1) Focus on what you do have, not on what you don't

You might not have a huge social media following, but with a little determination, you'll be amazed by what you can achieve with the connections that you do have. Write a list of everyone you know who might be able to help out with some aspect of a fundraiser - whether that be making a donation, sharing your fundraising link or donating a prize.

2) Ask for less and say thank you more

The latest research suggests that people feel more awkward about asking for donations since the news of the cost-of-living crisis and recession was announced. If this resonates with you, don't worry! It's for the same reason that charities need your support now more than ever. When you do ask for donations, try to explain why it means so much to both you and the charity as well as what the donations are used to achieve. The good news is that if you focus on broadcasting messages of thanks, you may not need to spend as much time asking for donations. Regularly thanking each of your supporters not only shows how grateful you really are, but can also lead to more donations. If you're not able to thank donors right away, schedule 10 minutes per week to dedicate to sending each of them personalised messages. For larger donations, you might consider sending a handwritten letter, publishing a video or something else that shows that you've taken a little more effort.

3) Support others

If you support other people's fundraisers or make donations to charity, you'll find it easier to attract and retain donors. Not only will you feel great for doing so, but it will help you to understand why certain things work and others don’t. Ask yourself what inspired you to support that particular fundraiser or charity?

4) Adopt an abundance mindset 

Whether it’s through research or through your own mistakes, be willing to learn new things. For your fundraising initiative, this could extend from anything to the challenge itself or how you promote your fundraiser on social media. Consider posting honest and authentic accounts on social media about your journey and / or motivations.

5) Set yourself paths to success, not just goals

The difference between a goal and a dream is a well thought-out plan. If you've set a large fundraising target, consider whether this would be more achievable as part of a team. You might be surprised to learn that workplaces, schools, sports clubs and other communities also have fundraising objectives that align with yours. Friends and family members too may also prefer to support you by helping take part in the challenge. Once you've decided on your goal, be sure to customise your SportsGiving page with your target!

If you’re ready to start fundraising in the new year, consider setting up your very own SportsGiving page. With SportsGiving you can fundraise for multiple charities at once, customise your page with colours and targets and even invite friends to help manage your page.

Happy Fundraising!