Has anyone ever done any fundraising through your business? I have an idea, but I’d like to run if by some folks and see what you think.
I picked out 4 charities that operate locally, and I was gonna post a poll on my business’s Facebook page and allow people to vote on their favorite for a month or so. Which ever one got the most votes, I’d donate a percentage of my profits from the spring window cleaning season to that charity.
I’m a part time business owner, I work full time second shift. I have decided that I want to go full time with the window cleaning business, and quit my job for next years Spring season.
I figured this would be a good way to generate more interest in my business, as well as an incentive for people to schedule jobs in the spring. At the same time, I’d be helping my community which is important to me and was something I included in my business plan as one of those things that set my business apart from my local competition. I’d include a mention of it in my advertising for the spring and spread the word on Facebook and all that jazz. I’m just not sure about the voting part. Should I pick 4 and let people vote, or just pick one myself and that’s that? Maybe pick a new charity each year or something.
What do ya’ll think? Ever done anything like this, and if so, how’d it work?
Hmm, where to start… First, I wouldn’t recommend charity as a “business technique”. If you want to give, that’s great! A lot of businesses do. And they probably benefit from some good will in the community for it. But it can hardly be counted on to improve sales. If you go tooting your own horn, some people are likely to see your motives, and it could leave a negative impression.
If you really want to give to local charities as part of your long term financial plan, I wouldn’t recommend doing a lot of giving right now. You need to grow your business with proven methods of marketing, so that you have a stable, thriving business. Then you will be in the position to donate as your heart compels you, for a long time to come. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t give anything right now. It’s always good to give, and every little bit can make a difference for someone in a different set of shoes.
If you do want to provide some way for customers to see your efforts in regard to charity, without sending out the trumpeter ahead of you:
put a check-mark option at the bottom of your invoice where the customer can select a charity for which they would like a portion of that invoice to benefit.
