actblue

[Update: We're up to $335! You've responded amazingly. Can we get to $500? Just another $165. We can do it! If you can swing it, send Hagan $25 right now via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.]

[Originally posted at Senate Guru.]

Just switched over all the technology of the website under a program of the DLCC. Nice thing is, although ActBlue does not normally support NC House candidates, they can through the DLCC.

So, if you have an ActBlue fundraising page (you do, right???) please add the Ed Ridpath campaign to it.

http://actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/14608

Today ActBlue marks its 3rd Anniversary. Seriously, 3 years? I know- time flies.

Back in 2004, our founders Matt DeBergalis and Benjamin Rahn thought they could build something that would change Democratic fundraising- making it, well, more democratic. The two of them, living off of savings and limited investment, set out to build a platform that would end up changing our Party. Working out of their homes, they built the first generation of ActBlue.

From the ActBlue Blog...

Fundraising pages are the most important component of ActBlue: the vast majority of visitors to the site arrive directly on a fundraising page because a friend, an organization, or a campaign has channeled them there.  We pride ourselves on these pages' simplicity: donors can show up, immediately understand what's going on, and contribute with no distracting bells and whistles. 

But we harbor a dirty secret (or, not-so-secret if you've been with us a while).

Over the past three years, $22 million raised, and 200,000+ donors, these pages haven't actually changed all that much.  For a bit of nostalgia, check out the DailyKos dozen page as it looked back at the end of 2004 (compare to the same page with today's look).  Yeah, the site framework has changed a little, but the makeup of the fundraising pages is remarkably similar.

Next week, all that is about to change.

We are proud to announce that the Marshall Adame for Congress is now able to accept online donations through ActBlue.

Thanks to Blue South for quickly adding the campaign to his ActBlue Page.

cross-posted from the new ActBlue Blog

On Monday I posted a tip for spicing up ActBlue fundraising pages by embedding video into 'asks'. This is a very powerful fundraising tactic--especially when the asker and audience have an existing relationship.

Over at Calitics, a great community blog in California, they've taken that suggestion and run with it. I've included a screenshot of their pitch to the right (click on it to view a bigger version in a new window). Besides the video, Calitics’ blogger Brian uses several of the principles of fundraising to make a really compelling plea for his candidates.  Some of the successful elements they have included:

cross-posted at Daily Kos and MyDD

With as many friends as ActBlue has in the Democratic blogging community, it's about time we joined the party with a blog of our own. So today we are launching our official ActBlue Blog where we look forward to bringing our donors, candidates, campaigns, fundraisiers, and bloggers interesting resources, analysis, tips, and other information to more effectively raise funds to elect Democrats!

Here's just a sampling of things you can expect to see-

• Case Studies on some of the most creative ways ActBlue has been used
• Analysis on how and why people donate
• State Reports that highlight successful state level campaigns
• Tips & Tricks about ways to use ActBlue you may not have known about
• Page of the Week where we will highlight our favorite fundraising strategies
• Monthly ActBlue Zeitgeist to explore trends, patterns, and other cool stuff
• Major Series where we will explore how we are most relevant to your efforts in fundraising

Remember the gutsy move I told you about? In my diary from yesterday I told you how Larry Kissell had prepaid radio and television spots, leaving only $88.94 in the bank.

Well, today I get an email that made me smile. Apparently folks at DKos, MyDD and/or BlueNC have started donating through ActBlue in the amount of $88.94. Isn't that friggin' awesome?

Here's an idea of how far that money will go. Larry can buy 10 radio spots for that donation in his market. Two donations of that amount will buy one spot on television during the evening news.

So, who's in? Who wants to pitch in for 10 radio spots or half of a television spot?