https://bloomerang.co/resources/webinars/ Lisa Schra, Advancement Director at Living Stones Academy, and Paul Hart, a long-time brand and communication volunteer at LSA, will share about their recent “Stones of Hope” gala-type fundraising event. Through this event, Living Stones saw an increase of 50+% in revenue and attendance. They will share their suggestions for helping you make a similarly successful event.

1. Keys to a Successful
Virtual Event
July 28, 2020
Lisa Schra and Paul Hart

2. An overview of what we did
What technology we used
How we did it
Some principles we always keep in mind
What we learned
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3. An overview:
What we did
3

4. What percentage of your
fundraising goal comes
from in-person fundraising events?
4

5. Our challenge
Can we replace our great in-person event?
Where do we begin with technology options?
Will people come?
How will they know what to do?
Will we raise as much money?
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6. Bob Tiede — ‘Leading with Questions’
I believe some of the most creative
and invaluable ideas will emerge from
the challenges we are facing. They
will be discovered and implemented
well when we work together even if
we are physically apart.
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7. Normal Online
Emails, gifts, greetings + polls
Pre-show + welcome
Acknowledge the shift
Live + canned content
45 minutes max
Donate online
Student video song
Staff video blessing
Generate excitement for event
Network hour beforehand
Give an overview
A program that tells ‘the why’
60–70 minutes max
An explicit ask
Student involvement
Close with staff blessing song
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8. Expanded our
audience.
An overview: The benefits
Reduced our
expenses.
Decreased
burden on donors’
time + energy.
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9. Participants of all ages!
9

10. Our big takeaway
The best elements of an
in-person event can be
replicated online.
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11. An overview of what we did
What technology we used
How we did it
Some principles we always keep in mind
What we learned
11

12. Visual designer
Experience designer
The production team
Advancement director Project manager
Videographer Technical advisor
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13. Technology we considered
Premiere
13

14. 14

15. 15

16. 16

17. 17

18. An overview of what we did
What technology we used
Some principles we always keep in mind
How we did it
What we learned
18

19. Some principles we always keep in mind
Foster
community.
Communicate
clearly and
simply.
Provide a great
experience.
Tell your story.
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20. Communicate
clearly and
simply.
20

21. How we
communicate
clearly and
simply.
21

22. Several
weeks
before
event
1 week
before
event
Day
before
event
Day of
event
After
event
Rhythm of communication
22

23. How we
communicate
clearly and
simply.
23

24. Tell your
story.
24

25. How we
tell our story.
25

26. Beginning Middle End
Elements of a good story
The why How we address it
(our mission)
The result
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27. Make the donor
the hero in your story.

28. 28

29. Foster
community.
29

30. How we
foster community.
30

31. Video of Aaron
https://youtu.be/zpftFE8bg3A
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32. Create a great
experience.
32

33. How we
create a great
experience.
33

34. 34

35. Gently lead.
Invite them to come along.
Explain the steps.
Remove barriers.
Reduce anxiety.
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36. An overview of what we did
What technology we used
How we did it
Some principles we always keep in mind
What we learned
36

37. What we learned
RSVP important
Make it easy to sign up
Be ready for early arrivers
Practice more than once
Keep it short
Balance live & canned content
Be prepared for people that
don’t stay tuned in whole time
Have fun — be yourself
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38. Let it breathe, allow
for transition time.
38

39. Your community
will show up.
Invite them in!
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40. Use technology
that is simple to
use by anyone.
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41. It’s possible to
create an awesome
event online.
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42. 83%Increase in participation
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43. 48%Increase in gifts and pledges
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44. Donor quote
Informative, inspiring,
and just the right
length. :)
44

45. Donor quote
Fun, genuine, unique,
heartwarming, uplifting.
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46. Donor quote
A sense of community
despite the distance.
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47. Donor quote
I liked the interactive nature
of this event. Much different
than just ‘watching’
something that was
pre-recorded.
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48. Donor quote
Inspiring, professional,
purposeful.
48

49. Donor quote
We didn’t need a
babysitter to go to the
event—and it was great
the kids could watch too.
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50. Donor quote
I chose online because
in the evening I am a
homebody :)
50

51. Donor quote
Intimate. Well planned.
Pulled on my heart
strings! Excellent!
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52. Donor quote
Relaxing, fun,
convenient.
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53. Donor quote
I didn’t want it to end!
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54. Q+A
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55. Link to the Stones of Hope virtual event
https://youtu.be/sbKdZMbIEF8
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