Welcome and a Fundraising Question
I see some new readers out there, I’m guessing mostly as a result of the First Novel Survey. Welcome, all! The fridge is to your right; snacks are in the cupboard. Make yourselves at home. Please feel free to say hello and introduce yourselves, or to lurk if you prefer. It’s all good.
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I’m working on Part III of the novel survey results. My friend Steve Saus has also been putting the data through some serious statistical software, and is coming up with some interesting results as well. I’m hoping to have my update by Wednesday or so, and I’ll link to Steve’s when that goes up.
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I arrived home from Millennicon to find advance review copies of Red Hood’s Revenge [B&N | Mysterious Galaxy | Amazon] waiting for me.
For Stepsister Scheme and Mermaid’s Madness, I auctioned off an autographed ARC to raise money for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. With Red Hood, I’m planning to fundraise yet again, but this time for the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN).
I’m torn between two models. In the past, the ARC has gone to the highest bidder, and we’ve raised a little over $100 each time. But I’m thinking about changing over to a raffle model. Donate a certain amount — either $1, $2, or $5 — and forward the e-mail receipt to me, and you’re entered to win. Donate more to get extra chances. I’ll pull one name at the end, and there you go.
My guess is that the raffle model will be a more effective fundraiser, but I wanted to toss both ideas out there to see what you all thought, and whether you had preference one way or the other.
D. Moonfire
March 23, 2010 @ 10:21 am
Of the online fund-raisers I’ve seen like this, the raffle system seems to be the most productive. I’d go with blocks of $5 is one ticket.
The drawback of forwarding emails though is that someone could alter them since they desperately want a copy of your book. You might see if RAINN has the ability to verify transaction numbers/amounts.
Jim C. Hines
March 23, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
I doubt RAINN would let a third-party access that information. I wouldn’t if I were them. Hm … I’d much rather just trust my readers and fans, but you’ve got a good point, and it only takes one to screw things up. I’ll give it some thought. Thanks!
D. Moonfire
March 23, 2010 @ 1:59 pm
I found that a lot of charities will verify a donation, but will not give you specifics. So you can say “Was transaction id XXXX from email bob@bob.com exactly $10.23?” and they can give a yes/no. If you arrange ahead of time, they might do that.
Shane Ede
March 23, 2010 @ 2:47 pm
Why not do both? I’m sure there are those here who would like the auction method because it gives them a chance to outbid and make getting the book a guarantee. I’m also sure there would be those, like myself, who can’t afford to bid the thousands that the book is likely to go for auction but instead could manage $10 or so to buy some raffle-ish tickets. As to how it’s done, I think there’s something to be said about the honor code.
Shane Ede
March 23, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
Another option, would be to have everyone give the money to you and then make one big donation.
Heather
March 23, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
I to think the raffle mode would raise a lot more than auction mode. I know I don’t have the spare $$ to be contributing enough to win an auction, but I could scrape up $5, and so could two of my friends, and two of their friends, and two of their friends… One suggestion might be to setup a specific paypal address, with RAINN and Jim both having access to the “behind the scenes” information.
Jim C. Hines
March 23, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
That would require a lot more trust on people’s parts. *I* know I’m trustworthy, of course, but they might be more comfortable donating directly.
Whether or not I can do both depends on how many ARCs I have. Most need to go to reviewers, but it turns out I may be able to get an extra one or two beyond what I was expecting.
Shane Ede
March 23, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
Well, if we can’t trust you to keep track of the money and then donate all of the funds like you say you will, how can we trust you to even send the book? If I didn’t trust that you would do what you say, I wouldn’t participate. Besides, I trust you to do what you say you will more than I do some other joe I don’t know who can edit the email they’re forwarding on to you.
Alvin R
March 28, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Hi Jim – just wanted to say “Hi” and not be a lurker anymore! Also wanted to let you know that your First Novel Survey is awesome.
Jim C. Hines
March 28, 2010 @ 10:29 am
Thanks, and welcome!