How to Start a GoFundMe Campaign That Goes Viral

To start a GoFundMe campaign that goes viral, it's essential to create a compelling story that resonates with people. According to GoFundMe's data, campaigns that share a personal story with a clear goal in mind raise 2-3 times more than those without a story.

A good story should be concise and to the point, focusing on the issue at hand. The most successful campaigns are those that are well-written and easy to understand, with a clear call to action.

Making a GoFundMe page go viral is much harder than it looks, and it's essential to set realistic expectations. Only a super teeny tiny percentage of content produced online and on social media goes viral.

To create a viral page, you want to make people feel good about giving. This can be achieved by sharing a compelling story that must be shared. It's all about creating an emotional connection with your audience.

Here are the key elements to focus on:

Making a page go viral is a challenging task, but it's not impossible. According to the experts, only a super teeny tiny percentage of content goes viral online and on social media.

To make your page go viral, you need to focus on making people feel good about giving. This means creating a compelling story that resonates with your audience.

Here are the two key tips to make your page go viral:

Remember, it's not about getting discouraged if your page isn't going viral right away. It's a process that takes time and effort.

Creating a viral page can be a thrilling experience, but it's essential to be aware of the potential downsides.

Management and monitoring can be time-consuming, requiring you to continually update the campaign to keep supporters informed.

You may need to deal with fees charged by the fundraising platform, which means you won't receive the full donation amount.

Some platforms come with restrictions, such as not receiving funds until you meet your target goal.

Funds raised through crowdfunding may be considered taxable business income by the IRS.

A poorly managed campaign can create negative publicity, hurting your business image and alienating potential clients.

Here are some common cons to watch out for:

A good fundraiser story is like a warm invitation to potential donors. You want to make them feel like they're part of something special.

Be as detailed as possible in your fundraiser story, aiming for at least 550 characters to give donors a clear understanding of your cause. This will help you raise more money and build a stronger connection with your supporters.

Aim to answer basic questions in your fundraiser story, such as what you're fundraising for and how the funds will be used. Break down the costs that make up your fundraising goal to show donors where their money is going.

A compelling story is key to a successful fundraiser. Share your personal experience and make your story relatable to potential donors. This will help them understand why you're fundraising and why it matters.

Consider including a suggested donation amount in your fundraiser story. We've seen that donors are more likely to give when they know exactly how much to contribute.

Here's a rough guide to help you craft a compelling story:

Choosing high-quality photos for your GoFundMe campaign is crucial to capturing donors' attention and telling your story effectively.

A clear, high-resolution feature photo is essential for your fundraiser image. Avoid using stock imagery if possible.

You can add more images or a YouTube video to help tell your story and show donors what you're fundraising for.

To do this, you can add them in the fundraiser description or a fundraiser update.

To start setting up your GoFundMe campaign, you'll need to go to the GoFundMe page and click Start a GoFundMe. A GoFundMe campaign can be started in 19 countries, but you must meet your country's withdrawal requirements.

You'll then need to select whether you're fundraising for yourself, someone else, or a charity. If you're setting up a campaign for a nonprofit charity, you can follow the same process as fundraising for yourself or someone else.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps to follow:

GoFundMe takes a processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) from every donation to cover its overhead and transaction fees. If you want your charity to get at least $100, set your goal to be higher than $100.

To set up your GoFundMe campaign on your computer, start by going to the GoFundMe page and clicking Start a GoFundMe. You can set up a GoFundMe campaign in 19 countries, but you must meet your country's withdrawal requirements.

You'll need to select a category that closely matches your intent, which helps GoFundMe deliver your fundraiser to users on its platform. This is done in the What best describes why you're fundraising section.

Next, select whether you're fundraising for yourself, someone else, or a charity. You can set up a GoFundMe for a nonprofit charity, but the process is the same for fundraising for yourself or someone else. For example, select Charity.

To enter your fundraising goal, you don't have to reach your goal for the funds to be made available in your bank account. You can change your goal amount anytime.

Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up your GoFundMe campaign on your computer:

1. Go to the GoFundMe page and click Start a GoFundMe.

2. Select where the funds will go (country and location).

3. Choose a category that closely matches your intent.

4. Select whether you're fundraising for yourself, someone else, or a charity.

5. Enter your fundraising goal.

6. Create or sign in to an existing GoFundMe account.

7. Upload an image or video for your campaign.

8. Give your campaign a title and a description.

9. Confirm your choices and click Complete fundraiser.

GoFundMe takes a processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) from every donation to cover its overhead and transaction fees. If you want your charity to get at least $100, set your goal to be higher than $100.

When setting up your campaign, it's essential to understand the costs involved. GoFundMe doesn't charge users anything to set up a fundraising page.

The platform automatically deducts a transaction fee from each donation, which is 30 cents plus 2.9% of the donation amount. This fee applies to campaigns for individuals or businesses.

To give you a better idea of the costs, here's a breakdown of the transaction fee:

Keep in mind that these fees are subject to change, so it's always best to check GoFundMe's pricing page for the most up-to-date information.

You can increase your fundraiser's visibility by sharing it in many different ways. This includes using social media 'share' buttons to share your fundraiser link on various platforms.

Sharing your fundraiser on social media is a great way to spread the word. You can use the social media 'share' buttons on your GoFundMe to share your fundraiser link on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Nextdoor, and by email.

Sharing your fundraiser 'offline' is also a good idea. This can be done by telling people in-person or posting flyers to get the word out.

GoFundMe's smart social media tools make sharing your fundraiser easier and better than ever. These tools will automatically generate a custom social media caption, images, and videos when you click 'share'.

Thanking your donors is a crucial step in showing your gratitude and encouraging further help. Use the 'thank your donors' feature on your fundraiser dashboard to individually thank donors for their support.

Some donors prefer to be thanked publicly, which can inspire others to give too. You can thank your donors via social media as a way to publicly show thanks.

Writing a thoughtful letter or email is another way to express your appreciation. To learn how to thank donors using your fundraiser dashboard, check out this help center article.

You should also keep donors updated on how the fundraiser is going and what the money is being used for. This can be done through regular updates, which is a top fundraising tip.

Posting regular updates is crucial to keep your donors engaged and encourage them to share your fundraiser with others. This helps maintain a sense of excitement and momentum around your campaign.

You should post an update within seven days of starting your fundraiser, and then continue to do so every week or at major milestones. This will help keep donors informed and invested in your cause.

To keep donors engaged, share your updates on multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. This will help reach a wider audience and increase the chances of your fundraiser going viral.

Here are some key milestones to post updates at:

By following these simple steps, you can keep your donors informed and motivated to support your cause.

Attracting more donors to your campaign is crucial for its success.

Ask friends and relatives to share your campaign page on social media platforms where they can reach a large audience. Not everyone will donate, but it's a good idea to engage with and appreciate those interested in your campaign.

Engaging with your donors and those interested in your campaign can only get better.