- Tell your story
Once you have decided to run a fundraising effort, be prepared to let your cause be known to everyone you target. You cannot achieve this until you let your intentions known. Tell your story everywhere and choose a method that you can use to reach everyone conveniently. Do not just use a single communication platform and channels. Mix different channels and ensure they are in sync. Tell the story of your nonprofit and your needs since this the best way to make people stick. Once you have identified the story you want to tell, decide how you want to tell it and consider your audience.
- Promote donations using eCards
Simple as they may seem, gift cards are an excellent way for modern nonprofits. With just a few clicks, supporters can make their donations to your organization. This is the simplest gift option that your donors can give to their loved ones, just like gift cards. Create custom branded eCards that have programs and causes and impact that the nonprofit seeks to make. Do not forget to add the logo of the nonprofit and make it as simple as possible.
- Make use of your blog
A blog is a simple but great storytelling platform that is always available. You can share your nonprofit’s agenda and story through multiple blog posts or stories that lead your audience to a single call to action. Feature past projects, people you have touched, and causes you have funded, and explain what you hope to achieve in a given time if given time and resources.
- Take advantage of social media
Once you are done with blog posts, perhaps your next stop should be sharing what you have written there on social media. There is nothing that can be done in fundraising these days without using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, among others. These are the areas that you can reach most donors. Repurpose your blog posts into short but engaging social media posts with the right call to action and links to your website. Use graphics, since they always say a picture is worth a thousand words.
- Optimize your emails
Remind people at the end of November or early December of the need to get involved in your fundraising efforts. It is essential to send your campaign announcements and appeal to them during busy shopping weeks since most of them may forget. Always keep your subject line and offer a new reason why they should give to your cause. Keep the appeal fresh each time. Even as the year draws close to the end, send reminders and appeals letting people know that they are not too late, and their contribution can still help. Remember to keep your emails short and sweet to the reader. Long emails are always boring and turn the readers off.
You still have time to do a few things that will increase your end-year fundraising amounts. While you may not do everything now, the above strategies are a way to get you started. Pick what works best for you and see how they can help!
