Virtual Fundraising Events Are FUN!!!
In the midst of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign hope everyone is safe, washing their hands frequently, sneezing and coughing on their elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we plan on blogging about making your website more business-friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
Since the Pandemic, we have been asked to create many virtual fundraising events for some of our clients. During the planning stages, we wanted to make sure our virtual fundraising events are engaging and fun. By creating the correct atmosphere, we felt that our client’s visitors would take out their virtual wallets and make donations. But how can we make these virtual events fun? It was a lot of trial and error, but we have come up with a couple of keys.
Remember virtual fundraising events are more than just having a speaker. You can use a musical performance. You can have a video presentation. You can have an interactive conversation about an important issue. You can streamline a podcast. The only limit is your imagination.
The most important element is to Keep Your Audience Engage.
Promote the Event before, during, and after
Your promotion of the event should begin at least four weeks before. You should use all means of social media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Linkedin. The key is to create a buzz. You should focus on asking your followers to share and post the event on their personal page. Create a hashtag (#). You should post at least four times a week, with the hashtag. Write a blog post, offering why you are having the event. Discuss how the event is going to change someone’s (and if you have a specific person, then that would be even better) life. Remember to work hard before, during, and even after the event. Record the event, and show it later. Make sure that it is on your digital platforms. Continue to ask for donations or contributions.
Have Fun at the Event
Stay away from boring speakers or presentations. The key is to make the event a fun-filled occasion. Create a video clip. Have some engaging music? Be very engaging. Call on individuals to discuss what is going on in their lives. Make sure you are continuing to thank folks for attending. Report your donations every 10, 15, or 30 minutes. Make it very easy for everyone to see the goal of the event and how close or far away from the goal. Set a realistic goal. If the goal is met, then do not stop. Remember, your goal can be modified at a later date and time. Make sure you keep your audience engaged, and be flexible with regard to your goals.
Passionate and Engaging Host
If you are the founder or owner of your non-profit and your energy level is low, then hire someone to host the event. The host can always acknowledge you. You can be working on maintaining the board or reporting the number of funds contributed. You can tell how your organization was started and your passion for keeping the organization open. Tell short and moving stories. Keep away from too many sad stories, but make sure you have stories that are engaging and moving.
Have interactive games and features. You can create surveys and post them. You can have trivial games with prizes. You can send prizes to the winners instantly. Most gift cards can be sent electronically. Allow winners to forward the gift cards to less fortunate members of your community. Have a theme and let that theme be the driver of the event.
Digital Platform
Make sure you have a digital platform that can assist your fundraising goals. Keep in mind the cost of the platform, and seek some sponsors for the platform. Do not just rely on Zoom or Google Hangouts, remember you want it to be memorable and not boring.
And finally…have fun!!!
If you need help with a web product or mobile application, then feel free to contact us at info@jdswebdesign.biz or 678-718-5489.
Image courtesy of Gabriel Benois.
JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
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