GoFundMe Fundraiser Tips

5 Tips for Choosing Your Fundraiser Image

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And the same is true of your fundraiser image.

Photos can help to tell your story, spark compassion, and inspire action. Adding compelling photos to your fundraiser page is a great way to attract potential donors and lead to successful fundraising.

When it comes to creating a fundraiser flyer or a fundraising poster, most people know that choosing the right images is important. The same is true for your crowdfunding page.

Whether your GoFundMe page is posted on social media or sent via WhatsApp, an image is the first thing potential supporters will see. So, catching their attention and making them understand why your cause matters is crucial.

We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you select photos that will help your GoFundMe reach its fundraising goal.

Here are 5 tips for selecting photos for your fundraiser

Choosing the right photos to illustrate your story is an effective fundraising strategy. Photos can make or break your fundraiser, so be sure to choose wisely using our tips below:

1. Choose clear, compelling photos

Clear, focused, and well-lit pictures are crucial when building a successful fundraiser. They help inspire an instant connection with your audience and build trust. No one likes grainy, poor-quality images.

Consider these additional tips for high-quality photos:

  • The recommended main image size is 600 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall.
  • You don’t need a professional photographer to achieve this, however. A photo taken on a smartphone should be sufficient.

2. Pick photos that inspire an emotional connection

Whether you’re fundraising for yourself, someone you know, or a nonprofit, it’s beneficial to choose photos that will connect with others and get them to care about your cause.

Make sure your featured image clearly shows who you’re raising funds for. Your main fundraiser photo should give an instant sense of your story.

  • We know it’s difficult to be vulnerable, especially when asking for help, but sharing honest and real pictures can help potential donors connect and empathize with your story.
  • Things to look for when choosing photos that will form an emotional connection: people helping one another, an individual looking into the camera, kind and open facial expressions, and individuals carrying out actions linked to your cause.
  • It may be that you’re raising money for an inherently emotional life event like a medical emergency. In these cases, we recommend including a photo of the beneficiary doing something they love as the main photo, as well as photos that show their current state, like them in a hospital bed–those can be added in the story.

3. Add multiple photos to your fundraiser

What’s better than one photo? Lots of photos.

You can add multiple photos to your GoFundMe fundraising page to build a connection.

Photos can be used in your fundraiser updates to better tell your story and keep donors informed. Sharing updates is a great way to inspire donors as your fundraiser gains traction. If you’re halfway, try posting a photo holding a thank-you sign for your donors. If you’re fundraising for a specific event, post photos of the moments.

For tips on how to add photos, check out this help center article.

4. Ensure your images are appropriate and compliant

Unfortunately, you can’t just choose any photo you like from the internet and put it on your fundraiser. You need to either own the photo or gain permission from the owner, whether that’s a friend or a professional photographer.

  • If you’d like to use photos, videos, or music that you don’t own, you must get permission first.
  • If you want to use stock photos, you can search Flickr’s Creative Commons database for royalty-free images. Other stock image providers may charge a small fee, but check pricing information on each website.
  • It’s good practice to only use photos where you also have permission from those featured. For this reason, it’s probably easier to avoid images of large groups of people.
  • Make sure any images you use are family-friendly. Photos should be appropriate and compliant with GoFundMe’s Terms & Conditions.
  • While it might be tempting to use AI-generated images, authentic images of real people and situations help build trust for your fundraiser.

5. It’s ok to change your photo

If you find another photo that better represents what you are fundraising for, you can always change it. Keep in mind that changing your main fundraiser photo too often may confuse donors who might be coming back to your fundraiser.

If you have multiple photos you wish to highlight, consider adding them to your fundraiser updates.

Choose a fundraiser photo for your cause and start fundraising

Now that you’ve learned about what to keep in mind when choosing your fundraiser photo, it’s time to start.

Whether you’re hosting a fundraising event or an online fundraiser, photos can make the difference between receiving support and donations. GoFundMe has helped raise more than $30 billion with 150 million donors, so we know a thing or two about what makes a successful fundraiser—and images are key.

For help uploading photos to your GoFundMe, check out this help center article.

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