HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR SALES

Successful fundraising requires creativity and ingenuity. It also requires some tried-and-true sales techniques that will ensure maximum sales. Use these methods to get the most out of your organization’s next fundraiser:

Emphasize goal setting: Encourage setting individual and small-group goals. For school fundraisers for example, each class can come up with a goal to track in the classroom. Incentives for high sellers are also great motivators, particularly for younger children.
Create a list of prospects: Each participant should brainstorm a list of at least ten individuals who are likely to be interested in the fundraising product or want to support the organization.
Rehearse the sales pitch: A short pitch of about two sentences is usually most effective. The pitch should state the products being sold, along with the reason for the fundraiser. The seller should end by directly asking for the sale, using a comment such as “Can you help us meet our goal?”
Be prepared: Fundraising participants can carry their fundraising materials all the time. Sometimes unexpected sales opportunities arise.
Smile and be friendly: Fundraiser participants should be open and approachable. They must keep in mind that they are asking for money, and people want to feel confident that their hard-earned cash is going to a worth cause.
Personalize the order: Suggest a specific product that has been popular in the past or would make a great gift. Ask questions to learn more about each person’s preferences, and recommend accordingly.
Reinforce the usability of the product: Put the products in context by suggesting occasions when they can be used. Items that are used daily, such as coffee, are often popular because potential participants already drink it all the time.
Make it easy to buy: Participants should offer to fill out the form themselves. As a follow up to this, offering an online option for continued purchases allows potential customers to continue to purchase fundraising products and support the organization well after the initial fundraiser has ended.