Fundraising Tips | African American Fundraising & Sellers Program
THANK YOU YOUR INTEREST IN SHADES OF COLOR FUNDRAISING. ANYONE CAN SELL INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS WITH SOUL THAT UPLIFT AND INSPIRE!
SELL ALONE AS AN INDIVIDUAL FOR EXTRA INCOME. SELL AS A FAMILY. SELL AS A GROUP, CHURCH, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. SELL SAFELY FROM HOME. EARN A 40% PROFIT ON EACH ITEM SOLD!
NOW IS A PERFECT TIME TO MAKE MONEY ON THE SIDE TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR INCOME. WE SUGGEST DISTRIBUTING A CATALOG – SEND OUT A PHYSICAL CATALOG OR SEND A LINK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING & YOUR CIRCLE WILL WANT TO SUPPORT YOU AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS.
ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING TIPS:
— SET YOUR GOAL
Your friends & family want to support you. Let them know if there is a certain dollar amount you are trying to hit and/or specific goal you are raising money for. Everyone loves a story – be sure to share yours! WHY did you partner with Shades of Color? WHY are you trying to raise extra money? WHY should your friends and family support you? WHAT do these products mean to YOU??
— DISTRIBUTE OUR DIGITAL CATALOG!
We offer a digital flip through catalog that you can distribute to your customers with our contact information removed. This way customers need to return to YOU for their purchase. Click HERE to get the link.
— BE VOCAL, BE SOCIAL: SHARE & GO LIVE!
Now more than ever we are online & connecting via social media. Use that to your advantage! Use your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube platforms to share information about the products you are selling.
1). SHARE! We have an abundance of enticing product photos on social media. Share these with your contacts and let them know to come to YOU to place the order. (Access our Social Media platforms HERE).
2). Create your own FB Group — this will allow you to focus on your contacts that are really interested in purchasing. Use this Group to talk about your products, share photos and videos, and capture leads!
3). Go LIVE! You have a captured audience – go LIVE and use your winning personality to convert your contacts into customers. This is a great opportunity to show features of the products and why YOU love them! Get your contacts excited about the upcoming holiday season. Connect with them and show how these items inspire and why they mean something to YOU!
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We recommend doing this once a week for the rest of the year. We offer a lot of products and you may not be able to run down the specifics of every item at each LIVE virtual party. Consistency will help you stay top of mind. Keep them brief – only about 30 minutes.
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Have customers contact YOU or place what they want in the comments so you can follow up with them to place their order. Investigate in a payment processing platform like Squareup.com to get payments virtually or allow for payments to be mailed or dropped off safely.
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Be sure to PROMOTE your Live session often.
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Get to know the products and their features so you can demo why your customers will love that item. Plan out what you want to demo beforehand so that you are more comfortable and have a better flow. Have enough samples on hand to demonstrate.
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Give your customers ideas on WHO they can gift a certain product to. There is something for everyone!
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Practice getting good lighting, try purchasing a mic and tripod, and be sure to look at the right spot on your camera lens.
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Bring the energy – when YOU are excited, THEY will be excited!!
Watch THIS VIDEO for more insight into Going Live!
—PITCH TO CUSTOMERS BEFOREHAND & SEAL THE DEAL ONLINE
Think of going LIVE as hosting your very own virtual party. Cast a wider net, and your contacts will be able to join you as available. Prep each Live event by pitching in advance to your contacts, allowing you to prepare them and actively hype each product that will be available for purchase. Customers can visualize your products and get acquainted with the brand. Give them a chance to ask questions. Highlight some of your favorite products by posting product photos leading up to your Live event. Send a link to the catalog. Let them do their homework and maybe even expand their orders by talking to family members!
— OFFER REWARDS AND GAMES!
Just because you’re virtual doesn’t mean you have to take out the fun. Try keeping a party atmosphere going with games, small gift rewards or coupons. Pull some trivia questions. Reward top sellers. Reward for certain items that are either higher priced or aren’t selling as well. Even a magnet or bookmark make a difference — and if you add them to your order YOU get 40% off! Offer $2, $5 or a percentage off their order. You can also incorporate a raffle— a ticket for every item they purchase, and do the raffle each week for every confirmed (paid for) item. Another idea is a virtual Happy Hour — this is a great way we are connecting with our girlfriends this year. Why not invite your posse to pull up a beverage and join you in your virtual display?? Whatever you decide to do with your audience, get creative and make it engaging!
— THANK YOU CARDS
We recommend ordering extra holiday cards, thank you cards or blank cards to personally thank everyone who purchases from you and/or attends your virtual Live party. It shows them you appreciate them supporting you, gives an extra touch, AND again it is showing off a product that they may want to buy from you! (View Shades of Color Stationery HERE).
— IT’S IN THE DETAILS!
We recommend investing again just a little bit into making your gifts look good! Stop by a dollar store and pick up some gift bags, tissue paper and bows. Decorate the bag with a free magnet or bookmark. It will add a wow factor that make your customers feel special. You can also order our ECO Shopping bags as a functional gift bag. A few are included for free in our Sales Kits!
— PURCHASE A SAMPLER KIT!
We offer a variety of Sampler Kits and Catalog Packages to assist with your sales. Sales Kits include a sample of our top selling products so that customers can see the high quality of our items. Show off the items in person OR demonstrate them online! Click HERE to view more in our Fundraising Tools.
— FOLLOW UP!
Be sure to thank your Live attendees and customers for coming and supporting, and perhaps they will be more inclined to come again. Send a follow-up note. Send an email highlighting products and let them know that they can still purchase from you even though the virtual event is over.
Post content from your Live event to all of your contacts — this will show those who didn’t attend what they missed so they will be sure to make the next one! Use #PartyInColor so that we can find and celebrate you too!!
— EXPRESS WHO WE ARE
Shades of Color has been creating inspirational calendars, stationery, bags & accessories, kitchenware, home decor and gifts since 1995. We work with uber talented African American & Inspirational artists nationwide. Every purchase supports black artists, small black owned business, and more importantly YOU. For more highlights about Shades of Color to share with your customers click HERE.
— ACCEPTING PAYMENTS
If you want to stay as contactless as possible, many customers today are more and more comfortable with online payment systems such as Venmo, Paypal or Square Up. This way you can process the order from home and then arrange for a drop off / pick up, or add a little extra to the order to cover shipping costs.
HAVE FUN!
These are trying times… Funds are tight, we understand. For some resources are still available, and especially as we get closer to Christmas we anticipate the sales to continue. Shades of Color’s collections are fun and inspirational. Bring that uplifting element with you as you talk about your campaign, and that energy is sure to work in your favor!
We have a Facebook Group For Fundraisers where you can talk with our team and network with other participants. Join us and feel free to ask away and share your thoughts!
Enjoy the journey. Here’s to a successful season!!
Best Regards,
Shades of Color Fundraising
800-924-1811 | [email protected]
