I need some help to get donations. My fundraiser has been shared, but no donations have come in.

I need some help to get donations I've shared and people have shared I've just gotten nothing

I need some help to get donations I've shared and people have shared I've just gotten nothing

Hey everyone in this thread! I’m happy to give some ideas since fundraising can be a bit overwhelming if it’s your first time.

Here are some quick tips:

1. Keep your story short and sweet. Talk about who you are, the situation you’re in, and why you need help now in a way that the best solution is for you to fundraise.
2. Go into detail about how you arrived at your goal. Don’t just say, I need this for medical expenses. Say, this procedure costs this much (or whatever it is that you’re fundraising for). The more transparent you can be, the more people will trust your fundraiser.
3. Photos are everything. I know, it can be hard to get a great photo with everything going on usually, but it’s important. Lighting is everything. Try to avoid over edited photos as well, since those might breed distrust. Make sure your own face is in it, or that of the person or animal you’re fundraising for. This will help the fundraiser stick out on social media.
4. Start small. The next time you approach your close friend try to  hang out for fun, and if they ask how you are, you can let them know about your fundraiser. You can say that you’re looking for donations, feedback, or just any help that they think they can provide. Are they good with a camera? Ask for a great photo, are they great with grammar? Have them review your story. Fundraising is a great opportunity to bring people in closer, since vulnerability breeds trust and closeness.
5. After you’ve raised at least 1-3 donations from your closest friends, you can start your social media or online strategy by sharing during prime hours. I would look up this time frame online, since its different depending on the platform. If you don’t have social media, you will need someone’s help with social media. You can also continue to fundraiser in person or via phone calls or text messages or emails. 
6. Make your share posts fun, inspiring, or full of humor. Even if you’re fundraising for a difficult time, this is you harnessing energy to help yourself out of a situation.  Finding the humor can go a long way, and if you can share anecdotes, or laugh in your share messaging, it could drive more people to your page simply because it’s more engaging. This won’t work for all situations of course, but play with it to see what works the best. 
7. Keep updating your fundraiser. This is the most overlooked part of fundraising, but it’s essential. People who donated want to know how the fundraiser is progressing. Tell them about your day, call out donors, or let them know about any developments in your story. 
    

If after that,  you’re still struggling to raise your first donation, I would reach out to your friends and try to find out if they have any ideas why. It’s possible your network has been tapped - sorry this does happen! It may be that people are saving for the holidays, or that they’re overwhelmed.  

Im having trouble too hopefully we all get good news soon i figured if i set a low amount on the amount i want to raise it would be easier to achieve