I recently read this great article on successful fundraising and thought it was worth sharing. Here's the 5 tips in a nutshell:
1. After setting up your champion page, 1) make a donation to yourself to start the momentum, 2) personalize your page with text, photos, and video, 3) send individual emails to your 5 closest contacts, asking for donations.
2. Ask your close friends & family for support first and then progressively work out to distant contacts. Your close contacts are more likely to give and will help you build momentum; studies show that the more progress you make towards your goal, the more likely people are to donate.
3. When writing to your friends & family, the main things to remember are to be yourself, be personal, and be sure to include a direct ask for donations and a link to your champion page.
4. Start fundraising through facebook and twitter after you've sent out your initial batch of emails. Tag and thank donors in your posts and update followers on your progress.
5. Lastly, the 3 things it takes to be a successful fundraiser: 1) a belief in the cause, 2) a commitment to following through, and 3) a dose of individual creativity.
Read the full article for detailed tips on how to write potential donors, use social media, and more!