I am a computer geek and as such, I scour the web for interesting information.
I know that every fundraising company has an agenda and for that matter I do too. As the Vice President of a national fundraising company, I naturally want people to use my elementary school fundraisers wherever possible.
The thing is, I have a mission... I want to share any information I can that will allow schools and groups to have fundraising success!
I hope this post increases your sale regardless of what types of fundraisers you host and what fundraising companies you work with.
This post relates to how fundraising companies market to you in order for you to pick them. Naturally, every fundraiser has sales bullet points but some fundraisers fall flat while others are wildly successful. How can you recognize one from another?
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1) New and unique is not always better.
There is a difference among fundraisers. Since I am a computer geek at heart, I do see just about every offer online. They are marketed largely the same and every one claims to be profitable. But can they ALL really be equally profitable?
First off, You have new fundraising ideas and you have traditional proven favorites. Any new fundraiser may come with new ways of fundraising. The consideration here is that new is not always better. It's likely revenue will drop until students, parents and the community know how to effectively participate in the fundraiser. If you're trying a new fundraiser that has not been tested, make sure your goal reflects that.
Online malls, affiliate programs and coupon programs are examples of new fundraisers.
On the flip side, Traditional fundraising still leads the way in top-dollar fundraising. It tends to work better simply because the community knows what to expect and they know how to do their part.
Frozen cookie dough, gift and wrap catalogs and magazine sales are examples of traditional fundraisers.
2) Choosing the right program for your school.
Let's face it. There are different types of fundraisers and there are different types of schools. Finding the right match for your group can be difficult. Make sure to look back on the history of fundraisers at your school. If you don't have good records, make sure to keep track from here on out so you have good numbers. Some schools can sell chocolate bars, some catalog and some succeed at large fundraising events. So, your insight from the school perspective is critical.
We offer basically 2 fundraisers at Believe Kids, a fall fundraising gift catalog and a frozen cookie dough fundraiser.
These fundraisers have consistently been proven to increase sales over similar fundraisers. So, yeah! We have an amazing catalog but is it right for everyone? No. '
There are times where keeping it fresh or offering a product-in-hand fundraiser is a better option.
Your insight on what is right for your group can really make a difference. The last thing you want to do is have to try every single fundraiser out there in order to figure this out.
Just be careful in allowing fundraising company marketing to decide for you what is right for your group.
3) Putting down others
If a company markets by way of belittling the traditional heavy-hitting fundraisers, they may not be the right company for you.
Traditional fundraiser i.e. magazine sales, frozen cookie dough, large events such as auctions and walk-a-thons and fall gift catalogs have a proven track record for raising significant dollars. If a fundraising company has an ad that says that these things don't work, they are misinformed.
80% of elementary schools rely on these traditional fundraisers every year as do countless middle schools, high schools and other groups. There is no basis in fact to advertising claims that 'nobody wants wrapping paper or cookie dough anymore'.
The truth is, nobody wants what the companies that market this way offer and that's the best they can come up with. If a company is using a marketing tactic that suggests that traditional fundraising is not working, proceed with caution.
There you have it!
3 down and dirty hints to increasing your fundraising success with us or any other company. Remember to get professional advice online but also via phone. Reach out with a phone call to companies you believe offer value and significant profits. Talk over your situation with honesty. You'd be surprised at how helpful fundraising companies can be!
In your phone calls to school fundraising representatives, you can ask them specifically what participation they expect out of your group and what average sale per student you should receive. If they are up-front with you, you will have good numbers on what should be most profitable for your school. Use these tips and whatever else you can find online and over the phone. Use whomever is the best fit for your group and remember...
We just want you to succeed!
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Jay Moneta is the Vice President of Believe Kids, a nationwide elementary school fundraising company. If you find the information here valuable, please share the link to my blog - believejay.blogspot.com with friends.
Please comment here below the post and thanks for looking!
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