Here are seven ways to improve your fundraising for youth sports. Includes a sample sales script, tips on where to sell, how to choose products, and much more.
Want some advice on how to improve your fundraising for youth sports? Every youth sports league needs to raise money to pay for costs and keep membership fees low. So, how do you raise more funds? If you pay attention to these seven things, you can easily get twice as many results.
#1: Choosing a product
When raising money for youth sports, it's so important to choose the right things to sell. The best choice is one that is liked by a lot of people, costs more than average, and has good profit margins.
Don't sell the same things you've always sold. Think about getting things that meet the following criteria.
#2: Price of the item
Your product should be priced in a way that makes it appealing. This means that it shouldn't be too high or too low. Instead, it should be right in the middle, where people are most likely to spend money.
If you're selling a cheap product, you're at a disadvantage because you're not getting as much money from each customer as you could be. Try putting a small number of items together and asking for more money.
For example, if each candy bar costs $1, put together three-packs of different kinds or a ten-pack for a family. Get your prospect to think about more money. Many of them will join the group.
#3: How profitable a product is
It's important that the profit margin on the item you're selling to raise money is high. If you can, you should try to make 80 percent or more. This would include things like discount cards that let you get two meals for the price of one at fast food places.
Many standard items have a 50 percent profit margin, which is fine. It just means that you'll have to sell more of them to make the same amount of money as you would if you sold items with a higher profit.
If the product chosen has a lower profit range, say 40 percent, then it needs to be either more expensive or likely to get each customer to buy more than one. For example, cookie dough is usually in this range, but the prices start at $10 and go up from there. A lot of families buy two or three units.
#4 - Sales Script
Don't send out salespeople who aren't ready. Teaching kids how to sell things is part of youth sports, and this goes a long way toward building their self-confidence.
Here's what you should say:
1: Look the person in the eye, smile, and say your name.
2: Explain in one sentence why you need money.
3: Say the second sentence in which you ask for help.
4: Make sure the word "because" is in that sentence.
5: Make the sample item, catalogue, or order sheet bigger.
6 - Suggest a personal favourite item or bundle.
7: Always ask what to do.
#5 - Look for new customers
Now that they know what to say, your kids need to find people to talk to. You can't break sales records if you don't have a lot of people who want to buy.
Everyone should make a list of the people who might buy from them. Make them do it as a team, and make sure they write down what they come up with. It's very important to do this, and each seller should say out loud that they will do their part.
Have each seller stand up in front of their teammates and say how many prospects they have. Then, get them to promise to raise a certain amount of money. Set minimum amounts and offer prizes for different levels of achievement to encourage competition.
#6: It's all about the place
You can also raise more money for youth sports by going to where the prospects are. Your group can reach a huge number of people by setting up sales tables at the entrances of stores with a lot of foot traffic.
There are hundreds of potential customers in grocery stores, home improvement stores, and mass merchandisers. Get permission from the store manager ahead of time.
Set up a small table to show off the products you're selling to raise money. Each 90-minute shift should have two adults and two kids working at your spot.
Decorate the area with banners from your league and big signs that explain what you're offering. Your signs should tell them a lot before they get to your display and sales table. So, people who want to help your sports team will be more likely to stop and be more open to hearing what each kid has to say.
Example:
"Fundraiser for a new uniform"
"3 pounds of tasty cookie dough for $10"
Think about how many possible customers are at these places who aren't in your normal circle of contacts. Now, go out and sell something to them!
#7 - Have Fun
Always make it fun for kids to raise money. Their feelings are sent unconsciously to each possible prospect.
If they're happy and smiling when they tell people what your team needs and ask for help, there's a good chance they'll get a positive response.
If they are looking down and mumbling a jumbled sales pitch, more people are likely to turn down the offer. To get them involved, you can set up a competition, plan some fun activities around the process, and have rewards ready for those who do well.
For example, put up a list of the best-selling items at every team practise. Everyone wants to be noticed.
Do something fun just for the people who help out at the retail sales table. Take the people to bowling, a batting cage, or a driving range for golf. It will bring fathers and sons closer together and get more people involved.
After the fundraiser is over, throw a party as a thank you. It's enough to have a simple pizza party or a group picnic. Just make sure that everyone knows how much they helped.
Let the kids have time to run around and have fun. After all, isn't the point of kids' sports to have fun?
If you follow these seven tips, your fundraiser for youth sports will be a big success.
