Spread the Word – Communication is Key

You want as many people as possible to know that you’re fundraising for a cause and what that means.

Create a Facebook page and post details, including a link to the page from your school or club’s official website.

Use your school or club’s website to post a ‘coming soon’ notice. If you’re fundraising as an individual, ask yourself if there’s any groups you belong to that would be happy to advertise for you (for example, if you’re raising funds to travel to X Factor, why not post that on your choir’s website, or Facebook page?).

Display posters everywhere: on community boards, classroom doors, at every school entrance, in the office, canteen, library, even in the adults’ toilets.

Use your group’s database to email out information.

My book, the Practical Fundraising Handbook spells out what you need to do to spread the word effectively.

– Establish and maintain a blog or Facebook page specifically for your cause.

– Include information about what you want to achieve and why

– Emphasise the benefits to others

– Don’t be afraid to use emotive imagery

– Provide information about upcoming fundraising events or activities

– Include a running tally of how close you are to goal — and to your deadline

– Thank supporters — particularly businesses

– Keep blogging when you set off on the ‘dream’. Provide details and pictures to confirm that supporters’ faith in you was well-placed.

– Email all your friends, work mates, and family. Invite them to become ‘fans’ of your Facebook page or subscribe to updates. You are creating a database of supporters.

– Local weekly newspapers may be interested in what you’re doing. You will need a ‘hook’ – something that makes you stand out from others who may also be taking part in similar causes. That ‘hook’ may be a gimmick linked to your fundraising efforts; it may relate to your destination (are you the first from your area to ever do this or go to this place?). Once you have established a ‘name’ for yourself with a journalist, keep that contact alive by providing updates on progress. Talk to your local radio station too.

– Ask local businesses, the library, and your council member to display a poster promoting your fundraising.

– Contact your local community group (such as Rotary, Lions, Zonta, Soroptomist or Country Women’s Association) and offer to be a speaker, talking about your cause and what you hope to achieve.

-People respond to videos. Crowdfunding campaigns are much more likely to reach their target if their page includes a video, rather than just a picture.

Next article: Fundraising Handover.