PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & WRISTBANDS 2013
A how-to guide for Australian fundraising volunteers
fundraisingideas.com.au
FUNDRAISING WITH
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EDITOR Mandy Weidmann 1300 653 305
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 1300 653 305 sales@directdigital.com.au
One of the biggest decisions a committee has to make is what to do to raise those much needed extra funds for a group project.
Direct Digital Publications Pty Ltd ABN 98 118 909 069
Sometimes it’s easy to do what’s been done before, in the name of tradition; or because it seems just too hard to do something different.
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From my experience, product drives make fundraising easy. But there are so many different products to choose from!
DISCLAIMER
The Fundraising Directory presents you with an A to Z guide of reliable and proven fundraising products and services in Australia.
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In this ebook, a companion to my 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, let’s look at the possibilities that come from just one category – printing, promotional products and silicone wristbands. Happy fundraising, Direct Digital
What’s on offer Suppliers listed in the Fundraising Directory provide printing and promotional products such as: •
green bags
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calico bags
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aprons
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tea towels
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t-shirts
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business card wallets
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key rings
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watches.
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silicone wristbands
Reasons to consider this fundraiser 1. You have an anniversary coming up
Your group is celebrating a milestone event that many people will want to remember long after the day itself has passed.
2. This is a show of pride in belonging to a group 3. It captures a moment in time that you want to treasure
• engraved pavers
Advertise YOUR Business HERE!
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For example, translating children’s drawings onto a tea towel provides a practical object and reminder of a stage in your child’s development
4. Promoting your group presents ongoing recognition beyond immediate members.
Who this could work for? email: sales@directdigital.com.au or phone: 1300 653 305 4
Schools, child care centres, kindergartens, sporting clubs, scouts, animal shelters, theatres, hospitals, pony clubs, churches and social groups.
Fundraising with PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & WRISTBANDS
Choosing the supplier who’s right for you
We recently worked with a group raising money for a hospital in Africa. The design contained wonderful pictures by female patients, many of whom had never held a pen before. The group originally ordered 1500. A week later, we had a re-order… for another 1000! This was a special keepsake for the women and a fantastic fundraiser for a charity.
The Fundraising Directory takes the legwork out of finding suitable suppliers. You can send online queries to suppliers seeking more information and then decide who best meets your needs. Here are the absolute essential questions to ask: 1. How long has the company been in business? 2. How many years of experience does the company representative have in fundraising?
When to run your fundraiser? If you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, you will have in place:
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a SMART goal – a real target and purpose for fundraising a fundraising calendar with a mix of opportunities throughout the year – without being too enthusiastic or greedy.
Mother’s Day and Christmas are popular times for the apron and tea towels, and landmark anniversary events lend themselves to branded products. Silicone bands work well at any time of year.
3. What is the percentage profit of sales? 4. How much can I expect to make?
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Percentage does not necessarily translate into profit.
If one company offers you 30% of gross sales and another offers you 20%, ask why.
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It could be that the ‘20%’ company offers useful ‘extras’ that could boost sales and save time e.g. kick-offs, incentives, timely delivery of merchandise, customised packaging for individual. Perhaps the quality is so superior that an increased sales volume will net your group more money. Don’t take the percentage of sales at face value.
5. Is the product high-quality? Quality products equal quality revenue returns.
This may be particularly important if your merchandise is aligned with a big event in your community.
8. Does the supplier provide services that will help save volunteers’ time such as checklists, promotional posters, tally sheets, collection envelopes, pre-sorting?
9. Are products paid for in advance or upon delivery? Will they work with you on a fair payment option? 10. What is the returns policy if you over-order?
6. Is the drive based on orders or When talking to the company rep, pre-purchase? consider her communication style. You want to work with someone who listens to your needs. Drives that are based on orders The company rep should also ask are less risky than pre-purchase you questions about: as you only order – and pay for – what’s wanted. • your group’s financial goal Remember: unsold stock eats up profits!
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your fundraising timeline
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the number of potential participants and their ages
7. Is there an opportunity to order extras? At what cost? 6
Fundraising with PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & WRISTBANDS
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any historical information (e.g. past fundraisers, participation levels, successes and failures).
If he doesn’t, he’s not really interested in you: and you shouldn’t be interested in him either!
advertisement for your supermarket? No! Then why use their ‘green bags’ rather than ones displaying a cause you support and want to raise awareness of. 4. If selling as part of a community event, order extras and have them on display in prominent places – like your local library, council official’s office and any businesses that support you.
Fundraising tips Product drives work best when they’re short and sharp: three weeks is ideal. • You’ll need to promote ahead Here are a few of my top tips for of the fundraiser. selling silicone bands: • You’ll need to launch the
fundraiser.
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You’ll need to round up the orders.
Hints on all this – and more – are detailed in 22 lessons for A+ fundraising. But here are some specific marketing tips for selling these products: 1. Communicate your fundraising goal clearly.
We want to raise $1500 to buy the tuckshop a new oven
2. Whip up pride in your group 3. Are you in the business of being an unpaid 8
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The colour and words need to readily identify with the ‘cause’.
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If selling as a school fundraiser, ask the principal first! You may need to get a relaxation of the uniform policy to allow your silicone band to be worn. If your proposal meets with resistance – and the school is the beneficiary – try to find a suitable middle ground, such as allowing students to wear the bracelet on a particular day or during a particular week. You do not want to encourage students to flout the rules.
Fundraising with PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & WRISTBANDS
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Let them be seen! You want the ‘populars’ to wear them and set the trend.
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Set your price at whole dollars 3. for easy money-handling.
When the fundraising’s over
Congratulate your volunteers on a job well done.
They’ll be more receptive to helping again.
Orders have been dispatched, the 4. money’s banked, and it’s all over, right? Not quite. But then, you know that: you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ fundraising! Here are some of the jobs that the fundraising committee still needs to do:
review of this supplier to share with other fundraising volunteers.
Complete the Report Card in your Fundraiser’s Handover Manual. Immediately after the fundraiser, complete a Fundraising Report Card in order to assess the event. The Fundraising Report Card can be downloaded from fundraisingdirectory.com.au and can easily be passed on to the next organiser for future events. The templates are simple to use and to fill out so that you can continuously improve your fundraisers every year.
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Share the outcome with your community.
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Too often, a fundraiser just fades away. People want to know what happened! Communicate the result with all who took part – committee members, volunteers, and supporters – using your Subscribe to our FREE monthly newsletter and/or website. Fundraising eNewsletter to receive Provide your fundraising a bonus Fundraising Report Card supplier with feedback. Template. Click here to subscribe.
Then head to the supplier’s listing on the Fundraising Directory website to leave a Fundraising with PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & WRISTBANDS
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Index to Fundraising eBooks FREE eBooks available from fundraisingideas.com.au fu n d ra is in
1. The Essentials of Fundraising - 22 Lessons for A+ Fundraising 2. Fundraising with ARTWORK, STATIONERY & LABELS 3. Fundraising with Athons & Raffles 5. Fundraising with Bulbs, Herbs & seeds
g id e a s.c o
4. Fundraising with Books
The Essenti als of Fundrais ing 2013 RAISING
22 LESSONS FOR A+ FUND
m .a u
6. Fundraising with Chocolates & Lollies 7. Fundraising with Clothing & Jewellery 8. Fundraising with Custom Labelled Beverages 9. Fundraising with ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS 10. Fundraising with Entertainment 12. Fundraising with Glowsticks & Flashing Novelties 13. Fundraising with Homewares
NG
gideas.com
14. Fundraising with Miscellaneous Ideas
FUNDRAISI
ARTWO WITH STATIONERK, R & LABELSY 2013
15. Fundraising with MOTHERS & FATHERS DAY STALLS A how-to gu Australian ide for fundraising voluntee
rs
.au
16. Fundraising with Novelties & Showbags
fundraisin
11. Fundraising with Food & Fruit
17. Fundraising with Personal Care Products 18. Fundraising with Photography 19. Fundraising with Promo Products/Wristbands/Badges 20. Fundraising with Shopping Tours 22. Fundraising for High Schools 23. Fundraising for Primary Schools 24. Fundraising for Childcare & Kindergartens 25. Fundraising for Sporting Clubs & community groups
10 Fundraising with PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & WRISTBANDS
for
Individuals 2013
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26. Fundraising for Individuals
Fundraising
fundraisin gideas.com
21. Fundraising with Toys & Educational