When you’re something like me, you might be already planning subsequent 12 months’s peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising occasion when you’re in the midst of executing this 12 months’s occasion. It’s simply what P2P occasion execs do — continually seeing the larger image whereas meticulously noting the small print that want enchancment. Whether or not it’s fine-tuning logistics or including a “wow issue” to the expertise, we’re at all times pondering forward.
Probably the greatest methods to make a noticeable influence is by creating a brand new occasion component. Whether or not it’s an activation, an immersive expertise, or a complete new idea, this new function can elevate your P2P occasion and create an enduring impression in your members. A win win!
Rethinking subsequent 12 months’s occasion is a course of that may really feel overwhelming and unending, particularly whenever you wish to create new occasion parts that want time to be developed, deliberate and applied. However by breaking down that course of into manageable steps, you may take the time throughout the low season to reimagine your occasion.
Why Create a New Occasion Factor?
There are a lot of causes to introduce one thing new into your P2P fundraising occasion. You could be responding to a shift in your group or viewers demographics. As your group grows and adjustments, your occasions ought to replicate that evolution.
This might imply adjusting your message, focus or occasion actions to higher align with what your group is now. Maybe you’re rebranding, or your occasion has taken on a brand new id. In that case, a recent occasion component may help talk the brand new path and provides your members a tangible expertise of what your group stands for at the moment.
When you’re managing a legacy occasion, it’s vital to maintain issues from feeling stagnant. A revamped occasion expertise can breathe new life right into a long-standing custom, attracting each new and returning members by including a component of shock and delight.
The Significance of the Occasion Expertise
Why does including a brand new component matter a lot? As a result of it straight impacts the participant expertise, which drives 4 key elements.
Consciousness. When members expertise one thing recent and revolutionary, it will increase consciousness of your mission. A brand new component may seize the eye of media retailers, spark conversations on social media and make your occasion stand out in a sea of P2P fundraisers.
Motion. A thoughtfully designed occasion component encourages members to behave. Whether or not fundraising, donating, or sharing your trigger with others, a dynamic expertise conjures up folks to behave and share that have via phrase of mouth or social media.
Engagement. The deeper the connection members really feel along with your occasion, the extra engaged they’ll change into. By partaking a number of senses — style, contact, sound and scent — you may create an immersive setting that pulls folks in and makes them really feel a part of one thing greater.
Renewal. A terrific expertise will increase the chance that members will return 12 months after 12 months. And let’s face it — retaining loyal members is simply as vital as attracting new ones. A well-executed occasion leaves an enduring impression that can have them marking their calendars for subsequent 12 months.
How you can Plan Your New Occasion Factor
Creating a brand new component doesn’t occur in a single day. It takes cautious planning, which begins with asking the precise questions.
- Who is that this new component for? Take into account your viewers—members, prime fundraisers, groups, sponsors, youngsters, VIPs and stakeholders. The extra focused and considerate your component is, the extra impactful it will likely be.
- What’s the story you’re telling with this new addition? Tie your component again to your group’s mission, its historical past and the long run you’re working towards.
- How will you have interaction all of the senses? Assume past conventional occasion setups. What is going to members style, contact, hear, scent or really feel? Can they create one thing collectively? How can sound or storytelling set the temper?
- How you can create the significance of house? Create an setting that attracts folks in, whether or not that’s through the use of artistic constructions, hanging parts or designing an immersive house that feels extra like an expertise than simply one other tent.
- What’s the large concept you’ve at all times wished to attempt however by no means had the prospect to implement? Now’s your second so as to add the “wow issue.” However be sure your large concept doesn’t stray too removed from the core of your occasion. Your sacred cows — the values and parts that outline your occasion — ought to keep intact whereas your new component enhances the general expertise.
The Off-Season Benefit
The important thing to creating all this occur? Making the most of the low season. That is your time to step again, replicate and get artistic. Use this time to interrupt the method into manageable items and plan your new component with intention. So, embrace the chance so as to add one thing recent, get artistic and wow your members. The time you spend now will repay in dividends when your subsequent occasion rolls round — and your members will thanks for it.
The previous submit was supplied by a person unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed inside don’t straight replicate the ideas or opinions of NonProfit PRO.
