sfadI'm not talking about selling cookies or coupon books. I'm talking about raising real cash to make real progress.

1. Get emotional: The frustrating part about raising money is that logic doesn't work. Appeal to donors' emotional side and they'll open their wallets.
2. Say Thank you: If you want them back and to donate more next time, you had better say thank you.
3. Communicate: Make it easy for your donor base to receive communication from you. Let them know the human interest stories from within your program.
4. Build personal relationships: In addition to #3, contact large donors and prospects personally to build the relationship.
5. Immortalize donors: Put their name on a brick, a locker, a plaque or just your website.
6. Get over it and make the ask: You heard me.

I want you to start a blog. Forget about the preconceived notions that you have about a blog being for political junkies, small businesses or sports marketing consultants that provide an awesome service. Blogs are for everyone nowadays.  Granted, most are full of the kind of people who like to hear themselves talk.  The good ones are written by people with something to say.  And, if you have a vision for your sports team, club or athletics department, then you have something to say.  And we, your fans, alumni, community and prospective supporters, want to listen. What would you post?

1. Your mission- this cannot be done in one post
2. Interviews with athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, parents and members
3. Links to organizations that are like-minded
4. Links to articles and resources that your followers would want to see
5. History of your team or club
6. Outcomes you expect
7. Video
   
8. Your schedule
9. Personal musings
   
10. Fund raising messages

See... it's not hard.  Brainstorm a bit here... what am I missing?

Everyone is talking about the death of traditional media and the rise of social media. (Especially us consultants... I'm aware of the irony).  Their are 100 ways to leverage social media but what is right for your team, department or organization?  Too many, and you spread yourself thin.  Not enough, and you are practically non-existent.

Things to consider:

• Outcomes- what are the outcomes that you want?  Stronger donor relationships, better attendance, more media coverage, a closer knit community of supporters?  ("Who is Your Target Market")

• Budget- do you have someone who can dedicate themselves to this full-time? Part-time? Can you outsource this? Will this be something that you will be doing? If so, how often will you set aside time?

• Competition- what is your competition doing? Is this a way for you to get ahead or just catch up? What are they doing that is effective? 

Set aside time for strategic, high-level planning. Then attack!