The #1 Reason People Fail at funding dreams

On April 27, 2011, 212 tornadoes ripped through Alabama, tearing the state apart. The damage was disturbing. One of the places affected was my hometown of Pleasant Grove. The street where I grew up was turned inside out. I later learned that the twister was an F-5, the biggest possible.

I said to myself, “I have to do what I can.” So, I set a goal of raising $10,000.

With the help of a lot of people cooler and smarter than me, we raised $203,000 in a few weeks. The support was overwhelming. Fantastic things happened through some really amazing people. And I learned something that changed me: I can make a difference! Me, a redneck from Alabama.

I also learned that money can make the difference.

Money can fuel the aid that needs to be provided after a tragedy. But money isn’t just for tragedies or disasters. Money is used to start businesses, save enslaved children, kick-start albums, and pay for your dinner. Money is a big deal.

After I raised over $203,000 in a matter of weeks, I stopped and asked myself: “What just happened?

What part of my method made it possible for me to raise this much money?”

My answer that day didn’t reveal to me that I had cracked a code for raising money. However, after it happened time and time again, I noticed that the steps were the same. As long as I kept repeating them, they worked.

Around this same time, I also started noticing failed attempts to raise money. I saw people begging for money through mass emails, Facebook, and Kickstarter projects. I watched as they struggled to get the money they needed.

Why was I successful at funding dreams when others were not?

The truth is, more people fail at raising money than succeed.

And there’s a reason for that:

The #1 reason people fail at raising money is that raising money is hard.

I’m a genius, right? I know that isn’t a monumental realization for you, but it’s vital to keep in mind. Raising money is hard.

But what if I told you there’s a code to raising money?  What if it was as simple as 5 steps?

It is.  October 21, 2014 you’ll find out how but say tuned.

Casey Graham is the CEO and founder of The Rocket Company. His book, Fundraising Rocket, can be found online and Amazon.com and TheRocketCompany.com/fundraisingrocket.