how to spark engagment with virtual participation

It’s Electric! Spark Engagement with Virtual Participation

Presented by: Jeff Love and Meg Savin, FirstGiving Account Managers

How this webinar works

•  A link to the slides and a recording will be sent after the webinar

•  If you’d like to ask a question during the webinar, you can type it in the box on the right side of your screen

•  Tweet about this webinar using the hashtag #fgwebinar

Who is FirstGiving

Online Fundraising Solutions

Personal Support for your nonprofit, donors, and fundraisers Easy, tested, and secure transaction processes for the donor

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Pages and Event Registrations Online Direct Donations

Jeff Love FirstGiving

Account Manager

Meg Savin FirstGiving

Account Manager

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•  What is virtual participation?

•  Why and when would you use virtual participation?

•  How do you set this up on FirstGiving?

•  How do you keep your virtual participants engaged?

•  Where are the pitfalls?

Questions we will answer in this webinar

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How can you creatively involve more participants in your event?

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Make them Virtual!

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“Why?”, you may ask…

•  Feel apart of the event

•  Deeper sense of engagement

•  Ownership of fundraising through custom fundraising pages

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Participate in event activity locally

Photo courtesy of: Charles Miles @FirstGiving #fgwebinars

Or…throw a party!

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When?

•  Geographic spread of supporters •  Event is taking place during a traditionally

busy time of year

•  Logistical barriers to create a live event

•  Always good idea as an additional option!

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Steps for Students 2012

•  549 virtual participants “Hit Snooze for Students”

•  $5700 raised through fundraising pages

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Who is your Virtual Participant? Important questions to determine who your Virtual Participants are: •  What additional value do they bring to your event? •  Does their location impede them from participating? •  Can they not make it the day of the event? •  Do they not meet age requirements of your event?

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Things to consider for your Virtual Participants

Your participants are part of an experience by participating in your event, make sure your Virtual Participants feel the same way! •  Will you provide swag to Virtual Participants? •  Encourage them to participate in their own way. •  Will they have fundraising minimums? •  Use discount codes for registration – don’t

charge them, encourage them to participate in any way shape or form!

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Don’t Forget them! Your Virtual Participants are every bit as valuable to your success as your other participants, make sure they feel the love! •  Keep them on the same timeline

as your actual participants.

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Reach out and support them

Facebook – Provide them with sample posts

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Tweet at them! Twitter – Provide them with tweeted event

updates they can easily Re-Tweet

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Blog about it!

Blogs – Keep them interested in your event by mentioning them on your blog and website •  Include them in email blasts, event

leaderboards, etc.

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Have any questions?

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Ready for Virtual Participation?

FirstGiving Fundraising Bootcamp

Interested in jump starting your online fundraising? Email: Bootcamp@firstgiving.com to sign up!

Include: •  Your organization name •  Whether or not you have a

FirstGiving nonprofit account •  You upcoming event type & date (if applicable)

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Facebook: facebook.com/firstgiving Twitter: @FirstGiving

Online Fundraising blog: http://blog.firstgiving.com

Connect with us in our Social Community!

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Interested in learning more about FirstGiving?

Contact: Chris Collins (Eastern Territory) Email: chris.collins@firstgiving.com

Telephone: 617-542-0010 x. 4

Contact: Laura Reino (Western Territory) Email: laura.reino@firstgiving.com

Telephone: 505-508-5635

Thank you!

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