Twitter has become a nonprofit fundraisers best friend, exceeding any and all expectations to how fast and how much money could be raised.
For example, in February 2009, the Twestival fundraising initiative raised over $250,000 for CharityWater.
Social networking sites are opening new doors for nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Through Twitter, many charities and nonprofits have been able to raise thousands of dollars while spreading awareness about social issues.
People, aided by social technologies, are coming together to support causes they care about. Nonprofits can reach thousands of people with a “tweet” instantly. Physical and language barriers are no longer an issue.
You can post a quick “update” right from your desk, home or on the go. Similarly, people can get your updates on their computer, mobile phone or PDA. Tweets can now be sent and received in over five different languages. Twitter has become an important part of any nonprofit social media strategy.
But it takes more than posting multiple tweets a day to get the job done. It is not quite as simple as informing followers that you need some money. Below are a 10 tips (best practices) which may help your nonprofit increase its fundraising success on Twitter.
1. Plan but don't over do it.
To plan to the last detail removes any chance for unanticipated miracles to happen. This doesn’t mean you should not plan and go forth, happy go lucky. It does however mean that the spirit of giving, creativity, and community cannot be forced. You can expect the unexpected, but you don't jinx it.
2. Make the message clear.
State your purpose clearly and concisely. Highlight the “why” and “how” when making a call to action.
3. Create hype and excitement.
Generating buzz and excitement around your cause is imperative. It’s important to stand out and set your nonprofit apart from the rest. Hashtags and unique avatar ribbons are simple features that can be incorporated to your initiative and to involve supporters. Be creative. Put an open call out to people to use their unique skills and talents. Get them involved. Get them excited.
4. Report regularly.
Tell your network about your progress. Run donation totals on regular basis in order to maintain momentum and keep everyone excited about the cause.
5. Make your messages meaningful.
Do not waste people’s time. Don’t ask for donations on every tweet. The most basic of fundraising secret is that people give to people. Twitter is simply one more tool to help your nonprofit connect with its supporters. Remember, social media networking sites are about relationships.
6. Ask your followers to “retweet” (RT) your messages.
A study conducted by Dan Zarrella finds that “calls to action (“Please ReTweet”), while they might sound cheesy, work very well to get ReTweets.” This is viral marketing as its best!
7. Timing is essential.
People are less likely to donate at particular times of the year such as right after Christmas, during the Super Bowl or national holidays.
8. Thank your volunteers, supporters and donors.
These are your most important nonprofit resources. People want to know that they are making a difference. Showing appreciation also encourage a continued effort on everyone’s part.
9. Cultivate a community.
Asking people for money can be daunting. For this reason, it’s important to build a community of people interested in your content and cause before asking for anything.
10. Back up words with action.
Use Twitter to let followers know what your staff is doing to help. Create a sense of community around the change you seek. Connect with your network members to build trust and maintain credibility.
Authenticity before marketing. Traditional marketing, development and communication strategies do not work on social networking sites. Web 2.0 is much more about having personality and building online community. Nowhere is this more true than on Twitter.
Twitter is a powerful and cost-effective social media tool for nonprofit organizations. It can help you boost donations and connect to your donors. Before Twitter, and other social media, there was no economical way for a fundraising appeal to spread like wildfire. Now it’s incredible how many people a nonprofit can reach with very few resources. Experiment with it and give your supporters the opportunity to get involved quickly and easily with your nonprofit and your cause.
Also, I suggest you read, How to Coordinate a Campaign for Change, one of the many free ebooks available at Assetebooks.com, then, join the fight in a proactive fashion, to bring about the needed change.
Written By: Tom Retterbush
Twitter Fundraising Resources
http://www.experienceproject.com/twitcause
http://www.tweetsforacause.org/
http://twibbon.com/
Why i must use Twitter? Its simple and stupid service :)
ReplyDeleteTwitter actually helped us raise money for typhoon victims.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a great opportunity for non-profit movements :)
ReplyDeleteThere are some interesting tips for Twitter fundraising. We can also get some benefits from it.
ReplyDeleteThis truly is a very important blog. Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this valuable information with us.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how well it has done with regards to the Japan Tsunami. Just amazing, go twitter.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting how charities have made such good use of social media in recent years. There was a time when charities needed marketing consultants, now many go it alone.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a very significant blog indeed. I’ve acquired a lot of helpful information from your article. Thank you for sharing such relevant topic with us. I really love all the great stuff you provide. Thanks again and keep it coming
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such relevant topic with us. I really love all the great stuff you provide. Thanks again and keep it coming
ReplyDeleteThe way you express yourself is very facinating and everybody can see that. The information you offer your readers is relevent, well done for you.
ReplyDeleteAny possible to raise a fund for to save the environment ?
ReplyDeleteThese tips are very important for the fund raising. Tip # 2 is most important your message should be clear, easy and concise. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePersonal Trainer Nashville
Totally agree with your suggestion.. Very nice post and good information here..Thanks for posting that.. Read
ReplyDelete