Comments on: New Math For Fundraisers http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/ Fundraising and advocacy strategies. Trends, tips ... with an edge Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:27:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Welcome to Social Media » Blog Archive » Social Media and Social Change: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-6148 Welcome to Social Media » Blog Archive » Social Media and Social Change: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:01:49 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-6148 [...] supporters of your cause who actively recruit new people. These missionaries have the potential to create wealth for your organization simply because of their influence within social networks and their passion [...] [...] supporters of your cause who actively recruit new people. These missionaries have the potential to create wealth for your organization simply because of their influence within social networks and their passion [...]

]]> By: Amy Kincaid http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-3823 Amy Kincaid Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:22:23 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-3823 Great that you've suggested this formula, and I think you're onto something. But I'm with Richard Pordes who predicts more like 2% to your 50% for the friends of friends. The real power for the social media fundraising is with the first level "fans." Nonprofits should spend their time deepening relationship and appreciation with them--welcoming and encouraging their engagement. What we know from "old fashioned" fundraising (and giving behavior) is that their friends may give once or more often, but that few will become "fans" themselves. Some may become regular donors, but few will become those leading, engaged total fan folks. That's ok, though, and it's completely worth investing energy in, as a strategy. Look forward to seeing actual data on it! Great that you’ve suggested this formula, and I think you’re onto something. But I’m with Richard Pordes who predicts more like 2% to your 50% for the friends of friends. The real power for the social media fundraising is with the first level “fans.” Nonprofits should spend their time deepening relationship and appreciation with them–welcoming and encouraging their engagement. What we know from “old fashioned” fundraising (and giving behavior) is that their friends may give once or more often, but that few will become “fans” themselves. Some may become regular donors, but few will become those leading, engaged total fan folks. That’s ok, though, and it’s completely worth investing energy in, as a strategy.

Look forward to seeing actual data on it!

]]> By: Richard Pordes http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-3556 Richard Pordes Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:36:54 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-3556 Tom: I think your math is right on the button until you get to where each missionary has to get half of ten friends to contribute. What makes you think that even one out of ten will do it? The little experience I have had with "friend get friends" programs is that you get only slightly more response than with a good qualified donor list. So assuming that we get a 2% response from those friends of missionaries, the response is going to be a lot less than 5 out of 10. My guess is more like one out of fifty. Perhaps that is way too pessimistic, but I certainly think it would be worth testing. Look forward to reading your column in which you report on the results of people's tests. RP Tom:

I think your math is right on the button until you get to where each missionary has to get half of ten friends to contribute. What makes you think that even one out of ten will do it?

The little experience I have had with “friend get friends” programs is that you get only slightly more response than with a good qualified donor list. So assuming that we get a 2% response from those friends of missionaries, the response is going to be a lot less than 5 out of 10. My guess is more like one out of fifty.

Perhaps that is way too pessimistic, but I certainly think it would be worth testing.

Look forward to reading your column in which you report on the results of people’s tests.

RP

]]> By: Allyson http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-3403 Allyson Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:57:16 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-3403 Jus wanted to add my two cents about how to fundraise with these folks once you get them to join your list - especially in a bad economy. Two of the biggest takeaways from Obama’s incredibly successful fundraising campaign were to: 1) embrace low dollar donors; and 2) make the case that donors are part of a movement. http://tinyurl.com/7cgo7m Jus wanted to add my two cents about how to fundraise with these folks once you get them to join your list – especially in a bad economy. Two of the biggest takeaways from Obama’s incredibly successful fundraising campaign were to: 1) embrace low dollar donors; and 2) make the case that donors are part of a movement.
http://tinyurl.com/7cgo7m

]]> By: luke edwards http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-3389 luke edwards Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:55:54 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-3389 Good theory, but to suggest you can get that return from people recruiting over social networking sites is extremely optimistic. It is one thing having them join a 'group' on Facebook etc, it is another for them to click through this to actually contribute to your cause. Good theory, but to suggest you can get that return from people recruiting over social networking sites is extremely optimistic. It is one thing having them join a ‘group’ on Facebook etc, it is another for them to click through this to actually contribute to your cause.

]]> By: Barbara Osborn http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-3387 Barbara Osborn Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:43:18 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-3387 The research I've seen suggests that despite these rosy scenarios, online friends are worth about a penny a piece. The only groups for whom this scenario holds are groups with hundreds of thousands of members. The research I’ve seen suggests that despite these rosy scenarios, online friends are worth about a penny a piece. The only groups for whom this scenario holds are groups with hundreds of thousands of members.

]]> By: Nancy Schwartz http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/comment-page-1/#comment-3384 Nancy Schwartz Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:48:18 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/new-math-for-fundraisers/#comment-3384 Love your math. What a fantastic way to communicate the impact of missionaries. Way to agitate, Tom. Love your math. What a fantastic way to communicate the impact of missionaries. Way to agitate, Tom.

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