How to Do GoFundMe (& Actually Get Donations)

Wondering how to do GoFundMe successfully? We've got the answers!

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TRANSCRIPT:

Wondering how to do GoFundMe and actually get donations? We’re here to help! Many people have tried GoFundMe, only to discover that their campaign gets no donations at all. We’ve identified what makes successful GoFundMe campaigns and we’re going to share those secrets with you!

and get free stuff every year.

In order to figure out how to do GoFundMe well, you first need to understand how the system works. It’s actually quite simple. You create a campaign, select a fundraising goal, tell your story and share it. Sounds easy, right?

It’s easy to set up a GoFundMe. It’s harder to create a GoFundMe that will actually result in donations and help you get your needs met.

The hardest part about using GoFundMe is that millions of other people also need help. The platform has been used to fund-raise over $9 billion so far. That’s a lot of people with a lot of legitimate needs.
Fortunately, we’ve found a lot of helpful tips and tricks that can help you make your GoFundMe a success.
A successful GoFundMe is all about selling your story.
At it’s core, a successful GoFundMe campaign is based on salesmanship and marketing. You aren’t actually selling a product, but you are selling your story in the hope that the reader will contribute to your cause.
As a result, the tips and techniques that define a good GoFundMe campaign are very similar to those that define good salesmanship.
Focus on the extenuating circumstances.
Life is hard and many people are barely getting by financially. When you create a GoFundMe, you need to realize that you are asking other people to part with their own hard-earned and much-needed money.
People are generally more compassionate when you’re suffering due to circumstances beyond your control.
As a result, it’s important to focus on the extenuating or unusual circumstances surrounding your needs.
Let’s consider the case of Jessica, a 34 year old single mom to two kids. She’s working part-time while she’s going to college. She hopes this will improve their financial situation someday but in the meantime they struggle to make ends meet. Unfortunately, her only vehicle needs an expensive repair and because of that, she missed work and can’t make the rent this month.
Jessica can approach her situation from several different angles. Not all of them will produce the same results.
Jessica wants to ask for help with the rent, since it’s the most urgent need. It’s all Jessica can think about. She doesn’t want to ask for more than she needs, and she thinks it would be easier to get $750 for the rent instead of $2,500 for the car.
However, in this case, she should ask for help with the car.
Why?


In Jessica’s case, her car had a serious and unexpected problem. This doesn’t happen in a normal month and is a very unusual expense. In her text, she should emphasize that she needs help with the rent because of the issue with her car. Connecting the immediate need with unusual circumstances will help make the story more compelling to donors.
Have someone you trust run the GoFundMe (if possible).
Many of the most successful and viral GoFundMe causes have been run by someone other than the beneficiary. This makes the case more sympathetic and also cuts through some of the awkwardness of asking for help for yourself.
If there is someone you trust who can run the GoFundMe on your behalf, you may want to consider asking them to do so.
In Jessica’s case, she might have more success if her coworker and good friend Andrea posted the GoFundMe on her behalf.
Be prepared to prove how much money you need.
The most compelling fundraisers have documentation behind them. This helps donors feel confident that the money will be used for what you say it’ll be used for.
In this case, Jessica could upload a picture of the mechanic’s estimate to prove the extent of repairs required.

[coldblooded]

The thing I don't like about GoFundMe is that it relies on your family and friends. I am not very close with family and I do not have friends really. :/

[illegalmex]

I just started mine and ive tried to tell my story stright but i dont like making myself feel like i need sympathy i just tell the story and what happend and said anything helps!

[lmeoka]

Honestly I have found it so hard to reach out for help during these times because it feels like everyone is struggling these days. I have been going back and forth on if our situation qualifies for compassionate people to open their wallets and help with their hard earned money. Your content here really made it seem less intimidating to at least give it a try. We will never know unless we take the first step.

[Chris_P_Bacon]

I'm trying to help my mom catch on some bills she's been struggling to pay for years and it's making her so stressed. It's so hard because I been trying to take care of my family and I hate how she's struggling and stressing herself out and overworking herself. I had the fundraiser up for about 4 months and no donations, but after watching this I hope it works out. Thank you so much!

[georgeadusei]

I feel bad for having to start a gofundme cause I know how hard it is to get cash, hold onto it, and give it away. I wanna help fund people's dreams too, but I'm broke. I hope it works out

[snjeza]

I wish I have someone to help me, its been a very very hard year and this year started even worse, sadly I am in surviving mode, keep up the good work, you brighten my day!

[Alex__H]

Thanks for this, I'm trying to help my dad get his own place, he had a aneurism on his heart which made him disabled and hes had a bad drug problem and I just got him to go to rehab finally and honestly I dont even wanna share it on social media cause I just dont want people being mean and everything

[lindsayhengehold]

I'm going door to door in my neighborhood and with surrounding neighborhoods an am trying to get my Go Fund Me to go viral. I've been very blessed with getting donations and with getting cash donations as well going door to door and from word of mouth.

[hellywatermelonsmellinfell]

We had to start a gofundme recently because our landlady is harassing us and having her friends and family spy on us(they literally peek through the windows and take pics of stuff and then she calls to attack us over TV placement or fridge placement). And for several days nothing happened, and then I was asked to share it around and we got some donations from people I've been interacting with online for years. Because I'm good at explaining what's going on. I had to help reword the whole thing just so people could understand our situation is caused by multiple problems and the landlady, who made us fix issues SHE by law is supposed to, will not give us a break.

Also, it's worth noting that she only suddenly had a problem with us the moment she found out my step-father is Native American. Her nephew had been handling things up until she met my step-father in person a few months back. Suddenly she's demanding rent earlier and earlier, making claims that she needs to raise the rent more and more, and is threatening to shut off our utilities if we don't pay up these sudden spikes in rent.

So this video is a blessing because we need it.

[kellycruz]

My boyfriend has had a stroke. And I am his girlfriend. I have a hard time working and taking care of him and working and checking on him through out the day. I need of a car and his medicines, also in need of a physical therapist because the hospital will not help us with that.

[jakeandsarahhealthnuts]

This video is very helpful. I am going to do mine real soon. We have a 14month old daughter (on this channel) who never left the hospital. basically found out that she has a year or less to live. I want to take off work this next year and spend as much time as possible with her before she passes away. so I want donations so I can afford to do just that.

[MrsAlmaTrumble]

Been subscribed over 3 years. Tonight I set up a GoFundMe for my hubby and I. We're having a financial hardship.

[jaredpetersen]

Just started my GoFundme page with needed help for my Mental Health crisis im dealing with and its very hard stressing out and the fact my entire family and even friends that arent close to me anymore to get any kind of support. I recently lost my job due to my Mental Health and my work not having any knowledge of people who deal with Mental Health. Im trying to get out on the road traveling abroad as a Nomad lifestyle or Van Lifer. :)

[Breanna_says]

Yes, it’s actually very hard to promote a gofundme especially with times like this and my friends and family really don’t have money like that.
I currently have a gofundme to help for emergency transportation assistance to help me continue my job position that’s currently in Seattle, WA. I work with individual with autism and I just need some help getting out there to continue my teaching position.

[katewhitely]

I’m looking into setting up a GoFundMe to pay for an HVAC that went out. I had to get it because I can’t handle the heat or cold, due to health issues. It cost $6000, which I don’t have and am going to have trouble paying back. I’m disabled and taking care of my mom, whose health is failing.
Thank you for this. It will help.

[arlenedavis]

I live in Jamaica and I am in need of $2500 to hire a criminal lawyer. I was charge for false impersonation in West Virginia in 1989 a place I have never been because of that case I have been blacklisted for 16 years and unable to work in america, my migrant visa was denied also

[whollyverse]

I need a van for transportation and to live in. Was worried about doing GFM because I don't have a social network. I can only access internet from time to time from relatives house. This gives me hope! Thank you. :)

[stephenmay]

so basically a go fund me is telling a sad story and you have to peddle it to your family and friends and hope that they have enough extra money to donate, I guess those of us who dont have much family left and almost no friends are out of luck, why not just bypass go fund me and ask them for help yourself since you are paying a fee from the donations that you are getting from family and or friends

[shyblry]

I just started mine because I have 7 stray cats in my backyard and I need to get them to a vet as fast as possible one is missing a eye

[salpa]

I appreciate anyone who can help! Thank you!