nuts & bolts

And now, for the basic how-to to get you started fundraising for March for Babies. Step by step. Riddled with cute baby photos just to motivate you a little bit more.



Most of you will want to register online and gather donations electronically. It's quick, simple, and the best way to get the word out to many potential donors with a minimal investment of your time. Here's what you do:

1. Click the banner at the top of this blog. It will take you straight to the team fundraising page. (Or, you can always click the Team Bambini link in the sidebar, or go to the site www.marchforbabies.org/team/bambini - it all takes you to the same place.) Click "Join This Team."



2. Fill in the information to create your personal profile. You'll set your own personal fundraising goal to reach for. Rule of thumb for goal setting: this amount is up to you, but remember - an average walker raises $200, and if you reach it, you get a free March for Babies t-shirt. Pick an amount you think you can reach but also challenge yourself a little bit. There's no penalty for not reaching your goal, and you can always increase it if you reach it.

3. Remember that your username will be part of your fundraising page and will create the link you'll share with donors: www.marchforbabies.org/username .

4. Click "Register Now!"



That's it! You're done! Now a few quick navigation tips to help you get started fundraising:

1. Your personal page is user-friendly and works in a way similar to Blogger, Facebook, etc. You might start by clicking "Edit My Personal Page" on the right of your screen, uploading a photo, editing the text that appears, adding a link to your blog, and otherwise personalizing your page.

2. The widgets (customized graphics that show your fundraising progress bar) can be set up by clicking "Get Custom Fundraising Badges" in the center or "Cast a Wider Fundraising Net - Get a Custom Widget" on the left. Follow the instructions to set up on your blog, email, and/or Facebook. Anyone who clicks on these goes straight to your fundraising page to check it out and make a donation. For example...

Click!

3. Don't forget to send emails as well asking your friends and family to consider sponsoring you with a donation. The "Send Emails" tab will give you templates, but you can always create your own and send them through your own email system as well. This is where many fundraisers see the most success - so don't be shy and use your address book! You might be surprised who's willing to donate if you only ask.

4. The "View Sponsor Form" tab is where you can track credit card donations made to your personal page and enter any cash or check donations you may have.



Some of you (and your donors) may be more comfortable taking the donations offline. This is entirely your choice, and you can do a combination of both methods. If collecting cash or checks or loose change is your style, go for it, especially if you have access to a high-traffic area to place a bucket for donations (an office building, a hair salon, a bank, etc.)

Congratulations, you have completed Fundraising 101 and are ready to start raising money for March for Babies! Coming up: the masters seminars.

(All images courtesy of the March of Dimes model babies. How could you resist?)