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At least once a year, a video; song; meme; etc. seemingly comes from nowhere to reach elite Internet virality—remember Tebowing or Gangnam Style? It's nice to see the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge has successfully combined a phenomenon with increased awareness and donations for the ALS Association. If your crowdfunding campaign is collecting dust somewhere in the cobwebbed portion of the Internet, try using these Ice Bucket Challenge takeways to revive your fundraiser.
Attract Attention
Be original. Be funny. Tell a story. A potential supporter or backer needs to feel personally invested in order to donate to a crowdfunding campaign. Think about the reasons you watch a video or read an article and emulate the same qualities in your own campaign. Make sure the information you provide is purposeful. Every word, picture, or video should work to answer the question "Why should I donate?"
Awareness Precedes Donations
The odds are against your campaign being unearthed if it's currently dormant, and donations won't roll in if it isn't getting any hits. You're job isn't done when you create a profile—it's just starting. The Ice Bucket Challenge's success is perpetuated by its presence on every social media platform and news source. Devise a plan to get your campaign in front of as many eyes as possible. Use every social media profile and communication tool you have to promote your campaign.
Trends Are Fueled (and Sustained) Through Sharing
Sharing is caring, especially online. Think about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge—the nomination component of the challenge is its lifeblood. You can similarly enlist your friends to spread your crowdfunding campaign's reach. Also think about ways you can make your campaign "share worthy" through the creativity of others. The simple premise of the Ice Bucket Challenge invites participants to create their own spin. The challenge wouldn't be as enthralling if all videos were cookie-cutter.
A few weeks ago, I had lunch with a college freshman attending my alma mater. The meeting made me think, “What would I tell those gearing up to start the journey I just finished?” It doesn’t take much scouring of the Internet to find tips for incoming college freshmen, so I decided to pen a letter in lieu of a Buzzfeed-esque list. In the midst of move-in day and starting classes, I hope my guidance helps you get your bearings.
College Freshmen of the World,
We pass the torch to you. We leave our alma maters to your capable minds and zealous hearts. Our “masterpiece” is your doodle pad. You must have seen something special in our school when you chose to apply and attend it. Preserve the strides of those who came before you but don’t let the accomplishments of your school's titans intimidate your own experiments and creations.
College is your oyster—craft your own undergraduate experience. Take interest-piquing classes, join organizations, learn a new language, use the services available to you, make friends in a variety of social settings, explore the town or city surrounding your school, or study in a country you’ve never been. Don't buy into the portrayals of college you've seen. Mean Girls and Ferris Bueller's Day Off didn't reflect your high school experience, and your college experience won't adhere to the movies you've seen or stories you've heard. Be the person you want to be.
Look beyond the classroom for learning experiences. You'll learn what you value in your living environment from your good and bad roommates; your conflicting social, school, and career interests will force you to evaluate your priorities; and new friendships will be nurtured while older ones may wither. I thought I knew who I was before I went off to college, but I now realize my sense of self was interrelated with the context of my childhood: the house I grew up in, my family and friends, etc. I developed a more nuclear understanding of myself during college. Your college years will be transformative ones as well.
The campus before you is the product of generations of students, faculty, administrators, and staff—never forget you’re both fulfilling a legacy and creating your own.
Paige Witthar
Class of 2014
Student loans are viewed as the universal solution to disparities in college expenses and student finances, but as one of my marketing professors used to say, “One size fits all fits no one well.” Alarming student debt statistics and news stories have shown student loans to be as much of a problem as they are a solution. I recently read a MSN Money article by Maryalene LaPonsie highlighting options for those overwhelmed by student loan payments. While the article is a good resource for current repayers, current or soon-to-be college students can benefit from researching the alternatives available to them now rather than the options available once weighted down with student debt.
There are only two ways to combat the student debt crisis: make college less expensive or create alternatives to student loans. The cost of education will continue to rise unless there is an overhaul of the system—that will take time. However, innovators are creating new options for financing higher education expenses. Crowdfunding is no longer just for the arts and inventions—it’s for college students too through SuccessFunding. SuccessFunding acts as a preventive measure against student debt. Students create a profile on SuccessFunding and leverage their network to crowdfund higher education expenses. Donors on the site can be assured that all funds raised go to the student's 529 account, a savings plan designated for higher education. SuccessFunding goes beyond paying for tuition. Students can raise funds for study abroad, books, on-campus housing, etc.
The traditional criticism of student borrowers is they're pursuing an education they know they can't afford. This argument downplays the role of the incremental and unexpected costs of getting a degree. When you're offered a financial aid package as a high school senior you're given one year of financial information on which to make a four-year financial decision. The most disheartening surprise I had in college was the growing gap between the tuition & fees and my financial aid package every year. I retained my scholarships throughout college but tuition, fees, and room & board increased annually. Meanwhile, my grants were cut and there were few school scholarships open to application. Most scholarship money was appropriated to students based on their admission materials and renewed every year. Federal loans, which conveniently increased in amount each year, seemed to be the only option for mending the gap. Student loans are no longer the sole option for students. Student loans offer a temporary solution with a looming consequence. SuccessFunding provides a real answer.
by: Paige Witthar
