Fundraisers are an effective method to raise a lot of money very quickly, especially if it is for a good cause. However, the time, effort, and planning necessary to pull off a successful event can be stressful and intimidating. Whether it’s a charity drive or for your company’s next big project, these are five fantastic tips that will make you the highlight of the next meeting.
#1. Promotion, Marketing, and Advertising
Even if your fundraiser is not for business, you still need to spread the word of your cause quickly and efficiently. With the increase of digital devices like smartphones and tablets, it’s much easier for you to rally people behind your cause, which in turn creates additional funds. Methods of promotional advertisement include:
- Email signatures with graphics linking to a donation page
- Online flyers that feature why you are fundraising.
- Ads on the bottom of web pages and apps
- Banner Advertisements on your homepage
Of course, you may still want to invest in traditional methods of advertisement such as handing out flyers at busy intersections or getting businesses involved with your fundraiser.
#2. Utilize Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool to use today due to the sheer number of users present online at any one time. Fundraiser Insight recommends using services like Twitter or Facebook to let millions of people know about your cause at once, and it doesn’t have to stay within your home country. Fundraisers for cancer awareness, MLS, Alzheimer’s can all be broadcasted online through the use of groups and can reach people overseas who are also passionate about what you are doing.
The use of social media ensures that you can reach a wide variety of individuals and businesses who may donate to your fundraiser, and by doing so will spread the word to their friends in a chain reaction. In this way, even people that are not subscribed to your channel or group can be a part of something bigger.
#3. YouTube
Capterra suggests using this video sharing platform to reach potential donors in a new way. There is already a huge selection of promotional material on YouTube that has promoted fundraisers, events, products and more. This website lets you upload your video quickly and easily with the click of a button, but make sure that you remember the following:
- Keep it short and simple: You want to hold the viewer’s attention long enough to state your cause. Too long, and you run the risk of losing your audience. Too short, and your viewer won’t know what you’re advertising. Shoot for about a minute long.
- Make it interesting: No one likes boring infomercials. Put together something that conveys your message in an innovative and catchy way.
- Call to Action: End your video with a line that invites the audience to your cause. Provide a donation link at the end of the video as well as a link to your donation homepage in case the viewer wants to know more.
Once your video is uploaded, put it on your website and in your online flyers and emails. Ensure that everything loops back to your donation page. The better your video is, the more hits it will receive and in turn you will reap more donations in a short amount of time.
#4. Email
This one is a bit tricky to get the hang of but is one of the most efficient strategies to date. According to M&R Benchmarks, online revenue grew 19% in 2o15. Compared to previous years, that is an enormous improvement and is a number that is expected to continue climbing in the years to come.
Using email to get your fundraiser out is tricky due to the fact that people are utilizing spam filters to weed out junk emails. Customers of your company should be encouraged to allow your emails through as a verified sender, otherwise all of your hard work goes straight to the trash folder. However, once you get your emails out there, the results are visible immediately.
Remember to keep your emails short and to the point. No one wants to read a long winded speech about this or that. Fundraiser Insight says that a short, engaging paragraph about your cause and a single mention of your fundraiser along with links to the donation page should suffice when it comes to email marketing.
#5. Thank Donors
One of the most important parts of a successful fundraising campaign is to thank the people who have helped you reach your goal. Whenever a donor gives money to your cause, at the very least provide a web page that gives thanks to the individual that donated. You may also choose to send personalized emails to donors each time they donate to your event.
Another way to thank donors is to provide donation incentives. Raffles and charity auctions reward the donor with things instead of just a simple thank you. Plus, it adds a competitive element to donations, especially if there is a minimum donation amount to receive certain items.
For a successful fundraising campaign, you should remember your target audience. Cater your advertisements to that group of individuals to draw in as many donors as possible. Use social media outlets to create groups that people can join and spread the word to their friends. Make a YouTube video that highlights the key points of your cause and upload it to your website for easy viewing. Don’t forget to include links back to the donation page for ease of access. Sending emails is also an excellent way to draw in customers and donors alike, but ensure that your email is not insincere in its presentation, and don’t needle donors for money.
Finally, above all else, thank the people who have helped you. Thank your donors for caring about your cause, either through an email sent directly to their inbox or through a simple web page after the donation. To thank your donors means that their contribution matters. They will recognize that they have helped in some small way, and a simple thank you goes a long way in maintaining company-client relationships.
