How to Raise College Cash Thru Your Social Networks

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By scholarlead
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (11 Ratings)

Raise College Cash

You've been accepted to the college of your choice. Your dorm room is set, you've started packing your gear. Then it happens - you get a letter requesting a deposit of $$$ due in just a few weeks. Uh Oh, now what?? Here's how you can raise some quick cash using your own social networks.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Facebook Site
PayPal account
Lots of Friends

Step 1

Facebook Causes

Locate the Cause Page on Facebook
Go to your Facebook page
Type the word "Causes" in the Search Facebook field
Select the first icon - Causes
Step 2

Short on Cash

Create a Cause on Facebook
Mouse over the "Find Causes" title and select "Start A Cause". Create a name and a mission for your cause. BE HONEST - let people know that you're raising funds for your short-term financial goal of _____(education).

Add at least 2 positions. One position should discuss why you need the cash. Another position should discuss how helping you will benefit others. Don't forget to put a link to your other websites.

Post a picture that represents your need. Perhaps it's a picture of the school, of the type of degree you're pursuing, or one that describes your situation. Use your own images whenever possible.
Step 3

Cause Page

Complete the Cause page.
Select a category and sub category that fits your situation. It could be Education:Service, or Human Services:Youth Development. Be sure to put in the region your Cause will effect. Include country, state, metro area, city. Don't forget to put in a description of your Cause; the amount you need to raise and the amount of time you have.

DO NOT select a beneficiary because you are not a non-profit organization. Click on "Causes Account" and you should see your new cause listed.
Step 4

Accept help from your friends through your PayPal account.
Log into your Paypal account. Type "Buy Button" in the Paypal search field. Select the appropriate button from the "Buttons" list. Options are "Buy Now", "Subscribe", "Donate", "Add to Cart".

Create a PayPal payment button by following the steps given on the site. When complete, select "Create Button" to get the code. You will have 2 options for code - Website and Email. Select Email so that you can send the link to your friends. Be sure to copy and past the code in a separate Word document so that you will have it for the future.
Step 5

Paste the PayPal Email Button Code on your Cause site.
Create your welcome message and include your new PayPal Email Button Code as a link. Your friends can use this link to help you meet your short-term financial need. Post a message on your Cause's Announcements and Discussion Board and include the PayPal link there too.
Step 6

Thank You So Much!

Invite your friends to help you.
Facebook allows you to invite people to join your Cause, so invite them. All you have to do is link your Cause to your email address by following the directions given. You can feature you new Cause on your Facebook profile by selecting that option. You can add this Cause to your MySpace page too.

Keep your friends updated with news about your fund raising effort. Send out announcements, invitations to join, and THANK YOU's at least every two days. Don't forget to delete your Cause when you've reached your goal.