12 Fundraising Product Sales Tips
Planning on selling fundraising products and looking for some
sales tips? These ideas will help improve the results of any
fundraisers that involves selling. Use these quick tips in your
next school fundraiser or youth sports team candy sale.
1) Emphasize setting a personal challenge goal
Have sellers make a commitment to be their group or sub-group's
best salesperson. Structure their sales efforts to emphasize
achievement, not failure.
2) Sellers should state their personal goal out loud
By publicly stating what you'll accomplish to your peer group,
you've reinforced the commitment. Who wants to say publicly that
they'll fail to achieve?
3) Make a prospect list and work it
All sellers should make a list of prospective customers before
they start. Review it and make sure they have at least ten good
prospects.
4) Focus on your best prospects first
Stick to the people you know - friends, relatives, neighbors,
etc. Don't forget co-workers and out-of-town contacts for your
major fundraisers.
5) Rehearse the sales pitch
Have everyone practice your group's sales pitch at home. Fine
tune your two-sentence value proposition and make sure that
every seller uses it.
6) Be prepared
Be prepared when you fundraise. Sellers should carry their
order form and sales materials wherever they go. You never know
when a good prospect will appear!
7) Smile and introduce yourself
Remind all your sellers to smile and introduce themselves
before launching into their two-sentence pitch.
8) Leverage the power of "because"
Use the word "because" when stating the group's goal and your
first request for help. Why? Because it's an extremely potent
trigger word.
"We need your help because our band needs new uniforms."
9) Always ask for the order
Always include a direct request for an order in your sales
script after the because statement.
"Can you help us meet our goal?"
10) Pick favorites
Personalize your product selection by picking favorites. Tell
each seller to find one or two items that they like and then
promote those enthusiastically.
"This gift wrap is my favorite."
11) Ask for more business
After the initial order is placed, offer supplemental items for
more revenue or ask for referrals, etc.
Ask these questions:
"Can I show you another program we're offering because it's a
great deal too?"
"Can you think of anyone else I should contact?"
12) Be easy to buy from
Do everything you can to make buying your fundraising product
offering easier. Offer to fill out the form yourself.
Increase sales by reminding your prospects that certain items
would make great gifts and that it's all for a good cause.
Good luck with your fundraiser sales!