Ready to launch your campaign on BackaBuddy? This guide covers everything you need to know to set up, write a compelling story, and activate your Donate button. Learn how to make your campaign stand out and reach your funding goals effectively.
Steps to Start Your Campaign:
Log into your BackaBuddy profile and click on “Start Campaign.”
Enter essential details like your campaign name, target amount, and images.
Write an engaging story to inspire potential donors.
Preview your campaign and click “Launch.”
Make sure your campaign title is simple and powerful—it’s the first thing potential donors will see. A clear, compelling title can increase the chances of donations!
Starting a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy begins with creating your profile! This guide walks you through setting up your BackaBuddy account so you can begin your fundraising journey. Once your profile is registered and verified, you’re all set to launch your first campaign and join our supportive community.
Confirm your profile by clicking the verification link sent to your email.
For a smoother experience, double-check your email address and ensure you click the verification link promptly to avoid delays in setting up your account.
Watch Our Step-by-Step Guide on YouTube
Contact Us
For any questions, reach out to your campaign manager for personalised assistance, alternatively contact us, HERE.
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Crafting an engaging campaign story, creating attention-grabbing social media posts, and reaching out to potential donors effectively via WhatsApp or email are key to the success of your BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign. If you’re new to using ChatGPT, don’t worry—this powerful tool can help you generate the content you need, provided you guide it with the right information.
ChatGPT is a versatile assistant that can help you write compelling campaign messages, craft social media posts, and even offer advice on promoting your campaign.
Here’s how to get started:
Visit the Platform: Head over to https://chat.openai.com to access ChatGPT. You can also download it from app stores on mobile devices.
Create an Account: If you don’t have an account yet, sign up for free. If you already have one, just log in.
Pick Your Plan ChatGPT offers a free version, but if you need advanced features or more power (like using GPT-4), you can upgrade to ChatGPT Plus
Start a Conversation: Click on the “Message ChatGPT” bar and type in your request or question. Here are a few examples of what you can ask:
“Write a clear and persuasive campaign message.”
“Create engaging social media posts to promote my campaign.”
“Give me advice or strategies for reaching more donors.”
You can use ChatGPT as your brainstorming partner, idea generator, and content helper to maximize your campaign’s success on BackaBuddy.
What is a Prompt?
A prompt is the message or question you give to ChatGPT to help it understand what you need. The clearer and more specific your prompt, the better the response will be. Think of ChatGPT as a friendly assistant—it needs you to explain what you want, and it will generate the text based on your request.
How Does ChatGPT Work?
ChatGPT works by generating responses based on the information you provide. Think of it as having a conversation with a helpful assistant that offers suggestions based on your requests. If the initial response doesn’t fit your needs, you can ask ChatGPT to regenerate a new response or refine it further by asking follow-up questions.
A helpful tip: talk to ChatGPT as you would to an assistant. Be clear and direct about what you need, and it will respond with useful ideas. The more specific you are, the more tailored and accurate the responses will be!
How to Prompt ChatGPT to Write Your Crowdfunding Story
Your campaign story is essential for inspiring people to support your cause. Here’s how you can prompt ChatGPT to write a great story for your BackaBuddy campaign.
Step 1: Gather Your Key Details
Before you start prompting ChatGPT, make sure you have the following details ready:
What are you raising funds for? (e.g., medical expenses, education, sports, community projects)
How much money do you need? (Be specific about the amount and how it will be used)
Who is the beneficiary? (Name, age, and why they need the funds)
Why does this person/cause need help? (Explain the situation that led to the crowdfunding)
What impact will donations have? (How will it change the beneficiary’s life?)
Is there a deadline? (Any time-sensitive events or dates, such as surgeries or school enrolments)
Step 2: Create Your Prompt for ChatGPT
Once you have your details, use them to create a clear and specific prompt. Here’s an example:
Example Prompt:
“Help me write a crowdfunding story to raise R50,000 for Sarah, a 6-year-old girl who needs heart surgery. Her family can’t afford the surgery, and the funds will cover her medical expenses and recovery. Make the tone emotional and heartfelt, and include a call to action asking people to donate and share the campaign.”
Step 3: Review, Regenerate, and Refine
Once ChatGPT provides a draft, read it over and see if it matches your needs. If you don’t like the response, you can ask ChatGPT to regenerate the response to get another version. This is a handy way to explore different writing styles or tones.
You can also ask ChatGPT to make specific changes by typing follow-up prompts, such as:
Next, you’ll need social media posts to promote your campaign. ChatGPT can help with that too—just prompt it with the details and format you need.
Step 1: Gather the Details
Make sure you have the following info ready for social media posts:
What’s the campaign for? (Medical bills, education, community project)
Who is it for? (Brief description of the beneficiary)
Fundraising goal (The amount you’re trying to raise)
(Encourage people to donate or share the post)
Step 2: Create a Prompt for ChatGPT
Here’s how to structure your prompt for different platforms:
– Facebook Prompt:
“Write a heartfelt Facebook post for a crowdfunding campaign to raise R30,000 for a local football team’s trip to a national tournament. Include a call to action asking people to donate and share.”
– Twitter Prompt:
“Write a short and engaging Twitter post asking people to donate R20,000 for Jake’s school fees. Include a call to action and a campaign link.”
Step 3: Review, Regenerate, and Adjust
If ChatGPT’s first response doesn’t feel quite right, ask it to regenerate the response to get a fresh take. You can also provide feedback to adjust the tone or format, like:
How to Prompt ChatGPT to Write WhatsApp and Email Messages
WhatsApp and email are great ways to ask for support directly from friends and family. Here’s how you can prompt ChatGPT to help you write these messages.
Step 1: Gather Your Key Details
Just like for the story and social media posts, you’ll need:
Reason for fundraising (Medical bills, education, etc.)
Fundraising target (The total amount you need)
How donations will help (What the funds will be used for)
Link to your campaign (Your BackaBuddy campaign link)
Step 2: Create a Prompt for ChatGPT
Use this example to prompt ChatGPT for WhatsApp or email messages:
Example Prompt:
“Help me write a WhatsApp message to ask my friends and family to donate to my BackaBuddy campaign to raise R40,000 for Sarah’s heart surgery. Include a call to action asking for donations and shares, and mention how their support will make a difference.”
Step 3: Review, Regenerate, and Customise
After ChatGPT provides the message, you can regenerate it or tweak it by asking ChatGPT to make it shorter, more direct, or more personal. You could say:
“Make this message shorter and more direct.”
“Can you make the call to action stronger?”
“Can you make the message more personal?”
Need Advice? Ask ChatGPT for Campaign Promotion Ideas, Strategies, and More
Aside from helping you write campaign messages and posts, ChatGPT can also give you advice and strategies to promote your crowdfunding campaign more effectively. You can ask ChatGPT a wide range of questions to support you through your campaign journey. Here are some examples of how you can use it:
Example Prompts for Campaign Advice:
“What are some creative ways to promote my crowdfunding campaign on social media?”
“Give me a strategy for reaching more donors for my medical crowdfunding campaign.”
“Can you suggest ideas for engaging videos to promote my crowdfunding campaign?”
“What are the best practices for writing an email to potential donors?”
ChatGPT can generate suggestions for social media strategies, video ideas, donor engagement, or even tips on how to improve your campaign’s visibility. You can ask for ideas, regenerate responses if you want more options, or follow up with additional questions to dive deeper.
Final Tips for Prompts:
Be Specific: Always include details like the fundraising goal, the reason for the campaign, and who the beneficiary is when creating your prompt.
Ask for Tone: If you want a specific tone (e.g., emotional, urgent, professional), be sure to mention that when prompting ChatGPT.
Regenerate Responses: If you don’t like the first response, you can regenerate it for a new version, or ask for specific tweaks to get exactly what you need.
By guiding ChatGPT with clear, detailed prompts, you can create strong crowdfunding stories, social media posts, direct outreach messages, and even get helpful advice and strategies to maximise your campaign’s success. Remember, you can always regenerate responses, refine them, and keep adjusting until you’re happy. Happy fundraising.
At BackaBuddy, we cherish our diverse donor community and are committed to protecting your trust. To keep our platform secure and transparent, our dedicated team works diligently to verify every crowdfunding campaign before processing payouts and activating charity profiles.
We want you to know that these processes are designed to uphold the values of trust and goodwill. They reflect our commitment to our community, not a judgment on your cause or efforts.
How It Works
When donations come in, they’re safely held in the BackaBuddy bank account until we can verify your campaign and ensure it’s ready for payout. Whenever you’re ready, simply log in and submit your documents.
Just a heads-up: your verification documents will only be reviewed after we receive your first donation. Our team is here for you, so please allow up to 5 working days for feedback on your submission.
How Do I Get My Campaign Verified?
To make the verification process as smooth as possible and to ensure a prompt payout for your campaign, please follow these friendly steps:
Log in to your account.
Navigate to the menu and click on Profile.
Go to My Campaigns, then click the down arrow next to your campaign.
Select Manage Campaign, then click on Verification.
Submit the requested documents and banking details.
What Documents Will Be Requested?
Proof of Identity of the Campaign Creator (choose one of the following):
Identity document
Passport
Driver’s license
Supporting Documentation
Any documents that help clarify your campaign or explain its goals are welcome. Please ensure all submissions are legible and clear. Check out the next section for examples!
Banking Details
Please provide the bank account details where you’d like your funds sent. We’ll need proof of your bank account, ideally dated within the last 3 months.
*Please double-check you are inserting the correct account details.
How to Request Payout
Self-Managed Campaigns:
Once your campaign shows the verified badge, you’re all set for payout! When you’re ready, follow these simple steps:
Log in to your profile.
Go to Menu > Profile > My Campaigns.
Click the down arrow next to your campaign > Manage Campaign.
Select Payout Request.
Our finance team will take care of your request and typically requires up to 10 working days to process it.
Blue Tick Campaigns:
If you have a Blue Tick campaign, you’re in luck! It’s immediately eligible for payout. To request it, just follow these steps:
Log in to your profile.
Go to Menu > Profile > My Campaigns.
Click the down arrow next to your campaign > Manage Campaign.
Select Payout Request.
Don’t forget to submit a payout document with your request, such as an invoice, statement, or receipt for reimbursement. Just a little reminder: you can only request one payment at a time, so please wait until the previous one is completed before submitting another.
*Kindly double-check that the account number you have manually inserted matches the account number on the payout document.
Examples of Supporting Documents per category
Individuals
Medical
Doctor’s report
Medical report
Medical aid letter
Pharmacy account
Hospital discharge note
Hospital invoice
In Loving Memory
Death certificate
Funeral home invoice
Fire/Drought/Disaster Support
Fire report
Police report
Invoices for replacing damaged goods
Education
Fee statement
Registration letter
Acceptance letter
Sports
Invitation to the sports event
Letter confirming the intention to attend
Women & Girls
Invoices for items to be purchased
Letter from the organization if partnering
Animals
Vet bill
Invoice from the vet
Creative/Arts
For art conventions (IMTA, iPOP, etc.) – invitation to the event
For equipment (musical instruments/videography equipment) – invoices from the supplier
Food & Hunger
Invoices from suppliers
Receipt for items bought (for reimbursement)
Environment
Permits – depending on the intended use of funds
Invoices for equipment
Children
If clothes are being purchased – invoices for clothing
If for school fees – fee statement per child
If raising funds for a school – a letter from the school principal
Community Development
If partnering with a charity/organization – a letter confirming the intent of the campaign
Invoices for food items to be purchased (pay directly)
Business/App
Business plans
Business registration documents
Budgets
Charities
A valid NPO certificate
Active social media pages (more than 1 year old)
A clear image of the charity/NPO logo
Please remember that any documentation you submit won’t be displayed on your campaign page. However, they play a crucial role in our verification process, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Crowdfunding with BackaBuddy empowers you to raise funds for any cause by harnessing the power of community support. Whether it’s medical expenses, memorials, adventures, or more, our platform helps you create impactful campaigns. Donations are purely out of generosity, allowing everyone to be part of the solution and drive positive change.
How It Works
Creating a fundraiser on BackaBuddy is simple and free. Set up your campaign, share it with your network, and start receiving donations. There are no time limits or penalties, and you can continue receiving funds even after reaching your target. We vet every campaign to ensure integrity, and for added security to our donors, funds can be paid directly to vendors. Payouts are processed within 10 business days.
Why BackaBuddy?
BackaBuddy offers a fast, legitimate way to raise funds without upfront fees. It’s an alternative to traditional funding, reaching beyond your immediate network. With no repayment clauses, donations go directly to those in need. Donors love the sense of community and belonging.
Watch the video below for more information:
Contact us if you need further assistance:BackaBuddy
Getting your crowdfunding campaign noticed by the media can boost visibility and bring in more donations. By connecting with various outlets, you can expand your audience and improve your campaign’s chances of success.
Here’s a simple guide to help you effectively share your campaign with the media.
Tips for Sharing Your Campaign with the Media
Tell an Interesting Story: Highlight what makes your campaign unique. Media outlets prefer stories that are impactful and relatable. Keep it brief—no longer than a page.
Create a Press Kit: Include a press release, good-quality photos with captions, and a link to your campaign page to make it easy for journalists.
Choose the Right Media Outlets: Focus on local outlets first—they’re more likely to cover community stories. If your campaign has broader appeal, reach out to national or international media. Tailor your approach to what their audience would be interested in.
Reach Out to Local Media: Once your campaign has 10-20 donations and is gaining momentum, contact local blogs, newspapers, radio, and TV stations. A third-person press release with quotes and visuals works best.
Find Media Contacts: Use resources like The South African Government Media Directory (linked below), check the “Contact Us” section of publications, or reach out to journalists on social media.
Personalize Your Pitch: Customize your email for each media contact, explaining why their audience would be interested in your campaign. Avoid bulk emails.
Use Free Tools: Platforms like MyPR and PressPortal are great for free press release distribution and can help you reach a wider audience.
Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a polite follow-up email. Persistence can make a difference.
Media Contact List
The government has put together a list of key South African media outlets, categorised for your convenience. Use this list to reach out to the right platforms that can help amplify your campaign:
