Congratulations! As a professional fundraiser, you pull off an amazing feat year after year by positioning your nonprofit as a desirable organization for donations. Your job is demanding, and any and every edge you can find is welcome in your quest to stand out among other nonprofits and raise record donations.
There are countless SMS text message marketing tools available, and Tatango is a leader in the industry. We’ve been around since the early days of SMS, and we know what works. Keep reading for tips on how to continue growing your fundraising campaign. In this blog, we share three tried-and-true ways to use text-to-give programs for maximum success!
Why Use SMS Text Message Marketing?
You’ve probably tried many other electronic fundraising methods, each with diminishing returns. Emails go unopened for days—or worse, they’re completely ignored. The algorithms powering popular social media platforms only allow a paltry 5% of your audience to see your messages. If you’re thinking to yourself, “There has to be a better way,” we’re here to tell you there is!
Among the strategies and tools in your fundraising toolbox, the SMS text-to-give platform is essential. In fact, 78% of consumers say SMS is the fastest way to reach them. Compare that to traditional communication and promotion methods. For example, the average open rate for email newsletters is only about 22.71%, and the average click-through rate is an abysmally low 2.91%. More than 90% of text messages are read within three minutes of being received, making text messaging a powerful tool for reaching subscribers. Because SMS has the highest open rates of any communication vehicle, text-to-give is an impressive fundraising tool.
In addition to quick and effective fundraising, SMS and MMS marketing are excellent for fostering a personal connection between campaigns and supporters. Text messages directly connect the organization with each recipient, unlike social media posts, where everyone sees the same message (if they see it at all, thanks to those algorithms previously mentioned). Segmentation allows organizations to create individual lists for specific groups of subscribers, such as volunteers, donors, and supporters, then use those tailored lists to message people based on details such as their location, interests, and past donations.
SMS helps organizations communicate faster and directly, so they can focus on time-sensitive issues while raising funds to advance their cause. It’s one of the most efficient and cost-effective fundraising tools available today. With SMS, supporters can stay engaged with your organization and easily respond and donate within seconds using a device they always have with them. This direct connection can significantly impact both their sense of connection to your organization and the success of your campaign.
Three Ways to Maximize Donations on Your Text-to-Give Platform
Below are three ways to maximize donations on your text-to-give platform.
1. Integrate your SMS number with your website.
Fundraising is nothing without supporters who believe in your cause, and SMS is an effective method to grow your donor base.
Most Americans (97%) own a cell phone and say it’s their preferred method of communication—that’s why growing your donor base is so important. To integrate your SMS number with your website, you just need to add a simple line of code to your site. That’s it. Then, whenever a supporter or donor shares their phone number on one of your web forms, their number automatically syncs with your SMS messaging program. Once they’re on your list, you can invite donors to become repeat donors and keep your biggest supporters informed about upcoming opportunities to continue supporting your organization.
2. Brand your text-to-give landing page.
On average, branded text-to-give landing pages help raise up to six times as much money. Branding that’s consistent across your organization builds trust and credibility. So go the extra step when setting up your landing page and brand it for your text-to-give campaign.
For example, if you’re raising money to fund a guest speaker series for the local library, your website should reflect this goal. Be sure to include photos of speakers and past events to give people a clear idea and get them excited to support your campaign.
First impressions matter. Branding is especially important with young donors (75%) who say they’re turned off by outdated websites. Use every inch of your landing page to your benefit.
3. Convey a sense of urgency.
A call to action (CTA) is a vital element that should be part of all your fundraising materials. A CTA is an opportunity to convey the urgency of your message by telling supporters exactly what you need them to do to help your cause. This is especially true in SMS text-to-give campaigns, where recipients typically respond within a minute of reading the message. Make that minute work for you. Include an actionable CTA with clear language that speaks directly to your supporters. A straightforward CTA that conveys a sense of urgency will have a greater impact and increase your likelihood of receiving repeat donations in the future.
Looking for More? Watch this Video to Become a Text-To-Give Pro
Collecting donations has never been easier for donors and your organization. It can all happen with the click of a button or a tap on a smartphone screen. Tatango saves you time and money, seamlessly integrating with all fundraising software so you can do everything in one place without the need to switch between platforms.
Add Tatango to Your Fundraising Workflow
Jump-start your fundraising campaign with a text-to-give platform and maximize your donation potential. To learn more about other ways to elevate your SMS marketing workflow, contact the text message marketing experts at Tatango today.
