Tip #4 - Personalizing E-mails

Make sure that when you send e-mails asking others for help, you personalize, personalize, personalize! Everyone you know is different from one another and, therefore, should be appealed to in different ways. For example, you wouldn’t request something from your yoga instructor the same way you would from your sister or your best friend, right? Make sure you appeal to the unique emotional sides of each person as an individual.

Another important element of personalization is using names. Don’t just send a group e-mail with a general greeting such as “Hey Everyone;” instead send separate e-mails starting each one with the recipient’s first name (e.g. “Hi Diana”). This will make the addressee feel more responsibility to read and respond to your e-mail rather than brushing it aside or thinking that someone else will help you instead.

A final tip for sending e-mails is to start with those closest to you and then move to more distant relationships. This allows you to gain practice with composing e-mails asking for aid, which is a very difficult but brave thing to do. It also targets those who are most likely to donate as first priority on your contact list. If they donate before your more distant contacts view your Chance page, the ball will already be rolling, which will prompt continued donations.

Tip #3 - Thank Your Donors

Have you already received a donation, but you’re still in need of additional funding? Try thanking your donors. This is a simple, yet high impact action that shows your benefactors how much their contribution means to both you and your pet.  

Some donors may believe that a $10 donation doesn’t have enough value to make a difference for your pet’s Chance, but we know this is not the case. Time and time again, our clients have articulated that “every little bit counts.” So take the time to prove this to those who have contributed to your pet’s cause by filling out a thank you note from your Chance page.

In addition to expressing gratitude, thank you notes also aid in building a special relationship between you and your donors. Personalized, direct contact with them will make them feel more invested in your pet’s Chance, increasing the likelihood that they will follow your animal’s progress or even donate again in the future. Some of our donors have actually stated that they would donate multiple times if they were thanked.

Thank-you’s need not be more than a sentence or two long. Use them to update your donor on your animal’s health status or progress and explain the impact their donation has made for you, your family and/or your pet. Some special thank you notes may even be chosen to appear on the homepage as words of inspiration and encouragement to all who visit the site! Click here for step-by-step directions on how to send a thank you through your Chance page.  So what are you waiting for? Get writing!

How to Thank Your Donors

Please be aware that you can thank your donors, even if they contributed anonymously.  Here's how:

1. Log in to Pet Chance as yourself. (TIP: this is the most frequently-missed step. You cannot do this if  you do not log in first.)
2. Access your Chance page.
3. Click the "View Donations" link.
4. There will be a "Thank" button across from each donation. Click it, type in your own personal message, and off it goes.

FACT:  Donors have told us they are more likely to donate to Chances a second time when they are thanked!

Tip #2 - Photos, Videos and Updates, Oh My!

You know your pet is deserving of a Chance, so why not show that to potential donors? Showcase your pet’s quirks, personality and progress by sending us supplementary photos, videos and updates to add to your Chance page!

Videos are a very effective tool in the quest for donations because they introduce prospective patrons to your pet on a much more personal level than a simple photograph. Imagine trying to piece together a complete stranger’s personality solely from a photo. Now, compare that experience to viewing a short introductory film – see the difference? We do, too.

Another way to allow donors to be more actively involved in your pet’s Chance is to provide updates on the treatment and healing process.  If additional therapies have been recommended for your animal, your donors want to know! If Fluffy’s leg is improving and she’s starting to run around again, inform them of that, too. Keeping your Chance page as active and accurate as possible will increase your chances of being featured on the homepage; thereby, gaining more exposure to donors.

Think of your Chance page as you would a social media profile, such as those found on Facebook or Google+. This is a space for you to broadcast your pet’s individuality to the world. Show us your cat frolicking in sun-dappled forests, or your dog elegantly splashing into the ocean to retrieve his favorite ball. Okay, so that’s a little dramatic – but you get it, right?

The inclusion of as many photos, videos and updates as possible will help donors piece together the most complete picture of your animal as possible. And let’s face it - who wouldn’t love that little face?

All new materials to be added to your Chance page can be sent to support@petchance.org

Tip #1 - E-mail/Social Media Templates

So you’ve created a Chance page for your pet and now you’re in need of one very important thing – donations! Well have no fear; the Pet Chance Team is here to give you tips on how to boost your donation frequency.

As discussed in a previous blog post, crowdfunding sites are most successful when users get the word out about their cause. This means directing all of your family members, friends, neighbors and acquaintances to your Chance page through resources such as social media, e-mail, or simply by word of mouth.  This will really help get the ball rolling with publicity AND donations for your pet’s Chance.

We know it can be difficult to find the right words when reaching out to those around you so we have put together a few templates that you can copy and paste to Facebook, Twitter, e-mails, or other social media outlets. Don’t forget to personalize your posts and messages. Include names, pictures, descriptions, and – most importantly – a link to your Chance page!

Sample Publicity Templates:

For Animals Awaiting Treatment

For anyone who hasn’t checked out my Chance page yet, please take a look. My dog/cat [insert pet name here] is still in need of medical attention for [insert medical issue here]! INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE

My dog/cat [insert pet name here] is still fighting for a chance at life. Please check out and share his/her Chance page to help him/her rise to the occasion! INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE

My dog/cat [insert pet name here] means the world to me and I’d like to see him/her happy and healthy again. Please visit his/her Chance page to help him/her reach the road to recovery! INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE

I know I’ve said this before, but in case you missed it:  My dog/cat [insert pet name here] is waiting to get some medical treatment and we need some help getting it paid.  If you can donate, THANKS!  If not, please share this so others can hear about it.  INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE

For Animals Who Already Received Treatment

My dog/cat [insert pet name here] had to undergo treatment for [insert medical issue here] a [insert time period here] ago.  He/She has a Chance page set up to help fund his remaining vet bills, please take a look! INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE

My cat/dog [insert pet name here] needed to have [treatment description]. Please support his/her recovery by visiting and sharing his/her Chance page INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE

I know I’ve said this before, but in case you missed it:  My dog/cat had some medical treatment and ran up some bills.  If you can help with a donation – THANKS!  If not, just sharing this with others would mean the world to me and [Pet Name] INSERT CHANCE LINK HERE