how to ask for money
Post on 05-Dec-2014
1.520 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
How to ask for money
Selena Deckelmann, PostgreSQL + Emma @selenamarieJ Chris Anderson, Couchbase @jchrisTeyo Tyree, Puppet Labs @brainfinger
Who’s asked for money?
You can do this.
3 acts
1. Boot-strapping
2. Venture Capital
3. Lessons Learned
The Acts
Boot-strapping
Act 1
2008
Bart - $2000Selena - $2500 (loan)Rick - $5000 (loan)
DAY 1
Bart - $2000Selena - $2500 (loan)Rick - $5000 (loan)
And ~$-16,000 in contracts
DAY 165
Ted Kaczynski of conference chairs.
Only sent to one company.And they had a lot of feedback.
Who do I know that will give me money?
Who do I know that will give me money?
$36,000 in cash$15,000 in-kind
$26,000 in registrations$4,000 left over
~70 people, 29 companies~20 knew me personally
2009 stats:
Your network is bigger than you think.
Venture Capital
Act 2
J Chris Anderson
Seriously, we can be friends with VCs.
Teyo Tyree
I have a special relationship with my VC.
Lessons Learned
Act 3
• Build relationships and communicate.
• Ask again anyway.
• Hire a graphic designer.
• It’s really six steps.
• Find a mentor.
Build relationships and communicate.
Communication is the compost of fundraising.
Be visible.
Do what you say you’ll do.
And if you don’t, communicate why - now.
Ask again anyway.
People say no, a lot.But not as often the second time.
Yes59%
No41%
In 2009Asked 49 companies
Yes66%
No34%
In 2010Asked 33 companies
$1241 per sponsor
$2006 per sponsor
Hire a graphic designer.
3. Hire a graphic designer.
3. Hire a graphic designer.
“charging big sponsorship fees with marketing-centricsponsor benefits”
“How does it serve the community?”
“I suggest you refine your plans to focus on 2 or 3 areas.”
• Ask for money
It’s really six steps.
It’s really 6 steps.
1. Identify a need.
2. Tell someone.
3. Ask for money.
4. Get the money.
5. Spend the money.
6. Say thank you.
Find a fundraising mentor.
“charging big sponsorship fees with marketing-centricsponsor benefits”
“How does it serve the community?”
“I suggest you refine your plans to focus on 2 or 3 areas.”
Refine your pitch.Practice.
• Build relationships and communicate.
• Ask again anyway.
• Hire a graphic designer.
• It’s really six steps.
• Find a mentor.
How to ask for money
Selena Deckelmann, Emma @selenamarieJ Chris Anderson, Couchbase @jchrisTeyo Tyree, Puppet Labs @brainfinger
Thanks!
top related