Five Tips For Successful Event Fundraising In 2011 – E Journal

Five Tips For Successful Event Fundraising In 2011 E Journal

1. Make it easy! Today's guests and sponsors need immediate access and trouble-free online purchases. Easy to find and easy to use shopping carts with ticket sales are a must. In addition, sponsor packages and journal ad levels should be uncomplicated and offer an immediate next step for easy purchases. Traditional printed materials must also direct users to a web page or website to provide the option of online purchasing.

2. Offer More! Today's sponsors [both corporate and individuals] are barraged by solicitations from numerous sources and, generally, have less to donate. Organizations that offer more recognition and exposure to sponsors have a greater chance of securing limited donation dollars versus those who continue to offer the status quo. Online logos, online journal ads and click throughs to company websites expand visibility for sponsor support not only to those interested in the event, but to anyone and everyone who locate listings on Google, Yahoo and other search engines. Offering corporate supporters the opportunity to act on good will for the public in support of your mission also opens the door to their spending "marketing" budgets in addition to drawing from shrinking charitable allocations.

3. Spread the Word! With the advent of web marketing, social media and email campaigns, expanding outreach for your fundraising event has never been easier. Your board and committee can contribute to bringing in new prospects and adding excitement to the event by sending messages to their own networks via Facebook, Twitter and the like. Your job is to provide them with a web presence that tells the story and then guide your supporters to get the word out. Similarly, email blast programs like Constant Contact can add exposure to the printed materials traditionally used to promote events. Offering click-through from the email or social media message to your dedicated event web page or website will engage the reader and give them the necessary information about the event and tools to make their contributions a few easy steps away.

4. Make it exciting! In a sea of me-too events and rubber chicken dinners, your creativity and imagination are the keys to making your event one that people want to attend. Use of thematic programs [a recent "Alice in Wonderland" themed event timed with the release of the new film was a big hit] and unusual venues [an old estate, or tented event at the beach] provide a "wow" factor. Celebrities can make a splash, but paying too much for a true star or promoting a more affordable "has-been" is a not a formula for success. Auctioning off adventure travel and experience opportunities by a talented auctioneer is a fantastic way to excite the crowd and bring in big revenues.

New technologies like hand-held bidding devices and text-to-pledge challenges at the event can keep guests engaged and dollars flowing.

5. Remember the Mission! Too many events get bogged down with long speeches and long tributes to honourees and dignitaries. Little of this will move a crowd to action. Creative use of video storytelling always moves a crowd and, if applicable, poignant [short, planned] speeches by recipients of services are always good to open wallets. And, don't be shy about asking for additional donations. While you may feel that the price of admission is already the donation, acknowledge this and ask if they can contribute more. Tasteful placement of pledge cards, envelopes or materials that compel guests to revisit the event website [for photos/videos/etc.] while asking again for the all important donations, can make a big difference to the bottom line.

By Karen Perry, MSW, President

Event Journal, Inc.

EVENTjournal.com is a fundraising tool that helps organizations to raise more dollars and donors from major fundraising events. The original e-journal system for galas, benefits, golf outings and the like, EVENTjournal.com offers viewers 24/7/365 event information, secure transactions for tickets and sponsorship purchases, online color supporter ads with links to advertisers' websites, and more. Thematic email messages, social media plug-ins and an e-journal presentation at the event take the "ho-hum" out of ad journals of the past!

For more information, please visit eventjournal.

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