As I noted recently in a recently available article about social media, Nonprofit Tech for Good reported last year that nonprofits that use crowdfunding raise $9,237 per campaign. That's an excellent sum of money via social media platforms. If your organization is interested in stepping into the crowdfunding space to raise money, here are a few tips and strategies to keep in mind:

There are many crowdfunding sites to pick from, however, many you should take a look at are: Indiegogo, Kickstarter, FirstGiving and CrowdRise. When considering which of those and other platforms to utilize, ensure it is a point to carefully review how a campaign would work inside a respective site, especially with regard to fees, transaction costs and whether you need to reach your financial goals to be able to receive any funds raised.

Consider crowdfunding as a microfundraiser. Therefore, the most effective campaigns that succeed are those who are for a special project, initiative or activity, where you've a finite period of time to raise money. Crowdfunding should not be properly used to raise general operating dollars as a matter of practice. A good guideline to utilize when you have embarked on a crowdfunding campaign is to seek to raise the first 30% within the first 48 hours.

Ensure you promote your campaign within your personal donor base first. Nonprofits sometimes seem to truly have the mistaken notion a successful crowdfunding campaign will occur because the money should come from new supporters What is StartEngine. Yes, new donors play part in a successful campaign, however it always begins with who you know and asking them never to only support your efforts but help spread the word.

Remember that your supporters are also your best advocates and ambassadors to the cause. Always think of crowdfunding within the context of your overall fundraising efforts. To ensure that this kind of fundraising to be successful, it should be incorporated as one revenue stream, which is meant to augment other streams of income for a particular project or campaign. Keeping this in your mind when planning your fundraiser can help your organization tell a regular narrative.

Make sure to ensure it is personal. For many years, the most effective marketers understand that the best way to "sell" something is to share with a story. When you are promoting your crowdfunding campaign, people need to understand not only the facts, but in order to allow them to want to become involved, there's to be an appeal for their emotion. Telling personal stories about how exactly this campaign will impact someone's life should go a considerable ways to helping you make the bond with donors and prospective donors. When you are in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign, momentum is everything. Allow it to be a point to share your success and progress together with your supporters using a variety of communication techniques (e.g. email, newsletters, social media, etc).

Nonprofits are increasingly using crowdfunding campaigns. If your organization is new to this kind of fundraising, reach out to other charities which have been successful and inquire further to give you their tips and advice with regard to what worked. Also, inquire further what they learned and what may not need worked in addition to they hoped or they will be improving upon in future campaigns. Peer to peer conversations are a wonderful method for nonprofits to have information from those who are in the trenches.