Helpful Fundraising Tips

√Steps to a Successful Current Catalog Fundraiser

√Raising Dough with Current’s Cookie Mix Program

√Hassle-Free Online Fundraising — It’s as Easy as 1-2-3!

√Raise Funds Online: A Sample Email for Your Supporters

√Spread the Word — and Increase your Sales!

√Remember the 5 Ws and the H!

√Helpful Tips for Sellers - Make it Fast, Fun and Profitable

Spread the Word—and Increase Your Sales!

Use these easy public relations tips to let people know about your fundraiser. Tell them who you are, why you’re raising money, and how they can help, and you’ll increase your sales and profits.

1. Sales Letters: Develop a letter to send to potential customers. Use a friendly, conversational tone and be sure to emphasize your fundraising goal and how much your group will be able to accomplish as a result of your customers’ support.

2. News Releases: Notify radio and TV stations, city and neighborhood newspapers. You can also send your information to newsletters and bulletins published by local companies and military, alumni, athletic, and religious organizations.

Remember that your news release should be news—include a headline, stick to the facts, and keep it to less than a page, double spaced. Be sure to include the name and phone number of a contact person at the top of the page.

3. Public Service Announcements: These are abbreviated versions of your news release and can be sent to the same media as well as community bulletin boards.

4. Posters and Flyers: Enlist the talents of artistic group members, or use designed computer stationery to create flyers. Post them on corporate, school, and retail bulletin boards, pass them out at sporting events and craft fairs, and include them with fundraising catalogs and flyers that are distributed at workplaces. Remember to post your fundraising details on your organization’s website, too!

Remember the 5 Ws and the H!

Be sure to include all the pertinent information in your publicity materials—just follow the guidelines that journalists use: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.

Who: If your organization isn’t well known, use this opportunity to describe who you are and what services you provide for your community. Also be sure to include names, phone numbers, and email addresses of contact people.

What: Explain that your group is selling Current products. Because Current started as a fundraising business over 50 years ago, you can capitalize on the fact that its name is already known and trusted throughout the country. Let people know whether you’re using the Current fundraiser catalog and/or online fundraising. And, be sure to mention that 50% of all sales go directly to your group!

When: Publicize both the start and end dates of your fundraising campaign as well as the dates of any special events associated with your campaign.

Where: If your group will have a table at a sporting event or fair, be sure to publicize where you’ll be. Also explain how your customers can get catalogs and, if you’re using online fundraising, include the website address and instructions.

Why: The best way to get people interested in buying is to convince them that they’re supporting a worthwhile cause. Think of the fundraising appeals you’ve received from charities—the most effective ones paint a picture of why the money is needed and how it will be used to help the community or people in need.

How: Once you’ve demonstrated the value of your cause, clinch the sale by telling everyone how easy it is for them to help out. All they have to do is buy top quality Current products—reasonably priced, practical items that everyone can use!

Helpful Tips for Sellers
Make it Fast, Fun, & Profitable

Build your sellers’ confidence and sales! Pass on these tips, and be sure to provide a written list of all the details—your group’s goals, order deadline, approximate delivery date, etc.—so they’ll be prepared to answer questions.

1. Make a list of prospective buyers. Start with friends and relatives. Don’t limit your list to people in town—remember, with the Current Fundraiser Online Program you can get orders from anywhere in the USA.

2. Contact everyone on your list personally. People you know will want to help you because they care about you. So, show you care about them by making a personal appeal to them. Then check off the names on the list after you contact them, either in person, by phone or email, or by mailing Internet postcards. If you mail Internet postcards, add a brief personal note (“Aunt Susan, please help me earn money for our choir trip to Washington.”). If you don’t get a definite commitment at the first contact, follow up later.

3. Take your selling materials with you wherever you go. Dance class, sports events, family gatherings—just about any place can be a selling opportunity. You can also enlist family members to take your catalog to activities or work (if it’s permitted at the workplace). If family members help you, be sure to help them with something in return.

4. Make a good impression. When you’re selling in person, be sure to appear neat, polite, and enthusiastic. If available, wear a uniform, t-shirt, or cap identifying your group. Speak clearly, and tell potential customers your name, your group, what you’re selling, and why you’re raising money. Explain exactly what their purchase will do for you and your group. People may agree to buy a small item just to “help out,” but they’re likely to buy more, and more expensive items, if they know how much good they’ll do.

5. Be a cheerleader for your products. Before you start selling, look through the catalog and get to know the products. Pick out a few that are your favorites. Then, if customers seem uncertain about what they want to buy, you can say, “Look at this really cool windsock—it’s my favorite.” If your first favorite is higher priced, have a “back-up favorite” with a lower price.

6. Learn the art of the upsell. When you buy a burger, you’re sure to be asked, “Would you like fries with that?” That’s called upselling, and if it works for the fast food restaurants, it’ll work for you. For instance, when a customer buys a roll of gift wrap, ask, “Would you like some bows, ribbon, or tissue?”

7. Practice “Safe Selling”. If you sell door-to-door, stick to familiar neighborhoods and use the buddy system or have an adult come along. Never enter a stranger’s home

8. Have fun and keep trying. The best baseball players don’t hit a home run every time, and the best salespeople don’t make a sale every time. But they don’t get discouraged. So, even when a potential customer turns you down, smile, say thank you, and go on to the next prospect.