A question about charity

[kellyburdes]

For the last year I have been donating 10% of my profits to the Shriner's Children's Hospitals.

I've never mentioned anything about it to my clients or customers because I don't want to come across as crass, or as though I'm simply doing it to build good will with them, look like a nice guy and get better sales etc.

I was talking to my wife this weekend and she said she thought maybe if I mentioned it that it might encourage some of my customers to do the same thing, which would be a great thing.

Plus it would make me look like a nice guy, if I had any friends they'd all say I'm nice, but since I don't maybe I need to use cheap tricks

Anyhow, I've never done anything like this and wondered what you guys thought, first of all do you think i'd be able to encourage the people on my list to give...and if you think i could, how would you go about it yourselves?

Thanks a bunch.

-K

[tokaje]

Hi K :-)

You´ve got a big heart!
I understand your doubt about telling that you give the 10% away, but
I think you can use it for everybody's advantage.

If I was you, I would send an email to my list (or clients), giving them a nice free report/eBook/gift, and in that mail, state that you support the childrens hospital.
You can state that the normal sales price for the gift they get is xx $, but you give it away for free, and in the hope that they will help the children at the hospital.
In order not to look crass you have to explains exactly why you´re doing this supporting(which I am sure you have a good reason for). And then you can ask people to donate ass well, (and give them some reasons for doing this... people like reasons!), and every person has compassion within for helping others.

I would link the donation from you, together with the free report they get, with the mail, and then talk something about "giving", and in the end motivate your clients, to realize they can make a difference for children--- give them a story!

You can even have a prize as an extra motivation, and make a draw for this prize among all the persons who have donated (they can mail you a transfer# or something, and then enter the prize drawing (and even though you can´t check if they really donate, only the real ones will mail you!)

That way you will look like a very nice person (which I am sure you are :-)), and they will see this as a great action from you, and things like that will trigger them to donate also... especially if your initial reason for supporting the hospital is one that involves feelings, and I´m sure it is.

Be sure to enclose the information of exactly how to donate to the cildrens hospital, so they don´t have to think about any practical things other than the ethical.

This way they will feel the pleasure of helping others, you will raise some money for the hospital, and eventually look like a great person in your clients eyes, and as a sideeffect you will positioning yourself better as a pure side effect of you charity :-)

Tom

[Hugh Thyer]

Depends really. Are you giving to do something good, or just to look good.

I'd never take any notice of whether someone gave to charity or not when I make my investing decisions.

What people do with their money is up to them.

[fluffythewondercat]

It's called cause marketing. And while it rarely drives a buying decision by itself, sometimes it can tip the scales in your favor.

I would discourage you from openly soliciting for your favorite charity, however. There is way too much of that going on at major retail outlets today. It's intrusive and some people (me!) resent it. Just let folks know nicely that 10% of your profit goes to the Home for Dyslexic Squirrels and let them take action or not.

fLufF
--

[Cam Connor]

Hey kellyburdes,

Great question... it depends what you're selling, first of all, but in general, I think it can't hurt. Sure, some people might think you've got a "motive" for doing it, but so what? As long as they know that part of their investment is going to a good cause, that may help to influence their buying decision. So, I would say go for it, I don't think it could hurt, and it very well may help.

[blueonblue]

Donating to charity is great if you do it right. I bought a program because the sponser promised all proceeds would go to charity. Some I have ignored because I didn't approve the charity.

The best way to do it is, let your readers know you donate 10% of your profits to charity. Remind them of why it is important to help others and let it go at that. Why say you donate to X charity which may advocate a certain religion or sexual orientation that many others may not wish to be involved with. It is one thing to remind others of their social responsibility. It is another thing to cram it down their throats.

I give when I can afford it and try to spread it around to different groups because that is why we were put on earth, to help our fellow man, but you cannot force it on others. Everyone must march to his or her own social responsibility at their own pace..or not. It is up to them. Be careful. You could lose your audience completely. Good Luck!

[wordydiva]

There is nothing wrong with encouraging people to donate to the cause of their choice.

As long as you make the suggestion in a way that doesn't make a person feel pressured or as though they are a bad person for choosing not to donate. I think it all depends on the wording you use when approaching peers and clients.

[briancassingena]

I would advise not to reveal exactly how much you give, just to mention it and encourage others.

[methomas]

Maybe a little off subject, but...

Not only do the Shriner's have the best totally free children's hospitals, they also have the best burn hospitals in the world.

Every hospital in the world uses methods and procedures pioneered at the Shriner's Burn Hospitals and they don't have a cash register.

M E

[SillyGinger]

Hi K,

You're doing a great thing! In my opinion it doesn't matter if you decide to tell people or not as what you're doing is very generous. I see no harm in telling your customers, all that can come from this is good hopefully creating more charity for the hospital!

The only advise I can give is if you decide to mention the charity to your customers, mention it in a small way. Don't seem to overbearing or it could put people off.

Keep up the good work!