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06-08-13, 10:37 AM | |
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: California
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Latest instructor fundraising fad: Margaret Richards, BJ Gaddour
Has anyone else been disturbed by the latest fitness instructor fundraising fad using Indiegogo? Apparently it's an online donation program that may reward donors with gimmicky gifts.
I got emails from BJ Gaddour and Margaret Richards this past week. Margaret Richards is trying to raise $15,000 by pre-selling a breast cancer survivor's workout DVD through this venue and she's donating part of the proceeds to a cancer survivor's network. BJ Gaddour is trying to raise $100,000 to upgrade his online streaming video platform by selling a rubber wristband for $15, a downloadable workout for $25, or a T-shirt for $50. I'm a little concerned that commercial fitness instructors have gotten away from direct presales to fund their projects or using traditional fundraising venues like venture capitalists who have ownership in the project. Is this a popular way to raise funds these days? Are grade school soccer teams and Girl Scouts going this route too? I remember my daughter selling Poinsettias, grapefruits and such to support her high school trip to Honduras. The fundraising actually taught the kids marketing skills that helped them set up tooth-brushing campaigns or recycling programs when they were in-country. What do you guys think?
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Dawn P. |
06-08-13, 10:52 AM | |
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Maryland
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Yup, Indiegogo and Kickstarter are becoming popular ways of "crowdfunding" projects. The idea is that if enough people want something to be made, like a new gadget or film about a certain topic, you can kind of vote with your dollars to (help) make it happen. The app Zombies, Run got crowdfunded this way.
Beth Chamberlin tried to raise money to make another kettlebell DVD through Indiegogo. It failed, but according to her site, everyone who sent money got a refund. Where things get dicey is if a project does meet the fundraising goal. There's no guarantee it will be made in a certain timeframe after that. It's like you're an investor rather than a buyer.
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Move your body often, sometimes hard. Every bit counts. Drop Two Sizes, Fit Body Blueprint, STRONG Eat. Lift. Thrive. and Revamp grad DISCLOSURE: I have a professional relationship with a seller or producer of fitness videos or products. For details, please see my profile. |
06-09-13, 06:04 PM | |
Join Date: Dec 2002
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I know nothing of Margaret's cancer DVD. I have bought her new two workout vintage DVD as part of a presale. I hope she gets enough people interested because I want it badly.
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"Think for yourself, or others will think for you without thinking of you." Henry David Thoreau |
06-09-13, 07:26 PM | ||
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
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Quote:
I don't like the sounds of the Indigogo campaign to help someone sell crap to so they can upgrade their website. I feel like that's using people in a way. Sell a legitimate product and run your business so that you can afford to do your own upgrades, you know? |
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06-09-13, 07:38 PM | |
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Baltimore, MD
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I've helped fund two Book Riot books through Kickstarter and have been happy to be a part of the process. These books never would have gotten funding to be published and they were(are) topics I was interested in so the whole process was a win-win for me. I get the book(s) I'm interested in, they get the money to write the book I'm interested in.
Both times they used Amazon Payments to process payments so I never felt like my information wasn't secure. My card wasn't charged until they reached their funding goal, so no goal met, no money charged to me.
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~Pippa Disclosure: I use to work for The Bar Method. |
06-09-13, 07:43 PM | ||
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Madison, WI, USA
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Quote:
I worked with a student employee that was selling cookie dough for a trip to Washington for a conference. The conference sounded like a great opportunity. The cookie dough was over $10. She would only get a few dollars from each sale to help offset her trip. I just donated $15. A couple of other employees did the same thing. No employee bought the cookie dough. I "donated" money to Jessica Smith. I really like her workouts. The money is going to make more workouts. Jessica seems to be releasing workouts at a faster pace now. |
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06-09-13, 07:52 PM | ||
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Maryland
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I'd have to be a really, really, REALLY big fan of someone to give what pretty much amounts to a donation. It's hard for me to think of something I'd want to be made that badly. Maybe a sequel to Walk It Out - if they offered a perk like a Walk It Out T-shirt, I might bite.
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Move your body often, sometimes hard. Every bit counts. Drop Two Sizes, Fit Body Blueprint, STRONG Eat. Lift. Thrive. and Revamp grad DISCLOSURE: I have a professional relationship with a seller or producer of fitness videos or products. For details, please see my profile. |
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bj gaddour, margaret richard |
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