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November 20, 2008

Seeking Your Advice on Getting Commitments to Special Events

Kat Rice, a Web designer in Dallas who recently founded the social media Web site Give Cheerfully, is planning a fund-raising event for the new organization.

The event, which features a wine tasting and silent auction, takes place Saturday.

And Ms. Rice is looking for advice on how to get potential participants to commit to attending.

She recently posted a short item to the Chronicle‘s Twitter page seeking advice.

“Having trouble getting people to make a firm commitment to attend my event,” she wrote. “Any suggestions?”

What tips can you offer to help Ms. Rice get more people to participate in her event?

Click on the comments link below this post to share your ideas.

— Peter Panepento

Thursday November 20, 2008 | Permalink

Comments

1. Do the participants have to pay to attend? If so, they should RSVP by paying in advance.

   — Robin    Nov 20, 04:55 PM    #

2. I’d like to pass along a response to this question posted through the Chronicle’s community on the social-networking site LinkedIn.

   The advice comes courtesy of Jeremy Gregg, vice president of development with the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas.

   “I’ve been a part of two fund raising events with two separate organizations this fall, and both underperformed compared to their history (largely because of the economy’s impact on corporate sponsors).

   “One of those events dropped from around $250K gross to less than $175K.

   “In these times, it’s essential that nonprofits focus on their core competencies and their key relationships. Events are never successful when looked at purely as fund raisers: they cost way too much to be worth it on a purely economic basis (particularly when you consider indirect costs such as the time of otherwise salaried staff such as Development Directors and CEOs). Therefore, the only way to properly evaluate an event is to also consider its impact on helping the organization to build and sustain relationships while also achieving some measure of “branding” impact.

   “The Twitterer should go back to her team and ensure that they focus on making this event as successful as it can be at providing a wonderful experience to guests while also strengthening those guests’ relationships with the sponsoring organization.”

   “One benefit to low attendance is that key staff/volunteers can get more face time with the people that do show up: capitalize on that opportunity.”

   — Peter Panepento    Nov 23, 10:05 AM    #

3. With the event this week, it’s too late to increase attendance. Your goal at this point is to be sure your no-show rate is no higher than 10 %. Contact everyone who is coming and tell them how much your board chair and event committee are looking forward to their attendance and eencourage them to bring a friend. Try to raise some money this week by asking several people to open their bids with you before hand, and reach agreement on how high they will go. This strategy will work with those who expressed regret at not being able to be there.Contact all those you have not heard from and ask them if they would do the same.

   — Susan F. Rice    Nov 24, 03:44 PM    #

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