What can we learn from The Traitors?

I don't know about you, but the last few weeks the Fireside team have been obsessed with The Traitors.

Season 2 was excellent, but it really feels like they've really improved the missions for season 3 - making it a much better series... When I say that I've personally been obsessed, I mean obsessed. I mean reading clickbait articles such as 'Why Claudia Winkleman always wears fingerless gloves on The Traitors' level obsessed.

(If you're interested, it's because in her stylist's words, she "just really likes them". I read a 300-word article for that nugget so... you're welcome). 

Through conversation with our research lead, Lucy Mitchell, we've been talking about the things fundraisers can learn from The Traitors, and I'm really excited to bring that to you now. Please note there are spoilers through to episode 10 (which aired Wednesday 22nd Jan) below.

SPOILER WARNING

These lessons are based are based on the first 9 episodes of UK season 3, so if you're not yet up to date on The Traitors, look away!

Emotion often clouds judgement 

You can see in the round table how much people want to go on 'the facts' or 'the evidence', but you can also see how quickly they go on their gut feeling.

One of the most obvious ways this plays out is that when people suspect you of being a traitor, you decide they must be the traitor. This is Leanne's main reason for suspecting Alexander, and the reason that Minah flew under the radar for so long. 

The other way this plays out is that Freddie couldn't 'possibly' be a traitor in Frankie's mind, because he's 'like her sons' - even though in this game, her sons could easily be traitors too. 

As fundraisers, a lot of what we're doing is trading on emotional investment - getting people to see the difference they can make, or the life they can turnaround through the decisions that they're making. So, learn from The Traitors that emotion can cloud logic, and lean into it.

Decisions are made outside of the boardroom. 

In The Traitors, it's often said that people will make their decisions at the round table, but it's also really clear how often people are making those decisions before.

In the episode in which Linda was (finally) banished, you see people making their mind up that it's time to strike before the boardroom even begins. Minah even gets her blessing to vote for her 'if the time comes'. Very commonly, we go into a corporate meeting or pitch with a major donor thinking they're going to make up their mind there and then. We need to bear in mind they may be entering that meeting having already decided.

As such, we need to think about the touch points between meetings: texts, emails or phone calls. These give you a chance to keep people onside so you get the yeses you need.

It's not in the bag until it's in the bag.

Often as fundraisers, you'll receive a donation pledge - and it feels like you've reached the finish-line. The plan has been agreed. But it's worth noting that a pledged donation isn't a donation until it's in the bank... and a hare brained scheme isn't genius until it's come off. 

Minah felt like a dead certain for the final until she wasn't - and as I write this, we're not yet sure if Charlotte's double-cross of Freddy plays out. As I write this, too, many fundraisers are waiting to see if they're pledged donations will come in. This shows us it's worth having a backup plan. It's really easy to think that something is in the bag at pledge stage. It only takes one time of getting your fingers burnt to realise it's not in the bag until it's in the bag. 

To hear about the time I got my fingers burnt, offer to buy me a pint and I'll tell you in the pub sometime. Until then, I'll be in the Scottish castle.

If, like Lucy and I, you're glued to the screen, we'd love to hear who your favourite traitor and favourite faithful is. Or if there's a lesson fundraisers can learn that we've missed, let us know.

We can't wait for tonight!

As Claudia says... Enormous luck,

and see you by the Fireside.