Finding funds for competitions, training camp, equipment, etc .. Athletes and sports teams understand that it isn't easy balancing the financial side of sports.
Each sport fails to have the same media exposure, so they are not all equal in the eyes of sponsors, brands and supporters.
For athletes with an agent, they will benefit from a network of contacts, for others, the path to the podium will probably be filled with more obstacles, such as raising funds.
This is why more and more athletes and sports organizations are turning to online crowdfunding as a last resort.
Some are successful, but many are planted.
Through crowdfunding, an athlete or team can gain support from a large number of contributors. Through the use of social media platforms, their mission or goal can become more realistic and achievable.
In a way, your fans enable you to achieve your sporting or professional goal.
Here are some key tips for starting your campaign on the right foot.
1) Storytelling
Many athletes uncaringly publish their request: "I am Mr. Smith, I am a boxer, I need $2,000 to go to my training camp in the Bahamas for two months"
Take the time to tell your story, tell your course, who you are, let people understand your sport, why you do it, make it personal.
2) Offer a quality mission
Do not run a campaign as soon as you need to go to training camp.
If your end goal is in 1 year, plan initially, your competition, your needs, dates of milestones.
By determining your plan you will realize that it will be interesting to make your campaign at this time, or before or after such a competition, such an opportunity ...
Take the time to bring all the elements for a solid campaign, this will only bring more quality and credibility to your mission.
3) Having an online community
If you have not been on Twitter for over three months and the last publication on your Facebook page was to like your page... There will be a lot of work.
Be consistent with your posts, try to engage your community of followers, try to gain followers that support your mission and talk about your achievements and progress. The amount of likes and followers don't matter if they aren't alive, if your message isn't being spread and heard. Build a community of followers that will continue to engage and follow you on your journey to the podium.
4) Animate your community around your project
In "crowdfunding" there is a participatory word. The community should feel involved in your mission. It should be a onetime transaction where you receive funds and ignore your supporters.
Make your mission active, explaining where you went, what are your results, what the next steps will be, keeping your supporters involved and connected.
Contributors believe in you, that is why they financially support you, don't let them lose faith and trust in you.
You become their sport and if your goal is reached, you will become their pride! Never forget that!
5) The duration of your campaign
This will depend on the time you have to pay. A short and effective campaign is better than long and unrealistic one.
Many think that by making a campaign last four months they will have more chances to raise money ...
However, you will lose the drive that your community built towards your campaign.
Conversely a short campaign and perfectly orchestrated will focus on your goal and be fully dedicated to your community. At TEAMBOOST we suggest to keep your campaign running for no more than 60 days.
6) Treat your campaign
Write, review, readjust ... Every word is important. Feed with audio visual content if possible.
This gives a more human side to your campaign.
Consider writing for a wide audience. Your sport has a jargon and terms that an average person may not understand.
Explain your project by reviewing the Who? What? Or ? When? How? Why ?
7) Choosing compensation
Think of small and big donations.
Specify offsets that seems fair, but above all be realistic.
If you need more ideas, take time to look at other campaigns.
It is better to ask for less now and surpassing your goal rather than asking for a lot and be far off from achieving it.
8) Prepare the launch
The first days are crucial. If your campaign begins on the wheel you have the chance to be in front page of many social media outlets ...
The rules differ from one platform to another, but the idea remains the same .
You will have to unite your community around your mission before the start of your campaign to create the buzz quickly.
Consider using the media available to you: Contact the local press or blogs to announce the start of your campaign.
Get people together and get people talking about your upcoming campaign and once it is launched, capitalize on the engagement and attention it is receiving.
Keep an eye on your campaign and keep spreading your story.
9) The aftermath
This last point will not help you during the campaign but it seems important to recall. Whether have reached your goal or not, thank all your contributors and think to honor the compensation due to your audience.
After all, they deserve it, they are your fans.
10) It's not over
Keep your audience and community alive, you will most likely need to launch another campaign in the near future. Try to maintain and keep building your audience in the meantime, keep them informed, share your content and strengthen your relationship with your supporters.
Think of TEAMBOOST as a platform to grow and monetize your career.
Here are some other blogs and tips to help you out.
-How To Get Sports Team Sponsorship
-Sports fundraising ideas - Team Crowdfunding
-Best Success Tip For Your Crowdfunding Campaign
-Tips For Successful Team Crowdfunding
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