Giving Tuesday S.O.S.
Giving Tuesday has a way of sneaking up on us every year. One minute it’s summertime, the next minute, we’re scrambling to put together a strategy on-the-goal.
Year over year we’ve seen the importance of participating in Giving Tuesday. Opting out of it, well, that’s not what I would recommend.
“But it’s a crowded fundraising space!” and “It’s too hard to stand out!” you’ll say.
And to that I remind you that…
63% of Giving Tuesday donors give only on Giving Tuesday (source: givingtuesday.org)
What’s the upside of missing out on the 63%?!
And year over year, we’re seeing more generosity, more participation, higher gift amounts, more shares, more peer to peer fundraisers… it’s truly become a day of celebration and global giving.
So, what are 3 things you can do now to make your Giving Tuesday campaign a hit?
Build momentum: don’t wait until the very last minute to throw together a random graphic and fundraiser. Start to tell the story about your cause, service, or program 2-3 weeks prior to the big day. Let your community know the fundraiser is coming, and what your fundraising for this year. Drum up some excitement!
Work with Influencers: the best Giving Tuesday fundraisers (or fundraisers in general) aren’t one-sided. It’s time for your nonprofit to develop partners with social media influencers, experts, and thought-leaders. Start with a few influencers that align with your cause, make it crazy-easy for them to spread the word about your fundraiser, and build off of that.
Prioritize Video Content: Instagram has shared that yes, the algorithm DOES favor video content. So, if you’re creating social posts that are static images, you’re missing out on creating a movement online! Nonprofits that exceed their fundraising goals and have big reach and shares are unafraid of video! Reels, Stories, and IG Lives are all on the menu! A simple first-person video works really well here. Pro-tip: Short video works best! :30 seconds, small, bite-sized videos about your org, mission, or programs are super fun and shareable.
What’s the takeaway?
Your mindset matters. If you go into Giving Tuesday with a funky attitude that “it’s too hard…” Well, it WILL be! What I want for you, instead, is to create a team to fundraise along side of you - peers, champions, ambassadors, board members.
Make it clear, easy, and FUN.
My favorite (and most successful) Giving Tuesday fundraisers are rooted in sharable messages that are fun!