4 Things you should know about Fundraisers
While the information here is geared toward fundraisers, any small business professional can use the concept below to augment their business!
(1) One of the best ways to raise money without raising the debt ratio is a well received fundraiser.
(2) Few people want to be approached at a street corner while in a hurry to go somewhere just to be stopped and offered stall donuts for a price higher than they could have purchased them at a local coffee shop or grocery store. I know, it's for a good cause but people these days in particular want (and need) value for their buck. Imagine selling them something that will improve their relationship with those they love or need to build a relationship with. That's value, that's leverage!
(3) What many people today struggle to understand is the relationship between fundraising and selling things. If a person tries to sell you something you feel that. If they give you something you feel that too. The difference is, the latter made you feel good! In return you feel compelled to make the giver feel good by thanking them for what they did to make you feel good. In many cases you also feel compelled to help the giver succeed. Why? You like them. They're not selfish. You like people who are not selfish don't you?
(4) Another words, stop putting most of your energy into selling. People feel it when they are being sold something. Most people do not like being sold things they neither want nor asked for. Stop selling and start thanking. Perhaps more importantly, show others how to give thanks to those who deserve to be thanked. If you are going to sell anything, sell thankfulness and you will begin to reap even more than you sow! Give and you will receive more than you think. Ever hear of Joe Girard? Google him if you have to. Trust me on this one; appreciation wins out over self promotion every time. We position people to send out to give with a view to reaping more than they every thought possible. But don't take my word for it although you can and should.
Bottom line, fundraisers are a wonderful way to fuel youth groups, non-profit programs, senior citizen funds, after school projects, field trips and a wide variety of events requiring the use of funds not normally provided by the group members. Even so, care should be exercised to determine what would be in every one's best long term interest.
