Video transcript ↓
Hi, I’m Addie with Anedot!
In this video, I'm going to show you how to use a monthly membership program to build your organization's monthly income so you can make a greater impact on your community.
Let’s get started!
What is a monthly membership program?
First, let's talk about what a monthly membership program is.
Simply put, monthly membership programs are an opportunity for organizations to build a base of loyal supporters.
You’ll work to build a recurring donation program where donors choose to give a certain amount on a regular basis. Because the donation is made automatically, your donors don’t have to remember to fill out their details every month.
While monthly giving is probably what most people choose, they can also select options like bi-monthly, or yearly.
It's really up to them, and it's important that they have options.
This is key for you, because including recurring donations to your fundraising plans will help generate a steady stream of financial support, so you can fulfill your organization's mission more effectively.
Now that you know what exactly a monthly membership plan is, let’s go over some tips to get you started!
1. Plan your monthly membership program
The first step is to plan your program.
Start with making a decision on what you want the program to look like.
Do you want it to be a standalone campaign, or do you prefer to simply give donors the option to give on a monthly basis while they’re in the process of pledging a regular gift?
There are no wrong answers here, and you can do all of the above.
Just consider your target audience and choose a direction that you think will lead to the most conversions.
2. Sign up with a donation platform
The next step is to sign up with a donation platform.
Now, finding a donation platform that works for you is important when building a program.
You should make sure your fundraising platform:
- Makes it easy to manage ongoing commitments
- Has customizable landing pages
- Offers recurring donation options
- Has integrations to connect with any other piece of technology you may be using
Now, quick plug here.
With Anedot, we provide all of this functionality to help you to easily build your recurring donor base, but we want you to use what best for your needs. As always, we're here to help.
→ Learn how your nonprofit can raise more money with Anedot
Next, be sure to add the recurring option to your landing pages.
Your goal should be to make recurring giving as easy as possible.
When a supporter lands on your page, give them the option to make that one-time donation a recurring one is key.
You can also use fundraising tools like Upsells to increase your conversion rates.
3. Focus on the "why"
Once you've got your page setup and ready to roll, you'll want to focus on the "why."
One of the keys to having your supporters make a monthly commitment is explaining why you need recurring gifts and what impact their donation will have.
Donors want reassurance that their monthly gift is going to make a difference, so it is extremely important to explain exactly what that donation will accomplish.
The "why" is what will inspire them to give, it won’t be just because they’re asked. That’s why every giving program should incorporate an inspirational component.
4. Make the membership program feel like an upgrade
Now let's talk about why you'll want recurring giving to feel like an upgrade.
People will be more inclined to give frequently when they feel appreciated.
A way you can show this is by accepting donors as member of your organization when they set up recurring donations.
From there, you could offer certain perks with a membership, such as free publications, merchandise, or other gifts that aren’t available to the general public.
Exclusive conference calls and webinars are another method many organizations use to build their membership programs. This is a great way to reward donors for their commitment to your cause.
→ Learn how to end monthly churn
5. Promote your monthly giving program
Lastly, once you’ve put the finishing touches on it, it’s time to promote your monthly giving program.
If you want people to start making recurring donations, you’ll need to get the word out about your program.
Now, a few proven ways to increase Its visibility is to share posts on social media highlighting your cause or the membership perks, create an email marketing campaign, or use targeted ads to reach people who are not in your network.
There are many ways to spread the word about your program, you just have to do your research and get the ball rolling.
→ Check out 6 tips to jumpstart your nonprofit organization’s social media marketing strategy
Closing thoughts
Now you’re ready to start building a program of your own!
I hope you found these tips helpful.
Be sure to leave a like as that always helps the channel. If you want to find out more on how to build your organization through giving, then be sure to subscribe to Anedot on YouTube and click the notification bell!
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