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:
Your donation has the power to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, and BackaBuddy is committed to ensuring your contribution is processed smoothly. While our process is usually seamless, occasional issues can arise. This guide will help you troubleshoot any problems, ensuring your support reaches its worthy cause.
Common Issues with Donations
Here are some common reasons why a donation might not process as expected:
Cached Information: Your browser might be using outdated data that could affect the donation process.
Billing Address Mismatch: Ensure the billing address you enter matches the address on file with your credit card company.
Incorrect Security Code: A small error in the security code can prevent the transaction from going through.
Expiration Date Mismatch: Verify that the expiration date you entered matches the one on file with your credit card company.
Inactive Card: New cards that haven’t been activated yet might disrupt the donation process.
Credit Card Declined: Your credit card company may decline the charge for security reasons.
Communication Issues: Temporary issues between your credit card company, the payment gateway, or our site could affect the transaction.
Location Mismatch: Donations from a location different from your card’s billing address might trigger a security alert.
VPN Access: Using a VPN from an unfamiliar location can sometimes cause temporary issues.
Troubleshooting Your Donation
If you experience any issues with your donation, try the following steps:
Verify Payment Status: If you receive a bank confirmation but encounter an error on BackaBuddy, wait 24 hours to see if the donation appears on the campaign page. If it doesn’t, please contact our Support Team with proof of payment.
Retry Donation: If no payment notification is received, try making the donation again using a different device or browser. Clearing your cache and cookies may help. Ensure all details, including the address and security code, are correct.
Contact Support: If the issue persists, contact our Support Team with detailed information and screenshots to help resolve the problem quickly.
Pending Charges: If a failed donation shows as “pending” on your statement, it should be removed within 2-3 business days. If it remains, your bank can assist in removing the pending charge.
Processing Times
Credit card and PayPal donations are usually processed immediately.
Instant EFT donations may take up to 2 business days.
EFT payments might require up to 3 business days due to manual approval.
For EFT payments, please email proof of payment to [email protected].
BackaBuddy is dedicated to ensuring your donation reaches its worthy cause. If you encounter any issues, please reach out to our Support Team for assistance.
To create a successful crowdfunding campaign in the digital age, it is crucial to connect with potential donors through emotive storytelling and engaging visual content. Incorporating a 20-second to 3-minute video into your campaign can be a highly effective way to achieve this.
Studies have shown that a well-crafted video can build an emotional connection with viewers, lend credibility and authenticity to your cause, and increase the chances of raising up to 4X more funds than campaigns without a video.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 7 essential elements to consider when creating a powerful video for an online fundraising appeal.
Sean Clarke, a Para-athlete from Johannesburg, provides a great example of an effective crowdfunding video. In his campaign to raise funds for James, a teenager in need of a prosthetic leg, Sean created a short yet impactful video introducing James and his life-long struggles.
Structuring your video
Shoot your video Selfie-style. You don’t need to have a professionally shot campaign video to make an impact. Consider using your smartphone’s front camera to shoot a short, authentic selfie-style video to elaborate on your campaign story. It’s all about speaking from the heart, providing relevant background information, and conveying your passion for your cause.
Interview the beneficiary: Conduct a short interview with the beneficiary of your campaign to help lead the conversation. Ask the beneficiary to introduce themselves, explain their challenges, and let potential donors know the impact donations will have on their lives.
John Rodwell from Kwa-Zulu Natal interviewed his homeless neighbour Johan, who was living in a tent. The emotional video captured the hearts of donors who contributed to a Wendy house for Johan and his dog.
Create a slideshow video: If you aren’t comfortable shooting a video, consider creating a slideshow video with images and text to tell the story of your beneficiary and the needs they might have. Consider recording a voice note on your phone that can accompany your video to add a personal touch to your campaign story and keep viewers engaged.
Get inspiration from other skilled storytellers
It’s beneficial to take some time to explore successful crowdfunding campaigns and the inspiring videos campaign creators have made to garner support from the donor community. We can all learn from each other.
Zanele Hlatshwayoran 18 marathons to support SADAG, in honour of her father who took his own life due to depression. Her video captured the clear impact her campaign would go on to create.
Need more examples? Watch as Henry Cock prepares to take on 133 half marathons for suicide prevention, Zolani Mahola backs a campaign to save a little boy suffering from cancer, Trinity Van Beeck introduces her friend who qualified for a chess competition, and Marlene Spies raises funds for a Cochlear Implant with the help of her granddaughter.
Presentation
Before filming your video, keep in mind that you should tell your story in less than 3 minutes to keep your viewers’ attention. Your tone should be warm, hopeful and informal, displaying your personality. Deciding where to film your video is also very important. Choose a well-lit room with a clear backdrop or shoot your video outside in nature. Wherever you decide to film your video, make sure you have as little background noise as possible. Decide what to wear: choose simple, solid-colour clothing and avoid busy patterns or text-heavy designs.
Your crowdfunding story is the foundation upon which you can build an emotional connection with potential supporters and inspire them to donate to your cause.
Introduce yourself and your beneficiary, share the personal connection you have and provide meaningful background information, to build trust with potential supporters.
As best as you can, articulate the tangible needs your beneficiary has, the challenge they are facing, and the positive impact donations will have on them.
Share the defining moment that inspired you to start the campaign and ask viewers to consider donating to your campaign and share it with their wider network.
Be sure to state your campaign timeframe and how the funds will be administered (e.g., paid directly to a supplier or managed through a personal or organizational account). Additionally, include your campaign link in the video description or on-screen overlays to make donating effortless for viewers.
Llewellyn Barnes was a homeless man living on the streets of Pretoria when he qualified for a major golf tournament. In sharing the story of his life, donors learned how his passion for golf got him through many difficult times in his life.
Visual and Sonic Storytelling
While speaking directly to the camera can be effective in introducing your cause to potential donors, incorporating visual aids such as images, text, animations, or music can significantly enhance your campaign’s impact.
Fortunately, there are user-friendly apps such as CapCut, TikTok, Canva and InShot that can help you create professional-looking and creative videos. Additionally, you can make use of the YouTube Audio Library to access royalty-free, copyright-safe production music and sound effects for your video. Include captions or subtitles to ensure your message is understood even when the video is muted. Other free editing tools include Adobe Premiere Rush (free tier), VN Video Editor, and Adobe Express Video.
When Joseph Payne interned for DOCKDA, a charity in Northern Cape, he launched a campaign to purchase bicycles for rural school children. Joseph used a combination of video clips, images, text, and music to beautifully illustrate his story and raise funds for his cause.
Social media
Including a video in your crowdfunding campaign and sharing it on social media can increase your chances of success by 5X, as video posts receive 7X more engagement than static posts. Additionally, videos are more engaging and favoured by algorithms, leading to greater visibility and wider sharing potential.
To further connect with potential donors, consider live streaming on popular platforms like TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram, to promote your cause, answer questions in real-time, and encourage donations. Be sure to promote your live stream beforehand to ensure a larger audience.
Milestones & Updates
Creating videos to update your donors, share milestones, and express gratitude for their support is a powerful way to build trust and engagement, ultimately encouraging additional donations. By showcasing the impact funds raised have created, like this adorable video from Blankets For Baby Rhinos, you can begin building a lasting relationship with your supporters.
Katlego Legotlo who has Cerebral Palsy, was gifted a brand new electronic wheelchair, in a heartfelt moment captured on video, that brought many to tears.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a well-crafted crowdfunding video has the potential to elevate your campaign’s message, convey complex information, reach a wider audience, build a meaningful relationship with donors and inspire them to support your cause.
Over time, runners have recognized the potential of sports events as more than just a race—they’re also a powerful opportunity to rally support and raise funds through crowdfunding. Harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of participants, these events become a vibrant hub for both athletic achievement and philanthropy, showcasing the transformative impact of collective action.
If you have not yet pledged to support your favourite charity or bought your tickets for the event, have a read through our article below.
Here to guide you in raising funds at your local event, the BackaBuddy team has put together our best advice on how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign!
How to enter your choose event
Before you begin your crowdfunding journey on BackaBuddy, make sure you have entered for the event on their website.
Launch your crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
Once you have registered, it’s time to create your crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for your chosen charity.
A key thread in all successful crowdfunding campaigns is a well-written, emotive, and informative story that connects with potential supporters of your campaign.
For inspiration on how to tell your story, Meet Zanele.
Zanele Hlatshwayo from Soweto, told a very powerful story and personal story when raising funds for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) in honour of her late father.
When writing your campaign story, be sure to answer the following questions:
Who are you and where are you from?
Which organisation are you fundraising for and what do they do? Do you have a personal connection to the charity you have chosen?
Your campaign message should highlight the importance of your cause and why others should support it. If the charity you have chosen has success stories or interesting facts to share with you, this will also help you tell your story. Connect with your charity and find out as much information about them as you can.
How much would you like to raise and how will these funds be used in a tangible way to benefit your charity and the work they do?
Take a look at these examples on how to write a tangible campaign ‘ask’.
For example, I am taking part in the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2024 to…
Raise R10 000 to purchase 100 school shoes for children in need at Afrika Tikkun’
Raise R100 000 to help Hillwood Primary school in refurbishing 1 classroom.
Reach my crowdfunding target of R20 000 to support Dignity Dreams in purchasing sanitary items for young girls so that they don’t miss out on an education.
Focus on the positive impact of donations
Presenting your campaign in a positive way can make a big difference. Focus on the positive impact the funds raised will have and the impact of your awareness campaign.
According to the 2018 Trends in Global Giving Report, by Non-Profit Tech For Good, 91% of donors are motivated to donate to causes when they feel positive emotions such as hope and empathy and only 9% respond to negative emotions such as fear and sadness.
For those who don’t like reading, put together a short campaign video!
Campaigns with video content tend to raise 4 times more funds, and are shared 7 times more on social media, as they are more personal and emotive!
Shoot a video on your phone
For a crowdfunding campaign, you don’t need professional lighting, equipment or editing skills to convey a powerful message.
We recommend shooting a short, personal and informal message on your cellphone that can be posted on social media as well as on your crowdfunding campaign.
Make sure you are presentable and wearing comfortable clothes (try to avoid clothes with busy designs or a lot of text).
Choose a clearbackdrop or tidy background to shoot your video.
Try to eliminate as much background noise as possible.
Let viewers know where they can make a donation to your campaign and include your crowdfunding campaign link in every post you share.
When choosing your crowdfunding image, choose an inviting and friendly image of yourself. If you have a photo of yourself in running gear, this will show your potential donors that you mean business and are already training to make them proud!
Set your target based on your network and available time
When setting your fundraising target, it’s important to consider:
Just like no one likes to be the first person on the dance floor, donors typically support crowdfunding campaigns once it has a few initial donations.
Through data research, we found that campaigns with initial support from family and friends specifically, tend to raise 220% more funds .
How to share your campaign with close family and friends:
When looking for your first donations, we recommend sending a personal, instant message on Whatsapp, Facebook message, email or SMS to close family and friends, extended family, neighbours, co-workers.
An example of a message you could send:
“Hi Monique, I hope you are well!
I am taking part in the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2024 to raise funds to support FoodForwardSA and the wonderful work they do.
With my crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy I hope, to raise R10 000 to provide 100 meals to disadvantaged children living in Edenvale, Johannesburg.
If you can, please be so kind as to donate to my campaign and cheer me on during the event.
If you’re unable to contribute, please share my campaign with your friends and loved ones: Here is my campaign link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/
Once you have your first donations in, we recommend sharing your campaign to a wider audience on Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram.
Depending on your chosen social network, read through our guidelines on how to make the most of social sharing!
Find out if the organisation you are raising funds for is a Section 18A certified as a tax break is a great incentive to encourage donations in larger amounts.
At BackaBuddy, we understand that reaching out for assistance, regardless of the cause, can be a vulnerable process. Whether you’re facing medical challenges, educational expenses, a community project, or any other personal goal, we’re here to support you.
To make your fundraising journey easier, we’ve created easy-to-use templates for campaign creators like you to help you share your campaign and encourage donations.
Starting Your Campaign and Seeking Initial Donations
EASY-TO-USE TEMPLATE
Hi [Insert name],
I have something important to share with you.
I’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise funds for [insert reason why you’re fundraising], and I hope you will consider being one of my very first donors.
I have set my fundraising target at [insert fundraising target], which will allow me to [insert how funds will be used/the positive impact of donations].
Your contribution, no matter the amount, would mean the world to me.
If you’re able and willing to lend your support to my fundraiser, kindly click on my BackaBuddy link: [Insert link to your BackaBuddy campaign].
You can also support me by sharing my story on your social media or with your contacts, to help me reach more people who may be able to help.
Thank you,
[Insert your name]
Reach Out to Your Immediate Circle First
To kickstart your crowdfunding journey and secure vital initial support, begin by connecting with your inner circle of close friends and family. They are more likely to stand by your side, regardless of the cause, due to their trust and personal connection to you. Through their supportive donation messages, they can give your campaign momentum and provide social proof, making it more appealing to potential donors who may hesitate to be the first to contribute.
Remember to keep your message personal, concise, and let your unique personality shine through. Kindly ask your friends, family, and social media followers to support your cause and share it on your behalf to help you reach your fundraising target.
Picture above: Portrait drawn by 11-year-old Earth-shaker, Romario Valentine
Every year on International Mandela Day (18th of July), we celebrate not only the birth of Tata Madiba but his 67-year commitment to social justice and servant leadership.
On this day, we come together to honor our diverse nation and respond to a global call for action, harnessing our collective power to positively shape the world around us.
What can I do on Mandela Day?
Mandela Day encourages individuals to take action and make a positive impact on their communities and the world.
Here are some things you can do on Mandela Day:
Raise funds to support your local community
Set up a campaign on South Africa’s largest crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy to raise funds and assist a person or community in need. Click here to register your cause.
Here are some ideas of things you can fundraise for on Mandela Day.
Raise funds to purchase digital food vouchers for families affected by the lockdown.
Raise funds to help restaurant staff support their families.
Raise funds to make ‘care kits’ (including a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, face cloth, etc.) for patients at a nearby government hospital.
Raise funds to feed and clothe the homeless.
Raise funds to keep the light on for a non-profit organisation.
Raise funds to help non-governmental schools pay their teachers salaries.
Raise funds to purchase children’s books for an under-resourced school.
Raise funds to support a charity on BackaBuddy
On BackaBuddy, members of the public are invited to raise funds for various charities across South Africa by setting up their own fundraising campaigns.
You can initiate or contribute to fundraising campaigns supporting medical fees, education, environmental conservation, and more.
Here are a few Mandela day crowdfunding campaigns in need of support.
Support Matthew Sledge this Mandela Day
Matthew Sledge, a 51-year-old individual residing in Kensington, Johannesburg, undertook a remarkable endeavor in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He participated in the Mandela Day Houghton 10km run wearing nothing but a speedo, all with the aim of raising funds for the foundation. Sledge’s ultimate goal was to assist the foundation’s ongoing initiatives in education and empowerment. His unconventional approach to fundraising garnered the attention of onlookers and served as an inspiration for them to contribute to the cause. In total, Sledge managed to raise over R32,000, a significant stride towards his R50,000 target.
Support Matthew by donating to his BackaBuddy campaign.
Support Amoya this Mandela Day
Amoyo’s Mandela Day campaign aims to raise awareness about their mission of empowering children to build a better South Africa. This year, their fundraising efforts focus on purchasing solar lights for 10 matric students affected by load-shedding, and organizing a live show for their 150 beneficiaries to showcase their talents. The funds will also cover rehearsal expenses, facilitators, costumes, sound and lighting freelancers, and a nutritional feeding program.
Support Amoya by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue this Mandela Day
Estrela Studio aims to support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and finding loving homes for Staffordshire Terriers. Join them this Mandela Day in raising funds and spreading awareness to make a significant difference in the lives of these deserving animals. Your donation will enable Staffordshire Terrier Rescue to provide necessary care, medical attention, and rehabilitation services, transforming the lives of these dogs and contributing to a brighter future for them.
Support Staffordshire Terrier Rescue by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Learn more about setting up a crowdfunding campaign here or email [email protected].
Donate to a charity or cause you’re passionate about
Looking for a crowdfunding cause to donate to on Mandela day? Visit our Featured Campaigns article for a few campaigns that have been highlighted on the Backabuddy Impact Village as well as in media publications across South Africa this week.
Volunteer your time
Visit BackaBuddy’s Facebook page, and share a crowdfunding campaign that inspires you and encourage your family and friends to make a donation.
Support the South African National Blood Service by donating blood at a centre near you.
However you decide to celebrate your 67 minutes on Mandela Day, make an effort to inspire and care for your fellow South Africans. Together we can make a world of difference. It takes a village.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R260 Million.
