How to grow your Facebook Challenges with the Digital Fundraising Academy
Facebook Challenges, and all digital fundraising, feel like a never-ending escalator. It’s always moving and changing. Consequently, new tricks and trends constantly pop up to help you up your game.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your first event, there’s always room to level up. Who better to glean insights from than the experts? We talked to Carla McLuskie, who leads the Academy, to find out how to make your Facebook Challenges better. We focused on keeping their impact going after the event.
📚 What is the Digital Fundraising Academy?
Facebook Challenges continue to thrive. Social-first fundraising is increasingly vital. Therefore, non-profits must ensure they have the necessary skills. Elevating your strategies and your team’s expertise is essential for maximizing impact.
Enter the Digital Fundraising Academy – your go-to resource. We help you hone skills and stay ahead of the curve. In short, the Academy is packed with invaluable tips. It is your key to success in Facebook Challenges and all digital fundraising aspects.
We offer everything from developing high-conversion Meta Ad campaigns to crafting strong supporter experiences. Furthermore, it’s all served up in a mix of formats: live webinars, short articles, short courses, and coaching. We even offer one-to-one support.
The Academy also offers a FREE Strategy Session to non-members. You can use this to explore your Facebook fundraising plans. This ensures you are on the right track to smashing your targets. Ultimately, whether you are brainstorming new ideas or boosting visibility, our community supports you.
The Power of a Strong Challenge Brand
Facebook Challenges in 2024
Back in $\text{2019}$, only a small handful of charities ran Facebook Challenges. Competition was low. In-person events were limited. Costs were generally lower than today. Now, Facebook Challenges are commonplace. They are a valuable income source for many charities.
However, many non-profits still underestimate social media’s fundraising power. Social media stands out as the primary discovery method for supporters. According to the latest giving report from Charities Aid Foundation, it ranks second only to personal recommendations.
Social media is not just for raising money. It also raises awareness of your charity. It helps you reach a larger audience. In addition, you build a community of supporters. With Facebook Challenges, you raise money and continue connecting with supporters after the event ends. So, let’s delve into actionable strategies now. We will ensure your Challenges have a lasting influence.
Stand Out With Branding
First, let’s look at a key factor for success: branding. Do not overlook branding. It creates a sense of identity for your Challenge. This keeps supporters coming back for more. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to brand your event.
Your branding’s purpose is giving your Challenge its own identity. It must connect with your charity. But also, it needs to stand out in the crowd. Think of it like this: Your Challenge is a big online party. You want it to reflect your style and cause’s heart. Crucially, you want it to be the get-together everyone’s talking about.
This is not a new trend. We have seen an upsurge in charities focusing on branding. It is a proven method for enhancing your Challenge’s impact and engagement. Seasoned professionals provide great examples. These include the Mater Foundation, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, and Diabetes UK. They make their Challenges memorable and share-worthy.
Do:
Pick a theme matching your charity’s colours. Then, play around with the font or imagery to create a unique identity.
Keep the name of your Challenge simple. It should spell out exactly what you want your supporters to do.
Don’t:
Throw your logo on everything.
Make up a catchy name that loses all meaning.
Check out this resource on creating a buzz with your Challenge branding for more top tips.
❤️ Make Supporter Relationships That Last
Now, let’s talk about the afterparty. The fun shouldn’t stop once the Challenge is over. This is your chance to turn Challenge excitement into a long-lasting connection. To achieve this, you must think carefully about post-Challenge communication.
Avoid herding everyone into a one-size-fits-all mailing list. Instead, create a more tailored experience. This is your golden opportunity to keep the conversation flowing. These amazing supporters just gave you everything for your cause. Do not let that enthusiasm fizzle out! By reaching out with personal, heartfelt messages, you do more than just say thanks. You build a long-lasting community of supporters.
You can nurture these relationships. Steer them toward becoming regular donors. Alternatively, they may take part in a future campaign. To kick off the conversation, send a message that feels like a warm hug:
“Hey there, superstar! Can you believe it’s already been a month since you absolutely crushed that $\mathbf{50}$ mile Challenge? Here’s a little peek at the awesome impact you’ve made with your hard work…”
By keeping the tone friendly and the content focused on supporter impact, you encourage the relationship.
Ultimately, hosting Facebook Challenges is an adventure. It’s a chance to connect, engage, and make a difference using social media. But like any good adventure, the journey doesn’t end at the first milestone. It requires continuously exploring, learning, and growing the connections you’ve made.
🚀 Join the Digital Fundraising Academy
If you’re looking for the next step up in your Facebook Challenge and social-first fundraising journey, join the Digital Fundraising Academy. You will receive expert advice and support. Membership includes:
Access to the Academy’s on-demand library of training resources.
Invites to monthly group coaching sessions.
Expert webinars and $\text{1-2-1}$ support.
Visit the Digital Fundraising Academy website to get started!
🔗 Related Resources
Digital Fundraising Academy Website: https://digitalfundraising.com/
How to create a buzz with your Facebook Challenge branding: https://givepanel.com/blog/how-to-create-a-buzz-with-your-facebook-challenge-branding/
3 ways to build a sustainable fundraising strategy “Beyond Facebook”: https://givepanel.com/blog/beyond-facebook/
How to plan the perfect Facebook Challenge in 2024: https://givepanel.com/blog/how-to-plan-the-perfect-facebook-challenge-in-2024/
Unlocking Success with GivePanel’s Facebook Challenge Playbook: https://givepanel.com/blog/unlocking-success-with-givepanels-facebook-challenge-playbook/