Hosting events is a great way to boost your fundraising efforts as well as expand awareness for your organization or cause. The trick is actually knowing how to host a successful event.
If you understand your audience and enlist the right people to help you organize and plan the event, you’ll be able to host an affair that makes you money now and into the future.
Know Your Objective
If you want to know how to plan a successful event, it all starts with having a clear objective. Do you want to receive one-time donations? Pick up corporate sponsorships? Host a big-ticket raffle? Have people buy your branded gear? Maybe it’s something else entirely. In addition, you need to consider whether you want the event itself to be the main moneymaker.
In other words, what are you trying to accomplish for yourself by having an event, and what will your attendees get in return? What’s in it for them, and why are you the one to do it?
Define What Success Means to You
Before you can determine how to host a successful event, you have to determine what “success” actually means. What are the goals? Is having a large turnout imperative? How about after-event sales of books and/or services? What will make the event worth it to you?
Understand Your Target Audience
It’s important to know who your audience is up front. This will allow you to create a topic that excites them. Who do you want to come to your event? If you know who you want to come, you’ll be able to tailor the event just for them. Plus, you’ll know exactly who you want to invite to speak at your event.
Create a Working Budget
As the old adage goes, you have to spend money to make money. With that in mind, create a budget and work out what exactly has to happen for you to break even on this event. Remember to include all aspects of the event such as the technologies required, the venue, and the marketing.
Create a Workable Schedule
Give yourself time to plan, organize, and market your event. Schedule the event 60 to 90 days out so that you can plan effectively. Many factors go into creating a good schedule for an event, including:
- The venue
- The time of year
- The days and times that work best for your particular audience
Market Your Event in Multiple Ways
Most marketing efforts start with your website and blog, but don’t discount other methods like radio advertising, newspaper ads, and even old-fashioned flyers and posters. You want to start creating a buzz well in advance, and you can do this even before you have the theme, topic, or date. Start by including your audience in some of the event-planning decisions. For example, you can send out polls on social media and your email lists.
When you know how to host a successful event, you have access to a lucrative new revenue stream. It takes just a bit more planning than other products, but the difference really pays off in the end. The money you can make hosting successful events is only one of the perks, as the added brand awareness will help you to continue earning money long after the event is over.
