Start with the people in the room
A local campaign is funded by people who have already spent money with you. Before any social post, tell your regulars — at the counter, on a card in the bag, in the email list you have been collecting.
Every Pledzy campaign has a share kit with a printable QR code. Put it where people pay.
Channels worth the effort
- Your own email list — the single highest-converting channel for local raises.
- A sign and QR code at the register, on the door and on the receipt.
- Neighborhood Facebook groups and local subreddits, posting as a person, not a brand.
- The local paper, neighborhood newsletter or radio spot — they want the story.
- Nearby businesses who will put your card on their counter if you put theirs on yours.
The rhythm of a campaign
- 1Day one: the warm list
Personal messages, not a broadcast. You want visible pledges on the page before strangers arrive.
- 2Week one: the public push
Press, groups, signs, partners. This is when most of the money arrives.
- 3The middle: updates
One update a week with a photo. Progress, a thank-you, something new you can offer.
- 4Final 72 hours: the deadline ask
The second biggest day of most campaigns is the last one. Say clearly that time is running out.
Common questions
Should I pay for ads?
Usually not for a local raise. The money converts far better spent on making the rewards good and getting in front of your own customers.
How often should I post updates?
Weekly during the campaign. Updates go to everyone following the campaign and bring back people who hesitated.
Keep reading
Why the opening two days decide the shape of a campaign, and exactly what to do in them.
The structure of a campaign page that converts: the first two sentences, the money breakdown, photos that build trust, and the updates that keep a campaign alive.