During my last fundraising event, I asked folks to help me out by spreading the word about my efforts to their friends and contacts. The economy was pretty stinky and I figured if maybe someone felt like they couldn't afford to make a donation - or maybe couldn't donate as much as they'd like - they could still be very helpful by getting the word out to more people. The result was that I received a number of donations from total strangers - mostly in the range of about $5.
In addition to helping me meet my fundraising goal, this was incredibly cool! When you're doing a fundraiser, each time someone makes a donation you get an email notification. That's pretty cool and rewarding in itself seeing these emails pop up in your inbox saying "A donation was made on your behalf!" But imagine how it feels when that donation comes from someone you don't even know! Are you imagining it? How's that going? Well, just in case, I'll tell you. It's great! You're out there fundraising, kind of on your own, and every donation is a vote of support which in itself is important and rewarding. And then to get a vote of support from a total stranger - well it's like the universe is looking out for you or something.
So I got to thinking - maybe I could replicate that idea for other people so they could have the same feeling. So I'm doing it! (I start a lot of sentences with So (a needle pulling thread!)). And I call it: $5 Follow Fridays! How does it work you ask? On to the facks!
Q: What's the big idea?
A: To help other people who are fundraising for worthy causes, I'm gonna try and drum up a little extra support by promoting their efforts to my friends and encouraging those friends to make a $5 donation to a random stranger's fundraising program. To make it easy, I'll do it every Friday.
Q: How do you find these people?
A: Most fundraising organizations have a search function on their websites. I just sort of randomly search through various participants and pick people.
Q: Well, then how do you decide who to pick?
A: I'm glad you asked that question. I look for two things basically. One, that the person is an active fundraiser. Lots of people sign up with good intentions, but then for whatever reason are unable to really commit to the fundraising process. So I look to make sure that the person's event is concluding within a reasonable time-frame and that they actually have donations made to their effort. And two, I look for folks who look like they might need a little help. Basically people who are below their goal - maybe way below, or just on the cusp of making their goal.
Q: What organizations are you promoting?
A: Ah, another good question (you're good at this!). Well, I'm starting with the ones I know which is basically TNT, LIVESTRONG, SGK3D, MJF and DFP. But I'm open to suggestions. They just need to be reputable organizations. So if you've got one in mind, please let me know.
Q: Didn't you sort of steal this idea from Subway and Twitter?
A: I prefer to think of it as a mashup. I'm taking the $5 foot long, and putting it in the atom smasher with the #followfriday and voila! #$5FF
Q: Isn't this just a desperate attempt for attention/self-promotion/self-aggrandizing/borrowed interest?
A: Have you seen Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? I'm trying to work my way up to Self-Actualization. I don't have any desire to be famous. Well, ok, maybe I like being on stage a little bit. (OK, maybe a lot. um, this is getting uncomfortable). I'm just trying to help other people receive a little unexpected surprise during their fundraising efforts.
Q: Wait, aren't you fundraising right now? Won't this cut into your fundraising?
A: I dunno. Maybe. I don't think of it that way. I'm just trying to help more people do more good. If someone is thinking of donating to my campaign, they can just deduct $5 and give it to one of the strangers. What goes around comes around after all.
Q: OK, you've convinced me. What do I need to do?
A: Just be on the lookout for a Facebook or Twitter post with the relevant info.
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