Few things are more important than where something is. It's true not only for real estate, but also for raising money. Here are some ways to broaden your fundraising efforts and get the most out of them.
The place, the place, the place!
Few things are more important than where something is. It's also
works for real estate, but it also works for fundraising.
Here are some tips to
If you want to raise as much money as possible, you should try new things.
Usually, efforts to raise money are focused on:
-Friends
-Neighbors
-Relatives
-Co-workers
There is a lot of money right under your nose that isn't in the usual places.
You have to go where people are making money. Where people shop is where most of the money for fundraising comes from. They have cash or chequebooks in their hands and are out and about.
There's no better time than now to sell a good product to raise money at these places:
-Drugstores
-Retailers of home improvements
-Food Stores
-Shopping Malls
Drugstores are a good place to start selling. have good sidewalk space most of the time.
Home Improvement Stores - Big weekend traffic spots. A lot of people who do things themselves are starting their next project.
Grocery stores are great places to sell things to raise money. This place does very well with a small, high-quality food item.
In shopping malls, it's hard to get permission to use outdoor space, but a spot near the food court is gold.
And don't forget the 800-pound gorilla: Wal-Mart, the Holy Grail of fundraising spots. Fundraising for a day in front of this busy store is like going to fundraising heaven. You'll have so many possible clients that you won't know where to start.
Due to the sheer number of people who shop at Wal-Mart,
need big signs to quickly get the word out about your fundraiser?
your customers hurry in
Setting the Joint Up Front
You want your weekend fundraising table to be in the best place. Find out how things are. Check to see which door is used the most.
Find out who in charge is at this place. Most of the time, it's the store manager, but sometimes it needs to be okayed by the regional manager or
shopping centre management. Don't expect them to stop what they're doing just to talk to you. If you need to, set up a time to ask for permission.
Be ready to give a two-minute summary of
Who - Tell them who you are and who your group is.
What - Tell us about your fundraiser.
When - Have a main date and a back-up date chosen.
Where – Pick the exact place you want to use.
Why - Explain exactly why you want to raise money.
How - Describe your planned activities and where they will take place.
A well-written letter is a good way to get everything down on paper. Keep to the basics that have been explained above. If you have letterhead for your group, use it!
Check to see that everything will go well. Ask for the name of the person to talk to on the date you want. Get permission, preferably in writing, just in case the weekend manager didn't get the message.
Preparing for a Big Job
After you've checked out the place, you should be ready to pull off your bank job to raise money.
Location: There are often two sets of doors to get in. You want to claim that spot right away. People should also have plenty of space to move around.
Signage: Look for good places to put up your signs and posters. They should be big and bright, and you should be able to read the words from thirty feet away. Focus on the product's main benefits and be clear about your goal.
Table Space: You need a big table that folds up, preferably one that is 36x72. Folding chairs should be put on the side opposite the door. Use a full-size tablecloth to make things look better.
Staffing: Plan your fundraising teams so that adult and child pairs overlap. Each 90-minute shift should have two adults and two children. Start and end times should be spaced out by 30 minutes to avoid running out of resources.
Getting It Done
To really go bankrupt, you have to plan everything out. When and how you say something is everything. You only have 30 seconds to get the attention of your prospects and get them to stop. Your fundraising should be well thought out in these ways:
Product: Make sure to choose a cash-and-carry fundraiser that will bring in a lot of money. Discount cards for fast food are great. So are high-quality foods and treats like cookies and fudge. Items for sale should be small, easy to carry, and stand out on their own.
Samples: Samples of the product should be easy to find and should be given to every potential customer. When it comes to food, the children should bring plates or trays with small bite-sized snacks.
Presentation: Don't sell the meat, sell the sauce! Focus on the benefits of the product, not its features. Would you rather have a juicy, mouth-watering Whopper or a hamburger?
Sales Patter - Talk a good game! Follow a loose plan. Write down your best points to talk about as bullet points. Keep things short and easy. Tell them about your cause and ask them to help.
Wrap Up Location
As you can see, a great location brings you a lot of potential customers. All you have to do is claim the best ground and go for it.
Don't just sit around and wait for your next fundraiser to take off on its own. Instead of robbing a bank, plan ahead and do it yourself.
Location, location, location is the key to a successful fundraiser.
