Marketing Strategies

The key to a successful fundraiser is to plan out your sales effort! Here are some suggestions to guide you through a profitable, fun and rewarding sales effort. Some ideas apply more to students, others to teachers, some to cards, others to calendars, etc. These are field-tested ideas that really work!

Set a sales goal, quota and incentive. Establishing a clear goal is essential for a successful fundraiser. In addition to an overall monetary figure, set a reasonable but firm sales quota for each student. Offer incentives for meeting and exceeding the sales quota.

Email your school/district faculty list with a link to your online proof review page (after you submit it to us). Be sure to include a brief message including price, how to order from you, where to pick up the cards, etc.

Visit your principal’s office and superintendent’s office. Tell them about your unique fundraiser, and sell to them for personal as well as for school & district use. Awesome PR!

Families of the artists will want to purchase single design card packages of only their son/daughter’s design. Enter these special orders in the lines provided on the Product Order Form.

Hang a display in your school’s main office and take/fill orders.

Student volunteers can operate a sales table which they run as a mini-business, complete with change box, order forms, product inventory and a large, eye catching posterboard display of the designs. Sell at all school events: sporting events • PTA events • club events • school cafeteria • school plays/performances

Sponsor an exhibition/opening to display the original designs and product for sale. Typically this is held at the start of your sales event. Invite students, parents, faculty, administration and members of the community to your showing. Issue a press release to the local newspapers to increase attendance. Have product on hand to sell!

Hold a silent auction of the original designs. This can be held during or after your sales event as an additional money maker and as closure to your fundraiser. Have product on hand to sell.

Advertise in school newsletters, alumni publications, and with your school foundation.

Door-to-door is a well established direct sales method with a personal touch.

Parents can take their student’s order form to work for a day.

Local newspapers love to promote your unique product in school-community articles featuring your art department, the artists, their artwork and the fundraising goals. Be sure the article includes the retail price of your product and a phone number/address/email to reach you to place orders, and to whom checks should be made payable. Get ready for BIG sales!

Local radio stations will donate ad spots describing your product and where it is being sold, and include you in their community activity announcements.

Local TV stations will conduct an interview to air during the local news/community spot. They will feature your art department, the artists, their artwork and your fundraising goals. Be sure to mention the retail price of a your product and a phone number/address to reach you to place orders, and to whom checks should be made payable.

Local supermarkets, Wal-Marts, etc. will let you set up a student sales table on weekends and after school. Just ask! It gives them a chance to show their support for the schools.

Real estate offices buy products to use for correspondence, thank you notes and housewarming gifts.

Banks will give your products to customers opening new accounts, new loans, mortgages, etc. Banks are also very generous in donating wall, table or floor space for your displays and student sales table.

Check out our Participant Showroom to see what other schools are doing.

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