After the campaign dust had settled, I emailed my client to do a tear-down of their online campaign.
This short exercise simply uncovers what worked, what didn’t, and what could be improved for the future - a valuable learning opportunity for all involved.
What this lovable leader shared, aside from interesting insights about his campaign, were valuable mindsets and best practices for all of us who fundraise.
Here’s his list.
As you go through it, consider how effective you are in each one of these points:
1. Think Big
Great things happen when we dare to cast an ambitious vision. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Very often, they’ll pay off beautifully.
2. Be Strategic (Enough)
You can’t go into a campaign blindly, hoping things will work out. You need to follow a solid strategy. At the same time, though, don’t stress too much about your plan. Roadblocks and hiccups will come up no matter what.
3. Take It One Step At a Time
You don’t need everything perfectly laid out and watertight on day one, and you don’t need to know exactly how to reach your goal. Each step forward reveals the next curve in the road that will lead to your destination.
4. Roll with the Punches
Expect that things will go wrong. Don’t panic when they do. Keep the big picture in mind. Be flexible. Glitches are expected. They’re not the end of the world.
5. Get Good Partners - and Equip Them Well
More good partners (teams, ambassadors, etc.) mean more value for your campaign. It's crucial to equip your primary partners for success, as their performance can significantly impact the outcome of your campaign.
6. Be the Cheerleader
As the leader in the picture, your core job is to keep everyone passionate about your vision (and your money goal). Also, your endless positivity and calmness will be the fuel that keeps the team going, even in the most challenging times.
7. Give Credit Where It’s Due
Make sure the people whose help you couldn’t do without become aware of how deeply you appreciate them. Also, make sure you understand how deeply worthy your cause is. After all, you’re just an agent for good - tremendous good.
8. Your Resources are Limited
Especially time. You can’t do everything. Be crystal clear on what you plan to do - and what you don’t plan to do.
Case in point: for this particular campaign, they focused totally on two things: soliciting donations and providing resources to their ambassadors so they could raise funds more effectively.
Plenty of things took a back seat. The copy wasn’t as robust as other campaigns’, nor was the design as glamorous. There wasn’t even a video. Yet the campaign resulted in their most successful fundraiser ever.
Now it's your turn.
Score yourself out of five for how well you do in these eight mindsets and best practices.
- Think Big
- Be Strategic (Enough)
- Take It One Step At a Time
- Roll with the Punches
- Get Good Partners - and Equip Them Well
- Be the Cheerleader
- Give Credit Where It’s Due
- Your Resources are Limited
- Which ones are you already strong in? (4 or 5 points out of 5)
- Which ones need chizuk? (1-3 points out of 5)
- What one thing could you do to improve just one of the areas that need chizuk?
Have a great week,
Avraham
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Avraham