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How to ask for help

Asking is hard. This guide makes it easier, and helps your post earn trust from people who have never met you.

Before you start

Five minutes of preparation saves days later.

  • Confirm your email. You cannot post until you do.
  • Decide the one thing you need. Posts with one clear request do better than posts with five.
  • Gather proof. A quote, an invoice, a notice or a letter. You do not have to upload it, but you will want it when people ask.
  • Money posts only: have your legal name, date of birth and address ready. They are private, and the law requires them before money can be sent to you.
  • Asking for someone else? Make sure they know and agree. For a child, you must be the parent or legal guardian.

Writing your post

  1. A title that says what, for whom and where

    Good: "Help Maria replace the clutch on her delivery van in Fresno". Weak: "Please help urgent". Name the thing and the place.

  2. A one-sentence summary

    This shows on cards and in search results. Say the need and the amount or time in plain words.

  3. Tell the story in order

    What happened. What you need now. How it will be used (list the costs). What happens if you do not get help. What you are already doing to help yourself.

  4. Be specific and honest

    Numbers, dates, names of businesses and the exact bill build trust. Do not exaggerate. People ask questions, and honest answers matter more than a perfect story.

  5. Keep contact details out

    No phone numbers, emails, payment handles or links in your post. People can reach you through HelpBLESS, and posts that try to move people off the site are declined.
Tip
Read your post out loud. If it sounds like something you would say to a neighbor, it is probably right.

Photos and badges

A face and a badge answer the first question every visitor has: is this real?

  • Use your own photo. Copied photos are detected and flagged.
  • Add a verification badge: photo, government ID (passport, driver licence or national ID), address or organization. Only our reviewers see the documents. The public sees a badge.
  • Verified posts are reviewed faster and tend to be funded faster.

Setting a goal

For Money and Bills posts.

  • Set the goal to the amount you actually need, between $10 and $1,000,000. List the parts so it adds up.
  • Remember the fees. About 15% goes to the platform and a card processing fee is also taken. If you need exactly $1,000 in your hands, set the goal a little higher. See the fee example.
  • Partial funding is fine. Whatever is raised is paid out, so say what you will do if you fall short.

Sharing it

Most gifts come from people who already know you, or know someone who does.

  • Use the Share button for WhatsApp, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Telegram, Reddit, Bluesky, text or email.
  • Print the flyer with the QR code for a notice board, a school, a place of worship or a workplace.
  • Ask three people to share it with one message each. Personal messages beat mass posts.
  • Share again after every update.

After you go live

  • Answer questions fast. A quick, honest answer often turns a visitor into a donor.
  • Post updates. Thank supporters, show receipts, share progress. Updates appear on your post for everyone to read, and you can send a thank-you note to all your donors in one click.
  • Respond to offers. For non-money help, accept the offers that suit you. Check the helper\'s badges and trust checklist, then arrange a first meeting in a public place.
  • Pause or stop any time. Posts never expire.
  • Once the story is locked. After someone donates, you cannot rewrite the story, to protect donors. Use updates to explain changes.

Common mistakes

Instead ofDo this
"Please help, urgent!!!"Say what happened, what is needed and by when.
Asking for much more than neededAsk for what you need and say how it will be spent.
Putting your WhatsApp number in the storyAnswer questions in the comments. It builds public trust.
Posting once and disappearingPost updates, even small ones, every week or two.
Using someone else's photo or storyUse your own. Reused photos are flagged and may be removed.
Waiting until the last minutePost as soon as you know you need help. Review takes up to a day.

Questions

What does it cost?
Your first post is free. After that, $9.35 per post, once. Posts never expire.
What if my post is declined?
You will see the reason and can edit and resubmit. If your first post is declined you keep your free post.
When do I get the money?
Every Sunday after a short safety window. See payouts.
Will I owe tax?
Gifts from supporters are generally not taxable income to the person who receives them, but it depends on where you live. See taxes. We do not give tax advice.