So you're running the marathon this weekend? Now is the best time
to boost your fundraising efforts - and here are some top tips to
help. Try using them when you are in touch with your friends and
supporters online, by email and in person.
Get attention!
Pick a headline which will get people interested in what you are doing
- remember tens of thousands of others are doing the same - what is
special about you, your challenge and your charity?
Tempt people
to find out more with "link bait" - leading statements that invite
people to follow up. Be prepared to be contentious - the most
important thing is to get noticed! You can do this offline and online
- this article's headline is an example of link bait.
Use cliffhangers!
Once you've attracted attention, keep people interested by telling some
of your story but keeping some in reserve. Encourage people to come
back to you to find out more. Think of the cliffhangers at the end of
your favourite film, book or soap.
Get others involved!
Keep people interested by inviting them to play a part in your
challenge. Whether it's choosing - or decorating - the hat you wear,
placing bets on your finish time, coming to support you on the day or
keeping track of you through services like Adidas' runner tracking service.
Join
in with other runners and supporters through the many Facebook groups
and Twitter networks involved with the Marathon - starting with
Bmycharity's Facebook Group and Twitter Feed. Get in touch with us anytime and we'll get back to you ASAP!
Use many different channels!
Some people will want to hear all about what you are doing in person,
some will prefer email - others want a phone call, or to see video
clips of you on Youtube. Make sure you cater for all your supporters
so that everyone is included - and has the chance to support you.
Repeat yourself!
Researchers suggest that we have to hear most messages 4 times before
we take them in. So don't be afraid to tell your story more than once
- in fact tell it several times. Since you're talking and writing for
several different audiences and different channels, this can mean a lot
of repetition! But don't be shy - keep the same key messages but
garnish them with new headlines, cliffhangers and reasons to get
involved.
And don't forget to keep repeating yourself.
Enjoy!
Most of all, we hope you have a great day on Sunday - please be in
touch anytime if we can help, and best of luck! We'd love to hear your
story too - please feel free to post comments below, or join us on on Facebook.