Whether you are out there in the trenches of social media or just have email, not a day goes by where someone does not ask you for money or to vote for something. The opportunities are endless on creative ways to reach out to get donations and/or promote via contests online. Having been involved with online media since 2004, and charity/non-profit work well before that, yours truly has asked a fair share of people to donate, support, vote or something or the other over the years. Heck, the other day, I asked my Facebook friends to “like” my Kickify page. But, asking for something ALWAYS comes with a price, no matter how benign the favor. You truly have to walk a fine line when you are asking for a “favor” on your behalf, your business or a cause.
Here are the “favor” categories I have created:
1. Contests: Contests are a staple of our culture, love them or hate them. Over the years, I have been involved in numerous contests for promotional purposes. There is no question that people LOVE contests. People will even try to “game” a contest for the smallest of prizes – believe me – been there, done that, had to deal with it! Don’t even get me started on those that break Facebook’s terms of service or those who do not fulfill their end of the bargain for one reason or the other! Grrrr!!!! While you may think a contest is a fabulous idea, there is somewhere, somehow, even remotely the possibility it will rub someone the wrong way. Every type of business can gain from a contest if goals are created and it is executed properly.
2. Business Monetary Donation: There is the whole new Kickstarter crowdfunding concept. Basically it is, “I have an idea, come give me money so I can make it happen.” Not sure how tight your budget is, but in today’s economy, I’m still baffled by how well this is doing. Maybe we truly are a wanting to help others achieve their dreams and can see sacrificing a couple of latte’s for doing it. My husband still can’t believe such a thing exists. Ha!
3. Down on Luck Monetary Donation: If you are down on your luck, the internet has certainly opened up a huge door beyond your closest friends and relatives. You can go on one of the websites like GO Fund Me. On this one, you create a page to tell your story, hook it to your bank account and they skim some off the top. It allows others to share your info via social media and your story has a far greater reach than it normally would. A win win for the person down on their luck.
4. Charitable Donation: The best thing that ever happened to some non-profits/charities or 501 (c)(3) ‘s, was the internet and social media. Spreading the word for free and with lots of sweat equity, can make a tiny cause become huge. In today’s economy, many non-profits have seen less contributions but the smart ones have become online media machines.
When considering contests or donations (having or asking others), here is my food for thought (take it or leave it):
1. What are your goals and will this truly help achieve them?
2. Have you asked for a lot in the past? In other words, when you ask them to vote or participate in something, are they thinking to themselves, “Again?”
3. Will you tick off or annoy your network or fanbase?
4. Are you keeping things Kosher? Crossed your t’s and dotted your i’s? Checked the cause?
***Brilliant comic from Agent-X
***If you are thinking about doing an online promotion of any sort, send Greta an email greta@kickify.com to see how Kickify can get you on track to do it right!
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.