Swimmers Helping Swimmers, Supporting Each Other
Have you ever wanted to do a charity swim or attempt an unprecedented swim somewhere exotic around the world? Have you thought of a solo swim that draws attention to your favorite cause or charitable organization? Have you wished to attempt a swim, but simply faced a limitation of funds and given up your dream? Have you thought of a relay idea, but just gave up because you lacked money, connections, and logistical support?
Do not give up those dreams.
The global open water swimming world is a generously supportive community of like-minded individuals. Swimmers are nearly always helpful to each other: kayaking and paddling for each other, buddy swimming with each other, serving as support crew and pace swimmers. Swimmers help each other create websites and logos. Swimmers give each other business leads and job opportunities. Swimmers lend each other goggles, Vaseline, kayaks, gel packs, and towels without question. Swimmers donate money to various causes, proving themselves selfless, humble, compassionate individuals.
Swimmers can now ask each other for help of various kinds: financial, operational, and logistical. If money is an issue, swimmers can now ask the global community for their help. $5 here, £5 there. ¥100 from Japan, €10 from Germany. Every little bit can help.
Now imagine if thousands of swimmers each help each other? Imagine if you donate $5 or £5 or ¥500 or €5 to a deserving swimmer…and thousands of other swimmers do the same? Imagine how many more swims can be attempted. Imagine how many more dreams can be realized. Imagine how the community can grow and develop with a collaborative global mindset.
Support A Swimmer is a community-based support mechanism will enable swimmers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to go after their goals with the help of the global open water swimming community. Support A Swimmer operates on the concept of crowdfunding. Crowdfunding enables swimmers to raise money from those connected through the Internet who may not know about your funding needs and dreams. Inform them of your goals and ask them to help in a socially acceptable manner.
Movies, artists, and start-up companies are raising capital through crowdfunding. These crowdfunding platforms for producers, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs are growing in popularity and efficacy. The types of projects that are funded by the global community is mind-boggling and hints at the potential in the open water swimming world. If you are shy and hesitate at asking people for money, then crowdfunding through Support A Swimmer is for you. If you do not have a wide network of well-heeled friends or family, then crowdfunding through Support A Swimmer may be just your ticket. If your charity swim can strike a cord among swimmers around the world, then crowdfunding may be able to kick start your dream swim. If you desire global buzz for your swim, then start with the knowledgeable open water swimming community with Support A Swimmer and go from there.
Unlike demanding investors in entrepreneurial ventures, other open water swimmers understand the inherent risks of open water swims whether it is a charity swim in a familiar lake or an unprecedented channel swim. Their wishes are to enable you to get to the starting line. Their knowledge of the sport and their passion for the open water are exactly the kind of support that is great to build a great foundation.
Crowdfunding in the business and artistic realms include Kickstarter (5% fees if you meet your financial goals plus payment processing fees), Indiegogo (4% fees if your goals are met, 9% fees if your goals are not met plus payment processing fees), RocketHub (4% fees if you meet your goals, 8% if you do not plus payment processing fees), Fundable ($99 per month during active campaigns plus payment processing fees), and Crowdfunder (5% if you meet your goals plus payment processing fees).
Support A Swimmer does not charge a fee. 100% of the proceeds go directly from the global community to the swimmers or their causes.
But like many things in business, school and life, positioning your dream swim to be attractive to donors requires some creativity. Swimmers who successfully raise money usually create a funny or innovative video, blog or website where they present themselves confidently and convincingly. They want to see your smiling face and support a swimmer with a positive message and demeanor. They want to understand the financial needs of your swim or the charitable cause where the funds will go. Provide as many details as possible (e.g., escort boat costs, travel costs, training demands, equipment needs).
For more information and to start your campaign, visit Support A Swimmer here.
Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming