Randy Helm and Betsy Flanagan shared the stage on Sunday at a national conference for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, in Boston. Their job: Help new trustees and leaders learn the fund-raising ropes.

Mr. Helm, president of Muhlenburg College, and Ms. Flanagan, vice president for advancement and university relations at Virginia Tech, shared a dozen tips on how to solicit donations. The audience kicked in a few more ideas.

Many have been knocking around for years, but they serve as a good reminder about what works in fund raising. Here are a few of their suggestions:

• Ask high.

• Don’t ask prematurely.

• When you’re looking for a really big gift, bring the president along. (“The donor may be offended if you don’t,” Mr. Helm said.)

• Never forget to find out who else the donor knows.

• Fund raising is like a pickle: “You don’t get a pickle squirting vinegar on a cucumber,” Mr. Helm said, “You have to let it soak.”