| A new trend in easy fundraisers is promo fundraising | | | | newsletter and email lists. Prominently feature your |
| or affiliate sales. Essentially, you are raising funds by | | | | promo fundraiser as something new you are trying. |
| referring new customers to businesses offering | | | | Point out that these are goods and services that |
| popular goods and services. | | | | people are already spending money on, so why not |
| Among the most popular are Internet service | | | | do it in such a way that it benefits your group. |
| providers, long distance service, cellular phone service, | | | | A third way is to use flyers and posters with details |
| credit cards, flowers, magazines, and other highly | | | | about the products and services you are promoting. |
| competitive markets. Instead of spending money on | | | | Always write these by describing what's in it for the |
| advertising to attract customers, the businesses pay | | | | customer and link them to your website. Example: |
| groups for each new customer referred to them. | | | | Save 50% on Internet service. Special offer - only |
| How it works | | | | $9.95 a month. Limited time only! |
| Each type of promo fundraising is slightly different, | | | | A fourth way to promote is by using email signature |
| but most follow the same approach. Your group | | | | files. Basically, you supply to all your supporters a |
| registers as an affiliate of the company and | | | | four-line message containing an affiliate link to your |
| promotes their product or service to your supporters. | | | | offer. Ask them to attach it to all their emails and |
| When a consumer you have referred takes the | | | | thus feature your promo offer. Just as in the flyer |
| desired action, the company pays your group a | | | | example above, emphasize the good deal and it's |
| referral fee. | | | | limited time window, so they must act now to lock in |
| Because these are profitable goods and services that | | | | the savings. |
| often have an ongoing revenue stream, the referral | | | | New trends |
| fee or commission can be quite large. For instance, | | | | Promo fundraising is gaining momentum as an easy |
| someone signing up for Internet service could earn | | | | fundraiser for schools and nonprofits. Websites are |
| your group a $25 fee. | | | | popping up that will handle all the details for |
| Obviously, that's a lot of money, but there's always a | | | | registered groups. |
| catch. Not everyone wants to change their ISP or | | | | You enroll your group and a special page is created |
| phone service at any given time. So, the key is to do | | | | for your exclusive use. You direct your referrals to |
| promo fundraising on an ongoing basis, not just for a | | | | that page and all signups are handled automatically by |
| few weeks like a typical product fundraiser. | | | | the website. An administrative login provides access |
| Four promotion tips | | | | to results and earned commission totals. |
| Since these are ongoing fundraisers, you need to | | | | There are even email tools provided which assist |
| keep putting the word out to your supporters about | | | | your promotion efforts by allowing supporters to |
| the deals you're offering. Many of these companies | | | | send details to their own list of personal contacts. |
| will offer a special introductory rate such as half-price | | | | This allows you to reach even more people and you |
| Internet service for a few months or zero percent | | | | can even use an ongoing message system to send |
| APR on a new credit card. | | | | follow-up offers. |
| One way to drive business is to use your website. | | | | Summary |
| You can feature these relationships on your home | | | | Promo fundraising is an exciting development because |
| page or in a special section. Provide as many details | | | | it provides a way for groups to earn money by |
| as needed and provide an affiliate link to the | | | | offering some of the most popular goods and |
| sponsoring companies site that ensures your | | | | services available. After all, who isn't using an Internet |
| commission. | | | | service or a cell phone these days? |
| Don't hide the fact that you're earning a fee for | | | | These easy fundraisers are free and can operate on |
| referrals. Stress that customers are getting special | | | | an year-round basis. You are offering substantial |
| savings not available through other sources. Be sure | | | | savings for products and services that people are |
| to state that this is a fundraiser for your group and | | | | already buying, so it's a win/win situation. |
| encourage people to take action now to show their | | | | All you need to do is send customers their way. Get |
| support. | | | | started with promo fundraising today! |
| Another way to attract customers is through your | | | | |