We're walking....we're walking...and we're raising money by walking!

My last post encouraged you to sign up for a walk in your neighborhood.  I know you're thinking about it....and I'm proud of you for taking that first big step!    Congratulations!  Now it's time to get moving and involve your friends and neighbors.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.  Check with your charity - I know the walk coordinator will have more ways to help make your participation fun and profitable for their organization.

• Create or Join a Walk team. Come up with a clever team name.  My husband was a firefighter, so "Bill's Brigade" was a natural fit!  Other team names I think are fun:  Mrs. Peabody's Tea Party, Peggy's Pedestrians, Feet for Fluckinger, and Rev'in 4 Kevin.  Set your imagination free!  Better yet, get together with a few friends, and get silly brainstorming.  You'd be amazed at the clever names you can come up with as a group!
• Set your fundraising goal – stretch a little and keep raising it as you reach each milestone.  Check the post "Fundraising for Chickens".
• Use the tools provided by the charity!  Sounds simple, but it can't be overstated.  Take the time to personalize your team home page and your individual home page. Tell your story!  Encourage people to join you.  Add some personality. Add your photographs.
• Upload your email address book - the tools make it very easy to do.
• Use the email/send mail utility to send a note to friends/family/coworkers asking them to join you in the cause.
• Hold a walk kickoff meeting at your home or ask a friend to host. Brainstorm ways to get additional friends/family members to join you or donate.
• Add your page link to your email signature with a catchy call to action.
• Ask your company to sponsor you or offer a matching donation. Invite friends to help you brainstorm local companies. Find out who has contacts and ask them to ask for the sponsorship.
• Contact your local media and tell them that you are walking and WHY. Get them interested...local papers are always looking for a good human interest story.  Share yours!
• Update your Facebook, MySpace, etc. accounts.  Tell your friends that you are walking and why.  Add a link to your walk page and encourage everyone to sign up.  "Tweet" your progress toward your goal!
• Create a team flier. Include the critical details and photos. Post at church, work, games, etc. Most Starbucks, Curves and Jamba Juice in CA have community events bulletin boards and will post fliers for charitable events.
• It’s never too early to recruit team members!
• Contact your local chapter for more ideas, tips and tricks specific to their chapter.

Most of all HAVE FUN and remember that you are making a difference.  And that matters!