Most of us find it awkward to talk about money with others. As a candidate for public office, other people’s money is essential to running an effective campaign. Here is the game plan for a perfect fundraising call to a prospective donor.
Before the call checklist:
- Understand the donor- Look up their giving history, and make sure they’re receptive to your message. If you can get an introduction from a mutual friend, even better. You want to make sure you know as much as possible about the person before getting into the call.
- Plan a specific meeting time- Most people aren’t receptive to a cold call. Send a text or email asking for a meeting. Introduce yourself, mention the campaign, and make it clear you want to hear about their concerns for the district.
- Determine the dollar amount or range you can ask of this person- Either by reviewing their giving history or looking at your own budget needs, knowing what amount you’re asking for will help make the call run smoothly.
During the call:
- Lean into the personal- You’re trying to build a relationship with this person, not just get money from them. Talking about families, backgrounds, and jobs will help you connect, showing that you care about the person behind the checkbook.
- Connect on your common goals and issues- The donor is likely well connected in the community, invested in its issues and needs, and has a pulse on what others are saying. Whether or not they give, hearing from them will help you connect to the pulse of the region.
- Ask for their input- They will feel more valued when you ask for their opinion. Maybe not everything will be applicable, but every donor is worth more than the dollar amount they can give. Their experience should be respected.
- Make the money ask- This is the hardest part, but now it’s time to make the final ask. “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about the campaign. I really value your insight and feedback. I can’t run this race without you so I would like to ask for your financial support. Would you be willing to give $1,000 to the campaign?” No matter their response, be gracious and thankful for their time on the call.
After the call checklist:
- Record the answer and date it- Maybe they said they would have a check in the mail that day. Perhaps they said they wanted to keep watching the race and would make up their mind about giving at a later time. Maybe they said no. Keep a record of it.
- Give them time to follow through on their commitment- Waiting for donations to come in can be excruciating, especially as expenses begin.
- Don’t be afraid to follow up- If the money doesn’t show up, don’t be afraid to follow up. An email, text, or phone call thanking them for their support and reminding them of a fundraising deadline or expense coming up
Now you have a game plan for the perfect fundraising call for your political campaign. Fundraising can be daunting, but the team at Victory is prepared to help you build a budget, assemble the funds, and craft a winning campaign message.
Let us help you with your fundraising effort. Email our team now!