Your First 14 Days on BackaBuddy: How to Give Your Campaign the Best Start

by Zane Groenewald | Jul 8, 2025 | Fundraising Tips, Tips

Launching a crowdfunding campaign can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

This 14-day guideline is not a checklist or a rulebook. It’s a practical, compassionate roadmap built from what we’ve seen work best across thousands of successful BackaBuddy campaigns.

Each day offers one simple, doable action to help you build momentum, grow your reach, and deepen connection with your supporters — all in a way that feels authentic to you. Whether your cause is personal, joyful, or rooted in something more difficult, we’re here to help you share your story with confidence.

Use what feels right, skip what doesn’t, and come back to it anytime you need support.

Day 0: Let’s Get Your Campaign Ready to Succeed

Before sharing your campaign, here’s how to set yourself up for success:

• Write a clear, heartfelt story (200–500 words):
  • • Who you’re fundraising for
    • What the funds are for
    • Where this is happening
    • Why now
    • What donations will cover
• End with a thank you and a call to action
  Add 3–5 high-quality, friendly images
• Optional: Film a short 30–60 second video introducing yourself and your cause
• Set a realistic, specific goal (e.g. R2,000 for school fees or R5,000 for medical transport)
• Enable thank-you messages
• Wait to verify — we’ll do that after a few donations

Read our guide: ’10 Elements for Writing a Great Backabuddy Crowdfunding Story’

Campaigns with strong stories, clear visuals, and a video raise up to 4x more.

Day 1: Start With Seed Support

Before going public, message 5–10 close friends or family privately via WhatsApp, Messenger or Email.

Suggested message:
“Hi [Name], I’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help with [brief description – e.g. my mom’s surgery or school fees.
Before I share it more widely, I wanted to ask if you’d consider being one of the first to support it — even a small donation or a quick share would mean a lot.
Here’s the link: [insert link]“

Campaigns with early support raise up to 2x more.

Day 2: Share on WhatsApp Status and Small Groups

Once you’ve received 3–5 donations, it’s time to share a little wider.

• Post to your WhatsApp Status
• Share in family, school, or neighbourhood groups

Suggested message for groups:
“We’ve just launched our BackaBuddy campaign to help with [brief cause].
Thank you to everyone who’s already helped. If you’d like to support or share, here’s the link: [insert link]”

Suggested WhatsApp Status:
“Raising funds for [short cause]. Please support or share [insert link]”

How to post a WhatsApp Status:

1.Open WhatsApp
2.Tap Status
3.Tap the Pencil icon to write your message
4.Paste your link
5.Tap the spacebar after your link (this shows the preview)
6.Tap Send

Read our guide: “Promoting your crowdfunding campaign on WhatsApp”

Tip: Refresh your status every few days with thank-you updates or new progress.

Day 3: Reach Out to Your Wider Network

Think of people outside your close circle who would still care:

• • • Extended family
    • Old classmates or teachers
    • Former or current colleagues
    • Church or community groups

Send a brief, warm message with your campaign link. A personal approach goes a long way.

Day 4: Post Publicly on Social Media

You’re ready to post more broadly.

 Tips:

• Write a friendly caption (2–3 lines)
• Add a photo or video
• Include the donation link or say “link in bio”

Example Facebook post (150–200 words):

“We’ve launched a BackaBuddy campaign to support [Name], our [relationship if applicable – e.g. daughter or friend].
So far, we’ve raised R[amount] of our R[goal] — and we are so grateful.
Donations will help cover [short impact – e.g. physio or school fees].
Please support or share if you can.
[Insert link]

Instagram post example:

“We’ve launched a campaign to help [Name] with [brief cause].
R[amount] raised so far of our R[goal].
Every bit helps.
Link in bio.”

Tip: Pin your post to your profile and tag people who’ve supported you.

Read our guide: 7 Effective Ways to Promote Your Crowdfunding Campaign and Get Donations”

Day 5: Ask for Social Media Champions

Ask 2–3 friends or early donors to reshare your post with a personal note.

Suggested message:

“Hi [Name], thanks again for your support.
Would you mind resharing the post I shared about the campaign, and maybe adding a few words about how you know me or why you chose to support?
Here’s the link to the post: [post link]
Campaign link: [BackaBuddy link]”

Example caption they can use:

“I’m resharing this post from [Your Name].
They’re raising funds for [cause] and I’ve already donated.
If their story moves you, please donate or share: [insert link]”

Also do this:

• • Go to your campaign page > Manage Campaign > Edit
  • Add the link to your original social media post so others can find and reshare it
  • Tag and thank supporters when they reshare

Day 6: Film a Quick Campaign Video (If You Haven’t Yet)

A 30–60 second video filmed on your phone can boost donations up to 4x.

What to say:

• • Introduce yourself
  • Share what’s happening
  • Say why help is needed now
  • End with: “If you can support or share, we’d be grateful”

Use the video on:

• • Your campaign page
  • WhatsApp Status
  • Social media
  • Email to [email protected] (for help sharing with donors)

Day 7: Start Verification

Once you have a few donations:

• • Log into your dashboard
  • Upload your ID and banking details (secure and confidential)
  • Verification builds trust and allows payout

If anything is unclear, your campaign manager is here to help.

Day 8: Share in Groups or Forums

Expand your reach by sharing in:

• • Local Facebook or community groups
  • WhatsApp chats with neighbours or teams
  • Forums or cause-based spaces

Include a short, genuine message — don’t just post a link.

Day 9: Share a Story or Video Update

Post a quick thank-you or progress update to keep your story visible.

Suggested caption:

“We’ve raised R[amount] so far — thank you.
This campaign is for [Name], who is [short story].
We’re close to our goal of R[target].
If you’d like to support or share: [link]”

How to post a link in Instagram Stories:

1.Tap Stories
2.Select a photo/video
3.Tap the Sticker icon
4.Choose the Link sticker
5.Paste the link and customise text
6.Post

Day 10: Celebrate a Milestone

Whether you’ve raised R1,000 or more, thank your supporters.

Suggested caption:

“Thanks to over [donor count] people, we’ve raised R[amount] of R[goal].
This has already helped us [impact so far].
[Name] is [brief description].
This support has [e.g. lifted a huge weight].
Thank you.
If you’d like to support or share, here’s the link: [BackaBuddy link]”

Day 11: Share Again (With a New Angle)

Most people need reminders. Share again with a fresh approach:

• • Use a different photo
  • Add a short update
  • Include a quote or story
  • Mention how support is helping

Day 12: Follow Up Personally

Message people who:

• • Said they’d donate
  • Reacted but didn’t click
  • Helped in past campaigns

Use a gentle reminder:
“Hi [Name], just checking in — no pressure, but if you’d still like to support or share, here’s the link.”

Day 13: Share Your Story with the Media (Optional)

If your campaign has 20+ donations and a strong story, you can explore media coverage.

• • Write a short press release
  • Include 1–2 photos and a quote
  • Submit to platforms like MyPR or Pressportal
  • You can also contact local journalists

Read our guide: “How to Share Your Crowdfunding Campaign in the Media”

Day 14: Donor Update (Sent by BackaBuddy)

Let your donors know how it’s going.

Email [email protected] with:

• • 2–3 short sentences about progress
  • What the support has meant
  • A photo (optional)

We’ll send the update on your behalf. Donor updates keep supporters engaged and help build long-term trust.

There’s no perfect way to run a campaign. What matters is showing up, sharing honestly, and staying connected. The BackaBuddy team is here to help you every step of the way — from setting up your campaign to reaching new audiences.

If you ever feel stuck or unsure, reach out. You’re not alone — and you’ve got this. Get your questions answered by our friendly support team, Contact Us.