Walkathon Guide

Homestead from Intuit – Create a Website in Minutes

If you are looking for a quick, inexpensive way to get a web site up for your walkathon, check out Homestead by Intuit. I created Walkathon Shop with it.  They have many templates to choose from so you don’t have to start from scratch.

What they do great:

• Making a really pretty site that gets your point across.
• Very quick.  About as easy as PowerPoint so you can literally be up and running in minutes, just like they advertise.
• It’s easy to create forms for registration, getting volunteers, “contact us”.
• They include beautiful ways to display photos.
• A way to have scrolling images, animated images, etc. to showcase your sponsors.
• If you have the expertise, you can use your own HTML code or Javascript to get fancy or link to other services.

They aren’t set up to automatically collect and track donations, although they have a merchant option I haven’t tried, or you could go with something like Google Checkout or PayPal.  See below for products specifically built for walkathon donation collection.

However, if you want to keep it simple, Homestead is ideal.  Email me and I’d be happy to talk you through your setup.

Build a Website in Minutes!  Only $5 mo.

Volunteer Spot

Save time and get more volunteers involved with VolunteerSpot’s coordination tool.  Use the free version or take advantage of our special discount for walkathons.

Walkathon Guide Promotion:  use Promo Code WALK100 to get four months of premium features for the price of one.

Volunteer Spot

Enter promo code WALK100 to get four months of premium features for the price of 1.

DoJiggy – Online Registration, Pledges and Donations

Another product, DoJiggy Pledge, is specifically designed for pledge driven events so that your walkers can build their own pages and then collect donations online. It has a whole set of features ideal for walkathons. It is reasonably priced.

DoJiggy Pledge

Lap Cards

You’ll need these if your route is a loop and walkers will take multiple laps. Learn more about my new Lap Card product. Don’t create and laminate them by hand! There is an easier way.

All About Lap Cards

Signs and Banners

It’s a good idea to create a banner thanking all sponsors.  Then take a photo of it and send it to them.  You can also use banners to publicize your walkathon.  I recently used BuildASign so I can personally vouch for them.  I created several banners and yard signs to advertise a town Halloween party.  They came out great.  You design everything online, and then they ship your creations to you.   They have lots of artwork on file or you can upload your own.  The tool is quite easy to use.

Shop Custom Signs Online at BuildASign.com!

Custom T Shirts and Other Clothing

If you plan to have a logo, create it right away to use on t-shirts, etc.  I searched the web to find a good t-shirt supplier with very reasonable prices.

No artwork?  Here are some options:

• Choose some of the art work already supplied by UberPrints.  You’ll see them when you get to the step where you “Add New Image”.  Check out their clip art catalog.
• Just go with a few words in nice lettering

On UberPrints, for t shirts you can’t go wrong with Gildan.  I rummaged through all 10,000 of my kids t shirts.  Most were Gildan and holding up well.

UberPrints

Custom water bottles and other gifts for all walkers

You can purchase water bottles or other items with your logo or a catchy phrase printed on them.

CustomInk has a selection of water bottles.  Click on the “PRODUCTS” tab, then “Drinkware and Koosies”.

OfficeDepot also has custom water bottles.   Click the “Our Services” tab, then “Drinkware”.

Zazzle has fun bags, keychains, and other items.

CustomInk

Office Depot

Zazzle

Thank you notes and other gifts for your volunteers

Office Depot offers ready-made thank you notes (in the Search box, type “thank you”).

With Zazzle you can create your own custom thank you notes, mugs, etc.,  or find one ready-made and just for walkathons by searching for “thank you, walk”.

Also, you can use my free download.  Just print it and fold it four ways.

Office Depot

Zazzle

Download the Free Thank You Note

The Walkathon Guide E-Book

All about how to plan a walkathon.  It will save you time and stress and help you get the very most out of your walkathon or jogathon.

The Book