Youth Sports FundraisingPosted by Nick Niesen on November 8th, 2010 Looking for some tips on improving your youth sports fundraising? Every youth sports league must fundraise to cover expenses and keep fees low. So, how do you raise more funds? Focus on these seven factors and you can easily double your results. #1 - Product Selection Don't sell what's always been sold every year. Consider choosing items that meet the criteria below. #2 - Product Price Point If you're selling a low-priced product, you are at a disadvantage because you aren't maximizing your revenue from each prospect. In this situation, try bundling a small quantity together and ask for more dollars. For example, if candy bars are being sold for $1 each, put together variety three-packs or a family ten-pack. Get your prospect thinking bigger numbers. Many of them will step up to the bundle. #3 - Product Profitability Many standard items have a profit margin of 50% and that's OK. It just means that you'll have to pump up the volume to make the same net that you would with higher profit items. If the product chosen is one with a lower profit range of say 40%, then it needs to either be a higher-priced item or it needs to be likely to inspire quantity orders from each prospect. For example, cookie dough is often in this range, but price points are $10 & up. Many families will buy two or three units. #4 - Sales Script Here's what to tell them: 1 - Make eye contact, smile and introduce yourself. #5 - Prospect, Prospect, Prospect Have everyone make a list of their potential customers. Have them do it as a team exercise and make sure they write them down. It's very important to do this and to have each seller commit publicly to doing their part. Have each seller stand up in front of their teammates and state how many prospects they have. Then have them make a commitment to raising a certain financial amount. Set minimum amounts and encourage competition by offering prizes for various achievement levels. #6 - Location, Location, Location Grocery stores, home improvement stores, and mass merchandisers are all places where hundreds of prospects are available. Get permission well in advance from the store manager. Set up a small table to display your fundraising product items. Staff your spot with two adults and two kids for each 90-minute shift. Decorate the area with league banners and large-lettered signs explaining your offer. Your signs must inform them well in advance of reaching your display and sales table. That way, those interested in helping your sports team will be primed to stop and will be more receptive to hearing each youth's sales pitch. Example: Imagine how many potential prospects there are at those locations who are completely outside your normal range of contacts. Now, go out there and sell them something! #7 - Have Fun If they are smiling while cheerfully communicating your team's need and asking for help, then chances are good they'll get a favorable response. If they're looking down and mumbling some garbled sales spiel, then chances are more people will pass on the offer. The way to get them involved is to have some competition going, have some fun activities built around the process, and have some rewards waiting for success. For example, post a list at each team practice of the top sellers. Everybody loves to be recognized! Do a fun activity just for those who help out by working the retail location sales table. Take the participants bowling or to a batting cage or a golf driving range. It'll bond fathers and sons and encourage increased participation. Have a rewards party after the fundraiser wraps up. A simple pizza party or group picnic is sufficient. Just make sure that everyone gets recognized for pitching in. Allow the kids time to run around and enjoy themselves. After all, isn't youth sports all about having fun? Follow these seven tips and your youth sports fundraising effort will be a big success. Like it? Share it!More by this author |