Using Social Media for Fundraising
Most people have e-mail. Get the attention of those you are emailing by putting a sentence or two in the your e-mail signature telling everyone that you are running for Team Eye and Ear. For example:
This April, I will be running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for Mass. Eye and Ear. Find out how you can help by visiting my personal fundraising webpage: www.FirstiGiving.com/ (insert your FirstGiving page URL here).
- Status Updates: Status updates are so easy - telling your network what you're up to. Maybe you've just received a big donation, or gone on a training run.. it could be anything. Tell us. We want to know! For example, "I have now reach 70% of my fundraising goal of $10,000. Please support me by going to www.FirstiGiving.com/_______", "Thank you Aunt Barbara for the $250 donation in support of my run with Team Eye and Ear! www.FirstGiving.com/ _______" or "I just finished a 18 mile training run. So excited for April 18!" *The golden rule is don’t just post the URL all on its own - many people are turned off by this.
- Photos: Post photos of your training and that relates to what you’re up to. If you have a fundraising party, post photos of the party with a link to your FirstGiving page in the description of the album. This will remind those that were not able to attend that there is still an opportunity to donate.
- Video: Make a video about why you’re running the Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear. Post this video on YouTube and upload onto your Facebook page. This video can also be used on your FirstGiving page as well. Make sure to share your video on Facebook’s newsfeeds. can be a version of your letter/email from your letter writing campaign. Be sure to include a link to your FirstGiving page.
- Facebook message your network: This can be a version of your letter/email from your letter writing campaign. Be sure to include a link to your FirstGiving page.
- Say Thanks: Wall-post a thank you note when somebody sponsors you. It acts as a thanks and a reminder to others in the newsfeed that they need to sponsor you because other people are.
You can refer to @TeamEyeAndEar and @MassEyeAndEar to add context to your tweets. Also, you can tag your tweets with #TeamEyeAndEar or #BostonMarathon so people can find them.
Blogging
Blogging is a great way to keep your donors and network updated on your fundraising and training progress. Following are a few tips to maximize fundraising results from your blog. Add a ‘donate’ button or widget from FirstGiving to direct people to your online webpage.
Blogging is also a great forum to communicate your fundraising goals, challenges, and milestones. It’s a way to connect people with your fundraising and training.
How to Get Started:
1. Get a free blog. Check out websites like www.wordpress.com or www.blogger.com
2. Topics to consider writing about:
- thoughts you have on a training run
- funny or interesting things you observe when you're training
- how you're feeling after a race or big training day
- your fears or joys
- people that have donated
- why you're running for Mass. Eye and Ear
- things you've learned about Mass. Eye and Ear
- any interesting facts or stories you discover about Mass. Eye and Ear
Page updated: March 9, 2011
