Social media platforms are one of the easiest ways to stay connected with friends and family, and they are an effective way to create awareness for your events. Among the growth of several other platforms, Facebook continues to remain a favorite. Nearly 58% of Americans are Facebook users, and almost 64% of these users visit the site daily. Nonprofit organizations are also regular users of this platform, mainly raising funds and creating awareness for their causes. But, recently, with the addition of Facebook’s fundraising feature, the site has become a significant driver for donations.
You do not have to be a charity to start a Facebook fundraiser. It can be created by a page that’s dedicated to a business or a public figure. Individual Facebook users can also use their profiles to create fundraisers for personal causes, if they desire crowdfunding, or on behalf of a charity close to their heart.
With any online platform, the secret to a successful approach is to know precisely how to use the site to your advantage. So, here are some tips to keep in mind while preparing for your Facebook fundraiser.
1. Create a strong social media presence
In an average peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, 15-18% of donations are referred directly from Facebook. This data shows that if your Facebook page does not have an audience or a solid base, it is unlikely to garner attention, no matter how important and helpful your cause is.
The key to creating a foundation for a solid presence is to start from home. First, invite other members of the organization, your regular donors, volunteers, and even family members to follow the page and engage with its content. Then, use your existing network to create further contacts within the community.
Ensure that your page is easily accessible and that information is clearly displayed. To further increase your reach, ensure that your social media links are shared on your website or contact page. Small factors like these allow new users to find you with ease.
2. Post content regularly
Simply creating a Facebook page and expecting people to donate without perusing through the content is very unlikely. Instead, you must post content regularly. Posts can be a video, a short message, or even a picture. 84% of Facebook users share posts to show their support for a cause and highlight important issues.
Visual appeal is very significant for any social media platform. Make sure that your post is catchy and has all the necessary details. Incorporate your brand colors and fonts for consistency and to increase brand recognition. Ensure to add a link to your donation page or website on your posts’ captions.
3. Thank your donors
Your Facebook posts do not have to be about asking for donations or purely advocating for your cause. Thanking your donors on Facebook is a beautiful way to highlight their contributions and encourage them to become regular donors. Such posts also encourage new viewers to donate and participate in the cause.
Success stories are also appealing ways to attract the attention of your followers. It assures them that their donations are being used in a fair and just manner.
4. Add a donation tab to your Facebook page
Mobile users spend approximately 1.7 seconds on a piece of content when they browse through social media. If your Facebook page only redirects to websites for payments and donations outside of the platform, users are less likely to spend their time making donations.
Instead, you can add a quick link to your page that directly takes the user to their preferred mode of payment. Today’s generation likes to move fast, and you must keep up with that.
5. Track your metrics
Simply creating a page and receiving donations is not enough. Check your page’s insights and go through some key factors such as reach, new followers, reactions and shares, clicks, and so on. This data helps you to figure out where you are falling short and allows you to improve your strategies accordingly.
6. Utilize Facebook’s fundraising feature
Creating a fundraiser on Facebook is designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. Before launching your first fundraiser, check out Facebook’s step-by-step guide to ensure optimal results. Facebook also offers access to a multitude of resources and how-to articles for fundraisers in their Help Center. If you have questions about starting a fundraiser or how to optimize one, you are likely to find the answer there.
Facebook covers all processing fees for nonprofits, and if you use Facebook Payments, your organization will receive direct deposits every two weeks. Facebook Payments also provides donor contact information for those who opt-in. With Facebook fundraising, launching a fundraiser has never been easier!
Facebook has always been an incredible platform to stay connected with your close ones. With the addition of Facebook fundraising, it is now an excellent way to reach thousands of people across the globe, while raising funds for your cause. To further advance your mission and receive donations, make sure to optimize your nonprofit’s Facebook page for fundraising.