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Events were called “the rubber chicken circuit” for a reason. People often attended out of a sense of obligation. This can be an early warning sign of a decline in popularity. The event gains a reputation of something that used to be great. Eventually the event becomes history. To keep events fresh, you need to personalize them.
Let us look at twelve ways volunteers can personal a charity event or a financial advisor can personalize a client recognition event.
1. Enhance the nametags.
How many years has this person been attending your event? Are they a charter member? This has been done with adhesive ribbons by some organizations. This becomes both a status symbol and a conversation starter.
2. Hold a pre-party.
This is another opportunity to make money. People who pay an additional charge attend an earlier reception with a smaller crowd and access to the honorees and celebrities.
3. Hire a professional photographer.
They might roam the room bringing groups together or they might get separate pictures of each couple. Have a plan to get these pictures to each couple. People love photos of themselves, especially if they are dressed up.
4, Get the press to attend.
This should not be that hard, but it’s a strategy for nonprofit events, not client recognition events. The photographer asks the people in the photo for their names, which is for use in captions if the photo is selected. People like to see their picture in the paper if I is for positive reasons.
5. Greet every guest.
This is a lot of work for the president or Executive Director, but it is time well spent. Thank them for their support (or business.) People want to feel their contribution is appreciated, regardless of size.
6. Get board members to thank guests.
In many nonprofits, the membership has only a vague idea who is on the board. Sentences start with “the board decided” which introduces a decision that has already been made. Ask them to work thye room, chatting with everyone.
7. Seek out the singletons.
This includes couples who look lost. Why are they looking that way? Because they don’t know anyone! Ask boiard members to connect with them and connect them with another interesting couple.
8. Mention names a lot.
In the main program, do callouts or givee credit to volunteers who have done great things Read off the names of the major sponsors. Some people will start asking “What do I need to do to get this level of recognition?”
9. Showcase your accomplishments.
Does everyone know what your nonprofit does? Do they know where the money goes? Have plenty of large signs or posters highlighting achievements. This bonds the donor or attendee with the organization’s mission.
10. Send them home with something.
This might be chocolates. Perhaps it’s a gift bag. It is something they can enjoy or reuse that has your name on it. You want them to think of you and your organization afterwards.
11. Thank them after the event.
This might be done by surface mail or e-mail. It night include the photo taken. They might attend a different event every week. You want them to remember yours.
12. Solicit feedback.
This might be tough because everyone does it. On the plus side, you will learn what people liked best. You have a reason to reach out and learn more. It also lets them know you care about the quality of their experience.
You want people to feel yours is a personalized event, an activity they want to attend again. You want them looking forward to it.