To ensure the success of your crowdfunding campaign, it’s crucial to start your preparations before the campaign kickoff. This gives your team enough time to strategically define goals, build a strong foundation, and create engaging content that resonates with your target audience. A month out allows you to craft your message, design compelling visuals, organize your outreach efforts, and align your team’s roles so that when the campaign officially launches, you’re not scrambling to catch up. By planning ahead, you ensure that every step is thought out, your supporters are engaged early, and you have a clear roadmap to reach your fundraising goals.

You’ll want to do the following prior to kickoff:

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Define Your Goals & Objectives

Set Clear Financial Goals:

• Be Specific: Decide exactly how much you need to raise. Example: “We need $5,000 for our student-run magazine.”
• Break it Down: If your goal is large, divide it into smaller targets to make progress easier to track. This helps donors visualize their impact.

Define Project Milestones:

• Set Milestones: Create achievable goals like “Raise $1,000 in the first week,” or “Get 50 donors by day 5.”

 

Develop Your Story & Messaging

Craft Your Narrative:

• Share Your Story: Explain why the project matters to you and how it will help the community. Example: “We’re a group of students working to create sustainable solutions on campus. With your help, we can make this happen.”
• Show the Problem and Solution: Highlight the issue your project addresses and how it solves it.
• Make It Relatable: Speak to your audience’s values and interests. Why should they care?

Create a Project Description:

• Keep It Clear and Short: Provide important details quickly. Example: “We’re raising funds for a climate change awareness campaign to educate students and faculty through events and workshops.”
• Explain Why to Contribute: Let people know how their donation will make an impact and why it’s important.

Prepare a Video:

• Keep It Brief and Engaging: Aim for 1 minute, showing your team’s passion and the project’s goals.
• Include a Call to Action: Ask for support and explain how people can help—whether by donating or sharing the campaign.

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Prepare Your Marketing Strategy

Create a Social Media Plan:

• Platform Focus: Choose the platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn) that best connect with your audience and tailor content for each.
• Post Frequency: Plan to post 3-5 times a week leading up to the launch with a mix of countdowns and updates about your project.
• Utilize Your Group’s Official Page: Post regularly on your group’s official social media accounts to maintain a consistent and unified message. However, also encourage members to share the campaign on their personal accounts. This helps expand your reach and engages their personal networks, amplifying the campaign’s visibility and impact.

Build a Launch Calendar:

• Launch Day: Prepare a big, eye-catching post for launch day with a clear call to action. Make sure to track your progress and celebrate your initial milestones.
• Post-Launch Updates: Maintain momentum by posting regular updates—thank your donors, share your progress, and keep everyone informed on how the funds are being used.
• Ongoing Engagement: After the campaign begins, continue posting to inspire your supporters, celebrate small wins, and encourage them to share the campaign. Leverage their engagement to expand your reach and attract new backers.

Create Content:

• Visuals: Design photos, infographics, and banners for your social media.
• Videos: Share footage of your team preparing, setting up events, or organizing materials. Create Personal Pleas to share on your campaign page and social media.
• Testimonial Content: Post quotes or stories from supporters and team members to build credibility.

 

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5. Outreach (Alumni Groups & More)

• Email List:
  • Build Early: Collect emails from interested supporters, classmates, or past donors.
  • Email Sequences: Set up a series of emails—one for pre-launch, a “thank you” post-launch, and progress updates throughout.
  • Target Alumni Networks: Reach out to alumni groups that align with your cause or project (e.g., if your project is about sustainability, look for alumni who have worked in environmental fields).
  • Brainstorm Alumni Groups: Work with your group and advisor to brainstorm additional alumni groups to solicit. Once you’ve identified groups, reach out to Kimberly Smith (kis221) for next steps.