So You’ve Registered for Extra Life, Now What? Six tips to get started.
Children’s hospitals are on the frontlines when it comes to protecting the health of future generations. But they can’t do it alone. This is where you come in — a new Extra Life participant who is ready to play games, heal kids. Attempting to change kids’ health, change the future may seem daunting. Here are six easy things you can do to get started and make your gameplay #ForTheKids effective and seamless.
1. Shout from the Rooftops
Okay, maybe don’t literally shout from your rooftop. But we’d be remiss not to stress how important it is to remember that no matter where you are or how big or small your circle of influence is, everyone has a chance to positively change children’s health by supporting their local children’s hospital.
It’s a great idea to let people know that you’re fundraising for Extra Life through all of your social media connections and personal networks. We have some handy talking points and graphics for you to use. Together we have far more reach and influence than we can imagine, so help us get the message out there to as many people as possible. Here are more tips on how to share:
2. Donate to Yourself
This one might sound a bit strange, but it’s rooted in human psychology. Momentum has been scientifically proven to be a significant factor when it comes to fundraising. People are exponentially more likely to donate when they see that others have done the same, even if it is the organizer of the fundraiser! Making the first donation to your own fundraiser can improve your total fundraising by over ten times compared to those who don’t self-donate. It’s all going to a good cause, so get the ball rolling yourself to raise more money for the kids!
3. Customize Your Fundraising Page
Children’s hospitals change people’s lives and giving potential donors the powerful story behind your fundraising can touch people on a deep and profound level. Did you know that the landing page for each individual fundraiser remains one of the most underutilized portions of the Extra Life experience? Your page is your chance to tell your story and give your sales pitch. Looking for some inspiration or “why” behind the Extra Life cause? Check out our patient stories on cmnhospitals.org or download stories from our media and broadcast toolkits.
Whether you are fundraising because you or someone you know has benefitted from treatment at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals facility or just because you love using gaming for good, you have a story to tell that can make a difference. It’s also a great place to link your social channels to help those coming across your page find you and get to know you!
4. Plan a day of Play, Fundraiser Livestream or Event
One of the first steps toward concrete action is a good plan. This will be more difficult in 2020 due to COVID-19, but it’s totally doable. Set realistic goals for yourself, figure out how to achieve those goals, and then broadcast your plan to the world when it is set in stone. The most common kind of event, and the safest in the middle of a pandemic, is live streaming on Twitch or YouTube. However, there are all kinds of gaming-related fundraising ideas outside of live streaming. Consider having a digital board game night or an online Dungeons & Dragons session that friends and family can donate to buy into and play together. Other outside the box ideas are equally valid, too! Play to your strengths and you can’t go wrong. Get your game day graphics and streaming assets in our broadcast and media toolkit.
5. Connect Your Fundraising Page to Facebook
Did you know you can utilize the power of Facebook Fundraisers with your Extra Life fundraising page? Well, you can! For anyone who regularly visits Facebook, they’ve likely seen Facebook Fundraisers in action. In fact, from 2015-2018, over $1 Billion has been raised for charitable causes through Facebook. This a powerful tool and we’re thrilled to empower you to utilize it for your Extra Life campaigns. Click here to get step-by-step instructions.
**Note, this feature will convert all donations into USD and Facebook donations outside of the USA will not offer tax receipts.
6. Join the Extra Life Discord Community
Discord has become the best way to keep up with everything going on in the Extra Life community. Join the passionate and friendly people that help to make Extra Life one of the best communities in gaming. Tons of great people are just waiting to help you stream, give fundraising tips and tricks, or just hang out and be friends. Join us on Discord today!
Want more insights? Hear from some of our friends in the gaming space:
We believe implementing these six tips will help you be well on your way to ensuring kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals receive the best care. Happy Fundraising!
Don’t forget to sign up for Extra Life to help sick and injured kids in hospitals around the US and Canada by playing games!