Quick reminder that the appeal from the community could use some help. A couple people have started so far. That's really great - thanks for helping out.
Please take a couple minutes and share some thoughts. Send it around to anyone who might be interested.
Thanks!
Megan
On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 10:54 PM, Megan Hernandez mhernandez@wikimedia.orgwrote:
Hello Wikimedia contributors,
The fundraising team has been testing new messages over the past couple of months and we're happy to report we've found some new voices that will allow us to move away from our dependence on Jimmy to appeal to readers for donations. This year we want the fundraiser to rely as much as possible on voices of many different members of our community. So far, we've only tested messages from individuals, but we'd like to test a group appeal from the community. *That's where you come in!* Please help out by editing this page together.http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2011/communityappeal
Here are a few *successful appeal principles* we've found in our most effective appeals:
- *Authenticity*: We need to tell stories from amazing passionate
Wikipedians in their own real words about why they are passionate about Wikipedia and what is great about Wikipedia.
- *Beauty*: Wikipedia is an amazing, beautiful thing run by volunteers
doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.
- *Story*: Clarify people's understanding of Wikipedia and that it
needs them to keep the story going.
- *Free and ad free*: People love that it's free to use, free to be
used in any way, and ad free.
- *Importance*: We're #5 and everyone uses us!
- *Efficiency*: Compared to the other top sites, we run on a shoestring
budget.
- *Strong, quick start*: It must have a catchy first line.
- *Ask*: tell people where the money goes, be specific and concrete.
*Examples* of the most effective appeals - so far :
- Trusty Jimmy http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/L11_0209_Jimmy/en
- Brandon Appealhttp://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/L11_BR2_Junetest_1/en/US
- Maryana Appealhttp://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/L11_3009_Maryana_1/en/US
- Wikipedia editor Alan Sohnhttp://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/L11_0209_Alan-a/en
- Steven Walling appealhttp://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/L11_JMvSW_Julytest_SW/en/US
Please help come up with some ideas and drafts here: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2011/communityappeal
Really looking forward to seeing what we come up with!
Megan
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Megan Hernandez
Head of Annual Fundraiser Wikimedia Foundation