Generating awareness for a fundraiser

They key to a successful fundraiser is making sure the groups members:

1. know the benefits (fundraising goal) 
2. know the products and why special (see below about samples)
3. know the timeframe
4. know how to order 

You can follow the tips below, but when it doubt make sure they keep it simple. A telephone is all an organizer really needs to raise awareness.  

Check with your contact person and see if they have an outlet for public awareness of their cause. If they do, send a press release to them. You can also suggest to your organizer that they send a press release to all public radio and television stations in the community. The group may want to help create their press release. This usually results in articles written in the local papers. If the project is very successful you may even see one of your articles get picked up regionally or even nationally. This will lead to other fund raising groups.

If they have social media accounts, encourage them to schedule announcements ahead of time so it's automatic. Facebook allows you to schedule posts. If they don't have Facebook setup, help them create make one and show them how to invite their contacts. If the fundraiser is part of a specific event, they might want to create a Facebook EVENT to also promote and raise awareness.

If you have a website, you can create a page with the details of the event and tell the organization to send their members to that page to learn more. If they have a website they can do the same. 

One dealer asks her fundraising groups to establish a goal. Then she requires them to purchase six samples for every 100 books in their goal. They must have these samples "in hand" three weeks before the fund raiser officially begins in order to recruit "pre-sales." This is incredibly smart and will have a big impact on their success.