Getting organized for a fundraising campaign can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many details involved, that it can feel like there’s a lot of work to be done. You need to create a campaign page, send out resources, segment email lists, and collect graphic assets.
While fundraising is different from one type to another, there are some common practices that can help you run a successful campaign. These tips will help you get the most out of your next campaign.
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Take Time Establishing an Achievable Goal
One of the most important steps in establishing a successful campaign is to set a single goal. It should be a specific and measurable goal that you can stick to. You also need to have a budget that supports the ticket price. Before you decide on the ticket price, make sure that the attendees are willing to pay more.
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Consider a “Soft Launch” to Build Momentum
A soft launch, also known as a “behind-the-scenes” campaign, is a great way to build momentum before your campaign officially launches. It can help you get the most out of your early adopter audiences and build a stronger relationship with the general public. Aside from being able to work out any bugs, a soft launch also allows you to send out a fresh campaign message to everyone.
Before you start a campaign, ask your supporters to give you feedback so that you can improve the message and make it more effective. If they’re already a peer-to-peer fundraising organization, then start a personal fundraising page. This will help build momentum and encourage others to support the campaign.
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Reach Out to Corporate Sponsors
Your organization’s value should be clearly communicated to potential sponsors so they can see how it fits with their goals and how it benefits the community. You should also be able to show how many people have benefited from the organization.
Before you start a campaign, ask your supporters to give you feedback so that you can improve the message and make it more effective. You should also talk about the demographics of the audience and the types of sponsors that will be featured. Having a variety of sponsorship levels and packages can help attract small and medium-sized businesses.
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Lean Into Consistent Branding and Messaging
Having strong branding is also important to help build trust with your supporters and confirm that your campaign is actually yours. It can be hard to see how a potential donor would feel if the colors, logo, and other elements of your campaign are not aligned with what they see on your website. This is especially relevant since you’re marketing your campaign through various mediums such as direct mail, social media, and email.
Aside from having a consistent brand, you can also create a special logo that’s different from the one used by your nonprofit. This can help boost the visibility of your new campaign and ensure that it’s truly yours. When people see this logo, they’ll immediately know that it’s yours and not that of another organization.
You should also create a communications plan that includes a variety of tools such as a website, social media, and email. Having a well-designed and consistent website can help boost the visibility of your event. You can also reach out to potential supporters through social media.
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Strive for Recurring Gifts
According to a study conducted by Classy, 75% of recurring givers are still loyal to their organization, and they are more likely to make a recurring gift than their one-time donors. If you’re not asking them to upgrade their donations to a monthly basis, you could be missing out on potential revenue.
You can also send email appeals that encourage people to support your campaign by either signing up as a recurring giver or making a one-time donation. In addition to regular incentives, you can also create compelling calls to action that encourage people to make a monthly gift.
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Explain How Donations Help
Unfortunately, many people believe that their donations won’t make a difference in the world unless they make a substantial gift. To break this barrier, show how their support can make a big difference in the lives of others. Even small gifts can make a huge difference in helping you reach your goals.
Although details about the impact of a particular gift size can be included in emails, they can also be used in calls to action to show how their support can help move your organization closer to its goals. For instance, you can create compelling images that show how contributions can help move your organization closer to its goals. Explain how just $20 can buy a low-income child school supplies, or supply several meals for the homeless in your community.