Using your Email (Signature) to Fundraise

As most of you can guess, or have already started to do, the easiest way to begin fundraising for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge is to send out emails to everyone you know. Emailing is such an instant form of communication that you may start to see donations rolling in within minutes. There is, however, another less obvious way to use your email to hook potential donors: your signature.

Email signatures are set up by users usually to display contact information, but we've found that adding in a message to let recipients know that you are training and fundraising for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge will act as a great reminder for potential donors or even pique the interest of someone you might not have thought to ask for a donation. You never know who might have a connection to Best Buddies or to a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities, so it can't hurt!

Make sure that you include your shortened link to your HQ page, so that recipients can go right to your website and make a donation. Here's a simple example of an email signature that is just waiting for you to personalize it!

Sincerely,
Joe Smith

P.S. On June 5th, I will be taking part in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. As a rider, I have committed to ride 100 miles and fundraise $1,550 for people with intellectual disabilities. I need your support! To donate to me, please visit my personal web page: www.HPChallenge2010.org/joesmith

Setting up a signature will just take a minute, but it can help you reach (and pass!) your fundraising commitment quickly and easily!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Think Outside Your Circle When Forming an Email List

So you've decided to jumpstart your fundraising efforts with an email campaign. Great! Before you can personalize each of your emails, you need to figure out who to email. Mom and Dad, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, your 3 best friends, and a few colleagues...done, right!? Not if you really want to meet that fundraising goal. Remember, it is not your decision to make if someone doesn't want to donate, so what harm can a heartfelt email do? Here are a few people to think about that might not have crossed your mind yet.

Your babysitter, coffeeshop server, dry cleaner, landlord, mail carrier, lawyer, dentist, tutor, etc. These are the people you see everyday and may not have even thought to reach out to. You never know if an acquaintance has a particular tie to the Best Buddies mission, or if they are looking to donate to something. Asking can't hurt and you will probably be surprised at the response you get!

Your long lost hometown and college friends who you have (unfortunately) lost touch with. Oh, the good old days of your youth. Meals in dining halls, cramming for tests until the sun rises, and staying out at the local bars, dancing until your feet hurt...bring back some memories? Remember the people who you were with? When was the last time you spoke with them. This is a great time to give your old friends a quick update on your life, and possibly reconnect to relive some of those great times.

Members of any groups, teams or organizations that you are a part of. From your after-work softball team to your church to your book club, members of these groups are great people to email for donations. They know you in one realm of your life, and share that common intrest, and will probably enjoy learning something new and cool that you are a part of. They will love to support you and the cause you are riding for!

With any email that you write, be sure to spend the entra few minutes to add a personal touch. Throw in a fun memory or compliment how they do so much for the community. These small details (even a simple sentence!) can make a huge difference. Check out the Fundraising Handbook for sample letters/emails to help you get started! Happy emailing!

Don't have a fundraising handbook? No problem. Just email hccoach@bestbuddies.org and we'll get you one right away.