Seed donors: a secret of success

Why do you need them?

Because statistically, they increase your chance of success. Crowdfunding campaigns that raise at least 30% of their goal within their first week are more likely to reach their goal. Add to that the fact that the average crowdfunding campaign raises 42% of its funds in its first and last three days, and your first day becomes crucial to your success.

The psychology of seed donors is simple. Most people like to follow the crowd. If your campaign runs hot at the start, it’s going to attract more support than a slow burner.
We recommend that you aim to raise 10% of your total fundraising target within the first 24 hours of your campaign.

How do you attract seed donors?

You ask. Ask the people most likely to give to help get your campaign cranking by giving on the first day.

Your Tier 1 donors can become your seed donors – those people and organisations who will want to be known for their support to your project.

Seed donors will show at the top of your donor list forever. This is a selling point for people who like to lead movements and organisations with a mandate to support projects like yours.

Contact them, and line them up to donate to your project as soon as it is open for donations.

Remember we talked earlier about testing the way you ask to make it more effective? This serves two purposes. It’s also an effective way to line up your seed donors.

Seed donors serve another purpose. The people you know best are more likely to give generously. Seed donors can help raise the bar for further donations by giving larger gifts.

The Boosted 'seed donor function'

Boosted has a 'seed donor function'. This means that once your campaign has been approved by your Boosted mentor, the link to your campaign page can be accessed as a hidden URL, prior to your set campaign launch.

At this stage, it's not visible on the Boosted homepage (so it's not officially launched), but anyone with the link can jump on and make a 'seed donation'.  This allows for you to get some donations flowing in before you're officially launched on the Boosted homepage.

PRO TIP: Text your seed donors a reminder that your campaign opens for seed donations the next day. Then as soon as your campaign is approved, email them a link to the campaign landing page, inviting them to be a seed donor. You can then get in touch with another link to a social media post that they can share on the actual launch date of your campaign.