We've pigged out on Thanksgiving food, gotten all of the Christmas shopping out the way during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Now it's time for the good stuff, giving! While every noteworthy article will advise you to begin planning weeks in advance, and they're right. It's often more realistic in theory than practice. Not to worry, I have 4 simple day-of techniques that you can use to increase your donations and rack in the big bucks this #GivingTuesday.
1. Facebook is Your Friend.
Besides the fact that Facebook gives you access to hundreds, possibly thousands of potential donors, it also matches donations during #givingtuesday. Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match contributions made on Facebook to nonprofits up to a total of $7 million. Facebook and PayPal will start matching donations at 8:00 am ET (5:00 am PT) on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The matching offer will expire when $7 million in donations is reached or at 11:59 pm PT on November 27th. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar on a first-come, first served basis and best of all, no fees.
2. Get Your Followers Tweeting!
In support of its, Be the Good campaign, Benevity is donating $100,000 to charity. Between 9:00 am EST and 9:00 pm EST, Benevity will donate $10 to the charity of your choosing by following these steps:
Take inventory of recurring donors and new prospective supporters. Send personal texts and call potential larger donors to check-in and to wish them a Happy #givingtuesday.
3. Get Your Supporters Registered for Amazon Smile.
While #givingtuesday is one day of giving, those who sign up for Amazon can give year long. Amazon donates 0.5% of shoppers purchases (excluding shipping, handling, and taxes) to a charity of choice. Supporters can start donating today by logging onto http://www.smile.amazon.com and selecting your organization from the database. That's it! Now each time they shop on Amazon, via Amazon Smile, they will simultaneously donate to your organization.
4. Go Old School and Get on the Phone.
Not all of your donors are online. It's important to reach as many people as possible in about a 12-hour span. Take inventory of recurring donors and new prospective supporters. Send personal texts and call potential larger donors to check-in and to wish them a Happy #givingtuesday. Even send your family and friends a reminder text early Tuesday morning and encourage them to get their networks to donate as well. Let them know about the options above and maximize your earning!
Which innovative tactics are you using this #GivingTuesday to reach your fundraising goal?