As requested by lexin , here's my tips on how to collect:

1.  You have to like people.  Think of every person you are collecting from as someone who is potentially going to give money to your cause.  Think of them before you approach them as being likeable people.  It goes without saying that you should approach everyone regardless of race, age, disability, etc.  (you get a let out for drunks, but that's all)

2.  Go slowly.  This is a classic mistake.  Too many people rush round and miss everything.  Why do you need to go slowly?  See below.

3.  Make eye contact.  Pause.  Smile.  Hold out the tin.  Look hopeful.  Make sure that the label on the tin is clearly visible, so that there is no doubt as to what you are collecting for.  You should also be wearing a badge that identifies you as an official collector.  (If you're in kit with a morris team, then this qualifies)

4.  Take your time.  Chat to people, joke with them.  If they're interested, tell them about what you're collecting for and know your facts.  I often get asked what the money in the festival collecting tin is used for, and I will try and focus on the parts of the budget that are most relevant to the person asking.  eg.  If I'm collecting in the Cornmarket from people who are watching the Appalachian dancing, then I can tell them that the money helps pay for the staging and sound system in the Cornmarket.  I'll tell people a brief bit about where the dances come from, where the dancers come from, anything else they're interested in.  (I don't give people the spiel unless they ask, but quite a few do ask.)

5. Don't forget the people at the back.  The average collector goes round the front of the crowd.  The good collector makes eye contact with every individual including the people right at the back, and often goes through the crowd rather than around it.

6.  Watch the body language.  Time and again I see someone with a tin walk past as a gentleman puts his hand towards his trouser pocket, or an old lady reaches for her handbag.  These people wanted to give, but the collector never noticed.  Take your time.  Wait.  Chat to the old lady burrowing in her bag.  Don't let her feel embarrassed about being slow.  Make her feel that you appreciate her being willing to make the effort.  Be willing to hold ice creams, small children, anything that is stopping people being able to reach their money.

7.  Always say thank you, no matter how small the amount.  3p may be all that particular person had in change, it may be all that a slightly pissed drunk put in for a laugh.  Doesn't matter; they have donated, so you thank them.  You are representing the organisation you are collecting for.   A sincere 'thank you' to a small donation may also have the side effect of often triggering donations from people standing close by.

8.  Never assume that people in wheelchairs won't have money.  (I know some people feel a bit guilty about asking the disabled for cash)  I tend to regard it as insulting not to ask them. 

9.  Small children love to put money in tins.  Relax.  You're going to get lots of pennies put in very slowly.  Enjoy the moment and help them enjoy it too.

10.  If you're at a festival or anything like that, remember that you're part of the entertainment.  Dress the part.  If you look really good, people will cross the road to put money in your tin.

11.  Don't rattle the tin - unless you're doing it in time to music.  Some people get annoyed by it.

12.  If you're going round the same crowd several times, be aware of turnover.  There will be more new people coming in, but also some people staying a long time.  If you see people who have recently put money in, then nod and smile at them in recognition of the fact that they've already put something.  If you do this well, they'll put something in again on the third or forth pass as they appreciate the fact that you haven't been hassling them.  Do NOT assume there are no new people coming in.  It's perfectly acceptable to go around now and then asking casually "Any new faces?  Anyone I haven't already asked?"  Lean to judge the rate of turnover so that you don't go around too often or too rarely.  If there are a small number of people and turnover is small, chat to people and see if they're interest in the history/ whatever of what you're doing.  Regard it as an educational opportunity as well as fund-raising.

13.  Never hassle anyone.  If someone says that they've already given, then thank them and move on.  (there are exceptions to this rule, but they take skill and an ability to read people - the key exception is this, If you can make someone laugh, then they will donate multiple times)

14.  Making people laugh.  This is for the experts.  If you can clown, dance to the music, use a glove puppet, flash your frilly knickerbockers, have elastic arms that can hold tins in strange ways/directions, collect money in your skirt, use witty banter with people you've seen before, flirt gently with members of the opposite sex (or your own if you're gay and can read the signs well enough), then it will raise more money, additionally it will also help make the entire event relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.

15.  Be aware of the legality of where you're collecting.  If you want to collect on the street, the event/charity you are collecting for should have a specific licence for the time/place.  Duplicate licences aren't normally granted.  If you see people collecting for other organisations, then check with your organisation whether they have an exclusive collection licence.  Be aware that a small number of organisations may try and sneak in illegal collectors.  These people are taking money from your organisation.  Warn them, then report them to the police.  Pubs and private premises are not covered by street collection licences. You should also for permission at the bar or wherever apropriate.  Do not collect without permission.

Street collections are much harder then festival collections.  At festivals, people are watching free entertainment and are expecting collecting tins and regard them as a way of supporting something they're enjoying.  If you're collecting cold in the High Street or you're on  a picket line, then you've got your work cut out.  This is where rules 1 and 3 become most important.  You've got to  make eye contact with everyone (even if it's only for a fleeting second).  When you have eye contact, smile.  Mentally think  "Hi, you look like a nice person".

If they keep on going, let them go.  If they look back at you, then ask them if they'd like to donate.

Especially on streets, people are often in a hurry.  This means that if they ask you for more information, you need to know how much they want.  So, if for example, they ask what you're striking for, then ask if they want the long or the short  explanation.  Time is valuable to people.  If you don't waste their time when they're in a hurry, then they'll appreciate you respecting their wishes.  'Short' means an absolute max of 60 seconds and preferably no more than 45.  Never use more than three different facts.  (three is about all people will remember, and if part of your aim is to publicise your cause, then you should aim to give  them simple clear facts that they can pass onto other people).

Now, this is the really hard part.  You're out on the street on a cold, miserable day and very few people are giving.  You have to be HAPPY.  If you can't be happy, at least aim for relaxed.  People respond to body language.  If you're grumpy and angry at the world/your employer/big business/polluters/agribusiness, then you do NOT want to project that anger onto the unfortunate person approaching you.

Find something positive about what you're doing.  You have to offer hope.

You may get some money if you say 'Species are going extinct faster than at any time in history', but you'll get more if you say 'Otters are returning to rivers in every English county'.  Both are true, but people respond better to good news.  They like to think that their money will achieve something, not vanish into a bottomless pit.

So, if you're on a picket line, focus on something positive that the money donated will do - or what it has already done.


To summarise:

Be happy, polite and welcoming to everyone

Do not miss anyone out

Be prepared to give time to every individual and not rush onto the next person