On the lengthy list of reasons to join Scouting, fundraising ranks right near the bottom.
But let’s face it, all those Scouting adventures don’t pay for themselves.
Fortunately, with the right online tools, you can make your next fundraising effort painless, efficient and — dare I say it? — fun.
Consider popcorn sales — often a unit’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Those units that sell their popcorn online, using powerful tools from companies like Trail’s End, can raise more money in less time.
Below, some more ways to spend less time fundraising and more time Scouting.
1. Sell your stuff the 2017 way: online.
These days, people expect to buy everything online: Scout uniforms, tents, freeze-dried backpacking meals and more. You can’t beat the convenience of tapping a screen and magically getting something delivered to your doorstep.
For popcorn-selling Scouts, convenience reigns online as well. Scouts who sell through Trail’s End’s online site don’t collect money or deliver products.
They can sell wherever, whenever to whomever — and get rewarded for it.
But that doesn’t mean Scouts can expect the orders to flood in. They still need to do some work.
2. Tweet, snap, post and share.
Whether selling online, door to door or through a “show and sell,” self-promotion is critical.
Use Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube to promote your fundraiser to friends and family.
You’ve put up with cat videos and vacation selfies cluttering your feed. Your friends will tolerate a few posts about how they can support local Scouting.
Ideas:
- Change your profile picture to something about fundraising.
- Post two to three times a week. The best times are before 8 a.m., between noon and 3 p.m., and between 6 and 9 p.m.
- Share your unique selling URL (provided by Trail’s End) through direct messages.
3. Check your email (strategy).
The rise of social media hasn’t killed email yet. Here’s how to use good old-fashioned email to boost sales:
- Create an Excel spreadsheet or Google Doc with a list of whom you’ve emailed and when.
- Ask parents to email coworkers.
- Use the Trail’s End email feature within your personalized selling page.
- Send emails on Tuesday or Thursday between 10 and 11 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight.
4. Hit them up by text.
And what about those people who haven’t checked their email since the AOL days? Text them.
Encourage friends and family to share your fundraising page with people they know.
Here’s a sample text: “Hey, buddy! Trevor’s selling popcorn so his Boy Scout troop can go to camp next year. Mind taking a look? You can do it all online: [link].”
Too many people in your contacts to text them all? Well aren’t you Mr./Mrs. Popular!
Why not simplify by texting one person for each letter of the alphabet: Amy, Blake, Carol, Don, etc.
5. Go with Trail’s End.
Want a fundraiser that makes everyone happy? Trail’s End has you covered and provides you with tips on how to hit your goal!
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