Team Hope
Social Networking: The fastest way to spread the word
How to use Social Media to Fundraise-
Twitter-
As a fundraiser, this is a tool that should not be over looked. Here are 5 don’ts when sharing your fundraising page on Twitter.
1. Don’t be vague with your tweets
Make sure you are properly communicating what it is you are doing and what you’d like your audience to do. While competing for individuals’ attention you can’t afford to be vague. Tweets must be mindfully crafted especially within the 140-character constraint.
2. Don’t forget to use hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to add your tweet to larger, on-going Twitter conversation. Once you tag a tweet with a hashtag, it’ll appear categorized in the unique feed with other tagged tweets. Consider the tweet “Half way done with my #bostonmarathon fundraising goals! myfundraisingpagelink.com.” By including a hashtag, your post will then be categorized and search-able under the #bostonmarathon hashtag. Tweet to those who care most!
3. Don’t stress about asking to be shared
Ask your Twitter followers to share your message. Remember that your audience has their own unique audience as well. Even if you land just one retweet, it could potentially mean a whole new network of supporters. Be honest and sincere and you should be fine connecting with others. That’s exponential growth!
4. Don’t be afraid to tweet more than once
Chances are not everyone will get to see your tweet the first time. It is important to send new tweets every once in a while so that you stay fresh in your audience’s mind and guarantee that everyone has had a chance to read your message. For those avid Twitter users, best practice suggests 20 tweets a day however for those just starting off, shoot for just 10. Know that all your tweets don’t have to revolve around a single call to action. If anything, tweet about 4 times a day with a link to your fundraising page and the rest for simply engaging your network.
5. Don’t forget to add a link to your tweets
Finally, do not forget to include a link to your fundraising page in your tweets. This is a crucial step that many unfortunately forget about. Tweets are about context. Give your network a call to action and help direct them by using a link. This way they are more likely to support your efforts. You’ve gotten their attention so please don’t forget the link
Facebook-
Share your fundraising page on Facebook Walls, Pages, and Groups
In the realm of Facebook, there are many places you can share your fundraising page, be it a friend’s wall, an official Facebook page, and/or a Facebook Group. Hit all of these areas and do so more than once. Do not go over board with the number of posts but a friendly reminder with an actionable link here and there is important.
Create a Facebook event to draw attention
Pull attention to your fundraising page by creating a Facebook event. Make sure you invite all of your Facebook friends that way (at the very least) they’ll get a notification of it. For those who “attend” the event, messaging them is direct and easy. Be sure to give your Facebook friends a reason to opt into the conversation and begin asking for donations. Try to get creative with your events titles as well. For instance, try this inviting message: “Help me raise awareness for Huntington's Disease! Donate today.”
Expand your network through your own
With sharing just a click away, let your friends know that you’re looking to spread the word, your audience has their own unique audience. Leverage that to your advantage and see how many times you can get your message shared. We must stress the “personal touch” factor. Social media is still ultimately a conversation. Someone is more likely to make a donation to a person they know or someone their friend’s know.
