Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit

sheryl, washington dc, on 25 Jun 2008

Honestly, I think $15 for a bumper sticker is really expensive, especially for people who are on vacation and may have limited funds. You might sell more of them for $5, which means you’ll have to sell A LOT of them to reach your goal.

s.

asuka, on 25 Jun 2008

I think it costed the person $5 to make it.

Sylvia, on 25 Jun 2008

What about changing the wording? Instead of the “we’re selling stickers” approach, you said something like “donate at least [dollar amount] to conserving the Mara and receive a sticker”. That way, what you’re ’selling’ is the conservation of the Mara, and hey, you also get this cool sticker! It might somehow have more appeal that way.
Good luck with this, and please let us know how it turns out.
Best regards,
Sylvia

asuka, on 25 Jun 2008

The stickers are not sold at the lodges, I dont think they will agree to sell them. This is what the poster says. Maybe I should change the wording to what Sylvia suggested.

Your Sticker Purchase Will Support Our Anti-poaching Patrols!
Post-election violence in Kenya resulted in a 80%
decline in tourism from the beginning of January to the present day. Our work is now threatened as a direct result of the collapse of tourism. Currently most of our ranger’s salaries and anti-poaching patrols are funded by donation and this will continue until tourism returns.

Help us protect the precious wildlife in Mara
by supporting our anti-poaching patrols!

————-

Jim from Mass USA, on 26 Jun 2008

I say, “Ask why?” … engage the tourists in conversation and ask them why the will not buy/donate (the suits call this a market survey) … you might visit a camp/lodge and engage in a discussion about the stickers (the suits call this a focus group) … based on this feedback, revise your signage and approach to appeal to the tourists … the tourists may be tired of people with their hands outstretched so it must be done with pride intact (can’t be viewed as begging)… perhaps include some small but unique souvenir … hope this helps … :-}

Jim from Mass USA, on 26 Jun 2008

The only other thing I can think of is to make a special track with very unique views and charge a premium to go to this unique place … you are asking tourists who DO show up to pay a penality for those who DID NOT show up … you have to think like a tourist, not a conservationist, and understand their wants, needs and desires and figure out what incentive you need to offer to get them to cooperate … perhaps consult a used car salesman!

William, on 26 Jun 2008

The price is way too high. I suggest we put a box at the gate and accept a donation size of their choice for the sticker. Some guests won’t give much, others may give more, but it should balance out to a fair price overall. The stickers themselves were also a donation to us so we shouldn’t worry too much about the mark up price or the cost of making. It’s great publicity for us anyway if they start appearing on cars around Kenya as the website address is there on the actual stickers.

Jim from Mass USA, on 26 Jun 2008

Paula and William have more experience, so they probably know best … thank you for listening … I didn’t mean to be critical, just to help anyway I could … :-}

Jim from Mass USA, on 27 Jun 2008

I had one other idea a lot of charities use … you could create an “Honor Roll” on the Mara Triangle blog page and list who buys a sticker for all the world to see … if they pay $15 or more, they are listed as a Gold contributor, $10-$14 a Silver and $5-$9 a Bronze and less than $5, honorable mention … the blog programmers would have to say if you can do such a thing … and you’d have to spell their names correctly … just an idea.

Robin Andreae, on 08 Jul 2008

Sorry about posting so late. I’m kind of playing catch-up.
I like the idea of saying that the sticker is a bonus or gift for your doantion of $15.00 or more. Maybe you should put in future plans, like the roan antelope reintroduction and immediate goals. I know that from past fund raisers, people respond better to positives and knowing what their contribution will help acomplish.
Also a lesson learned from my GreenPeace days find a cute animal poster child (harp seals). It works wonders. maybe some photos of roan antelopes would work?
Just some thoughts. Good Luck with your sales.

Jo Anne Jewell, on 14 Jul 2008

Hi Asuka, as an old Fundraiser, I think the ideas that have been presented are great. If nothing else leave out the words (buy, purchase etc). Dana and I are going to hopefully have Joseph do a talk at Kichwa, if all goes well, I will also ask if I can do a little fundraising after the talk I am really good at that so keep your fingers crossed my be able to sell a few.

Mel, on 25 Jul 2008

I think it’s all in the language used. The bumper sticker is not actually for sale for $15.00. However, there is a $15.00 donation to preserve the Mara and the bumper sticker is a free token of thanks.