How to get the most from your text to give campaigns

Thinking of broadening your fundraising toolkit to include text to donate campaigns? Maybe you’ve just started to use this approach and are wondering how to maximise your return on investment. Or perhaps you’re trying to work out which text to give platform or provider to use.

Regardless of where you are on your text to give journey, this article has been written to advise, inform and generally help you get the best out of your fundraising technology.

After all, we know a thing or two about text to give campaigns, having been improving campaign return on investment for some of the UK’s most prominent charities for two decades. 

Not only that, but with SMS promotions and donations at the core of what we do, we process more than 150,000 premium SMS donations every month – and so far, we’ve processed more than £70m in donations.

But enough about us. Let’s focus on six key areas that will help you deliver maximum return on your text to donate campaigns.

Get the best 

Not all UK text to donate providers are created equal, so get the best charity text donation service your budget allows. Our article entitled 8 things to consider when choosing a text donation partner will give you a head start when it comes to thinking about what you need. A good thing to keep in mind when choosing a text to donate platform is the three Ss: scope, service levels and simplicity. For example, what can it deliver, can it deliver it well, and can it deliver it in a way that’s simple to use for you – the charity – and the donor.

Keep it short

A successful text to donate campaign is obviously one that generates significant donations. And often, this stems from the keyword. In our experience, the most effective text to give campaigns use short keywords that are not only easy to remember, but that also drive action. Emotive words such as ‘SUPPORT’, ‘GIVE’ and ‘HELP’ are likely to be more effective than ‘SUPPORTOURCHARITY’ or ‘HELPUSRAISEFUNDS’, for example.

Broaden your reach

Cymba is an expert in developing and delivering text to donate campaigns. However, as a charity with a communications team, all of whom are experts in their own communications disciplines, you’re likely to have access to multiple channels at any given time. Whether you’re advertising in traditional media (or even DTV), hosting events and webinars, or simply promoting the campaign across your social media platforms, make the most of your channels to ensure that each and every text to donate campaign is broadcast far and wide. 

Minimise any friction

These days, if you want people to take action, you can’t expect them to jump through hoops. Make it easy for prospective donors to donate in a matter of seconds. If your donation process takes any longer than that, then you run the risk of losing a donation. 

Is it urgent?

Getting people to part with their hard-earned money, particularly in what is currently a challenging economic climate, comes down to language and messaging – and urgency often plays a large role. Whether you’re focusing on a limited timeframe, a target you’re trying to reach or outlining exactly what the recipient’s donation will buy, ensure that your ask packs a punch.

After the event

So, you’ve issued the broadcast and delivered the ask… and the campaign has been a huge success. Donations are rolling in and the tone (and messaging) has clearly worked. However, can you send a follow-up SMS to say ‘thank you’. It’s really important that you don’t just use your text to donate platform as a one-hit wonder. You need to be able to use the same SMS channel to let the donor know you appreciate them via a message of thanks – and as the basis for further engagement. 

Of course, there are many more elements that require consideration – one of which is testing. After all, each and every SMS ask needs to be as perfect as it possibly can be. Continual testing delivers continual improvement, so make sure you’re testing as much as you can and as often as you can.

In the meantime, for text to donate guidance, advice and insights from a team of text to donate experts, get in touch.

Want to supercharge your campaigns and improve your return on investment? Contact the Cymba team on 0845 0829622.