Looking to raise money on GoFundMe?
In this post, I’ll share with you some of the tips that I have for launching a successful GoFundMe campaign.
You’ll learn how to raise money for medical bills, personal costs, travel expenses, and more.
Typically if you are raising money on GoFundMe it is for a need: things like medical bills, memorial funds, or costs related to your education.
This is a very different type of fundraising than that of Kickstarter or Indiegogo, which is more centered around start-ups and passion projects.
Let’s get into some tips as to how you can launch a successful GoFundMe campaign, and raise a ton of money for a cause you care deeply about.
Most donations on GoFundMe are sourced from the social network of the person launching the campaign.
This can be a bit of a sticky subject, because you might be hoping that strangers are going to support your campaign. While this does happen in certain cases, it’s pretty rare.
People don’t like the idea of pleading or begging for money on their Facebook wall.
However, most people are going to support your campaign because of the connection or relationship that you have cultivated.
Make sure your donors know that they are appreciated for helping you out during your time of need. People will be more inclined to donate if they know you are genuinely thankful.
Construct a Story
Additionally, you are going to want to do more than just post the link to your social accounts. You should aim to tell a story.
Make a concerted effort to bring people into your world and create empathy so that they will be more willing to help you out.
Background and storytelling is much more effective than just a plain title with grammatically incorrect text—people aren’t moved by a half-hearted attempt. You should talk a little bit about:
- what actually happened
- why you need the money
- what events led up to this point
- how your life has been affected
- what you will do with the money
You want to create the clearest picture possible for your potential donors. Images, videos, and creative text can all work to construct a beautiful, moving story worthy of a donation.
Show Appreciation and Thanks
Showing appreciation and thanks is a vital strategy that works with the psychology of your potential donors.
Why does someone give money to someone else?
What do they want out of that transaction?
The number one reason people give money is because they feel empathy. They notice your distress, and recognize that their money can help you out.
After giving a donation, your donor wants to feel good about that process. It’s up to you to allow them to feel that way by:
- saying thank you
- articulating what their donation means to you
- demonstrating what their donation enables you to do
Giving thanks publicly on Facebook or other mediums can actually get other people interested, because they also will want to feel that appreciation. It also could lead to current donors sharing your campaign.
GoFundMe Guarantee Program
GoFundMe has received some scrutiny in the media because people don’t show proper appreciation: they simply take the money and run.
There is a lot of skepticism surrounding whether or not the money will be used for the right causes. That’s why GoFundMe has created their guarantee program where they can ensure that if there is fraud, the situation can be alleviated for the donors.
Do some research into this program and communicate its protections to your donors so that they can have some peace of mind and feel confident in donating to your campaign.
Use the Media if Possible
If you have a story that you believe could be attractive to the media, capitalize on that.
Maybe you have experienced injustice, or your campaign relates to a larger conversation that groups and organizations might be interested in.
You could send your story to your local paper, news outlets, or subreddits focused around the topic of your campaign.
Conclusion
I hope these tips have been helpful, and that you feel more confident in launching your GoFundMe campaign.
This post is just a starting point; I have a ton of other content out there that can lead you in the right direction with GoFundMe.
I have a book called Crowdfunding Personal Expenses that takes you way more in depth on the topics discussed in this post. You should also check out my free GoFundMe Course that will take you through step by step how to raise money on the platform.
