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Here are some posts to read when you are just starting out. Each of these five articles link to the next in the sequence. Like a treasure hunt for walkathon planning.
2. Four Criteria for Pinpointing Your Walkathon Cause
5. Tips on Recruiting Walkathon (or any) Volunteers
You can do this!
Filed under: advanced preparation, goals, introduction, publicity, Uncategorized, volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: advanced preparation, fundraising, planning a walkathon, publicity, tracking distance, volunteers, walkathon celebration, walkathon chairs, walkathon setup | Leave a comment »
There’s gold in the backs of your walkathon t shirts.
Think about the lifespan of a t shirt. People will wear those shirts for years. For some kids they become the main items in their wardrobes.
This translates to a nice revenue opportunity for your walkathon.
T shirts offer high visibility for sponsors. There’s still more advertising value in your website, banners, yard signs, press releases, and registration materials. All these items combined represent a good investment opportunity for companies who need local brand awareness and want to support their community.
For upcoming walkathons, approach sponsors at the very beginning of your planning efforts so that you can include their names in all of your publicity materials.
Start with a list of potential sponsors. Local merchants and services are ideal, as well as the companies where your walkers work. Don’t forget anyone who sponsored last year, to avoid hurt feelings! Then make a list of all the places you intend to publicize your sponsors. Determine cost of sponsorship. Typically you would offer tiered levels to accommodate varying abilities to contribute (such as Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). Platinum sponsors would then get the biggest logo on your signs, etc. Write a sponsor letter and send it to all of your targets. There is a sample letter you can copy in the Walkathon Guide e-book. Follow up with a phone call. With those who commit, set aside time to collect the checks, or encourage them to pay online via your website.
Sponsorships can add significantly to your fund raising results. Take advantage of this great opportunity.
Filed under: advanced preparation, maximizing funds, publicity, Uncategorized, website | Tagged: advanced preparation, fundraising, planning a walkathon, sponsors, t shirts, walkathon supplies | 6 Comments »
Hot Sun, Originally uploaded by bredgur
If you expect hot weather, add to the fun and keep your walkers cool.
Many thanks to our good friend Randy Harr for supplying these instructions for building a mist tent at your walkathon. Go ahead and download. It’s a PDF file.
These are specific to the school our kids attended and the supplies we already had, but I expect that one of your talented volunteers will be able to run with them as is.
If you (or your talented volunteer) have any questions as you apply these to your own situation, feel free to ask away by sending me a note or adding a comment on the blog post.
Filed under: advanced preparation, setup, technology, volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: advanced preparation, planning a walkathon, useful stuff, walkathon setup | Leave a comment »
Create a Facebook page for your walkathon now to allow time for the multiplier effect of friends telling friends telling friends.
Facebook Pages are great for walkathon publicity and gaining the support of participants and volunteers. The coolest thing about them is that benefits multiply as your followers (fans) come on board:
You don’t have to be a social networking expert. Basic setup can be very quick. Then once you’ve created your walkathon page, you don’t have to maintain it every day. Take five minutes once or twice a week to say something you think would be of interest to your participants. They are free.
Here’s where to get started. No time like the present!
Once your page is up, encourage your fans to share your page often. Add updates as often as you can.
Tip: Don’t use Facebook Events for walkathon registration. You’ll need people to fill in a more detailed form and waiver. Instead, direct them to your main website.
Please Share or Like my page! You might also like to follow Charity Walks.
Filed under: advanced preparation, publicity, technology, volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: advanced preparation, making friends, planning a walkathon, publicity, volunteers, waiver form, websites for walkathons | 1 Comment »
Walkathon Guide 