Many schools today are moving away from fundraisers that require students to sell products door-to-door. But it’s still an effective way to raise money for your school and at the same time can teach life’s important lessons to students.
Proper planning and know-how will go a long way to helping your students turn a no into a yes to reach those goals. Selling door to door will build a student’s self confidence and communication skills, too. Here are six tips to ensure a safe and successful fundraising drive.
- Know what you are selling. Remember you are asking people to hand over money for a product they may not need or in all likelihood can get somewhere else cheaper. Explain what it is you are selling and how it will help your school. Bring along any sales brochures and be informed about your product.
- Have a successful delivery. Sales ain’t easy! That’s true even for the pros, so prepare a quick two or three lines about who you are, what group you are with and what you are selling. Start off with a short intro. Be clear, courteous and respectful and speak clearly. Make eye contact and be presentable. If you have a school uniform, wear it. Don’t try to force a sale.
- Emphasize the cause. People will be more willing to buy a product or donate to your school if they know the whys and wherefores. Residents in some areas already are stretched to the limit as far as paying taxes that support schools. If the purpose of the fundraiser is to buy uniforms, then show your prospect a catalogue or flyer with a price list. Or if your class plans to use the money to go on a trip, explain where you are going and how it will benefit students.
- Don’t take a turndown too hard. You are not going to close a sale at every door you knock on. Don’t take it as a personal rejection. Say ‘thank you for your time,’ and move on to the next house confident and ready that your next call will be a ‘yes.’
- Sell to friends and family. Selling to relatives or people you know is always easier. Make a list and hit them up with your sales pitch. Also ask your parents if it is okay for them to take your sales brochures to work, as you might get a few sales from their co-workers.
- Safety first. Go in groups. Always insist an adult, parent sibling or school employee accompany a child. Stick to familiar neighborhoods and sell only during daylight hours. Never give out personal information or go inside a stranger’s home. Keep children in sight at all times. And show respect to others. Don’t walk across lawns or over flowerbeds and be cognizant of pets.
Here are a few additional tips on how to make door-to-door fundraising work for your students and school and remember: There is no better feeling than making a sale!