If you’re wondering how to raise money online quickly, crowdfunding is a great option. If you’ve never raised funds online before, the process may seem overwhelming. But if you follow this guide of five simple steps you’ll have everything you need to raise money online for yourself, a loved one, or your favorite cause.
How to raise funds online in 6 easy steps
1. Define your goal
Start by determining how much money you need to raise. This is very important because it helps your potential donors understand how much money you need to raise for your specific cause. People are more likely to give money to a cause that is clearly defined, so calculate your fundraising goal based on your total cost breakdown. For example, if you’re raising money for a medical procedure, don’t list just the big-ticket price of the procedure itself, but also related expenses such as lost income, rehab, medications, and medical devices. Remember that many crowdfunding platforms, like allow you to change your goal amount if you need to so it’s never set in stone.
2. Choose an online fundraising platform
When picking a platform for fundraising online you should look for:
- The lowest fees (both platform fees and payment processing fees)
- Ease of use and website design
- Customer support options
- Safe, trusted, and quick access to your funds
- Fundraiser sharing capabilities
To dive deeper into crowdfunding platform comparisons, see our blog post on top crowdfunding sites.
3. Tell your story from the heart
We, as humans, are hardwired to respond to powerful stories. Personal fundraising stories help facilitate an emotional connection between the reader and the beneficiary, which can ultimately lead to more donations. This is why it’s important to be as honest as you can about your situation.
We understand that asking for help can be scary, but you don’t have to do it alone. To help, we came up with a few questions you can ask yourself when writing your story:
- What will the funds be used for?
- How are you connected to the cause?
- How will the donations raised aid you or help others?
- Why does the recipient need this donation?
Try to answer basic “Who, What, Where, When, Why, How” questions to increase the likelihood of donation. Remember, when it comes to fundraising, the why is particularly important. If you would like additional guidance, check out our guide to learn how to write a captivating fundraiser story.
Write a captivating title to match your story
Come up with a strong title after you’ve written your personal fundraising story. It will help you summarize your story in one standout phrase. Titles are very important because you’re giving the audience a glimpse into what your fundraiser is about. Make sure it reflects what your fundraiser is for in a clear way so that people click through and donate. Check out some great fundraiser title tips to help you get started.
4. Share your fundraiser with your friends and family
Once you’ve posted your fundraiser, get feedback on it from trusted friends and family. Use any good suggestions to refine your story such as adding powerful images, videos, etc. Then, ask your inner circle for donations. Why? If potential donors see that some funds have already been raised, people are more likely to donate. Once your inner circle has donated, share your fundraiser with everyone everywhere.
Sharing on social media
A couple of common questions we see asked are “how to get my GoFundMe noticed?” and “how to raise money on GoFundMe?” The more visible your fundraiser is, the more donations you’ll receive. An effective way to expand your reach is to connect social media and fundraising. If you create a Facebook page for your fundraiser, consider paying to boost posts if the costs will be outweighed by donations. If you want to promote your fundraiser on Twitter, try creating custom links to add to your tweets. If you want to use email, try using one of our email fundraising templates to help simplify the process.
Sharing without social media
While social media is a great way to connect potential donors with your fundraiser, there are other ways to share. Want to know how to raise money online without using social media? Try one of our top ways of fundraising without social media like creating flyers for bulletin boards.
5. Post updates
Posting frequent updates is a great way to keep your family, friends, and others engaged. Updates also keeps your fundraiser in the minds of your support network which is a great way to potentially get repeat donations. You can post updates to thank your network, remind people how much you have left until you reach your goal, or express your feelings along your journey.
6. Show appreciation towards your donors
When a person makes a donation to your fundraiser, it’s because they believe in your cause. This is why thank-yous are so important—they serve as a way for donors to remain part of your story. Simple, personalized donation thank you letters are an easy way to show your appreciation and strengthen relationships with donors. If you’re not sure how to thank donors for their support, check out our blog for easy ways to say thank you to donors.
