How To Turn Followers Into Donors

Keeping in the non-profit/social media relation vein, I’ve been lead to ask a basic question. Does social media truly provide the best for non profits? Like I wrote last week, platforms such as Twitter do a significant work in helping organizations and ministries gain visibility and a following. It is undoubtably beneficial for all organizations to have their word out, be retweeted, and have petitions signed, passed on, et cetera, but all of those things aren’t worth much if organizations aren’t accomplishing the ultimate intention of receiving donations to fuel their work.

Research and case studies back the notion of social media amping up the visibility, relatability and general online support of Non Profits, but also shows stagnant, flatline donation numbers. When that supporting presence does not transfer into dollars, progress halts, and the free marketing of social media essentially fails. Money may not literally keep the world in orbit, but it sure does keep the Do-Gooders doing their good.

For organizations to bridge the gap and move internet followers to become internet donors, they need jump-start incentives. By clicking around a bit, I’ve narrowed it down to a practical, basic list of what that can amount to for virtually any group.

How ORGANIZATIONS can pull in Donors
Incentives to begin, and proofs at the end!

• 1. Timed Windows to Gain a Certain Amount
  If your organization is requesting support for a specific project, there’s a good chance that project needs certain money by a due time. Let your followers know that! When you have that good cause, don’t be afraid to ask for funds to support it. Advertise as many specifications as possible about your project. Who, What, When, Where, Why. HopeMongers have taken project specification to the max on their website. Donors are more likely to emerge when inspired by a specific project, rather than sporadically give to an organization that appears nice. Let them see the actual work needed to be done, so they see a real need for their dollar!
  
• 2. Holiday or Special Event Tweets for a Goal
  Similar to the above point, plan within your organization to take advantage of specific holidays or events. Through February, Love146 asked for $10 Valentines Day gifts to their girls, and another non profit asked for a goal of 250 pairs of shoes to be donated  by the holiday, also at only $10 each. They were persistent in tweeting to advertise their goal, and reached it. Incorporate giving into the cultural happenings, which in our country, usually includes spending anyway. Consider this now, for Easter (39 days until Jesus rises!).
  
• 3. Show the Finished Product
  When your non profit does acquire funds for a certain goal or completes a project, keep up with showing where the money goes, and thankfully brag about it! If children were fed, show pictures of them at the table. If a park was built, show pictures of the community using it. Charity Water does a great job of project follow up with simple tweets. It will keep your contributors connected with your work, and makes them feel good for supporting your cause when they see the finished product.

How FOLLOWERS can turn themselves into Donors
It’s much more simple to become a giver.

• 1. Get convicted of your wealth
  Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. That’s couch change for most of us. What is minimal to us as America can do pure wonders to people elsewhere. It’s not about feeling shame for being a ‘wealthy westerner’, and I realize we cannot all be as philanthropic as Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey, but I am calling for us all to check ourselves with what we do have, and what we can give.
• 2. Give your money’s worth
  Begin by picking one charity a week to provide a $5 or $10 gift to. It is that simple. Here’s a list of those who would love to receive that gift.
• 3.  Advertise to your friends
  Once you have given that beginners gift of $5 or $10 to a charity, pass on the challenge to your peers! (And/or, pass on the conviction.) They’ll see your selfless heart, be more thankful to have such an inspiring friend like you, and emulate the cause.

So as a member of an organization, use your social media outlets to keep pulling on your followers to get real with giving instead of just following. If you’re on the opposite side as a serial social media user & charity-observer, step up and empty your change jar to begin. Giving of yourself and your resources provides a fulfillment you won’t find down many other avenues.

Happy Donating!