Steps To Having A Successful Fundraiser

I'm sure we have all been in a situation where we needed to raise money. It could have been for a family member, a baseball team, a business idea, or even yourself. A fundraiser can often seem intimidating, as most are not really sure where to start. However, braving through and creating a fundraiser is a wonderful way of ensuring you have the proper funds to invest in the people and things you care for.

This is why I have created a list of my top fundraising tips that will help you reach your financial goals. Online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe have made it easy to raise the funds you need with a few simple clicks. Because of this, there are only a few things left for you to think about as you prepare. Whether this is your first fundraising event, or you've been around the block, this step by step guide is sure to help you be successful with any cause you're raising funds for.

Using an online platform opens doors that you never thought could be open! The world is tech-based and because of this, allows us privileges to reach people further than our local town supermarket. Online platforms also generally do most of the so called dirty work for you, as your tasks are to simply input information about your fundraiser and they will create a special webpage and link for you. GoFundMe is a well trusted fundraising platform that has raised more than 15 billion dollars worldwide. They also have a Giving Guarantee to ensure a full refund in case something isn't right. Check out the video below that explains how GoFundMe works if you want to get started now.

Think back to those high school essays and how your teacher would always remind you to grab your readers attention from the very beginning. The same is true for fundraising! The title is the first thing that visitors will see upon opening your event page, make it something that draws them closer. Here are a few ideas that may help:

Wordplay- This could be alliteration, like "Money-Making Mamas". It could be rhyming, like "Fundraisers Don't Faze Her".

Your Why- Let others know why you're raising funds by including it in the title, an example could be "Help _______ Family Rebuild Their Lives After Fire".

Personal Touch- Include something unique to your cause, like a keyword or a slogan. A modern trend is including a hashtag that people can use to spread awareness.

The description is your chance to tell people why the fundraiser is important and why they should donate. It helps to talk it through with another person before starting to write it out completely. By doing so, you're able to process the who, what, when, where, why more thoroughly. It also allows you to think about those small details that you may have left out otherwise. Doing so also allows you to authentically create a story, without having the pressure of making it perfect on the first try. Think about what makes your organization unique. It could be that you are raising funds for a non-profit that helps underprivileged youth get the supplies they need for school. It could be that you are raising funds for medical costs for a special child in your life. It could be that you are raising funds for service animals to help better support veterans. Telling different possible donors what makes you stand out can allow them to deepen a connection with you and lead them to support your cause further.

Now is the time to bring out those special images that give your donors a visual of why your cause is so important. Don't use a generic photo that you find on shutter-stock or png, as they don't pull your reader in. Use an image that hasn't been used before, making it all the more special. If you're fundraising for service animals, take pictures of the service animals. If you're raising money for a loved ones funeral, show pictures of them throughout their life. If you don't have images ready for this, make sure to take the time to get some taken. I know it may seem like one more thing to add to your to-do-lists, but I promise the investment is worth it in the long run.

Sending outreach messages can be exhausting after the third one. Having to write a text or email explaining who the fundraiser is for, why you're raising funds, when you will need them by, where its taking place, etc is a lot of information to write down over and over. Having a well crafter outreach message takes the strenuous activity away, and simply allows you to copy and paste your information into a text/email at a later time. An example is below:

I know it can seem daunting reaching out to so many people, especially some you may have not spoken to in a good while. However, my motto is "you never know if you don't try"! There will be some that read the link and don't reply, but more often than not many will respond with questions and comments about giving towards your goal. Send your link via email, text, facebook messenger, and other social media platforms. Keeping track of who you have sent information to on a spreadsheet can be beneficial as well. It allows you to remember who you've already sent information to, who has said they are going to support, etc. Write their name down, how you contacted them, and if they've shown interest or said they would donate. This can help you look back without overthinking, and also keep you on track of how far away you are from your goal.

Social Media has taken over the world, literally. The ability to send a message immediately to thousands and thousands of viewers is no small task. We live in online world, and using this to our advantage is key to a successful fundraiser. Post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, TikTok, Snapchat.There more socials you post on, the better your chances of getting funded quicker. Posting often, and giving variety also helps remind your donors of the cause. Add in pictures, give links to the fundraiser itself, create a unique hashtag to use often, write a short update on where you're at. Engaging with donors as much as possible is sure to help you reach your goals in no time.