The Key to Your Success May Be Staring You in the Face (Literally)

The end of the year is coming fast, which very likely means a busy season for you. You either have a big sale ahead of you, or you’re heading into the year-end fundraising season. Some of you may also have both.

And, realistically, a lot of you are already tired.

Not only are you a human with a life and responsibilities, but you are also at a cause-related organization, either for- or non-profit. So, whether your work deals with extremely sensitive and dark subjects like human trafficking or not, you still feel the pressure to succeed because there’s a social problem you’re trying to solve. There is a different kind of gravity to your work that few understand.

This can certainly wear on you over time, and without checks and balances, can lead to burnout. And burnout would be a terrible situation not only for you, but for your cause. The world needs your work!

So, what’s the answer to combating the fatigue and burnout? Community.

Community can give you the inspiration and motivation to make it through another year, month, or even day.

Essentially, you need to find your tribe—even if that’s only one other person.

How do you find the community you desperately need? I’ll show you.

Why You Shouldn’t Only Rely on Co-workers, Friends, and Family

When it comes to community, too many people only rely on their co-workers, friends, and family to fill that void, even when it comes to their work. I think this is a problem.

I don’t know about you, but very few of my friends and family have founded a nonprofit or social enterprise. They’re incredibly supportive for sure, but they just can’t relate.

And as a solopreneur, I have no co-workers! Some days I love this fact, and some days I don’t. But even if you have co-workers, there are probably still a few things you avoid talking about like your salary. It just gets messy.

If you founded the organization, unless you have a co-founder, you also don’t have any direct peers. Meaning, you can’t be completely open and honest with the people in your office either because you need to maintain some professional distance.

Are you seeing the pattern? If you only rely on co-workers, friends, and family to be your community, there are gaps of your work that may never receive essential feedback, support, or input. That can impact you in a big way! It may stunt your success, allow little problems to grow into big problems, or even cause blind spots.

Worse still, without the ability to adequately communicate your thoughts and feelings to people who truly understand, it can lead to depression and isolation. I don’t know about you, but these are two things I already struggle with at times, so I don’t need anything else contributing to these issues.

Again, this would be a heartbreaking for you as a person, but it would also effect your organization. And my guess is that you care deeply about your cause and want to succeed. I want that for you too, so let’s talk about a few places where you can find the community you need.

Accountability Partner

Anytime a new or aspiring entrepreneur asks me for advice, the first thing I tell them is to get both an accountability partner and a mentor. I didn’t know how badly I needed these people in my life until I had them—and I don’t want you to miss out!

An accountability partner is someone in a similar situation or role. They don’t have to be at the same type of organization, but it’s great if they have similar responsibilities. Alternatively, they could be someone who is trying to accomplish a similar goal like writing a book.

Accountability partners are fantastic because they serve as a peer who can almost act like a co-worker or partner without the same strings. You are there to help each other succeed in your goals through, well, accountability.

You’ll be able to accomplish your goals because someone is there to regularly ask about them. It’s the same reason that Weigh Watchers meetings work so well. You take the necessary steps because you’ve got to get on a scale the next week to measure your progress.

You also both show up because you don’t want to let the other person down. Plus, they can provide a perspective and sounding board that you may currently be lacking. And, let’s face it, sometimes you just need to complain to someone who fully relates to your situation. We all have those days!

If you don’t have someone already in mind for your accountability partner, ask friends, family, or even put the word out on social media. It may take some time to find this person, but it will absolutely be worth it.

You might also consider a trial period to make sure you’re a good fit. My previous accountability partner and I had only just met when we decided to test the waters. We agreed to meet twice a month for three months, and we loved it so much we continued for six months. It was a huge boost for both of us—and our businesses!

Mentor

I think we all consciously, or even unconsciously, crave a mentor. We want “someone who’s been there” to show us the ropes. We are, of course, talking about your working life here, but you could also seek out mentors in marriage, parenting, hobbies, or any number of things.

The only prerequisite for a mentor is that they have more experience in a particular area than you do, and they are willing to share that knowledge. They almost act like a shortcut in that way, helping you bypass more of the struggles to get to more of the wins.

Let me also take a moment to dispel a couple of common misconceptions about mentors. The first is that we commonly picture mentors as much older than ourselves, but that isn’t always true.

My mentor Holly is only a couple of years older than I am, but she is CFO at a nonprofit called Growing Leaders, so she has vastly different experience than me. (One of those being that she’s good with numbers, ha!) She sort of serves as my all-around life mentor. We talk about everything, and often, that includes my business.

I had another mentor for over a year, Christina, who created The Contract Shop. She is actually over a decade younger than me, but had the experience of selling online products which I wanted to learn. So, while you may be seeking someone much older than you for one reason or another, you certainly don’t have to.

And because I also work with cause-focused organizations on both the for- and non-profit side, it’s also helpful to have mentors in both spaces.

With those two examples, you may have guessed the second misconception, and that is that you only need one mentor. Holly is the one who turned me on to this concept. She has multiple mentors that fill different roles in her life and career. Some she sees regularly, and some she may only see once a year. I really love that, and want to follow her example.

In my experience and in talking to others, mentors are much more difficult to find. It was six years of searching between finding Holly and my previous mentor. And I only had Christina for just over a year before her work got too crazy to maintain our appointments. So, I know how daunting it can be to find a mentor.

But again, I suggest that you start by asking your network. And even if you have the perfect person in mind, but they seem to already have a lot of commitments, never assume they’re too busy to fill that role. Make the ask, and be okay with hearing no, but don’t let an assumption keep you stuck. Mentors often get as much out of the relationship as mentees, so it’s definitely a mutually-beneficial situation.

Honestly, you may also just need to be patient. Don’t give up, but be okay with waiting. You’ll be so glad you did!

Mastermind

You may have noticed that I said things were going great with my accountability partner, but we only met for six months. That’s because we turned the partnership into a mastermind group.

I knew several other women who were looking for that kind of opportunity, and none of us were direct competitors, so for us, it made sense that we give it a try all together.

We meet every two weeks via an online chat, and sometimes in person. Our format was pulled from reading about other groups, as well as our own preferences. So, we usually have one person that shares about something they’ve learned which would benefit us all, and we also share a win, something we might need feedback on, and something we’d like to be held accountable for at the next meeting.

The benefit of a mastermind over an accountability partner is, of course, more perspectives and voices. But in all three of these scenarios, it’s been really incredible to get the additional support and encouragement. And that includes both the good days and bad days. We all know they’re both part of the equation!

Other spaces to find community

The three recommendations above are my go-to suggestions because they are often the most hands-on and consistent opportunities for community. They also make it easier to go deep on some of the hard subjects you need to discuss.

However, if those aren’t options right now, or you’re still in the search process, here are some other, great alternatives to try. Who knows, one of these may even lead to an accountability partner, mentor, or mastermind!

• Events: This weekend I attended the Tribe Conference for the second year in a row. There are a lot of writers in the room, and “writer” is one of the main words I use to describe myself, so these were my people. It was comforting and motivating just to be around their energy. I also feel that way when I attend social justice events. Find the places your people gather and go meet them.

• Co-working Spaces: These places have become huge community hubs for many entrepreneurs and small businesses. Not only are you working around new people you might not otherwise meet, but many of them also have regular and special events for you to actually hang out with the people sitting around you. I would definitely need these sort of structure introductions. ;)

• Facebook Groups: It’s quite common now for course creators, coaches, and business owners to have Facebook Groups. (Psst: Have you seen the Signifiers group?) These online outlets are another great place to meet people in similar situations or pursuing similar goals. I’m in a bunch of them that relate to different areas of my life like business, hobbies, church, causes, friends, etc. If you’re have trouble finding community in-person, or have very limited time on your hands, this could be a great source for you.

• Social Media: I’ll differentiate social media from Facebook Groups for the purpose of this post because groups are generally more targeted. On social media, you may have other friends and followers who could easily become trusted members of your community. For example, I have a new friend I met this summer over Instagram because I wanted to find other people who were Enneagram 4s as well as INFJ’s, both of which are smaller segments of the population. So, it’s been fun to chat with her about how our weird and wonderful minds work. :)

Encouragement From Tribe Conference Speakers

The work of your nonprofit or social enterprise is essential, and it needs you. But you can’t serve it well if you feel isolated, depressed, or burned out.

All of the above examples will meet different needs at different times, and when you mix and match a few of them together, you’ll be unstoppable. You’ll have the community you need to champion your cause, do your important work, reach your goals, and struggle less in the process. I want that for you, so I hope this post will help you take the next step.

As I mentioned, I was at Tribe Conference this weekend, and I can’t tell you how awesome it was. Well, I could, but we’d be here a lot longer! That event was the inspiration for this post because it definitely gave me the inspiration and motivation I needed to finish the year strong.

So, before you start taking those next steps, I wanted to leave you with some of the words of wisdom that meant a lot to me this weekend. I think they’ll do the same for you.

“You cannot avoid rejection and do your greatest work.” - Jeff Goins

"If you do work that is different, you’re doing something dangerous and worthwhile. People will question your differences now, and celebrate them when you succeed." - Todd Henry

"Other people see your work for what it is. You see your work for what it isn’t." - Melissa Dinwiddie

“Be relevant, authentic, and advocate for your brand.” - Amy Landino

"Community will help you succeed." - Chase Jarvis

"Dream big. Start small. Keep moving." - Charles Lee

“Lead with acceptance. Become a better listener. Don’t fear failure.” - Dave Delaney (Check out this guest post I did for him last year!)

"If you keep waiting for your dream to feel easy, you’ll never stop waiting." - Ali Worthington

"Don’t wait for permission to create your work." - Nicole Gulotta

"Marketing isn’t about closing a sale, it’s about opening a relationship." - Mike Kim

"We need to say out loud what our souls are silently screaming, because it may give someone else the courage to do the same." - Tim Grahl

“Know who your audience is. You can even have a less than perfect product or service depending on who your audience is and what they’ll pay for. They may just be waiting on you to create something.” - Joseph Michael

“Get okay with being uncomfortable.” - Heather Teysko

"Tell the stories people want to hear, not the stories you want to share." - Janet Murray

"Failure doesn’t ruin your story. Failure helps you write it." - Paul Angone

“You need to take responsibility for your own success.” - Joe Bunting

"It's easy to think about the things you haven't done or success you haven't attainted. But remember that there was a time when where you are sitting now was out of reach." - Ken Davis

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I'm Kristi Porter, and I started Signify to provide writing and consulting services to nonprofits and for-profit organizations with a social mission, primarily through copywriting, marketing, and business communications. I also teach solopreneurs and small businesses how to incorporate philanthropy and giving strategies. I believe that cause-focused organizations are the future of business. You're proof that companies can both make money and do good. And I'm here to help you get noticed and grow. When you succeed, we all win.

---

What You Need to Convince Potential Sponsors and Partners

Whether you're a nonprofit or for-profit social enterprise, chances are that you're on the hunt for a corporate sponsor or investor. It could be for a long-term initiative, upcoming event, or special campaign. 

And why wouldn't you be? Corporate sponsors and partners bring in new revenue, as well as a new audience that is potentially untapped by your organization or cause. Their benefits to you are crystal clear.

However, have you stopped to think about what you bring to the table? There's plenty in it for the companies you're asking as well. Never sell yourself short.

These kinds of collaborations are called "cause marketing," and friends, I have really good news. There is no better time for it, and I'm about to tell you why. The bad news is that you may have the wrong approach.

So, what do you need to convince potential sponsors and partners that they should work with you? While I might not actually call it easy, it is probably a little simpler than you think. And it begins with two things: some basic information and knowing your own value.

What is Cause Marketing?

The simplest definition for cause marketing is when for-profit corporations team up with nonprofit organizations for a mutually-beneficial purpose. This is the traditional mindset for us folks from the business world. 

Some examples include when you donate an extra dollar at the grocery store for a feed the hungry campaign at Thanksgiving, or the local car dealership sponsors a nonprofit event, or when many companies display pink ribbon products every October with proceeds going to breast cancer research.

But as with so many things these days, I think the lines have become a little blurred. So, I'm going to introduce two other options. The first comes with the new-ish model of social enterprises. (I love that they have disrupted business in this way!) In this vein, a form of cause marketing could be baked into the business model. One example is that Warby Parker partners with VisionSpring to provide glasses for those in need. It's the now famous one-for-one model pioneered by companies like TOMS. Warby Parker doesn't own VisionSpring, but that is the only nonprofit they partner with.

The second is more of a lateral sponsorship or partnership. This would be when similar companies or organizations partner for a greater purpose, either long- or short-term. One example is when various organizations create a coalition to further a cause. There are various anti-trafficking coalitions around the country, with members offering complimentary services to both survivors and the community. They can do more together than each would on their own. Another option might be when nonprofits or social enterprises combine efforts to host an event, and split profits.

Who Are Your Potential Sponsors and Partners?

1) The first place to begin to answer this question is by considering your goals. Is it to make some additional money? Greater awareness for your organization or your cause? To build a long-term relationship with a company that can help sustain you? As always, you need a strategy behind your ask. This will help get you a lot further, and whether you're aware of it or not, it will also come through in your conversations with the would-be sponsor or partner.

2) Next, consider existing relationships. It's tempting to shoot for the stars and go after the biggest dog around, but that may not be the most productive use of your time and effort. And it may just leave you more frustrated.

No matter how big your operating budget, relational capital is your biggest asset here. Relationships are everything, and you can't manufacture them. After all, if you owned a company with piles of money lying around, and knew of a worthy cause you could get behind, wouldn't you put your dollars there first? Yes, you would. (And can we be friends?)

I suggest actually creating a spreadsheet of your personal capital, and having any employees do the same. You may not need it right away, but you will at some point. Find those relationships that may be great funding, spreading the word, making introductions, or some other benefit to your particular organization. (Think: Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point.)

3) Next, make a spreadsheet of prime candidates for your sponsorship or partnership. This can include those in the relationship capital category, as well as others that come to mind. This will help you look at everyone objectively and all at once.

4) Finally, do your research. Does that company already have a charity or social mission partner? Do they have upcoming deadlines, or deadlines that have passed? Do they work with your cause, or have their own focus that's not a good match? For any companies that make the cut, this info will come in handy later for your presentation.

The Magic Bullet for Your Sponsorship or Partner Presentation

If the information above was a bit of a review for you, you'll need to hone in on this section. What you need to understand is that there has been a major shift in marketing the last few years—that directly relates to your presentation. 

Websites, emails, social media, and even presentations all used to be focused on you, the organization. No matter who you were, you could visit a website and the entire thing would be about them. That's not the case anymore. Everything is now "customer-focused." Meaning, even the language on your about page should include the person visiting your site. 

You have to repeatedly assume that someone who is reading your website, interacting with you on social media, listening to your podcast, or sitting in on your presentation is asking themselves, "What's in it for me?" You need to confidently be able to answer that question in everything you do. 

So, please don't skip that step when you talk to potential sponsors and partners. If you can make a compelling case for how working with you benefits them, you're almost there. 

The Secret Sauce is YOU

It's easy to think that whomever you're meeting with is the prettiest girl at the dance, and you're the awkward one standing in the corner trying to decide whether or not to ask her out on the floor. But, really, it's you! This is the really good news I alluded to earlier.

According to Cone Communications 2017 CSR Study, "consumers are no longer just asking, 'What do you stand for?' but also, 'What do you stand up for?' In today's tumultuous society, Americans expect companies to not only improve their business practices and invest in social issues that are aligned with the company, but to be a force for change in broader society."

And, guess what? That's where you come in! They also discovered that:

• 87% will buy products and services based on their values, and 76% will boycott for the same

• 78% want companies to address important social justice issues

• 63% of Americans are hopeful business will take the lead to drive social and environmental change forward, in the absence of government regulation

Download the full report here. (And, by the way, these are great stats for your next sponsorship or event proposal!)

What all this adds up to is that you are the prettiest girl at the dance! These companies need you! Why? Because their customers want them to be involved in doing good, and they want to stay in business. Your organization is just as valuable to them as it is to you. It would be truly a mutually-beneficial relationship, and that should come through in your communication with them. Time to tango!

However, in your excitement, don't forget about the section above. Yes, companies might be actively looking for a "do good" organization to partner with, but you still need to show how you can benefit them. Expect to give as much as you take.

Additional Sponsorship Presentation Tips

• It needs to look good. I hope this goes without saying, but as you are walking into a room to ask for something, your presentation needs to look professional. Keep it clean and simple with key thoughts and lots of white space. That doesn't mean, though, that you have to pay to have it done. There are tools that can help any novice look more professional.

• Obey any guidelines. Many large organizations will have guidelines posted on their website, so be sure to look out for these. For example, they may not sponsor events. If that's the case, they may still be a good long-term partner and should be targeted for that ask later.

• Watch for deadlines. Same as above, there may be specific deadlines you should adhere to. Or it may be that your campaign, initiative, or event doesn't line up with their budget year. For example, one client that I work with always hosts their benefit dinner in the fall. But some of the sponsors we solicit are already tapped out by that time. In that case, you should ask for a preferred timeframe to contact them again for consideration. You may be have to be more creative in your ask if details are scarce at that time, but if it's potentially a good fit, they'll be more willing to work with you.

• Include stories and facts. Both are compelling. And people will invest when both their heads and their hearts are in it. Additionally, this will allow you to speak to what matters most for different kinds of people. We are all naturally drawn to stories, but facts help making a compelling argument.

• Think past, present, and future. Show where you've come from, the current need, and how things could be different with help. Allow them to see not only what is, but what could be.

• Be creative in your approach and tactics. While you may simply Google, "sponsorship presentation" or "event sponsor proposal" for ideas, don't just copy and paste. Remember to customize everything to your unique cause, organization, and abilities. In the "What's in it for me?" category, this could include simple ways that you'll make the process easy, like taking care of all the design work or providing a single point of contact. Or it may be more along the lines of specific holidays associated with your cause or specific to your geographic location.

• Don't ask out of desperation, but confidence. I have a friend working on a short-term campaign, and she is struggling with her funding. She sent me the info that she intended to send out to some influencers, in hopes they would help promote. Frankly, it sounded desperate. People do not give to desperation unless it's a tragedy or natural disaster. So, she reworked her pitch with the magic bullet and secret sauce above, and it came out sounding much more like something people would want to be involved with.

• Get help, if you need it. If you work solo, at the very least, get someone else to look over the proposal. That can be a peer, employee, intern or a friend with a good eye and understanding of what you're trying to accomplish. And depending on the size of the ask, you may want to hire a professional. This may include someone that specializes in sponsorships, a graphic designer, or a writer (<-- shameless plug). Here are some of my recommendations. And don't forget, you'll likely be able to use or adapt this information and resource multiple times—instant bang for your buck.

• Include what makes you unique. As we talked about above, show off what sets you apart and makes you special. This could be a determining factor in their answer.

• Include the company you're talking to. Don't save this for the Q&A at the end, Answer their question, "What's in it for me?" early on so it doesn't become a distracting thought in their minds while you're pitching your heart out.

• Be specific in your ask. Everyone, both for- and non-profit, holds tightly to their funds. So, if you're asking someone to fork over their hard-earned cash, tell them exactly what it will be used for. If that part is still up in the air, offer some examples or make it clear that you're open to discussing what's best for the sponsor/partner. Don't make them wonder.

• Hone the slide deck and presentation. Take a less is more approach, when possible. No one wants to sit through a long presentation, 200 slides, or even worse, someone just reading all those slides to them aloud. I'm falling asleep thinking about it. You don't have to be the best orator in the world, but hit your key points, back it up with only the slides needed, and let everything else be part of a conversation, not a presentation. Talk with them, not at them.

• Follow up at an appropriate time, and in an appropriate way. Before you leave the meeting, ask if there is a preferred timeframe or method of communication for following up. Make it easy for them! And again, when you follow up, don't sound desperate. Even if you really are desperate, fake it till you make it ! :-)

One Final Note

We've talked about doing your research and some key pieces for your presentation, but there's a huge element I don't want to overlook: the human element. The best partnerships and sponsorships have a strong, relational component. Therefore, before you wow anyone with your snazzy presentation, you should begin with a conversation.

It doesn't matter if you already know the person or company that you're pitching to or not. Take someone out for lunch or coffee . . . maybe even on your dime. Get to know them and the organization. Don't start with your ask—start with their needs. 

After that, you'll begin to see where you can meet those needs, and consequently, become a huge asset to them, not just another charity. And, guess what, if you nail this aspect, it's also more likely that you won't have to be dependent on a razzle dazzle presentation to make your case. The presentation just becomes icing on the cake.

My friend, Mary Frances of Wellspring Living, is so good at this she could teach a class. Here's what she had to say.

What has helped you secure a sponsorship or partnership? What else is a "must" for the perfect presentation. Tell me in the comments!

---

PSST: We’ve also built a sponsor presentation template if you need help getting started!

It’s customizable and easy-to-use, so all you have to do fill in your info and schedule the meeting!

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I'm Kristi Porter, and I started Signify to provide writing, consulting and strategy services to nonprofits and for-profit organizations with a social mission, primarily through copywriting, marketing, and business communications. I believe that cause-focused organizations like yours are the future of business. You're proof that companies can both make money and do good. And I'm here to help you get noticed and grow. When you succeed, we all win.

---

Ask the Experts: Event Planning Trends and Strategies

Each month, I invite guest contributors to speak about timely, relevant, and sought-after topics that are important for cause-focused organizations like yours to be aware of as you grow. For June, I've invited my friend and former co-worker, Kristi Collins from Coco Red Events to share about event planning since many of you are starting to prep and plan for fall events.

Q. What are the latest trends in your industry? 

A. As a foodie, I think my favorite trend right now is casual food, especially a Mexican buffet with fajitas and tacos. I mean, who doesn’t love queso? For dessert, we’re seeing more donut installations, pie bars, and bite-sized treats. Most cakes (wedding, birthday, or anniversary) are smaller with a statement design, such as tiers in geometric shapes, a colored glaze dripping down the side and marbled fondant.

For design, we’re seeing a lot of clients interested in a woodlands theme. Think muted colors like a dusty rose, ivory, and sage green paired with lots of greenery and other natural elements like moss, river rocks, and tree slices. I think a big reason why people are choosing to go this route is because it’s gender neutral and everyone can enjoy the aesthetic. And people always enjoy a good vintage piece. Whether it’s a farm table used as a dessert table or an old library card catalog used to display escort cards, these pieces will create more dimensions to the design.

Our clients are also moving away from the traditional photo booth with props, and opting for a Polaroid camera setup instead. Guests love it because they can take the photos with them, and our clients love it because it’s engaging. At the end of the event, we’ll gather the left over photos and save them for our client, who can turn them into a photo album. The photo album is a great keepsake, whether it’s a coffee table book for a newlywed couple or something to keep in a company break room for employees to flip through.

Q. What is the biggest mistake that you’ve seen people make in regards to event planning?

A. I think everyone should have a day-of coordinator for any event. And I’m not just saying that because I am an event coordinator. Trust me, I had someone coordinate my own wedding! I think it’s so important for our clients to be able to relax and enjoy everything that they’ve envisioned and worked hard to create. If you’re running around, making sure that everything is perfect, you will not have a good time. You should be able to mingle with your guests and enjoy yourself. Even if you’re DIYing your whole event, hire someone to handle the details and make sure that everything runs smoothly on that day. It’s worth every penny!

This is especially important at a fundraiser. Your guests are there because they believe in you and what you’re doing. Think of yourself as the brand ambassador and make yourself available to answer any questions that your guests may have. If they can’t find you to get more information about your cause, they are less likely to support it. We are there to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch and that you are able to reach your fundraising goal.

Q. What is your best piece of advice?

A. I think that people are naïve when it comes to the budget for any event. Many clients don’t know how much it costs to hire a good photographer, caterer, etc. so, they’ll spend money on little things and before they know it, they’re way over budget. My advice, choose your top three Items and spend the bulk of your money there. My top three are always food, music, and alcohol. I like invitations, but they aren’t the most important item to me. Now, if you’re a graphic designer or your company sells paper, the invitations are probably really important to you and that’s ok. Make invitations one of your top three. The important thing is to focus on what’s most important to you, and then build the rest of your budget from there.

Another great thing about working with an event planner is that we get discounts, which we pass onto our clients. A good event planner will save you several hundred dollars in various areas, covering some of their fee.

Additionally, if you’re just diving into the event world, be sure to cultivate relationships with other vendors early on. Find out how you can work together and offer discounts for your clients. Meet other like-minded vendors that specialize in your area and be sure to send them leads for dates that you have already booked. They’ll return the favor and help grow your business. The wedding and event industry is a small one, where everyone knows everyone else. Networking is so very important. Go to as many networking events as you can and start making those connections early on!

Q. What is one thing readers can do this week to improve?

A. If you’re an event planner or getting ready to plan an event, do some research. If I’m planning a company event or fundraiser, I always ask myself the following 5 questions:

1. What is this company’s daily mission?

2. What is their goal for this specific event?

3. What brand-specific elements can we incorporate into the event? (Awards, logo placement, etc.)

4. What is something fun and memorable that we can do during the event to increase brand awareness?

5. Is there something that guests can walk away with that will keep the brand or mission at the front of their mind?

Q. Anything else we should keep in mind?

A. No matter what type of event you’re planning, it’s important to remember the story your organization or client wants to tell. When guests walk into the event, they should be able to look around and know who or what this event is for. Everything should reflect the brand or personality. That’s what makes your event stand out from everyone else’s. And most importantly, make sure that your guests have fun!

---

Kristi Collins has been involved with events for over 15 years. She has her BA in Musical Theater from Samford University. After theater, she went into retail, then coordinated events in the non-profit sector and finally found her calling in the wedding and social event industry. Kristi has received her Certifications in Wedding and Event Planning, as well as Social Media Marketing. She lives in Decatur, GA, with her husband, J.R., and her insanely cute dog, Toby.

Learn more about Coco Red Events.

---

---

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER:

---

I'm Kristi Porter, and I started Signify to provide writing, consulting and strategy services to nonprofits and for-profit organizations with a social mission, primarily through copywriting, marketing and business communications. I believe that cause-focused organizations like yours are the future of business. You're proof that companies can both make money and do good. And I'm here to help you get noticed and grow. When you succeed, we all win.

---