Want a Successful Fundraiser? 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Crowdfunding has become one of the most popular ways to raise money for a cause. Donation-based crowdfunding accounts for over 70% of fundraisers in the global crowdfunding market as of 2022. It’s no surprise you see fundraisers come across your Facebook page or email that have taken off in terms of success through donations.
But what makes these fundraisers so successful? Did you know that even a poor-quality photo can affect your fundraiser’s success? We’ve compiled a list of common mistakes that our successful fundraisers avoid that will steer your fundraiser towards success, and be sure to help any fundraiser that needs a boost.
1. Lack of high-quality photos & video
Data shows that fundraisers with at least five photos raise significantly more than those with just one photo. And fundraisers with a video raise more donations than those without one. Donors are attracted to multiple images and a compelling video that tells a story.
If you don’t have the time or resources to create a video with a digital camera, you can always use your smartphone to record or download the Vigo Video app on your iPhone or Android. With the Vigo Video app, you can create a unique photo or video story right on your smartphone to upload to social media and your fundraiser page. The app also allows you to add music to your story to bring it to life and join other successful fundraisers.
2. Insufficient fundraiser stories
Successful fundraisers avoid writing fundraising stories that are not detailed or compelling for their page. Insufficient stories may vary from being too short and lacking essential details about the beneficiary’s condition to too lengthy. Successful fundraisers realize the value in their story, write no fewer than 400 words, and do not bury the lede by initially bogging down their story with too many details.
Think about what specific event led you to take action and launch a fundraiser. Remember to add that detail to the beginning of your story, whether it was a diagnosis, loss of belongings, etc. You want to take a potential donor on a storytelling journey. Read Your Fundraiser Story: A Comprehensive Guide for more tips.
3. Spelling and grammar mistakes
After you finish writing your fundraiser story, read through your text thoroughly. Two common mistakes that successful fundraisers steer clear of are spelling and grammar mistakes in their writing. An easy way to avoid these mistakes is to write your story in a Microsoft Word document or Google Docs page to check word length, spelling, and grammar mistakes. You can also ask a friend or family member to read your story for any unnoticed mistakes before transferring the text to your fundraiser page.
4. Absence of fundraiser updates
Keeping your community and donors in the know is vital to your fundraiser’s longevity and success. Consistently writing updates on your page makes them come back and keep cheering you on. One of the most important aspects of successful fundraising is maintaining strong relationships with donors by communicating regularly through updates. Each update helps achieve fundraising goals, fosters donor appreciation, and informs them of progress.
5. Not using customer service
A successful fundraiser organizer doesn’t hesitate to contact our Customer Happiness team or Help Center for assistance. Our team of fundraising experts can help you work through any issues you may have, and browsing through our FAQs can help make your fundraising experience seamless.
6. Not reading our resources
Along with the Help Center, our team has written and compiled hundreds of blog posts on our website. Our posts are written with organizers in mind to help brainstorm new fundraising ideas, share tips and best practices, and, most importantly, turn every experience into a successful fundraiser. Whether you need to set up your donation page, tips for fundraising on social media or statistics on medical debt, the GoFundMe blog is an excellent resource for any need.
7. Crowdfunding by themselves
One of the biggest mistakes a fundraiser organizer can make is trying to fundraise by themselves. The best way to make your fundraiser a success story is to leverage the communities you are a part of.
Whether it’s a church group, baseball team, or your social media friends, asking those members to spread the word about your fundraiser and donate to your cause is the easiest and best way to meet your fundraising goal. Share it wide on Instagram, TikTok, and even NextDoor—leave no stone unturned. For example, this science teacher started a fundraiser to build a greenhouse for his students, so he took advantage of the high school’s community to share his fundraiser far and wide to reach his goal.
Avoid these mistakes for fundraiser success
There are many different components that go into successful fundraisers. Now that you have the tips and resources, launch your fundraiser today and become one step closer to reaching your goal.