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
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
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.
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”
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.
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.
To get your campaign fully verified and ready to receive donations, you’ll need to upload a bank account confirmation letter. This letter helps us ensure the account details on your campaign are valid and linked to you (or your organisation).
We know admin isn’t the most exciting part of crowdfunding — but we’ve made it as easy as possible. Below are step-by-step instructions to help you download the letter from your bank.
If you run into any trouble, don’t worry — we’re here to help.
Once you’ve got your confirmation letter, head to your campaign dashboard, go to the Verification section, and upload your document.
Double check the following before uploading: ✔ Your full name is clearly visible ✔ Banking details match what’s listed on your campaign ✔ The letter is dated within the last 3 months ✔ The file is a PDF or clear image (JPG/PNG)
We recommend doing this as soon as you can — this is the final step before your funds can be paid out.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – On Sunday, 8 June 2025, Graham Wells will run his 8th Comrades Marathon — barefoot — to raise vital funds for the PMB Homeless Network (PMBHN). His mission? To raise R60,000 to provide 2,000 warm meals for those without food or shelter this winter in Pietermaritzburg.
The 2025 Comrades Marathon, covering 89.98 kilometres (55.95 miles) from Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban’s People’s Park, is a test of endurance — but for Graham, it’s also a powerful act of empathy.
“Running barefoot puts me, even briefly, in the shoes of those who don’t have any,” says Graham. “It’s uncomfortable, painful even, but it’s a reminder — every single step — of why I’m doing this. For those who walk the streets every day, cold and unseen.”
As of 28 May, Graham has raised R6,288 from 13 donors through his BackaBuddy campaign, Run for a Roof 2025. Each meal costs just R30, and the team’s aim is to serve 2,000 meals as a first step toward long-term support.
“We all understand the comfort of a warm meal,” says Graham. “This isn’t just about feeding hunger — it’s about restoring hope and dignity.”
Graham, who is 48 years old and currently based in the UK, began his charity running journey in 2009 at the New York Marathon. Since 2016, he has completed multiple Comrades Marathons for charity, running barefoot each year — except in 2019, when he ran in shoes to raise funds for Niqi During, a young woman living with cystic fibrosis, and in 2020, when he did not run due to injury, despite the race going virtual that year. In 2021, fully recovered, he completed a solo barefoot virtual Comrades from Mooi River to Pietermaritzburg, continuing his commitment to making a difference for others.
This year’s campaign builds on Graham’s long-running support of the PMB Homeless Network, the first initiative of its kind in the region. After years of fundraising to restore the city’s first permanent homeless shelter, he is now focused on the next critical step: making sure no one inside goes to bed hungry.
The PMB Homeless Network doesn’t just offer shelter — it provides a pathway out of homelessness. Through structured rehabilitation, reintegration, and community building, the network aims to rebuild lives from the ground up.
“We strive to build more than a shelter,” says the PMBHN team. “We aim to reconstruct lives, empower individuals, and shape a community where everyone has a place to call home.”
With the shelter now near completion and a vegetable garden already established, Graham’s 2025 goal is to help launch a feeding scheme that will supply 2,000 nourishing meals — meals that mean survival, but also dignity and care.
One moment that continues to inspire Graham came during a World Homeless Day outreach in 2022:
“A man — weak from low blood sugar — clung to a sealed ice cream like it was all he had,” he recalls. “I was simply trying to help him sit up more comfortably, but even then, he instinctively pulled it back. It showed me just how much trust is lost when someone’s lived on the edge for too long. That moment has stayed with me.”
Despite the physical toll, Graham returns to the road — barefoot — year after year.
“I’ve told myself many times I wouldn’t run barefoot again. But then I see the impact — the awareness, the donations, the people it touches. That’s why I keep going — until we’re no longer needed.”
Donations of any amount are welcome. Supporters wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution can request a Section 18A certificate by emailing [email protected]. For those who cannot donate, Graham asks only that they help by sharing the campaign.
“You don’t need money to make a difference. Even the smallest act of kindness can go a long way in someone’s life.”
Eastern Cape, South Africa – In the quiet rural stretch between Patensie and Humansdorp, where citrus orchards roll into game reserves, lives a young conservationist whose life has been shaped by the heartbeat of the wild.
Justin Terblanche (27), affectionately known as the “Rhino Whisperer,” has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise R176,000 for a thermal drone that could be a crucial tool in the fight against rhino poaching.
His campaign, titled “Eyes in the Sky for Our Last Rhinos,” has already raised over R47,000 through the support of 37 donors — but there’s still a long way to go, and the urgency couldn’t be greater.
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash, with Tiffany and Brittany. (Image credit: Joubert Grigor)
From boyhood wonder to boots-on-the-ground protector
Justin’s love for animals started long before he ever saw a rhino. Growing up in Patensie, he was the child who stopped to help injured birds or nursed stray animals back to health. That instinct only deepened with age.
“My early fascination with the natural world led me to a career in anti-poaching, where meeting my first rhino solidified my dedication to their survival. Now, as the co-founder of Rhino Whisperers NPC, I fight to ensure these majestic creatures can thrive in safety.
Our mission is to save the lives of these critically endangered creatures before they vanish forever. This isn’t just about saving a species — it’s about preserving a legacy. Rhinos play a vital role in their ecosystem, and their extinction would leave a gaping hole in the wild, one that can never be filled. If we don’t act now, future generations will never know the majesty of rhinos roaming free,” says Justin.
A bond built in silence, accepted into the crash
When Justin joined the anti-poaching unit at Lombardini Game Farm in the Kouga region, it was home to 19 rhinos. Years of relentless poaching and illness have reduced that number to just four: Amanda, the cautious matriarch; Brittany and Tiffany, inseparable best friends; and a young newcomer, Herbie.
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Justin Terblanche)
“I saw what these gentle giants go through just for existing,” Justin shares. “Poachers don’t care about the suffering. They take what they want and leave death behind. That was it for me. I knew I had to give everything I had to keep them alive.”
But rhinos are wild and traumatised. They don’t trust easily — especially after witnessing the loss of their companions. Protecting them meant more than just patrolling the fences. Justin needed to be close enough to intervene — but for that to happen, they had to accept him.
So he stayed. He left his family and former life behind, moving into the bush to protect them.
“I started spending time out in the bush, far beyond my normal shifts — sometimes for days, sometimes weeks. I didn’t talk. I didn’t move too fast. I just stayed present,” he says.
It took a year and six months of patience, silence, and consistency before the turning point came. The rhinos began recognising him — not just visually, but by his scent, his voice, his energy. They stopped running. They started watching him with curiosity instead of fear.
“That’s when I knew,” he says. “I had been accepted into their crash. They had accepted me as one of their own.”
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Pierre Gerber)
From that moment, Justin became their protector from within. He can now walk beside them, monitor their movements, and respond immediately to any sign of danger. He’s learned their rhythms, moods, and quirks — their behaviours and personalities — like Amanda’s quiet watchfulness, Brittany’s playful nature, Tiffany’s loyalty, and Herbie’s youthful curiosity.
A species on the brink
Rhinos are being slaughtered at an alarming rate, with poachers driving these gentle giants towards extinction. In recent decades, their population has plummeted by more than 90%, and every loss brings the species closer to disappearing forever.
“At Rhino Whisperers, we are the last line of defence,” says Justin. “We risk everything to protect them, because if we don’t — no one will.”
Pictured above: Justin Terblanche and Amanda (Image Credit: Adri Krige)
Why a drone is critical for their survival
Despite these deep bonds, the threat of poaching — especially at night — remains constant. The farm receives no government support and relies entirely on donations. To close the surveillance gap and protect the rhinos during their most vulnerable hours, Justin is raising funds for a thermal drone.
“This drone will let us see what we can’t hear. It gives us eyes in the dark — and eyes in the sky,” he explains.
Supporters are invited to make once-off or monthly contributions via BackaBuddy and will receive updates on the rhinos’ well-being and campaign progress.
“Even just sharing our story helps. The more people who know Amanda, Brittany, Tiffany, and Herbie, the harder it becomes for the world to let them disappear.”
The campaign is hosted by Rhino Whisperers NPC, a registered non-profit. With BackaBuddy’s 0% platform fee for charities, more of each donation goes directly to the cause.
Launching a crowdfunding campaign is just the first step towards raising funds for your cause. To achieve your fundraising target, it’s essential to engage with your network effectively and at the right time to maximize your campaign’s reach and appeal to potential donors.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 7 Effective Ways that you can promote your crowdfunding campaign successfully and receive support from your network and the wider donor community.
With over R610 million raised for various causes nationwide, we have the experience and expertise to support you. Whether you need funds for medical needs, tuition fees, or any other cause, this is the right place.
Optimize Your Campaign
To achieve your crowdfunding goals, it’s essential to optimize your campaign content before promoting it to a wide audience. Craft a clear, emotive story explaining the beneficiary’s situation and the impact donations will have on them.
Include high-quality images and a one-minute videoto enhance your campaign’s credibility and engagement. Studies show that videos can increase donations 4X and social media shares 7X. It is also important to ensure that your fundraising target is transparent, realistic, and aligned with the beneficiary’s needs.
To kickstart your crowdfunding campaign and receive your first donations, it’s crucial to reach out to your personal network of friends and family first via direct messages.
They are more likely to support your cause and be willing to donate, as they already trust you and have a relationship with you.
Having initial donors can create social proof and make your campaign more attractive to potential donors who may be hesitant to be the first to contribute. This can help you attract more donations and create momentum for your campaign.
You can send your campaign to your family and friends through instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email, with a short, personalized message introducing your campaign and what you are fundraising for.
Research shows that 98% of instant messages are opened and read within the first 3 seconds, making it a fast and effective way to promote your campaign at the start.
An idea of a message you could send:
98% of Instant messages are typically read within 3 seconds, making it the perfect way to reach out to your immediate circle.
Reach Out To Your Wider Network
To maximize your chances of receiving more donations towards your crowdfunding campaign, it’s crucial to expand your reach beyond your immediate circle.
After securing a few initial donations, you should reach out to your wider network, which includes extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups, acquaintances, members of your community, and the wider public.
Additionally, consider collaborating with influencers, non-profit organizations, or businesses that share your cause to expand your reach even further.
As your campaign gains momentum and becomes more trustworthy, a broader audience is more likely to show their support.
Personalize your message to each group, highlighting the impact their donation will create, and ask them to share your campaign with people they know.
Reach Out On Social Media
To maximize the reach and success of your crowdfunding campaign, social media can be a powerful tool.
Research shows that sharing your campaign on social media, once you have secured at least 5-10 donationsfrom your immediate circleand your wider network, can increase your campaign’s chances of success 5X.
This is because potential donors, especially those who don’t know you personally, are often hesitant to be the first to donate, but are more likely to contribute when a campaign begins gaining traction.
To effectively promote your campaign on social media, it’s important to personalize your message and highlight the impact that donations will create. Accompany your posts or stories with a high-resolution image or short video to enhance your message and capture the attention of your followers.
Don’t just share your crowdfunding campaign link on its own; make sure to introduce your campaign and encourage your followers to donate and share your campaign on their social media channels.
To increase the reach of your crowdfunding campaign even further, consider reaching out to local media outlets once you have received 10-20 donations and your campaign has gained momentum.
Local online blogs, newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations have the ability to reach thousands or even millions of potential donors who may be interested in covering your story.
To reach out, write a press release in the third person that includes relevant quotes from you or your beneficiary, along with images or a video. Consider publishing your press release on free distribution sites like MyPR and MyPressportal.
To find media contacts, download The South African Government Media Directory, visit the “contact us” section of a publication in your area, or reach out to journalists on social media.
If your campaign has media potential, you reach an unlimited audience of supporters.
Share Updates & Milestones
Donors want to feel connected to the cause they’re supporting, so it’s crucial to keep them engaged and informed.
Regularly sharing updates on your crowdfunding campaign’s progress, including the milestones you’ve achieved and challenges you’ve overcome, can encourage donors to continue supporting your campaign.
By doing so, donors will trustyour campaign more and see the impact they have helped create. It’s also essential to thank your donors individually and publicly and consider sharing testimonials or stories from the people who have benefited from your campaign.
These updates not only build trust but also foster a sense of community and motivate continued support
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is essential to expand your reach to attract a wider audience of potential supporters for your crowdfunding campaign, it is equally important to engage with your immediate network first.
By reaching out to your immediate circle through personal, direct messages, you can build trust, and credibility, and gain the initial momentum needed to attract donors in your wider network and the wider donor community.
Reaching the right people, at the right time, with the right message, will increase your crowdfunding campaign’s likelihood of success.
98% of Instant messages are typically read within 3 seconds, making it the perfect way to reach out to your immediate circle.
If your campaign has media potential, you reach an unlimited audience of supporters.