Live streaming has opened up new opportunities for nonprofits to connect with donors in real time. However, choosing the right donation tools to facilitate giving during a live stream can be challenging. Here are some of the pros and cons of different options to consider.
Using your existing donation forms and online giving platforms are convenient since donors and staff are already familiar with them. The data is integrated into your CRM and reporting. However, these standard tools are not designed for live streams and lack functionality like donation alerts to recognize donors in real time. They may deter some donors who prefer a more interactive giving experience.
Tiltify and DonorDrive are popular tools created specifically for charity live streams.
They offer alerts, incentives, and rewards to motivate donors. Streamers can easily fundraise for your cause by launching a campaign on the platform. However, your organization has less control over the branding and donor experience using a third-party platform. There are also fees associated with using the tools.
Twitch recently launched a donation tool in closed beta that uses the PayPal Giving Fund.
It has the potential to reach new audiences already active on the Twitch platform. However, the tool is still in early testing and may lack some advanced features of other live streaming donation platforms. Fees will also apply when it officially launches.
The best approach may be using a combination of these tools. For your own live streams, use your existing donation forms but also experiment with other platforms to provide an optimized experience for stream viewers. Make it easy for fundraisers to start campaigns on your behalf using tools like Tiltify. Consider Twitch’s donation tool once it fully launches to tap into new communities. With some testing, you can determine the right mix of tools to facilitate an impactful live stream fundraising program.
In summary, weigh the pros and cons of each tool based on your needs and audience. A multi-platform strategy may be most effective to maximize your live streaming fundraising success.
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