How to raise a lot of money. And fast
Ever wonder how candidates seem to raise all that money? It’s easier than you think.
They just ask.
The secret to raising political money is simple.
1) Ask everyone you know.
2) Ask confidently.
The Libertarian cause is important enough to ask your family and friends to donate generously.
1) Get out your “Christmas card list” and personal phone book.
Simply put, you’re going to get your easiest and probably biggest checks from your family and friends. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t spoken to them in years. These people believe in you more than anyone else. You owe to to liberty to call them first and ask them to make the biggest contribution possible.
2) Set a target.
Here’s a tip. People aren’t offended if you ask them for a very large contribution. In fact, many people are flattered you think they’re worth that much. As a general rule I ask for the maximum legal limit all the time, or if there is no limit I ask for three times what I think is the most I can get from them.
There’s a reason for that. It’s easier for them to negotiate the number down than it is for you to negotiate the number up.
You’d rather ask for $1000 when you think you can get $250 than think you might get $250, ask for $100 and they quickly agree. You avoided a longer phone call, but you left hundreds of dollars out of your campaign.
3) Practice your call.
It’s easy. Trust me. Most fundraising phone calls are five to ten minutes. Here’s a sample of what it might sounds like, from LocalVictory.com:
“Hi, this is Quinn. Yea, it’s been awhile. How are you and Nikki doing? Great, us too. Listen, I’ve got the craziest news. I’m running for Congress. Yep, how about that? I’m getting involved because I am so frustrated with the economic mess we’re in. It seems like no one is focused on the economy. You know me, I’m laser-focused. That’s how I’ll be in Congress. Laser-focused on the economy.It’s going to take $2 million to win this thing, crazy, I know, but true. I need your help. Would you be willing to support me, and donate $1,000 to help me win? You would? Amazing. Thank you so much. I’ll send over a brochure and an envelope. Listen, I have to make more calls, let’s catch up next month. See you soon….”
Practice in front of a mirror. Record it, play it back and see how it sounds. Pretty soon you’ll sound like a pro.
4) CALL!
Just do it.
Your first few calls may not go as smoothly as you like. But be confident, ask shamelessly and pretty soon you’ll be filling your campaign account.
Political fundraising is surprisingly simple. There are few “secrets” and little training involved. The best political fundraisers become the best by following two rules:
1) Ask everyone you see.
2) Ask for as much as you can possibly get.
As long as you are spending your campaign dollars wisely and ethically, there is no shame whatsoever in making fundraising phone calls.
In fact, be proud when you call Aunt Suzy to ask for $2,500.00! You’re going to spend that money to spread the message of liberty and fight to win!
And you owe it to liberty to win. Your family and friends already like you, and support you. Call them first and call them confidently.