 By Guest Blogger and Fundraising ExpertGail Perry |
Would you rather be invited to a fundraising event or the best party in town?
Clearly this is a no-brainer! Too many nonprofit organizations are shooting themselves in the foot because they treat their social gatherings as events, not parties. And this shows up in their marketing and promotions for their events, as well as during the occasion itself.
When I speak before large groups, I like to ask my audiences whether they would rather go to a fundraising event or to a fabulous party. When I do, everyone laughs – or winces – depending on how well their events are going and how much fun – or not fun- they all are.
Lots of benefits will accrue to organizations who can pull off “the best party in town” rather than just another “event.”
Let’s just look at some of them. If you are staging a fabulous party what will happen?
People will have fun and they will tell others about it.
Community BUZZZZ will flow – because this is something folks will talk about! The word will go out in the community that you are a dynamic organization that can put your cause on the map.
You will gain a great reputation and more people will know about your cause. You’ll put more friends and donors on your bandwagon of making your community a better place.
Why not be known as the folks who stage fantastic parties on behalf of your cause? Who says that charity work has to be dreary and full of self sacrifice? There is too little fun to be had in the world anyway.
People are desperate to have a good time and it doesn’t come easily to many people. Be the organization who happily brings friends and supporters into your cause –welcoming everyone to have fun while you change the world for the better.
Even better – next year when you have your party, more people will come. It will be easy to market.
When you go out to get sponsors for your event, it will be easier because they have already heard of your cause and your organization.
And even, when you are out enlisting new board members, it just might be easier because they already think positively about your organization. Let’s hear it for parties!
Want to put what Gail is talking about to work for your organization? Learn how during our webinar on February 26: Turning Your Fundraising Event into the Best Party in Town.
