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Top 10 online fundraising tips

1. Personalise your page

Personalise your online fundraising page with a message (be prepared to modify it as you go) and an eye-catching photograph. Most sponsors will really appreciate receiving a personal 'thank you' e-mail as well as the automatically generated ones through Virgin Money Giving.


2. Use your own email as well as the email facility on your online sponsorship page

Because you are already familiar with your own system, you'll be able to send more emails at once than you can via your sponsorship page. Also, some of your potential supporters may feel more comfortable opening an email that comes from you personally.


3. Change your email auto-signature at work and/or at home

After your name and title etc, add a line at the bottom including the address of your webpage. This will raise awareness of your event and ensure that every email you send out could prompt a possible donation.


4. Check you've emailed all the groups of potential supporters

Apart from friends and family these might be colleagues, former colleagues, college friends, fellow members of church/clubs/PTA etc. and encourage them to pass on the message to anyone else who might support you.


5. Make the most of social networking sites

If you use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, don't forget to post details of your event or a link to your online sponsorship page on your profile. Send a message to all your friends and contacts telling them what you're doing - you'll be surprised who might support or sponsor you.


6. Don't forget your friends and family abroad

We may not be able to reclaim the tax on their donations but they can still support you. The Internet is global - make the most of it!


7. Send email updates on your progress

Let supporters know how much you've raised so far and what a donation will buy for the MS Trust. It's nice for those who've already supported you and a nudge for those who haven't. You know what it's like - people mean to donate, but sometimes they don't quite get round to it on the first request!


8. Make the most of your memorable web address

This is great if you manage to get some publicity for your efforts in a local paper or radio station. Don't forget to mention the link to your online sponsorship page (ie www.virginmoneygiving/your_name) every time you mention your event!


9. Put a notice up in your gym, church, college, children's school, etc.

Use this as a way to promote your event, or you can mention the link to your online sponsorship page and ask people to sponsor you online.


10. Ask to be on your company's website

See if your company would be prepared to post details of your event or a link to your online sponsorship site from its public website or private company intranet. Many companies like to promote the charitable efforts of their staff and you could get a lot of extra donations from this.


Start fundraising now on Virgin Money Giving