Hopefully we’ve already convinced you that setting up your own online sponsorship page with JustGiving will play a big part in helping you to raise your sponsorship target. You already know that it is an incredibly convenient, quick and secure way of raising funds from your contacts both in the UK and overseas.
But how can you be sure that you are getting the best from your JustGiving page? The following tips should ensure that your page is as effective as possible in raising big money:
Spend a little time in making your page as involving as possible. Go for either an emotional or humorous theme – something that will make an impact on your recipients. Use a photo to back your theme up, and make sure that you include some information on Help the Hospices in your message. For a good example, see what one of our London Marathon runners has done at http://www.justgiving.com/clmjefferies.
Rather than emailing all your contacts straight away with your page address, send it firstly to a select list of contacts who you can rely on to donate a generous amount. Future sponsors tend to match what has already been pledged, so the higher your initial donations, the more you should raise overall.
Instead of using a simple web link to your JustGiving page, use a JustGiving widget. The widget has a little graphic that automatically updates whenever someone makes a donation to your fundraising page. The widget links directly to your fundraising page so your contacts can easily visit to add their own donation. To set up your widget, visit your own page and click on “promote this page” (under the fundraising thermometer). Then click on “grab a fundraising widget” and simply copy the code provided onto your site to see the widget appear. Your widget can be placed on blogs and web forums.
Mention the benefits of giving online, especially that an extra 28% in Gift Aid is automatically added to donations made by UK taxpayers.
Change your email auto-signature to include a badge – a simple button that links to your fundraising page, which unlike the widget you can paste into your e-mail signature. This means that every email you send out promotes your event and catches people’s attention.
Use your company’s communication vehicles (corporate newsletters, Intranet sites, message boards etc) to publicise your event and your JustGiving page.
Add your justgiving page to your Facebook profile and spread the word about any and all fundraising you are doing around your own online network.
If your local paper or trade publication carries an article promoting your event, make sure it includes your page address.
Keep your supporters in the loop. Send them an occasional email to let them know how your training is going, and how much sponsorship you have raised.
Don’t stop after the event! 20% of all online donations come in after the event has taken place. Tell everyone how it went, put a photo of you crossing the finishing line on your page, update your blog, and let everyone know the nasty recovery stories! This will mean that those who have yet to sponsor you no longer have any excuse to drag their heels!
http://www.justgiving.com/helpthehospices/raisemoney
If you have any problems creating your page you can call the justgiving.com helpdesk on 0800 028 6183 or e-mail helpdesk@justgiving.com