Giving Tuesday is December 2nd
Are You Ready for #GivingTuesday? You might be asking, what? If you are read on…
First there was Black Friday, then there was Cyber Monday and now we have Giving Tuesday! Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where Americans spend a ton of money on Christmas shopping. Then Cyber Monday came along the Monday after Thanksgiving as a huge online purchase day. Now we have Giving Tuesday a day dedicated to motivating people to give back.
#GivingTuesday is a movement started in 2012 to create a national day of giving to kick off the giving season. More and more charities are joining this national event so you will be hearing a lot about this movement. So will your donors and they will be giving money to various charities that will be using this new push to give. That is money you could be putting to use for Kingdom work!
How can churches utilize #GivingTuesday to see gifts head their way? As with all end of year planning the time is now to get started. Tuesday December 2nd will be here before you know it. You can’t wait until the night before to have a plan ready. Let’s get ready now!
Don’t make it about you. This is my first recommendation. With all my clients I am suggesting a #GivingTuesday strategy but I am recommending the focus be about missions not giving to your budget. Since your donors will be getting multiple messages from charities about changing the world your message must match and trump theirs. Charities do great work but Kingdom work last for eternity!
#GivingTuesday is a great way to engage younger donors IF you have an outward focus. As one of my clients said, “My Millennials will give great to offerings to drill wells in Africa but never give a penny to help pay our bills in the place they love to worship in.” So, let’s put our focus where we can get maximized return.
#GivingTuesday is all about digital so make your appeal digital! The emphasis of #GivingTuesday is to drive online gifts in one day. So you had better have a robust online platform. Work now to assure that your online platform can be adjusted for this special appeal. Use email blasts and Social Media on that Tuesday to highlight and garner gifts.
Finally, use #GivingTuesday as a means to an end. My goal towards building consistent givers is to get them to give once, then again and again. Getting the first gift is not easy nor is getting the successive gifts. My goal for clients in #GivingTuesday is to increase their donor base. The key is to show potential donors that their gift matters and that it will impact those in need.
Here is a plan of action…
- Decide now what the “ask” will be. The “ask” should be based upon a compelling need that motivates the donor to “want” to give.
- Build a message around that “ask” via Social Media in the week leading up to #GivingTuesday. Use pictures to tell the story of the crisis and need you are trying to help or solve with your special #GivingTuesday push.
- Make the “ask” on #GivingTuesday through Social Media and a direct email blast. I recommend using multiple platforms to drive donors to your giving page. A well-crafted email to donors can and will produce significant online giving.
- Track who gives especially any gifts from first time donors. This tells you what type of “ask” resonates with people so that you can include them in another similar “ask.”
- Send thank you notes to every donor who gave telling the results of their gift. My goal is to show donors the blessings attached to generosity so that they will want to give again and again.
Millions of dollars are going to be raised on December 2nd this year. So, let’s take advantage of #GivingTuesday with our own compelling Kingdom building “ask!”
Not sure what to do or how to do it? The above piece was sent out to all my monthly members along with a detailed end of year plan called, “The 2 Minute Drill.” You can either pay me $79.95 for that plan by going here, https://thestewardshipcoach.org/store/ or…
Monthly members get all my manuals for free! They pay $59.95 a month and you can join here, https://thestewardshipcoach.org/join-now/ Either way let’s get ready to increase your end of year giving!
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach