How to create a perpetual donation machine by turning your donors into brand ambassadors
Keith Hanshaw
FAO , Gray Water Ops, LLC ● Senior Media Consultant, Cumulus Media ● General Manager, Harrisburg Comedy Zone ● Veteran ● Best Selling Author ● Artist ● Podcast Host, Mastering Marketing ● Inventor of Smart Coins(tm)
1. Introduction:
Smart Coins, with their groundbreaking embedded NFC ntag 424 DNA microchip, are poised to revolutionize the world of fundraising. These 2" custom minted and patented coins, each uniquely designed for charity fundraisers, boast a solid brass core with intricate 3D metal detailing on the front. However, what truly sets them apart is the innovative NFC chip discreetly nestled within the coin's center.
Covered by a 4-color printed insert featuring the charity's logo and sealed with waterproof epoxy, this microchip holds the potential to transform fundraising endeavors by enhancing engagement and interactivity.
With Smart Coins, the future of fundraising looks brighter than ever, promising increased support and success for charitable causes.
.2. DONOR ENGAGEMENT
Smart Coins have the power to supercharge donor engagement in ways that traditional fundraising methods simply can't match. The embedded NFC microchip in these coins creates an interactive and memorable experience for donors. By tapping their smartphones or NFC-enabled devices to the coin, donors can instantly bring the donation page, for their charity, on others smartphones when they touch their phone to the coin. This makes an instant donation just a tap away!
This level of interactivity has captured the interest of a wide audience, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response to my video, 'Unlock the Magic of Giving: A Fundraising donor engagement.' The video has sparked vibrant discussions, underscoring people's eagerness for innovative fundraising strategies that not only raise funds effectively but also engage donors on a deeper and more personal level. Smart Coins are poised to meet this demand head-on, offering a dynamic and technology-driven approach to donor engagement that resonates with the modern fundraising landscape.
History and Tradition:
The idea of carrying a custom coin minted for your organization may be a new concept for you or your organization but US military members all over the world carry coins to show their affiliation or connection with any given military unit. This tradition has been going on for decades! Military commanders and high ranking non-commissioned officers have custom coins struck, specifically to use as a token of appreciation for a job well done.
These coins have been collected and presented in displays. Coins are traded with other units, sold to commemorate special events, given out as think you gifts or sold as merchandise items.
The emotional connection you have with your coin and your unit is strong. Whenever I deployed, I would take 10-20 extra coins because I knew I would be able to trade one of my coins, for a new coin I didn't have!
Police officers and firefighters also have coins for their departments. They get the same emotional connection and pride when they show someone their coin.
This same feeling of belonging or being part of a bigger collective operation will strengthen your donors and they will follow through with their commitment to find at least one more! The beauty of that, though, is that once they find the next donor, do you believe ANY of them are going to stop carrying the coin, throw it in a drawer and say, "well, I'm done. I did my part!" NO! Donors like showing people the coin. They like and crave the positive feelings that come with watching someone else make a donation and seeing how they react to the coin. I would guess most would turn it into a game to see HOW MANY donations they can get. One carries the torch and keeps the donation machine running. Multiple new donations, by a small percentage of the total can make impressive jumps in total raised.
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3. Money Raised:
Smart Coins have the potential to significantly boost the amount of money raised in fundraising campaigns, thanks to their innovative features. Let's delve into how these coins can make a substantial impact.
Imagine a charity fundraiser for a local children's hospital. Traditionally, organizers might rely on standard donation methods for collecting donations and spreading the word. However, when they introduce Smart Coins into the mix, the results can be transformative. Each attendee receives a custom-designed Smart Coin, featuring captivating 3D metal detailing and an embedded NFC chip.
This isn't your typical premium gift. This gift can give back and as a tool in your hands, becomes a direct link from a conversation to your charities donation page.
Smart Coins empower donors to become active ambassadors for their chosen charity. By carrying these coins daily, they have a tangible conversation starter that allows them to share their passion for the cause. As they engage with others and hand over the coin, they have a genuine opportunity to speak from the heart about what they love about the charity.
This authenticity and personal connection resonate deeply with potential donors, making them more likely to contribute.
Moreover, the goal of each Smart Coin holder to find just one other person willing to make a donation creates a ripple effect. It's a powerful strategy for building a network of supporters who are eager to pay it forward. When you sell 10,000 Smart Coins, you essentially create an army of advocates, each committed to finding one more donor. This multiplication effect can lead to a significant increase in donations, as the initial 10,000 supporters inspire the next wave of contributors. It's pay it forward on a multi-level-market scale but one person at a time, from their hand to the next.
Imagine a scenario where you work in an office building with 100 other people. You could walk around to each of them and tell them how passionate you are about your favorite charity. Everyone, to your face, would say, "Sure! I'll check it out!" but in reality, you'd be lucky if 2 or 3 actually followed through and made a donation. The week link in telling someone about the cause only is relying on them to follow through. They're the weak link in that scenario and you'll find it harder to get donations just by telling people and asking for their support.
Now imagine the same scenario but this time, you donated to become a brand ambassador and received a custom minted coin designed with 3D detail, enamel paint and a purpose to be carried. You go around to each of the 100 people and tell them about your charity, but THIS TIME, you do it differently. Maybe you open the conversation by reaching in your pocket as you ask them, "Hey, are you familiar with (insert your charity here)? Yes or no, pull the coin out of your pocket and put it in their hands! "Check out this cool coin I got from (your charity)!
As they hold the coin, point out the weight of the coin. "It has weight to it right??? (Yes) That symbolically represents the weight of the charity that I help carry. Can you feel the 3D detail on your fingertips? (yes) this coin is a tangible piece of the fundraising effort and I carry it in my pocket, to be reminded of the work they do. As a brand ambassador, they send you this coin so you have a conversation starter!
When they're ready to hand your coin back to you, tell them, "Wait! I didn't even show you the coolest part yet! Do you like magic tricks? (yes) This coin does a magic trick but you're going to be the magician or hero in this trick! OK? Open your smartphone and tap it to this side of the coin...." (tap)
The donation page instantly loads on their smartphone. As a brand ambassador, I agreed to find someone to make the next donation. Would you like to do some magic, make a donation and become a brand ambassador for (your charity)? Super low expectations... you only have to find 1 person to make the next donation and you'll be part of a collective drive to help (your charity) with their fundraising goal.
Smart Coins offer a novel approach to fundraising, fostering genuine connections and leveraging the passion of donors to expand the donor base exponentially. With this innovative strategy, Smart Coins have the potential to transform fundraising efforts and create a perpetual donation machine that keeps giving back to the charitable cause.
4. Conclusion
To learn more about this exciting concept, I encourage you to watch the new video on my YouTube channel and consider how Smart Coins could benefit your fundraising endeavors.
While I may not have a specific case study to share at this moment, my extensive experience in coin design and fundraising leads me to believe that Smart Coins have the potential to significantly increase the money raised. The combination of engaging design, technological innovation, and the inherent desire to be part of something unique and impactful creates a powerful fundraising tool.