As a mother and a businesswoman, (yes, writing is a business!) I know all too well the importance of managing a budget.
However, I also know that sometimes no matter how hard you try to put money aside for an event or occasion, it just doesn’t work out. I am all about the encouragement of the good old-fashioned lemonade stand – but lets be honest here, in this day and age, that type of fundraising won’t get you far. And what about that unexpected medical hardship? Things people rarely plan for.
With everyone and everything online, it’s no wonder that crowdfunding has been the newest sensation for fundraising.
Crowdfunding basically involves funding a project, venture or cause by raising money through a large number of donors typically through an online platform.
One of the greatest benefits of crowdfunding is that you can use it for any kind of cause, especially covering medical costs. When you know how, crowdfunding is a great resource and can be very fun process.
Here are 3 tips to make sure that your crowdfunding campaign brings the results you aim for!
Choose the Right Platform
There are lots of different crowdfunding sites and some that are specific to certain campaigns. Do the research so that you can select the right platform for your cause. For example, if you have an unanticipated huge medical expense coming up or even a major celebration, Plumfund is ideally suited for raising money for medical expenses and gift registries or gift funds. Learn more about Plumfund here and find out if it is most appropriate for what you’d like to raise money for. Alternatively, sites like Honeyfund that are more focused on weddings and honeymoons offer focused crowdfunding tools for these specific occasions.
Be Crystal Clear
People are usually willing to help you if they see that your intentions are genuine. It is important to be as transparent as possible about what you are trying to accomplish with your crowdfunding campaign. If you are crowdfunding on someone else’s behalf, say so. Also, don’t forget to thank those who donate and give small gifts, if the platform you choose allows it.
Promotion is Key
No one will know about your campaign unless you promote it. Leverage your social media and email contacts as much as possible to spread the word and create awareness. Remember to tell your friends and family that if they aren’t able to offer monetary support they can still pitch in by sharing the link to your campaign with their own networks – word of mouth goes a long way! You need your evangelists.
Life is full of surprises and sometimes when you you try to manage your budget, things come up and don’t allow you to save money for special occasions or important needs.
Crowdfunding is an innovative tool for fundraising and these 3 tips can go a long way in helping you raise the money and accomplish your goals.
3 comments
Oh I can see where this can be a great thing especially for people with a major medical crisis. Thankfully, here in Canada almost everything, health care wise is free which is more than I can say for the States. People have gone bankrupt just trying to keep their son alive. For a first world nation, that is atrocious in my book. I have also seen where scammers have come out and taken people which is disgusting so one always has to make sure it is ok. Personally I could never raise money for myself or for a wedding. I could easily help someone else though (not wedding-get married on a small, small scale then) especially when it concerns health
Birgit recently posted…Film Society…Shhhhhhh=3 hints to next week’s film
🙂 I agree, Birgit. It is always easier to do it for someone else. The first thing I thought when I came across crowdfunding was it is quite similar to borrowing from friends and pooling, only in a more structured manner. Thank you for your input – the US medical scene scares me. I have friends there who dread falling sick as doctors’ appointments are so far into the future that the only immediate attention they can get is via emergency care. I am glad I live in India!
Vidya Sury recently posted…How to Tune In to Abundance
that’s it! I’m moving to canada! fabulous article vidya! I didn’t know you can raise funds for medical bills this way.
vanita recently posted…12 Flavors of WAHM