Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance that basically involves funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people. It allows entrepreneurs raise capital without giving up too much equity. It has over the years become an effective alternative for raising funds for business ideas. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 9 things entrepreneurs should know about crowdfunding to take full advantage of it.

Plan

It is difficult to plan a crowdfunding campaign because you don’t know what to expect and can hardly predict the kind of reaction your campaign might get. Your campaign may or may not go viral but either way, you should be prepared to handle possible press attention and to respond to your growing community. You should be able to manage things immediately as they come up.

Choose the Right Platform

Spend time researching on the different internet-mediated registries or online platforms for crowdfunding, and choose the one that is right for you. Choose a site that fits your project and the industry you are in.

Pay Attention to the Deal

You should pay attention to the details of the terms of the platform, the percentage the platform takes and when you get the money. This is to avoid nasty surprises down the road. Pay attention to the deal of your crowdfunding platform and find the one you are comfortable with.

Think About Your Messaging

It is easier to raise money for an idea that touches a lot of people whether or not the venture is for-profit or not-for-profit. Consider the message of your campaign and think of how you can make it relevant to as many people in your target group as possible.

Learn from Others

Check out and analyze other successful crowdfunding campaigns to see and understand what worked for them and how you can apply it to your campaign. However, you should be realistic about how much of what you learn from these campaigns you can apply to yours, considering your resources. Adapt ideas in a way that fit your budget, target group and brand.

Be Prepared to Tell Your Story (Be Transparent)

You need to be authentic with your campaign and be as transparent as possible. Without these, people are less likely to respond positively to your campaign, they’ll remain skeptical and unbelieving. Be as communicative, engaging and as open with your community as possible, let them know as much as they want to know and have as much evidence as they need to believe your campaign.

Get Early Adopters

Get friends, family and people you know to invest right away. This is because people are more likely to invest when they see others investing and people tend to trust a campaign when it seems to be doing well. Investors are also likely to develop an interest to invest when they see your campaign is something the public/community are interested in and responding positively to.

Have a Strategy for Marketing

You need a consistent and persistent marketing plan that will help you reach far beyond your circles – asking two or three friends to help you repost or share your campaign isn’t enough. Research and figure out where to find the people in your target community and create eye-grabbing, heart-grabbing and convincing social media posts and ads to grab their attention, generate interest and incite a positive response to your campaign.

You can also create genuine relationships with influencers and reach out to as many of them as you can to support your cause and help you get the word out.

Crowdfunding Can Fail Very Easily

You should be prepared for this reality. You need to know when to crowdfund and when to approach other resources. Not all businesses are suited for crowdfunding. However, once you have considered these and work towards the proper execution of your crowdfunding campaign, its chances of failure are reduced.

By Damilola Ojo
PR Associate Jumia Travel
08101556883

Topic: Decision [Saturday April 1, 2017]

…Thou art…my might… the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power; unstable a water, thou shalt not excel… – Genesis 49:3-4

Excellence in life results from decision.

Indecision is the cause of instability and mediocrity. Genesis 49:3-4

Indecision makes one lose his place in destiny.  Reuben was Jacob’s first born but because of his instability, he did not excel in life.

The brother of the prodigal son remained stagnated and insignificant as a result of instability. Luke.15:27-30.

Make right decisions and take great stePsalm

No area or season of life is void of risk.

Dare your fears if you want to gain new grounds.

The raw material for decision is information.

When your information is adequate, your decision will ever be strong.

Make a decision today, and take steps unto higher grounds.

Topic: Quick to Forgive [Saturday April 1, 2017]

And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted…forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32

The Bible teaches us to forgive “readily and freely.” That is God’s standard for us, no matter how we feel about it. We are to be quick to forgive.

According to 1 Peter 5:5, we can clothe ourselves with the character of Jesus Christ, meaning that we can choose to be long-suffering, patient, not easily offended, slow to anger, quick to forgive, and filled with mercy. My definition of “mercy” is to look beyond what is done to me that hurts and discover the reason why it was done. Many times people do things even they don’t understand themselves, but there is always a reason why people behave as they do. Perhaps they are hurting and in their own pain they don’t even realize they are hurting someone else.

God forgives! We are to be merciful and forgiving, just as God in Christ forgives us our wrongdoing. He not only sees what we do that is wrong, but He understands why we did it, and is merciful and long-suffering. The choice to forgive others is ours. God will not force anyone to do it. Even if you don’t understand it, believe that God’s way is the best. It works. He can take what Satan meant to destroy you and turn it for your good.

We are to forgive in order to keep Satan from getting the advantage over us.

Topic: The Healing Name [Saturday 1, April 2017]

Memorise: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; – Mark 16:17

Read: Acts 3:1-9 (KJV)

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 1-3, Jeremiah 5:18-6:5

MESSAGE:

There are many great things the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ can do in our lives, one of which is healing. It is unfortunate that many believers today, like Gehazi of old, prefer financial and material gains to the power in the Name of Jesus. They trade the precious Name of Jesus Christ for the ephemeral things of life. It is also highly regrettable that this divinely exalted Name, which God the Father gave to His Son, is being despised by many today. Philippians 2:9-10 says this about the Name:

“9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”

Here’s good news for you: every kind of sickness in this world is included among the things that bow at the mention of the Name of Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading shows us one of the reasons why we need to give pre-eminence to the Name of Jesus Christ. Peter and John, two of the Lord’s apostles, were entering the temple at the hour of prayer, and a lame man (who was born lame) looked up to them for alms. Although they had no money, but because they knew and cherished the Name, they used its healing power to give what money could not buy to this man. In Acts 3:6b, Peter said:

“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

The result of this effective use of the Healing Name is that a lame man, who never walked all his life, began to walk and to leap! I therefore command every storm raging in your life to be still in Jesus’ Name. Have doctors written off your case? I command that sickness to leave you alone right now in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ.

Beloved of God, I am introducing the Healing Name to you today, and that Name is Jesus. If you have not encountered the owner of that Name, may I introduce Him to you as the Saviour of the spirit, soul and body. Through His Name, He can deliver your ailing body from the grip of any terminal disease. All you need to do is to accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. Believe He can heal you, and He will surely heal you by His Name.

Prayer Point: Jesus the Healer, I believe in Your Healing Name; please have mercy on me and heal me today through Your Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

If you feel as if your spouse (or potential spouse) may not be behaving as he or she should, one thing to do is to consider your own attitude and approach to them. The truth is that how you conduct yourself may be the reason for their negative behaviour. It’s not always the case but sometimes it may be. Speaking to wives in 1 Peter 3:1, if we want to trigger change in our husbands, we’re told that our godly lives (words and actions) has what it takes to provoke that change. This can apply both ways – whether it’s the husband or wife.

If you notice, it doesn’t say anything about prayer in that Scripture. Of course prayer is 100% important but there is a time or place for prayer and there is a time or place for behaving rightly. It’s true that people pray so much to see change in their spouse or in their home but those same people cancel the prayer by their words and conduct. I have personally met husbands and wives, who sit down, receive counseling, pray and even fast for change but when they are talking to, or about their spouses, their words should never ever be repeated. God cannot work that way because the two go hand in hand. You can’t pray one minute then do as you please based on your feelings, the next minute. If you want to get the right results, you do what must be done!

Whatever you do, don’t shift blame; take responsibility for your own conduct that may cause negative reactions from your spouse or sometimes your children. For example, the Scriptures admonish us not to provoke one another (Galatians 5:26). It’s foolishness to insult and treat your spouse like they have no value and expect them not to react. That’s human nature and many of us are still working on allowing the fruit of the spirit to dwell in us. If you as a Christian know better, do better.

Don’t be the cause of strife and refuse to accept responsibility. Stop speaking without thinking and stop being the troubler of your home. Stop saying that is how you are and focus on how you should behave as a Christian. Do what is required of you to maintain peace. Again – when you know better, do better. God will only help those who accept responsibility and are willing to do what is right. Don’t watch your relationship and family crumble because of your refusal to do the needful. Be wise.

You must have Christ in your life if you must accept responsibility in making your marriage what God intends it to be. This simply means that you must be born again and you can only do so by having a personal relationship with Him. You can do this by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. That way, you will be saved. If you are ready to be saved, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I can’t help myself. Forgive me of my sins. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me. Now, I know I am born again.”

Congratulations! I am so excited for you and look forward to your testimonies. Till I come your way next time, please call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected] and [email protected], Tel: 08141320204; 07026385437. For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Single with a Difference, Building a Successful Family, Making Marriage Work and Marriage Covenant.

Remain ever blessed!

Today’s Scripture: “Set your mind and heart to seek (inquire of and require as your vital necessity) the Lord your God…” – (1 Chronicles 22:19, AMPC)

Topic: A Vital Necessity [Friday March 31, 2017]

What things do you consider to be a vital necessity in your life? What can’t you live without? Most people might immediately think of food, water and shelter. Yes, you need those things to exist, but we can’t really live unless our minds and hearts are set on seeking the Lord. Sure, you can exist without Him, but what would be the point? Besides, you are called to more than just mere existence; you are called to live — to thrive — to enjoy your life abundantly!

Today and everyday, set your mind and heart on seeking the Lord! Write down your favorite scriptures and commit them to memory. Whenever you can, think about those verses. Meditate on God and His infinite love. When you require the Lord as a vital necessity, you will truly live and enjoy the abundant life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, today I choose to set my mind on You. I seek You with my whole heart. Show me Your love and character today. Show me Your ways that I may walk and live close to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Topic: How to Partake of Other People’s Blessings [Friday March 31, 2017]

What you don’t admire you cannot attract.

If you are angry with the good things happening in the lives of others you are simply repelling similar blessings from your life.

And he (brother of the prodigal son) was angry, and would not go in. Luke. 15:28

You are too small to determine who is blessed, when and how he is blessed. Your opinion is uncalled for.

God is the one who lifts up one and casts down the other. 1 Samuel 2:7.

All good and perfect gifts come from God. James 1:17.

Just rejoice with whosoever is blessed now because it is his turn.

Admiring God’s blessing upon others is what makes it your turn to be blessed also!