The worst thing in the world is the period before an event when you wait to see if people come.
It's like the hour before a kids birthday party where you forget for a moment if you invited everyone, if they R.S.V.P'd and if they will ultimately remember to come.
Have you forgotten something?
There must be something that you forgot to do and disaster is coming at any moment. Something will require you to run to the store. Did you forget the candles for the birthday cake? OMG!
Yes, there is a lot to do, you're rushing around and in the blink of an eye, it's over and you get the big smiles and even bigger hugs from happy kids :)
Throwing an event can be stressful.
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Fundraising events are no different!
There are many similarities between a fundraising event and a birthday party. Let's take a moment to learn a few marketing and success lessons from an unlikely source - a kids birthday party.
Most everyone has some experience planning, executing or attending birthday parties. These parties tell us a lot about how people work.
First off, people don't all show up at the same time. So, how could something like that impact your fundraiser event? Well, if you are planning on a specific starting time, just know that you absolutely will have people showing up late - if these folks feel excluded, it would be like getting to a party just a few minutes late and hearing 'you've missed the cake and presents'.
Plan the main event so that people can arrive at different times if possible. A concert or other event must have a starting time but try not to put anything too critical right off. Remember, you want everyone to feel included.
There is still a period of wonder before the event. Did you get enough volunteers? do you have signs posted? do you have all the entertainment dialed in? There's no doubt another hundred questions that will flood your mind.
On top of organizational stuff, you also have a similar preparation and the follow through of the event. This is also very similar to event fundraising planning. As the organizer of a birthday party, you have the responsibility of creating a flow from activity to activity such that the children and parents alike feel engaged.
There are some things about birthday parties you need to remember. Things need to move fast so that people can leave. Any activities have to have a natural flow and then when people are going to leave, that is when the more general activities should take place.
Don't be boring!
Planning the flow of your event is critical. Don't make people look at their watch. Make sure one activity flows nicely into another. Without knowing what type of event you are throwing, it's hard to say how to do this but every event has the perfect flow for the amount of people you are having. You need to dial it in... before people show up.
Plan ahead!
If you've got your planning done and make the appropriate calls for volunteers and such, just like the birthday party, the event will go off without a hitch and you will be thanked for your efforts!
Set Priorities!
It's best to make a list of the top 5 things that would make a big difference to your event and concentrate on those. If it's advertising in the newspaper, make sure your efforts go there. If signage to the event is important do that. If it's awareness, get your marketing hat on and let everyone know!
Every birthday cake is important and it's best not to leave that to the day of the party. Finding the cake and lining that up ahead of time is the safe way to go. Do this with the important elements of your fundraising event and you'll be very successful!
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