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Crowdfunding + Social Media for Non-Profits

  • Originally posted IN ‘ABBES SPARKS at RFPalooza.com BY ROGER CHIOCCHI ON OCTOBER 29, 2014

    Crowdfunding campaigns are now an essential tool in the fundraising arsenal to get a project or company off the concept stage and into launch mode. The success of a crowdfunding campaign is largely dependent on how it is marketed; social media marketing and strategic targeting to the appropriate audiences are key factors in reaching a campaign’s funding goal. In today’s economy and with a crowded playing field, it has become increasingly difficult for fundraisers to attract potential donor. As a result, we have seen a steady increase in crowdfunding sites such as gofundme, KICKSTARTER, indiegogo and causes, which have caught on to savvy funding strategists, non-profit organizations, start-up businesses, cause/health initiatives and artistic and scientific projects, to name a few. ‘IF YOU CREATE IT, THEY REALLY WILL COME.’  

    SMforNonProfits

    Case in point #1: The importance of social media and strategic targeting in raising funds is evident in the multitude of conferences, articles and worldwide attention to social good that exists today. As I write this blog entry, I am at one of several Social Media for Non-Profits conferences being held around the country in 2014 & 2015. Today, I am being inspired at its Chicago conference featuring some of the country’s top experts in the social media and non-profit marketing arena. #SM4NP @SM4Nonprofits #socialmedia #fundraising #nonprofits #marketing #charitablegiving.

    This play about suicide-awareness was crowdfunded via social media.

    Case in point #2: Boulder Story Healers, a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, a nonprofit charity under Section 501(c)3, set out to raise funds to produce and tour the production of its two person autobiographical musical play “A Day For Grace (ADFG) — which raises suicide awareness — by utilizing the crowdfunding site indiegogo. The needs: raise funds for the tour and its promotion. In addition to traditional fundraising practices to raise awareness for its campaign, such as partnering with other like-minded organizations and hosting special event performances, the ADFG team utilized indiegogo campaign to simultaneously raise funds and maximize its promotion of the show and its message. Targets: #theatre #suicideawareness #music #recovery #nonprofits #drama.

     

    The Social Media for Non-Profits Conference in Chicago

    Today, clients can seek funding for nearly everything from social good causes to documentaries to t-shirt manufacturing. There are a myriad of crowdfunding sites an organization can utilize to assist them in their fundraising efforts. According to crowdfunding.com,the top five sites are gofundme, KICKSTARTER, indiegogo, tspring and causes.

  • So, maximize your client’s crowdfunding initiatives through social media marketing and strategic targeting to achieve success and their funding goal, attract new donors and retain existing. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
  • BY ABBE SPARKS

    By Abbe Sparks

    Abbe Silverberg Sparks is the principal of Abbe Sparks Media Group (www.abbesparksmedia.com), a boutique communications firm specializing in media relations, cause and social media marketing, branding and special events planning.

    Read more blog posts by Abbe Sparks at RFPAlooza.com-Abbes-Sparks

 

By Abbe Sparks

Abbe Sparks is the Founder of Abbe Sparks Media Group & Socially Sparked News. A social entrepreneur, she is a social media and content influencer who has been covering the entertainment, music, tech and advocacy sectors for over 25 years. A member of US Press Association, she has written for many online and print publications including the UK's Blues Matters Magazine, Big City Rythm & Blues & her former column 'Abbe's Sparks' for RFPalooza. You can also find her stories on Medium & Tumbler. Twitter: @asparks01

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