Social Causes

How activists and educators raise funds and awareness for those in need on Geyser

In recent years, crowdfunding has become an important tool for activists and educators, enabling them to raise money and awareness for the social causes they care about.

However, traditional crowdfunding platforms haven't always delivered the support they need, with many being the subject of censorship, in some cases going so far as to freeze donations intended for campaigns.

Educator and activists on Geyser

For this reason, more and more activists are choosing Geyser, a crowdfunding platform that is easy to use and, most importantly, allows for peer-to-peer Bitcoin donations. What this means in concrete terms, is that Geyser cannot freeze funds even if it wanted to or was told to do so.

In this guide, we will go over the best ways to use Geyser to make your social or educational project a success.

Successful social initiatives funded on Geyser

Mi Primer Bitcoin

Mi Primer Bitcoin has bootstrapped its network of 17 (and counting) countries entirely through donations. The secret of this project's success lies in:

• The outstanding proof of work it has accumulated over the years

• Its exceptional ability to communicate a crystal clear vision that can reach people's hearts

BTC Isla by Satoshi's Legacy

BTC Isla is successfully raising money by fully embracing the concept of building in public. This means she is:

• Sharing a lot of behind-the-scene content to engage people and make them want to be part of the journey

• Promoting the amazing rewards she's offering, such as the "Gift a Bitcoin Class to 1 Student", and "Shoutout"

Key elements for success

Crafting a great narrative

The key to captivating potential backers starts with a compelling project Story.

• Start with a hook—a compelling statement or question that grabs attention. What's your story about?

• Then outline your vision, your story's perspective, and why it matters. What's your goal?

• Next, tell about yourself and your team, your passion and expertise, showing your past proof of work to justify why people should help you. What's your motivation?

• End with a compelling and clear call to action to turn the reader's momentary inspiration into action. How can they help you?

Each section should contain great visuals. Photos and videos break the wall of text and make the page much more accessible and appealing.

For more on this topic, see our step-by-step tutorial for how to write a great Story.

Clarifying your goals

There's nothing worse for a supporter than donating to a project that will never see the light of day. Plan as much as possible for the costs your project will incur, and be transparent about them to build trust and credibility with your donors.

That said, milestones are not just fundraising goals–they are storytelling tools. Use them to keep your audience engaged and invested in the project's progress.

For example, set a milestone to unlock a special course or new initiative. Celebrating these milestones builds momentum, keeps the audience interested, and encourages continued support.

Offering amazing rewards

On average, creators who sell rewards on Geyser raise 3.3 times more funding than those who don't.

For social causes in particular, rewards offer a unique opportunity to connect with donors and show how much you appreciate their support.

Consider these reward ideas, tried and tested by successful Geyser projects:

• Shoutouts: Personal acknowledgments dedicated to funders in your website or social media can create a strong sense of community.

• Gifts: Allow contributors to donate for specific activities or materials, such as school supplies for children, equipment for a course, etc.

• Nostr Badges: Offer your donors amazing Badges for the decentralized social network Nostr; the 21st century version of donation receipts.

These rewards can be offered as limited editions to cultivate a sense of exclusivity and increase their perceived value.

For more information, see our deep-dive tutorial on how to leverage the power of Rewards.

Sharing on social media

The most successful campaigns leverage the power of social media to amplify their message.

• Add your Geyser project link to your social media bio so it's always easy for supporters to find it and keep on coming back.

• Leverage your social media presence to share regular updates, engaging content, and personal stories about your project to connect it with a wider audience.

Remember, consistency and transparency are key to building a lasting relationship with your audience, and social media lends itself well to building and maintaining those relationships.

Being adaptable

When it comes to crowdfunding, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. What works for one project may not work for another.

The secret to success? Have a plan and be proactive about promoting your project, whilst also being prepared to try different tactics, listening to feedback, and being open-minded to adapt your strategy if needed.

Embrace the journey, learn from each step, and remember that every supporter brings you closer to seeing your vision come to life.

What are you waiting for? Launch on Geyser today!

We hope this guide has helped you achieve your goals. If you find this content helpful and valuable, you can give us value back by donating to the Geyser project.

If you still have unanswered questions, feel free to reach out to us.