The Fundraising Factory - Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Using the Ole Noggin’

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Creative thinking affects effective fundraising.
 

Fundraisers are just like products.  They can be tracked on the bell curve.  Slowly rising, peeking and then tiring on the downhill.

When a fundraising event takes off and grows revenue for a few years in a row we pat ourselves on the back, include it as a line item in the annual budget, and hope it lasts forever. 

Since we are aware of the bell curve phenomenon it’s necessary to take our head out of the sand, put our thinking caps on and come up with the next best fundraiser before the downhill slide begins. 

It is the development committee’s responsibility to raise the funds for the budget and to come up with the fundraising ideas.

The chance of a fundraising committee coming up with a successful new fundraiser that is meaningful and unique improves when IME elements exist.

Inspiration, Motivation, and Execution elements are achieved through creative thinking.

Creative thinking is enhanced and maximized by social stimulation, (small group brainstorming), in other words you can’t do it alone.  Creativity drives the problem solving process when unexpected dynamics are introduced to the group.  Asking a question with constraints, such as what if the fundraiser is all about blue?  Or, no one can come to the event that is under 30.  Stimulation jump starts the grey matter into looking at things from a different perspective and firing off the synapses that can lead to new concepts, new ways of thinking and new fundraisers.  

Small group participation creates inclusion.  Shared ideas can lead to “buy in” and greater motivation to bring the idea to fruition.  Execution is easy when the person with the most enthusiasm for the idea is given the leadership role to oversee or chair the fundraiser. 

 As always Happy Fundraising,

Lucinda

Call me if your in a rut.  800 799 6116
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To Facebook or Not?

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Today’s post Tom the Agitator ”the chicken or the egg” poses the question as to whether using Facebook as opposed to typical customer driven incentive marketing  makes customers loyal.

The study sited on his post shows that consumers who became Facebook fans of a cafe dessert business,  purchased, visited, and spent higher average dollars at the cafe than other customers who were not FB fans.   He asks the question.  If customers were given some form of incentive card would they be just as loyal as those who did not have one?  He thinks so.  I honestly don’t know but coincidentally, just this past week, I did a test using FB advertising as a vehicle for gaining new fans, and customers.

In just one week, fans on the Designs by Lucinda Facebook page increased by %100.  I’ve also seen an improvement of %50 more traffic on my website.   Through Google Analytics I can see they are coming directly from Facebook.  Fans are flooding my FB page with endorsements and praises of me (batting my eyelashes wildly right now) and my product as well.  From my perspective it does not matter which is better or even if one creates a more loyal customer than another.  What matters is that more people now know about my product and services, are sharing with friends,  and I can continue to build relationships with them through a medium of social networking that I can not do with incentive loyal customer punch cards.  I believe customer loyalty will come from the relationships that I nurture not the discounts I offer.

I urge all non profits to create a presence on FB and build a fan base.  It provides an easy means of expression to educate an audience, promote events, brag about accomplishments, and ask for help.   And it’s FREE!  Hello?????

Happy Fundraising!
Lucinda

PS: If you aren’t a FB fan of mine you can become one now.

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Choosing a Fundraising Company that’s Right for your Nonprofit

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

If you are thinking about fundraising with a product keep your credit card in your wallet until you’ve read this.  Finding a fundraising company that you can count on and trust takes some due diligence.  If you have googled fundraising products then you know there are a slew of companies out there.  It can actually be overwhelming.  All of them promise a product that is easy to sell and highly profitable.  There’s a lot more to it.  Increase your chance of success by asking these 5 questions of any fundraising company.

  • How long has the company been in the business of selling fundraising products?  If a company has been in business for a long period of time it probably means that nonprofits have been successful with the sale of their products.  On the other hand, if they have just hung their shingle, some research is in order.  Talking with their clients is one sure way to learn about them.  If they won’t give you references, RUN!  Find a company that will.
  • Does the company have an excellent customer service staff?  Email communication may be convenient but nothing replaces a human being on the other end of the phone when you really need to talk to someone.  Look for people who are courteous, professional and friendly.  A great fundraising company wants you to be successful and will ask you questions about your organization in order to guide you to a product that is best suited for you.  If the fundraising company just takes your order, or simply “sells you” then buyer beware. 
  • Does the company provide support services?  Fundraising sales tips, marketing materials, displays, website linking opportunities, regularly scheduled email communication and newsletters are added necessities that will enhance your fundraising campaign.
  • Does the fundraising company guarantee their products?  Companies that offer a guarantee truly believe that their product works.  Request a written return, refund, or exchange document to have on hand if you need to refer to it as you do business with the company.
  • Does the company maintain inventory levels and shipping schedules that meet your needs?  You will be very disappointed if the product you want is unavailable OR it doesn’t arrive in time for your event.

Finally, when someone you know refers a fundraising company to you then it’s a good bet you can trust them.  So here’s my referral to you.  Although it’s  a new and small company, the owner, Ron Dover is a friend of mine.  The company is Be-Who-U-R.  The product is adorable T-Shirts and the story behind the company will make your heart sing.  You’ll love it!  Check them out http://www.b-who-u-r.com

Happy Fundraising!

Lucinda

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YOU and the TUBE

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

If you are looking to increase awareness and grow donations for your organization (and I know you are) then YouTube video may be your calling card to donors.  Video is a new powerful resource.

Even if you are without a marketing budget and have no resources to create new market videos don’t worry.  Video is free.  It costs nothing to post on YouTube AND you don’t have to be a master in technology.  It is no longer necessary to hire a production company to create video.  Simply by creating from an ipod or iphone or using existing videos to showcase your non profit is at your fingertips.  Visual storytelling can be compelling.  The secret to creating an inspiring video is to imagine seeing what you do as if through your donors eyes.  The transparency in sharing by video with your donors builds trust and a desire to give AND share.  Videos make it possible for donors to recommend and introduce your cause to their family and friends just by circulating and sharing your YouTube video link.

With today’s technology, everything is in your control.  Check out this YouTube Nonprofit program http://www.youtube.com/nonprofits .  You get fantastic benefits with regards to branding and functionality.

Take a peek at our How a Flower Pin is Made video.  You will want to sing along so turn up the V!

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