Here's a messaging calendar that you can use to help make planning your [INSERT CHALLENGE NAME] campaign beyond easy. Make sure you're signed up for the webinar, know all the key dates and are ready to go way in advance of [CHALLENGE START DATE].
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Reminder
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Getting started
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[Day, Month Date] - Make sure you have a solid contact list. That means that you should have valid email addresses for every supporter, staff member, board member, friend and family member that you know. A solid list is key to good messaging which is key to doing well in a Challenge. Also, make sure to appoint someone to own your messaging. They should be referencing this calendar and knowing when to send out what email as well as when to post all your social media.
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[Day, Month Date] - Reach out to your board, staff, volunteers and team members to let 'em know you're involved in the Challenge. Let them know it all begins on [INSERT CHALLENGE START DATE AND TIME] and ask them to become fundraisers for your campaign. A $25 donor is great but a $250 fundraiser is a game changer. The more individuals you get to fundraise, the more money you'll raise for your charity. Check out the Email Drafts section of this Toolkit for a sample draft you can use.
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[Day, Month Date] - We're hosting a Challenge webinar today at [INSERT TIME]. If you haven't already registered, please Go Here [INSERT WEBINAR LINK] to make it happen.
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[Day, Month Date] - With less than two weeks left to go you'll want to make sure your page is absolutely perfect. It's the spot that every supporter will land on so make sure your story section is compelling, you have multiple photos and even a video if possible.
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[Day, Month Date] - The Challenge starts in just one week. Now is a good time to reach out individually to every member of your board to make sure they've set up a fundraiser for your cause. They have amazing networks and their help will be huge for your campaign. Check out the Email Drafts section of this Toolkit for drafts you can easily customize and send today.
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[Day, Month Date] - Make sure to reach out to all of your fundraisers and remind them that tomorrow is the big day. Ask them to reach out to everyone they know tomorrow after launch to help them raise money. Check out the Email Drafts section for a draft you can use.
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During the Challenge
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[Day, Month Date] - The Challenge starts today at noon (12pm) ET. Time to message everyone you know and ask 'em to fundraise for or donate to your cause. And, definitely upload the CrowdRise widget to your own site when the Challenge launches at noon ET (no earlier) to help make donating straight from your own site seamless and easy. Please Go Here for some quick instructions.
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[Day, Month Date] - Not only does the Challenge begin today, but so does Bonus Challenge #1 which means you could win extra cash for your cause. Such a big day. Every week throughout the Challenge, there will be Bonus Challenges which are amazing opportunities to get even more money for your cause. Plus, they're super fun. You can check out everything you need to know in the Grand Prizes and Bonus Challenges section of this Toolkit.
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[Day, Month Date] - Email every single member of your board. Remind them that they need to fundraise for your organization. Give them the option to start a fundraiser or donate a large amount. Maybe $500. Or, better yet, $1,000. Basically, make it impossible for them not to help fundraise for you. They should want to do it...they are your biggest supporters. We've got another draft you can use to reach out in the Email Drafts section of this Toolkit.
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[Day, Month Date] - Bonus Challenge #2 begins today. Check out the Grand Prizes and Bonus Challenges section of the Toolkit for more details on all the Bonus Challenges.
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[Day, Month Date] - Email your supporters an update about the Challenge such as the prizes you've won, how much you've raised, etc. It's likely the amount you raise ends up being a direct reflection of the motivational messaging in the emails that you are able to send. You can also use our super easy update tool to send updates directly from your campaign. Please Go Here to find out more on why and how to use it.
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[Day, Month Date] - Bonus Challenge #3 starts today. Check out the Grand Prizes and Bonus Challenges section in the Toolkit for more details on all the Bonus Challenges.
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[Day, Month Date] - Email your board again and let them know there is still an opportunity to fundraise or give. Every donation counts through the final hours of the Challenge and tapping into their networks is so, so important. Also today, email everyone else on your list with an update about where you're at in the Challenge and how much you've raised so far. Remind them that every donation counts and that there is less than [INSERT WEEKS] to go.
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[Day, Month Date] - It's time for Bonus Challenge #4. Check out the Grand Prizes and Bonus Challenges section of the Toolkit for more details on this Bonus Challenge.
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[Day, Month Date] - Bonus Challenge #5 starts today. You can find all the details by going to the Grand Prizes and Bonus Challenges section of the Toolkit.
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[Day, Month Date] - There are only a couple weeks left in the Challenge. Make sure you’re thinking of this campaign like a marathon...you need to be strong the whole way and continue the momentum right up until the very last minute.
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[Day, Month Date] - It's time for the last Bonus Challenge, please make sure you're emailing all your supporters and asking them to give. To learn more, please go to the Grand Prizes and Bonus Challenges section of the Toolkit.
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[Day, Month Date] - The Challenge is over tomorrow, [END MONTH DATE TIME]. Every donation counts until the Challenge is over so definitely ask everyone to please help in every way possible.
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The end of the Challenge
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[Day, Month Date] -The Challenge ends today at [1:59:59pm ET]. On this day, definitely encourage your supporters to donate to your cause in the last few hours of the Challenge but also make sure they don't donate at the last minute. It takes time to process donations so it's not good enough to press the donate button at the last minute. You need to have the transaction processed and completed before the end of the Challenge.
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[Day, Month Date] - Use the Campaign Update Tool to give a recap of your Challenge campaign. It'll automatically hit all of your donors with the details and keep them excited about your cause. Also email and post on social media. Keeping your donors feeling appreciated is key for long-term support. Go Here for a quick tutorial on how to use the tool.
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