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Whether your church has participated in #GivingTuesday for a few years or this is your first time taking part, you probably feel the excitement in the air. The idea behind this global day of giving is simple and pure. It reminds people to give to charitable causes when holiday consumerism is at its peak.
However, even the most prepared churches may find the date creeping up on them because the giving season is such a busy time. Therefore, to help you have a smooth and successful campaign, here are 7 last-minute #GivingTuesday tips and tricks you can apply right away! Therefore, to help you have a smooth and successful campaign, here are seven last-minute #GivingTuesday tips and tricks you can apply right away!
1. Offer mobile giving options
By now, you should have an online giving solution in place for #GivingTuesday (and if you don’t, we’d love for you to take this opportunity to learn more about easyTithe). But, if you haven’t set up options for people to give straight from their smartphone, then you are missing out on a great opportunity.
Mobile phones account for 80% (if not more) of online social activities, and giving happens to be one of those! Because you can promote giving via social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can get in front of more people and they can give right there in the moment whether they’re shopping for the holidays or in line at the grocery store.
2. Encourage #unselfie to get the word out
Reaching out to the younger generation can be a challenge, but there are ways to encourage and let Millennials know about #GivingTuesday, and one technique is to promote the #unselfie. This hashtag was created as “a show of support for #GivingTuesday.” The goal is for people to take pictures promoting a charitable cause, tag both #unselfie and #GivingTuesday, and then upload it to the social media account as a profile picture.
Using this hashtag will help you reach a larger audience because it is now visible to those that are beyond your social media connections and email list.
3. Use videos and pictures to inspire giving
Some people simply aren’t as inspired to give when they hear about the charitable opportunity—they need to see it! You can show this through videos and pictures of how your church uses the donations. For example, share photos of your congregation on a mission trip or post videos of your group preparing food for a less fortunate community in your area.
4. Send out last-minute reminders
If you have found the date sneaking up on you, so have many of your donors! Craft a last-minute reminder to send out on multiple platforms so that people save the date, and it doesn’t slip past them.
5. Don’t let the conversation come to a halt!
If you’ve been following your #GivingTuesday campaign flawlessly, don’t stop right before the finish line! While you may want to take a beat to prepare for the big day, the few days beforehand can make a significant impact on the final results.
Be responsive on social media and keep checking in on all of your platforms from email to the website to ensure you’re getting back in real-time with those that are asking questions or making comments.
6. Refine your message
If you have been focused solely on the act of giving throughout your campaign, as you get closer to the big day, you should refine your message. Let your congregation know how and why giving is going to benefit the church and the community. And remember, you can apply #3 to this as well!
7. Track your results
Once this year’s #GivingTuesday has come to a close, you should be able to look at reports to gain insight. You can use this information to better forecast, set goals, and to improve your overall tithing efforts throughout the holidays and well into the New Year.
If you want to enhance the church’s online tithing platform this giving season, contact easyTithe today for the most comprehensive giving solution out there!
