8 Keys to a Successful Event

• Visuals: Are you playing a video or using a presentation with music and photographs? If you plan to use audiovisuals, check, double-check and triple-check that they work properly. There is nothing worse than hitting play and having nothing on the screen.
• Live entertainment: Do you have entertainment by those you serve or by professionals? Ask to review their material to be sure it's appropriate for your event. Work with them to tie in your mission and goals as much as possible.
• Printed materials (from a program to signage): Be sure that they are appropriate for the event — representing your mission and goals for the event — and that your attendees want to read them.
• Testimonials: Put a face on your organization representing those you serve. If it is a school, students and faculty with life-changing testimonials; health care, a grateful patient or lifesaving provider. Nothing pulls at the heartstrings more than a real, live person helped by your organization. Also, a donor who is excited about the difference she's making can be most effective. Be sure to know what your speakers are going to say, and give them a time limit. If appropriate, do a video presentation of the speaker to keep the event on time and on message.
• Messaging: Give your key staff and volunteers three key message points that they can use during the event. It will give them confidence and keep everyone on message while interacting with guests.
• Media: Is it appropriate to have media at the event? Who will pitch the story and how?

Follow-up. Be sure that the special feeling you created for the event, the increased affinity for your organization, carries over. Here are some ways: