To effectively raise money and build an engaged group of supporters, your organization needs more than just a donate page on its website. You need strategies and tools like online petition software that move people from casual visitor to recurring donor and dedicated supporter – all while minimizing overhead.
Online petitions are an effective tool to capture the casual visitor and active donor alike, and move them down the engagement path - even if yours isn't an advocacy organization. In today's advocacy world, online petition software can ensure your organization is making meaningful connections with your supporters in a way that delivers on your mission.
Here are nine reasons why your nonprofit should consider using online petition software.
Table of contents
- Educate supporters
- Build a mailing list
- Create viral reach
- Design mobile-friendly content
- Create petitions easily
- Micro-target audiences
- Deliver a donation ask
- Share via social media
- Start conversations
1. Educates your supporters
Quick take: Online petitions educate potential supporters about what your organization is all about.
Your petition appeal gives a clear, short snapshot of what you care about and the change your organization is visualizing.
It provides a great hook to grab the attention of would-be supporters even if they never read your About Us or Our Mission pages, and gives you the ability to go far beyond the reach of standard landing pages on your website like your home page.
Leveraging online petition tools, you're able to educate your supporters while encouraging them to take action that supports your cause and mission.
2. Builds a mailing list
Quick take: Online petitions are soft touch ways to build your mailing list - and a larger mailing list mean more potential donors.
Signing a petition requires little effort on behalf of visitors and doesn't require them to reach for their wallets.
If you're using the right online petition software, signing the petition efficiently adds them to your mailing list so you can continue the conversation over time through targeted communications that can lead to higher levels of engagement - and more donations.
3. Increases viral marketing potential
Quick take: Online petitions can go viral - radically expanding your reach and accelerating list building.
Because of the soft touch required and the clear and easy "sign this now" call to action, petitions can make for ideal content to share over social networks so folks signing can encourage their friends to sign.
4. Connects with your mobile audience
Quick take: Online petitions can make ideal mobile-friendly content that reaches supporters on whatever device they’re on and wherever they’re at.
Soft touch and clear and easy "sign this now" calls to action also translate into quick actions people can take from their smartphone on the go.
Standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for the metro, walking into work, hanging out on the couch...all become locations where people viewing your petition on a smartphone should be able to easily thumb in their signature and get on your mailing list.
With online advocacy tools like a petitions app, you're able to capture the attention of your audience of supporters with the right messaging at the right time, with a high level of convenience. More importantly, when coupled with other apps, such as online fundraising software, you can convert a new supporter into a donor without them even needing to open their wallet!
5. Creates relevant content fast
Quick take: Online petitions can be quick to create and publish - making them perfect for responding to breaking news.
If you've got a title, an image, and a bit of text, you've got the makings of a petition.
Throw in a nonprofit-accidental-techie-friendly online petition app that makes publishing your petition quick and easy, and you've got a perfect strategy for generating calls to action in response to breaking news and mobilizing supporters around a hot issue.
6. Targets niche audiences for better asks
Quick take: Online petitions can micro-target audiences or super specific issues - focusing impact and allowing comparison of outcomes across those communities and issues.
Trying to mobilize individuals in a particular demographic, a specific neighborhood, or around a particular sub-issue? Online petitions can provide a simple and effective way to target your efforts - and add to your mailing list in ways that provide great information on who your supporters are and what they care about.
They can also field-test messages or targeted groups in a low-impact way to determine where more robust, costly efforts by your organization should be targeted for greatest impact.
7. Delivers new channel for fundraising
Quick take: Petitions can lead to a donation ask directly after visitors sign - since those who sign are more likely to give
If someone has signed your petition, they're letting you know their down with your mission and care enough to let you know it. Asking them to donate toward your efforts around the same issue as the petition as part of a confirmation message or email can be an effective strategy for raising revenue. Consider advocacy software that allows you to also leverage online donation apps, so you can incorporate fundraising as part of the advocacy process.
8. Provides opportunity for news content
Quick take: Online petitions are ready-made news content which write their own headlines - creating perfect content for blogs, press releases, and social media efforts.
Petition campaigns create their own news. Share how progress toward your goal is going. Let people know about major milestones. Post about on- and off-line activities in support of the larger effort. With the right online petition software, you should be able to update on any change that happens as a results of the petition.
And, when doing so, direct people back to the petition to sign, share, and donate.
9. Starts connections with new supporters
Quick take: Online petitions are conversation starters with those who sign - contributing to natural follow up on ongoing progress and final results of the campaign.
The same qualities that make petitions great news generators allow them to be perfect conversation starters with those who sign them.
Email supporters those same regular updates you're posting to your blog and social media channels. Encourage them to donate to support the effort - and to share the petition through their own social media channels. Reward and publicly recognize those who generate the most buzz. Create a positive feedback loop that leverages success to bring in more success.
What’s your take?
How have online petitions benefited your nonprofit - even if you're not an advocacy organization? What are ways you see them being useful for expanding your reach and increasing your impact? It might be worth taking a look at online petition software built specifically for small non-profits to help guide you in the right direction of increasing your supporter list.
Online Petitions FAQ
How do online petitions work?
Typically, an online petition allows a community to view a call-to-action, typically in the form of a letter, and then asks the advocate to sign it and provide a comment. That information is then shared with the organization and typically the intended target.
How do I sign an online petition?
Signing an online petition is rather easy. First, you read the call-to-action for the petition, and determine if you agree with it. Then, you provide your contact information and a comment. Then, you submit the petition form.
How do I start an online petition?
You can leverage online advocacy software and online petition tools to create a petition quickly. For non-profit organizations and advocacy groups, you'll find a plethora of options out there!
What power does a petition have?
A petition can have huge potential power to sway decision makers, influence legislation, and more. Showing your support for a cause or ideal in a public way can both help seed the change you seek as well as support the organizations related to the cause.
How do you create a successful petition?
Successful petitions have basic common elements. A single focus. A strong call-to-action. An easy way to sign. A quick way to share. Great online petition software can help with this to make it seamless.
What does a petition need to include?
The best online petitions typically include a call-to-action, a place to share contact information, and a place to make a comment. Additional features, such as sharing functionality, the ability to see progress thermometers, and more help, too.
How do you make a petition go viral?
To make a petition go viral it's helpful to speak to a broad audience about a singular topic that can spark emotion and cause an easy reaction to support the message. Online advocacy software with built-in social sharing tools can help tremendously.
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