Why are online fundraisers so important nowadays?
If your organization could escape without raising money online before, then COVID-19 has made it impossible to survive without moving events to the internet. Therein lies the artform of creating an online event, driving an audience, putting on an entertaining performance, asking for money, taking online donations, then giving live fundraising feedback to the audience. We recommend nonprofits use a platform like Givebutter, which allows for live video streaming, eCommerce for fundraising, live fundraising ticker tape, and social media integration.
One of our recent Eyes On Your Mission winners had scheduled a gala for May 2020, and obviously they had to cancel. We turned it into a video premiere online; they had never done an online event. In 90 minutes, with the help of celebrity John Walsh, they raised $12,000 to support the efforts of their nonprofit.
There are many different types of online fundraisers, some of which include:
- Crowdfunding
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising or Virtual Events
- Matching Gift Drive
- T-Shirt Fundraising
- Online Donation Forms [Free or Paid]
- Online Giving Days
- Text-to-Give Campaign
- Online Auctions/Advanced Styling
- Viral Fundraising Campaign
- Online Cashback Websites
- Donation for a Vote
How do we setup our online fundraiser?
The following is an outline of the step-by- step process we use for setting up your online video fundraiser:
- Determine your goals
- Pick your platform
- Determine your e-commerce system (i.e. Givebutter)
- Determine your e-marketing system (i.e. Mailchimp, Canva)
- Create marketing calendar
- Create event page (i.e. Eventbrite)
- Choose your video livestream strategy (i.e. Zoom) (Webcam or professional cameras streaming)
- Outline your pre-recorded video material
- Hire a company, freelancer or intern to produce your pre-recorded video content
- Gather your guest list
- Contact potential partners
- Start email marketing
- Start social media marketing
- Start video pre-production
- Video production (shoot new footage if necessary)
- Video post production
- Prepare for event
- Host event
- Raise money
- Follow up & thank yous
- Invite to next event