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Author: Tess Waibel

Based in Knoxville, TN, USA, Tess has over six years of experience in the social media space, having worked with established brands and promising start-ups, including large music festivals (Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Moon River Music Festival, and more) respected universities (The University of Tennessee), and more!

Hybrid Events: Are They Right For You?

Posted on by Tess Waibel

As we slowly transition back towards normality, what does the future of live events look like? 

Currently, most events remain virtual as venues and regulations restrict large gatherings. As more in-person events return, many predict organizations, especially in the non-profit sector, will lean towards a hybrid event model by offering a virtual option alongside an in-person experience. However, the hybrid event model is not a one-size-fits-all. While it may prove advantageous for some, it varies depending on factors such as budget, audience size, and resources.

To help your organization determine if hybrid is right for you, we got the thoughts of Harry Santa-Olalla, a professional auctioneer and owner of HSO Productions, and John Roberts, Director of Global Business Development here at Givergy. Here are a few questions for you to consider before planning commences!

Will a hybrid event be cost-effective?

Virtual and live audiences require different costs and needs. To put on a hybrid event, you’ll need to account for all factors, including the cost of a live stream, video production, and bandwidth along with the cost of building security, spaced seating, and sanitation stations, to name a few.

John recommends being smart with regard to your in-person audience, inviting your major donors and ‘biggest hitters’ as a priority. Getting them in the room should lay a rock-solid foundation for your fundraising efforts, with your remote audience adding on top. But don’t neglect that at-home audience as, if managed effectively, their contribution can be enormous! 

How many people will tune in/attend?

When estimating costs, it’s important to consider the volume of people. Do you expect more people will want to meet face-to-face or tune in from the comfort of their homes? Do you have enough people donating to cover the costs? If your event takes place in the near future, what kind of social distancing measures will you need to consider? These are all questions to better understand your audience and their comfort level.

John suggests working up two scenarios in parallel as being a smart move in such a fluid environment. If you’re planning for a hybrid event with a restricted in-person audience, prepare to pivot to a fully virtual set-up should restrictions necessitate. That way, the most terrifying words of the past twelve months – ‘cancellation’ and ‘postponement’ – shouldn’t have to feature at all. 

What are some advantages of hybrid events?

A hybrid event is a natural transition from completely virtual back to in-person. It gives your audience the choice of how they want to participate and allows everyone to be included. Additionally, there is no limit. For the right organization, hybrid events are powerful for their ability to scale and reach people anywhere.

What are my other options?

If a hybrid event does not make sense for your organization, consider hosting an event for a condensed crowd with the right people or an online event.

Considering your audience and location, perhaps in-person gatherings are out of the question. That’s okay, focus on virtual. If this last year has taught us anything it’s this – virtual events can be extremely successful. If that sounds the best course of action for you, book a 30-minute meeting to find out more about our virtual event offerings! 

Whatever method you choose, make sure it is right for your audience. As Harry says, “Don’t put a hybrid event on for the sake of it.”

Whether live events return tomorrow or a year from now, one thing’s for sure – 2020 has forever changed the way organizations host and engage their audience.

If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about the future of fundraising and events, Harry will be joining Givergy along with other industry leaders on Wednesday, April 21st for a free webinar. Click here to register and save your spot!

Posted in Uncategorized

12 Steps For Using Social Media To Promote Your Online Fundraising Campaign!

Posted on by Tess Waibel

One of the best ways to spread the word about your online fundraising campaign or virtual gala is by using social media. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your social media strategy from start to finish!

Step 1. Determine a Schedule

As you begin planning your fundraising campaign, identify key dates that you’ll want to share on social media, such as your save the date, announcement, deadline, and countdown dates – 1 month, 1 week, 3 days away, etc.

Once you have those dates marked down, begin planning what each day’s posts will look like and set internal deadlines for deliverables.

Step 2. Select & Update Your Platforms

Look at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and find out where you have the largest following and highest engagement rate. You will still use all platforms to promote, however it is beneficial to know where you should primarily focus. While reviewing each platform, also check to make sure everything is up to date – about sections, FAQs, logos, branding, etc. 

Step 3. Prepare Your Content

Your ultimate goal here is to create content people will engage with. Make a list of all the assets you will need, including graphics for posts, Facebook event covers, Instagram stories, and more. Click here to download our social graphics spec sheet.

Step 4. Create a Facebook Event

Encourage people to “RSVP” and invite their friends to your Facebook event. Be specific about the campaign or virtual gala details and put your ticket link where people can easily see it.

Step 5. Enlist Supporters & Influencers

Make a list of contacts who will help spread the word about your fundraising campaign – employees, supporters, celebrities, etc. Once it’s time to announce, reach out to your list with a few graphic options, suggested copy, and a clear call to action. Ask people to tag you and use your fundraising campaign’s designated hashtag, so you can engage with their posts.

Step 6. Use Tools

Take advantage of these tools to create, schedule, and manage content!

  • Canva – Create professional-looking graphics and videos in a snap! Plus, if your organization is eligible, you can access Canva Pro for free through the Canva for Nonprofits program.
  • Facebook Creator Studio – Schedule Facebook and Instagram posts, manage direct messages, view insights, and more in Facebook Creator Studio.
  • Instagram Countdown Sticker – Add a countdown sticker to your Instagram stories for the event time as well as deadlines to purchase tickets or enter a contest. If viewers subscribe, they will be notified once the time comes.

Step 7. Host a Social Media Contest

Contests are a great way to motivate people to share! ‘Share and win’ type thing. Just make sure to consult with your legal team first to cover any legal requirements if needed.

Step 8. Launch Paid Social Media Ads

To get in front of a new audience, you can also ‘pay-to-play’ if you have some marketing budget available, which means supplementing organic posts with paid ads. When building an engaging digital ad, remember to:

  • Use an attention-grabbing image or video
  • Keep the post text short
  • Be clear about the call to action (i.e., “Donate Here”)
  • Include an appropriate link and link description (i.e., Click here to donate now”)

Step 9. Engage, Engage, Engage!

As supporters share about your content via the contest or hashtag, engage with their posts. This is beneficial for two reasons:

  • It shows you appreciate them sharing
  • It allows you to connect with their audience and join the conversation

Step 10. Go Live on the Day of the Event

Whether you’re organizing a large virtual gala or online fundraising campaign, go live on the day of the event with a behind-the-scenes look or snippet from the opening introduction.

Step 11. Share Results, Appreciation, and Next Steps

To build upon the support you created over the last month or two, share about the overall impact and how supporters can continue their involvement. Whether they helped by donating or sharing on social media, show your appreciation for their efforts.

Step 12. Measure

Measure engagement rate, clicks, sales, and ROI to compare year over year. The more you measure, the more you’ll be able to see what does and doesn’t work, improving your overall social media strategy.

Get in touch for support on your own online fundraising campaign!

For more fundraising techniques, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.