Tips to get the most out of your online campaign... Letter Writing CampaignsDid you know that a letter campaign is one of the most effective ways to get your message out. People who you would never otherwise meet will read your story and mission... ________For some, one of the most difficult parts of being an Ambassador is raising support. Today, there are many great tools that can be used for fundraising from social media to fundraisers and more. Plain old-fashioned letters are often forgotten, but it’s good to remember they can be a great tool to keep the fundraising ball rolling! Who do I send my letter to?Everyone you can think of! Use step 1 & 2 below to create a spreadsheet of contacts. 1.) Get together with friends...Have lunch, tea, or simply gather with a few friends for a brainstorming session. Together, come up with a list of names and businesses that you can send your letter to. THE MORE, THE MERRIER! Write as many names down on a spreadsheet as you and your friends can think of. After contact information is collected, your team can help you address envelopes for the recipients with physical addresses. 2.) Collect Addresses...Using the spreadsheet that you and your friends put together, assign each friend with a few names at a time to collect information for. Addresses for businesses may be found online, or may sometimes require a phone call. If you cannot find an address for someone, collect a fax number or an email address. Write their information on the spreadsheet with the corresponding name. To whom do I address a formal letter?To address a formal letter, use the salutation “Dear” and then the person's title and surname, for example “Dear Mr. Smith.” Alternatively, if you don't know who the recipient of the letter will be, use a general salutation, such as “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” How do I write my letter?Make it clear and concise – Try to limit it to one page of writing. Using bullet points for details can be helpful. As you’re revising the letter, ask yourself what information is absolutely necessary for readers to understand your mission and how you are asking them to participate. Be specific about what you need – The best success in getting donations comes when you help them with a good starting point, for example, “Raising $5,000 this month might sound like a lot, but that’s only 50 individuals donating $100 each. Reaching this goal each month will accomplish my entire campaign in just 5 months!" Incorporate good visuals – We live in a visual society. Having the letter laid out well by using bullet points, bolding important points, breaking up long paragraphs, and avoiding tiny fonts will go a long way! As a bonus, printing 4×6 photos is simpler and cheaper than ever and adding a few to your letter could make a huge impact. Give a time limit – People are more likely to give if they have to do it in a certain amount of time, for example, “In order to meet my first deadline I need to have $5,000 raised by May 20th.” Keep the tone positive – If people sense that you believe the money will come in, they are much more likely give. Letting people know your need is necessary, but it can be done in a way that doesn’t sound desperate and panicky. Ask a trusted friend to read your letter before you send it out and help you see places you might unintentionally fall into wording things that come across desperate rather than hopeful. Make it easy to respond & give - Include your direct campaign link and instructions on how to send a check. Client Services can add this information for you when you send us your letter to proof-read. You should also remind recipients to check with their employers about matching gifts. Take it to social media - In some cases, the biggest thing your support letter will do is direct the recipient to your online support page. Having an online page is 10x better than just having a letter. It could be your Facebook fan page, or even a blog that you start, just be sure to set your privacy settings, as these are people you don't know. No matter where it is on the Internet, an online page is a place where you can truly engage with your friends and family during the support-raising process. Contact Client Services once your letter is written and they will proof-read & apply the SDWR logo. When should I send my letters?Kick it off! – A letter campaign is a great way to start your fundraising journey, and let everyone know what you are raising funds for. Follow up – It’s always good to follow up with a email and/or a second letter. Some givers like to wait until they know others are giving before jumping onboard. In fact, more often than not, you may not begin to see any donations until you follow up! Thank you – When you are nearing the end of your campaign, send out a giant 'thank you' and ask for the last push to help you reach your goal! Use the tools and resources that Client Services has to offer! - Business Cards - Campaign Flyers - SDWR Brochures - Fundraising Corner (link below) - And many, many more Other informational documents to help with networking include: - How to Approach a Business - Goods and Services Donation Request Letter - Letter Writing Template and Tips - Civic Funder Letter Is there something you would like to see in an email blast? Is there an event type that you would like explained on our fundraising page? Let us know! cs@sdwr.org We want your input! On our fundraising page you will find the Client Services Survey & the Post -Event Survey. We encourage you to complete these often with feedback for our team. We want to be constantly improving, and to do that we need your help! |