Dorothy is a homeschooling mother of five and a singer-songwriter. She is also the wife of Dustin Dauenhauer who was also a guest on the show back in Episode 719 .
She’s here today to share her challenges around crowdfunding, lessons she learned along the way, and how she finally made success happen!
Here are the highlights of my conversation with Dorothy:
Challenges Dorothy faced with Crowdfunding:
Crowdfunding effort #1: They raised money to organize a benefit concert for the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines but they didn’t reach the mark.
Her challenge: To do another crowdfunding campaign for her CD that she wanted to produce. How can she make it happen this time?
Lessons Learned from Crowdfunding
1. Set an attainable goal.
- For instance, the bottom line is you wanted to raise $10,000.
- Ask yourself if you can raise a quarter of that ($2500) in your first week of campaign.
- If you cannot, then your ultimate goal is too high for this specific crowdfunding budget goal. You have to lower it.
2. Create a video with a clear Call-to-Action.
Dorothy didn’t have this and this is one major mistake that she saw with their campaign. Video is very powerful today. So make sure it’s a good video. It has to be short, 2-3 minutes and no longer than five. You only have people’s attention for a few seconds. Most importantly, have one, single call-to-action, which is to donate. (Don’t ask them to share.)
3. Follow up, follow up, follow up!
- Have your daily quota of the people you wanted to reach out. Then send in a follow up message to check if they’ve watched your video. Ask them what they think and whether they’re interested in getting involved with your campaign.
- Don’t put the ball in their court. In crowdfunding, you have to go for that ball. If you pass it to them and not hear back in a couple of days, reach out again. And if you don’t hear back in another 2-3 days, reach out again.
- When somebody liked your post, reach out to them. There’s a reason they pressed like. Find out if they could be a warm lead.
Bonus lesson:
Never take a no as a final!
A no just means, what other angle are will they be able to help you with? For instance, ask if they can share your post to their friends. See what they can do to help.
Bonus lesson #2:
Don’t look at supporters as people that just donate to you. But look at them as people you want to have a relationship with. They’re people you respect and you value their time. When they put their money in your project, it means they believe in you.
Results Dorothy has seen after applying these lessons:
They lowered their goal. And they ended up getting over $7000, which was the minimum they needed to produce the CD.
Dorothy’s Major Takeaway:
Whatever your cause it, remember that it’s not about you, but the people you want to help. What can you do to make them feel a part and that together you can do this? Do all this together. People want to feel they belong and they’re a part of something great. Make sure you make them feel like it’s not about you, but it’s about doing it together.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Dorothy on www.dorothyanne.com.
Check out the TSE Hustler’s League.
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