# Can we build tools to support fundraising #selfie campaigns?

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/05/19/can-build-tools-support-fundraising-selfie-campaigns/
- Published: 2014-05-19T14:53:58+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Let us assume that #selfie photos can be “a good thing”. If we take the unusual 
but wonderfully successful examples of #nomakeupselfie and [Stephen Sutton’s thumbs up images](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/2014/04/30/budget-social-media-fundraising/),
then it would be churlish to suggest otherwise.

Given that, how can charities make them more effective?

I’m not attempting to address the issue of how can charities stimulate a similar
viral image-based campaign. I’m simply pondering what tools could charities provide
to stimulate or support such campaigns when they do crop up.

## Advertisement

## 1. The image of a receipt

One of the remarkable elements of the #nomakeupselfie campaign was many people’s
choice to share a photo of their donation receipt, as a print out or as a screen
shot. In this way they demonstrated that they had themselves made a donation so 
their call for others to do so was from a stronger position. I don’t remember any
other fundraising campaign in which people publicised their support by sharing an
image of a donation receipt.

But were the images of receipts as useful or powerful as they could be?

Some chose different stages of the donation e.g.

 

> I did my bit. Got to get involved with this. Plenty good people out there [#stephensstory](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stephensstory&src=hash)
> [#inspiration](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23inspiration&src=hash) [pic.twitter.com/DrvFi73AAR](http://t.co/DrvFi73AAR)
> — Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) [April 24, 2014](https://twitter.com/Nabasboer/statuses/459220761711222785)

 

Most donation platform actively encourage donors to share the fact that they have
donated. Is there a new kind of image that they could use that donors could be encouraged
to share? Perhaps with the option to include with a #selfie that personalises the
gift and its announcement?

I haven’t seen an example but wonder if any charity is doing this already?

I am sure, however, that platforms could attempt to provide such a sharable #selfie-
based image option and test it.

## 2. Tying location to #selfie

If you are an organisation with a physical location such as an office, a shop, or
even a temporary location such as a big tent at a summer festival, then perhaps 
you can stimulate a #selfie campaign _and_ include a direct fundraising message.

Here is Adnams’ brewery in Southwold, Suffolk, where they have given over a large
window visible from the pavement to a sign that invites tourists, locals or passers-
by to share the fact that “I was here” in a very visual and shareable format.

[⌊Adnams Brewery, Southwold - selfie window⌉⌊Adnams Brewery, Southwold - selfie 
window⌉[

 

[⌊Adnams Brewery, Southwold's #selfie window⌉⌊Adnams Brewery, Southwold's #selfie
window⌉[

 

If there were a charity, they could have added a clear ask, perhaps in the form 
of a text to give number.

## 3. Photo tools with a call to action

What about locations that your charity doesn’t own? What about all those events 
you run? Why not create a simple, portable element of kit that a) inspires people
to take a selfie and b) includes your branding and a call to action?

Fight for Sight created a giant photo frame along these lines and lots of people
lined up at their summer event to have their photo taken.

[⌊Fight for Sight selfies - photos: Paul Baird at www.smilezoomclick.co.uk⌉⌊Fight
for Sight selfies - photos: Paul Baird at www.smilezoomclick.co.uk⌉[

Fight for Sight photos through a large branded cardboard frame. Photos: Paul Baird
at www.smilezoomclick.co.uk

 

In this case the charity used a ‘I’m supporting Fight for Sight’ message, but they
could have added a more direct fundraising ask such as a text to give number.

 

## 4. Celebrity supporters can charge for a selfie

So many people seem to want to have their photo taken with their favourite celebrity.
Surely here is an opportunity for the charities that some of those celebrities support?

Why not invite your celebrity supporters to request a donation to your charity for
each selfie that is taken with them? [One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson](http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-06-22/1ds-louis-to-charge-250-per-selfie-in-fundraising-bid/)
is doing that: he is charging Doncaster Rovers fans £250 per selfie to raise funds
for the club.

In practice, this might work best over a short period or at an event, rather than
as an ongoing activity.

 

**What other tools can charities, or their digital platform partners, develop to
help fine tune the next #selfie-like campaign? Share your thoughts or examples below.**