Friendraising Through Swine Flu
Friendraising Through Swine Flu
Nothing like an imported flu epidemic to interfere with conducting the business of fundraising (and the business of business.)
Unfortunately, consumer money that might otherwise be earmarked for fundraising events (or just a night out to eat) is being spent on gallons and gallons of Purell and boxes and boxes of surgical masks.
The cost of consumer apprehension presents a new layer of difficulty for both nonprofits and businesses. While timetables for containment are unknown, nonprofits and businesses can work on other Fundraising 2.0 efforts in the mean time. The easiest activity to work on is Friendraising. Plus – it’s free!
As described in the previous blog entry, Friendraising can immediately begin by creating a Friendlist. The development of this list requires no cost or time commitment – just a focus and “analysis” on understanding the habits, emotions, aspirations and rituals of prospective donors, volunteers and customers.
The more people in an organization or business that can be involved in Friendraising and “Friendlisting” exercises – the better. Why? Two key reasons:
1. More heads are better than one. Input from more people will inevitably result in more thorough results – even if it occurs by ruling out external input generated in Friendlisting sessions.
2. Organizations and businesses can better ensure that team members truly understand their respective brands, messages, needs, opportunities, etc. such that their ensuing, independent Friendraising activity is as effective/productive as possible.
While this latest crisis only further delays recovery and returns to growth for both nonprofits and businesses, there is no reason not to be as productive as possible in the mean time so that Brandraising and Fundraising can take place as opportunities present themselves and as crises finally begin to resolve.
Fundraising 2.0 Live 
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