Boosting the Look of your Personal Fundraising Campaign

In our last blog we talked about different ways that will help get your fundraiser noticed.

Due to the interest in this topic, we have decided to revisit each point to provide a more in-depth explanation of how to make your fundraiser the best it can be. This time we look at the fundraiser page itself.

 

 

There are a number of components to your personal fundraising page. These include:

• Your story

• Your photos

• Your videos

• Your rewards

• Updates and comments

Each of these has an individual role to play, when combined creates a memorable, appealing fundraiser. So, let us look at the first component:

 

The story (or appeal)

This is,  in its simplest terms,  a letter. Imagine you are writing to someone to ask for money, but put yourself in the donors’ shoes. If someone were to ask you for money – what would you want to know?

• You would want to know a little bit about the person asking for the donations

• You would want to know a little about what or who they want the money for – and why

• You would want to know why, to some extent, they couldn’t do this without help

Now, when you think about writing your appeal, it will seem easier.

 

You also need to consider presentation. For those who are concerned about their written skills, you can easily type the appeal on a word doc and work through the grammar and spelling with their spell-check tools.

 

If technical presentation is not your strongest point our simple tabs offer a variety of options for you, from including hyperlinks that can take viewers direct to your website, blog, video and so on, to picture uploads that allow you to insert additional pictures to really breathe life into your appeal. You can also experiment with font size, style and colour to truly personalise it.

 

Photos

The saying ‘a picture paints a thousand words’, is so true when it comes to on-line fundraising. Your picture is going to be the first thing donors will look at, so it really needs to be at the heart of what you are fundraising for.

 

If you need to pay for vets bills, take a picture of your pet. If you are saving for a volunteer trip, show them where you are going. If you are planning for a wedding, show a picture of you and your future spouse, so they can see who they are helping. This makes the fundraiser more real and is proven to attract more donations when it is relevant to the appeal.

 

Photos do not need to be high definition, professional photographs. They simply need to be clear enough to help emphasise who the donor will be helping.

 

Videos

Many people think these are compulsory, and are put off by this idea.  We can assure you this is not true. However, if you do have a recording, always consider adding it. It creates a stronger connection for the donor and makes the person they are helping more tangible.

Videos do not need to be professional, and can even be recordings that have been made on your phone.

 

 

Rewards

This always raises questions, particularly in relation to cost. There are many great rewards you can offer that cost nothing.

We’ve seen fundraisers offer ‘eternal thanks’ for a $5 donation, or an email with a photo of them completing their challenge for a $10 donation. A smile just for them for $1. An exclusive preview of a wedding dress for $25.  The list goes on.

 

For others, fundraising for an artistic or business venture, we have seen rewards of original artwork  for $50, a personalised wooden toy for $25 and so on. As long as it captures the imagination of the donor rewards can cost anything – the sky is the limit.

 

Updates

 

This is really important, but often forgotten. Let your donors know what you are doing, how their money is helping, whether you have achieved anything since you started the appeal or if things have deteriorated.

 

Add photos, change photos. Add new rewards and tell everyone about them. Send Facebook messages at least four times during your campaign and aim to Tweet at least once a week . Add updates regularly so that you have something new to tell everyone, rather than just asking for donations.

 

For those who have taken the time to write comments, make sure you reply to them to show how much you value their contribution. You can contact them personally, or use an array of tools we have to help you keep in touch – such as automated thank you emails and personalised messages once your donor donates.

Next time we will talk about creating that all important buzz, that can make a fundraiser successful.

 

If you would like to create your own fundraiser, you can click on the link below and click on ‘start fundraising’ once you reach our home page. It couldn’t be easier.

 

Visit GoGetFunding & Start Your Own Campaign >