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The success of your fundraiser depends on how much
publicity your group can attract. Community awareness of your need and
your offering will always increase your results.
Here are some tips:
1) Use your website
If you don't have one, get one. Use it to communicate your goals, thank
your sponsors, highlight periodic offerings, recognize successes, honor
individual contributors, etc. Promote your web site on all your
materials.
2) Actively seek more publicity
Get the word out about your fundraiser in as many ways as possible. Get
into as many neighborhood newsletters and other public forms of
communication as you can. Send out press releases to the local media and
invite coverage with photo opps at your fun events.
3) Utilize any gathering
Make announcements at other events to spread the word, display products,
take orders, make sales, and recruit volunteers. Take a joint venture
approach to marketing your group by giving something of value back to all
those who join your team.
4) Goal awareness
Heavily promote the goal of your fundraiser in all communications,
particularly between sellers and buyers. A good cause gets the money
out. Make sure that all participants know the specific reason why the
money is being raised.
5) Communication
Use all available means of increasing awareness of your group's efforts
including roadside signs, e-mail lists, phone calling tree, newsletter,
flyers, posters, bulletin boards, recorded hotline messages, etc.
6) Sponsorship decals
Offer these free to supporting merchants. Sell to membership level
supporters. Use the glass stick on type for storefronts or vehicle
windows. This "branding" gets the word out to the community that your
organization has a strong support base.
7) Bumper sticker
Sell your organization year round with every fundraiser by offering one
that says "Proud Supporter of _____." Give one to every volunteer and
group member.
8) Flyers everywhere
Hit local mailboxes (follow postal regulations) and car windshields in
shopping centers. Give fundraiser details in your flyer in a way that
promotes sales and gives contact information. Put a coupon or free gift
offer into the flyer that will keep it from being thrown away. Your
merchant base will help provide the offers because this is free
advertising for them. For example, a flyer including a car wash, dry
cleaners, or oil change coupon. (Or even all three!)
9) Build an e-mail list
Ask for an e-mail address for a newsletter distribution when you're
fundraising. Have opt-in links on your web site. Build an online
community of supporters by offering them extras available only at your
site.
Put a publicity plan in place today. You'll reap the
benefits in continued growth and additional success for years to come.
School Fundraising
Tips!!
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About The
Author: Kimberly Reynolds is
the author of
Fundraising Success, a
best
selling ebook on fundraising. You can read
more of
her
fundraising
ideas on her website, FundraiserHelp.com. |
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