Social Networking for Social Good:  6 Reasons to Become a Wired Fundraiser for your Favorite Cause

You may not realize it yet, but you have the potential to be a Wired Fundraiser: a word-of-mouth pro who is highly effective at fundraising for a cause in an ever-widening personal sphere of influence online.  With a little effort, you can join the ranks of fundraising masters. You know who they are – they’re the ones calling and emailing friends to support a walk-a-thon, canvassing the neighborhood to raise funds for a local group cleaning up the river or holding a dinner party to solicit donations for an autism charity.

You’re ready.  Here are the ways to harness your passion, web savvy and social networks to make a difference in this small world:

1. Share your personal experience for a cause you are passionate about.

Your story can spread fast online, enabling you to make an even bigger difference: Your story and connection to a cause, while personal in nature, is likely relevant to a larger audience than you may realize – especially online. When you tell your story using badges or widgets, people who know you (and their friends) have a way to take action right away, when they are most compelled to give.

2. Be an everyday 'celebrity' bringing much needed attention to that cause. 

You can be a celebrity with a cause!  When it comes to causes, an individual can be as effective, if not more so, than a celebrity at encouraging people to take action. It takes some hard work and dedication, but when the message is important and the messenger is connected, support really starts to flow to worthy causes.

3. Use your social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, blogs or mobile applications to share your passion.

Technology enables anyone to be a fundraiser, anywhere online, which means online fundraising is no longer the sole domain of professional fundraisers at charities. That means you have the power to broadcast your unique message and story everywhere you communicate online to rally support for charities outside of traditional fundraising.

4. Be a credible source and trusted messenger in your social network. 

People are bombarded with information and appeals all day long – both online and in the real world.  If you can cut through the clutter and explain why your cause is important, your friends and family will appreciate your recommendation.  In turn, they will spread your message to others.  Successful fundraisers are the ones who not only engage their inner circles but also tap new audiences via friends of friends. You can also share your story with the organization(s) for which you are fundraising. They may be able to help spread the word or feature your story with the media.

5. Volunteer or donate to support of your favorite charity.

People who walk the walk (give time and money to support charity) demonstrate their commitment to the cause through their actions.  That speaks much louder than words.  When you can demonstrate your direct involvement with and passion for a cause, your friends and family will be much more inclined to hear your call to action.

6. Convey the urgency of your cause's call to action.

A catalyzing event can bring focus to an cause or organization you care about.  Whether a family member has recently received a new medical diagnosis, you are planning to run a 10K to support your favorite charity or an earthquake has leveled a city halfway around the world, your call to action in support of a cause resonates most when there is immediacy in the message.  Participating in online charity campaigns, especially those with matching grants from foundations and companies that amplify the impact of donations, are another way to compel your network to join your cause now.

Learn more about Wired Fundraisers in our report - The Wired Fundraiser: How technology is making fundraising “good to go”