By Chancelor
Shay, Account Executive
While at the supermarket picking up supplies for
Thanksgiving, did you find yourself thinking, “What's with all these horrendous
mustaches?” Those in the know can tell you it’s no coincidence you’re seeing
more mo’s around this time of year as the annual fundraising challenge Movember is in full swing. If you didn't know, Movember is an annual month-long campaign where men grow out their Flavor
Savers to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues, particularly
prostate and testicular cancer. Proud participants, such as myself, build teams
and set up online accounts where friends, family, colleagues and extended
supporters can donate some of their hard-earned cash to help the cause.
In my third year, I’m hardly an expert. In fact, that’s not
even the point. But I have learned a few things and while I was sharing some
tips with NBC
San Diego, I decided a more thorough list of pointers was warranted. These
guidelines won’t help thicken your Lip Rug, or at least they didn't for mine, but
they will help you get the most out of your efforts and have a lot of fun in
the process.
Create the conversation!
First and foremost, Movember isn't simply an excuse to don a 'stache, it’s
a movement not only to help fund research to develop a cure or treatment for a
disease that affects one in two men, it’s also to make preventative and proactive
men’s health decisions mainstream and acceptable. When someone compliments your Mouth Brow, don’t just say thanks; take
it a step further and create a dialogue which will help connect them with the
movement. Hopefully, this will have a ripple effect where they start other conversations
around men’s health issues (and mustaches) and it keeps going.
Solicit team members,
not donations. There are plenty of people with their hand out asking for
money and many times it’s for a worthy cause. But if you ask a friend to join
your team, they now have a vested interest in the team’s success and bring with
them resources and connections that benefit your team and the entire campaign. The
more people spreading the message and encouraging donations the more funds your
team will raise. It’s simple math.
Share your team’s
successes. Fundraising 101 says you don’t actively solicit donations until
you’ve raised more than half your goal. While that can’t be true for this type
of campaign, apply that concept and announce when you or your team receives a
donation. Everyone wants to be on the winning team, so showing your team is
doing well will renew interest and excitement in your campaign.
Stay committed!
For many new mo growers, there’s a stage of awkwardness where your mustache is
beyond stubble, but visible enough to get a few weird looks. Don’t give up!
Continue to groom and shape your Muzzy regularly. I promise, your efforts will
be rewarded.
Get personal. Compassion
rarely translates in the digital world, so stay away from an impersonal social
media blast asking for money. While that can generate some donations from others
you know that are already passionate about the cause, it won’t inspire others
who are yet to care. Talk about it when catching up with friends during happy
hour. Your contagious enthusiasm will be more effective in getting friends on
board and willing to open up their wallet.
Don’t forget the mo
sistas! Just as NFL players don pink in support of Breast
Cancer Awareness month, it’s important to include women in your team’s men’s
health campaign and capitalize on the benefits that brings.
Say thanks! Say
thanks for joining the team, spreading the word, generating donations…for
everything! Everyone has 25 hours worth of obligations to fit into 24 hours. So
when others create a blog post, send a shout out, even fill out the short form to join your team, they
took time away from doing something else — not to mention disposable income is
at a premium for most. Every dollar they donate to your campaign is a dollar
they’re not saving for travel, using on a date with their significant other or
spending on something else that makes them happy. That is worth a quick “thank
you” note, right?
Have fun! Cookie
Dusters are supposed to be fun, especially for those who don’t rock them year
round. So get creative and have some fun with it. Personally, I like to name my
mo and adopt a fitting persona. This year I've named it The Errol, after Errol
Flynn, whom some say I resemble.
I have to admit, I feel like I walk around with a certain air of Old Hollywood
pizzazz and sophistication now that The Errol has graced my upper lip. Not to
mention, every major city in the U.S. holds an end of Movember party. Hope to
see many of you at the SD gala.
These tips are tried and proven, and great to keep in mind
during your Movember efforts. But there are other Movember related problems
that will arise…such as how to deal with the throngs of women infatuated with
your Crumb Catcher. I don’t have a tip for that, but I imagine you’ll figure
out a good solution. And to my mustache’s biggest fan: Sorry, but this thing is
gone when the calendar flips to December, Mom.
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