Saturday, October 6th, 2007...12:55 pm
How to Fund-raise with YouTube
My life long friend Tony Coulombe is in the process of founding a new missions organization called the Mustard Seed Global Fellowship. They are headed for Japan and have an awesome vision of building Christian communities there. Tony has a lot of money to raise to be able to accomplish the mission so to help him I devised a viral fund-raising strategy using YouTube.
Step 1 Record Highly personal and direct videos that speak directly to prospective supporters
- Record in different environments: Try the park, a busy street or somewhere that reminds you of the possible supporter (Tony plans to record videos in little Tokyo)
- Be active in your recordings: Don’t just sit in one place, give the video some movement by walking around.
- Show your passion for the mission: Be authentic, be excited and don’t be scared to ask for money.
- Get them Engaged: Explain how you will continually use online video and blogs to keep them updated and connected to the mission.
- Make Hundreds of videos: The time it takes will make up for itself in the stronger commitments you will receive. (Givers gain)
- Use a cheap camera: No need for High Definition professional equipment here! Most digital cameras these days come with movie mode, use it!
- Keep it short: Between 1-3 minutes.
Step 2 Upload the videos to YouTube
- Files need to be under 100 megabytes: Another good reason for using a cheap digital camera.
- Don’t worry about people seeing videos you have created for others, it will only serve to support that you are dedicated.
Step 3 Setup an easy way for people to give, whether that be online giving or a simple way to receive information on how to give via mail.
- Realize how important this is: Your videos will deeply impact most people, give them a way to immediately respond.
- Google Checkout: Free for 5013c Non-Profits
- PayPal: Takes a commission so I am not a huge fan…
- See your Bank for possible methods or have a web developer get it done.
Step 4 Email videos to possible supporters
- Make it very clear: You want them to watch this video and they are accustomed to receiving spam so make sure they know it is a video from you made SPECIFICALLY for them.
Step 4.5 Submit the videos to various online social networks and Christian blogs creating a VIRAL reaction to a unique idea for raising support.
- Getting a Viral Response: This Idea is very young and unique. There is a window of probably a year that it will work virally to raise funds so GET ON IT!
Two Great Examples of the YouTube Fundraising
Raising support is getting harder and harder today. People are increasingly more difficult to engage and inspire about any specific cause or mission. On first reaction we could blame it on the laziness and depravity of the culture, but actually it is the recent evolution in communications. Though the mission maybe a very mighty one, the way we are accustomed to transferring inspiration, passion, and vision has been stifled to impersonal mass mailings. Lets change that. Lets start using Social Media to its fullest potential for the Church!
Aaron Marshall is a technology strategist, social entrepreneur and newbie kitesurfer. He founded 
Writer. Performer. Social Media Nut. Quilter. 
9 Comments
October 6th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Excellent job Aaron! I think I am going to borrow some of this to help the Brain Injury Association of KY. A lot of folks are going to benefit from your blog.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Aaron,
This is GREAT stuff!
I love the idea of using YouTube as a fundraising tool!
I just talked with a pastor last weekend who occasionally uses YouTube for in house marketing! They make a cool video and send it out to everyone in their database and encourage them to send it out to everyone they know.
I love this innovation… and it’s free!
You’re going in my bloglines bro!
Paul
November 8th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Hi Aaron,
I am here because we share a viral fundraising tag on Wordpress (we’re the only ones).
Great entry. I’ll be posting on this next week and will plan to quote you in case any of my readers want a broader perspective. It looks like we have similar writing styles and concerns, so I’ll be looking out for your blog in the future. Keep up the good work.
Maya Norton
The New Jew: Blogging Jewish Philanthropy
http://www.TheNewJew.wordpress.com
November 11th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
you rock bro! I love this stuff!
November 14th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Aaron,
YOU ROCK! Can’t wait to work with you more:)
Heather
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 am
Hi Aaron
Thanks for the info on imbedding youtube videos into powerpoint.
Just one question.
I’d like to run a video of a guitarist playing a worship song with lyrics(subtitles)
I’ve created a powerpoint presentation of the
lyrics and want the video to run (and be visable) on all slides. Is this possible?
Glenn
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:40 am
I received a fund raiser letter from a kid the other day and after reading it, felt sorry for him.
From a marketing standpoint, the kid was doing the best he knew how and was probably doing what he was instructed.
The letter was a short one, addressed to Family and Friends.
There was grammatical and punctuation errors.
Someone needs to show these kids how to raise money using the tools they are already using. Someone needs to help them connect the dots.
Why not get my permission first, which would be the hardest part, then through the miracle of the Internet and social networking sites, take me on the journey with you as you raise money for whatever you’re raising money for.
Make a Myspace page about your goal of going to Mexico for a missions trip. Take pictures of your fund raising events and post them on your blog. Let me fiollow you on Twitter so I can kjnow when the next bakes sale comes along. Have a paypal account so I can deposit money into your account easily.
Shoot video, create a channel on youtube or Viddler and let me see what you did on your missions trip.
Now I’m getting more value for the money I sent. And next year, when that kid asks me for money to help sponsor a trip, I’ll probably be more likely to donate even more.
What do you think?
Thanks,
Scott
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I had the exact same experience, that inspired me to start CHURCHSMO.com and write this first post.
I am mixed on how to approach fund raising missionaries (short & long term) on this topic, there appears to be a fear or laziness that is hindering them from really diving in and using these tools to raise support and connect with supporters.
I also think it could be they are not 100% sold on what they are doing… Which makes creating a video asking for money to do it quite difficult…
I have considered approaching mission directors, and setting up incentives to help motivate folks. For example if someone makes 10 supporter specific videos, I would be willing to give X amount a month… A twist on the matching system.
What are your thoughts on this Scott?
May 6th, 2008 at 5:10 am
I would agree that some are not sold on the idea of what they are doing. This might make them hedge and pull up short on their efforts to raise money. I believe most are using these technologies, but do not know how to make all the social networking tools work together for their desired result.
I’m not sure I understand what you are talking about when you say “if someone makes 10 supporter-specific videos.” Are you says someone needs to make more one video explaining their vision and their goal?
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