaign: Have You Set a Specific Goal?

The Mistake: Avoid This Nonprofit Fund Raising Blooper ...

The Fundraising Campaign: Follow Paul’s Model ...

The Postcard: A Simple (But Quick) Direct Mail Tool ...

The Rule of Seven: Repeat Your Message in Different Formats ...

The Subject Line: Avoid the Delete Key. Just Show You Care ...

The Reminder: Write an Email to Remind Readers to Act ...

The Ask: Moses Used Specifics. Shouldn’t You?

The Benefits and Features: Translate Them for Your Readers ...

The Reader: Overcome the Misconception about Writing Persuasively ...

The Main Idea: One Key to Writing Better Content ...

Wise Words: Devotionals for Writers ...

More Devotionals for Writers on our Pinterest board ...

Get more devotionals for writers delivered to your inbox each week.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Powered by SBI! Learn more here.