411. The Do's and Dont's of Crafting Purposeful Fundraising Events - Cody Hays

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Overview

Meet Cody. Who wants to make events easier ane more streamlined? 🙋We brought this incredible nonprofit events + marketing expert onto the pod, because Cody understands how marketing strategies lessen the overwhelm and overwork nonprofiters experience when building events. Tune in to learn how to integrate your mission’s values into your event theme, how to develop a virtual event strategy, and how to flex smart marketing to develop an event that lives and breathes before, during and long after the event confetti falls. Don’t miss his playbook for elevating your event theme and raising more money💰

💡Learn

Figuring out what type of event is best for your organization
5️⃣ strategies to develop virtual event marketing strategies
Case studies + events that are rocking it right now 🎉

Today’s Guest

Cody Hays, Founder, Marketing Mission

“We can go really fast. We can go hard for a short amount of time, but if we don’t counter that, with relaxation, recuperating, self-care, the pendulum is ultimately just gonna break, not even swing.”

— Cody Hays, Founder, Marketing Mission

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Cody’s story and journey to where he is today (3:05)
What type of event is best for your organization (8:30)
Evolved event themes (13:00)
Developing a strategy for virtual events (19:15)
Orgs that are doing it well (34:05)
- The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- The Children of Armenia Fund
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Cody’s life (38:20)
How to Connect with Cody (41:05)

Powerful Quotes

“We can go really fast. We can go hard for a short amount of time, but if we don't counter that, with relaxation, recuperating, self-care, the pendulum is ultimately just gonna break, not even swing.” -Cody

“What is the ultimate goal or purpose of this event? If we can't name that, maybe we shouldn't be having the event.” -Cody

“The event is not just an event. It is simply a moment in time to warm up to something and to create a really long runway afterward.” -Becky

“It doesn’t have to be this complicated, complex brainstorming session.” -Cody

“As much as we love to set big goals because we think that they are going to inspire people, the reality is that when we set an unrealistic goal and we don't actually reach that goal, donors walk away feeling like this event was not successful.” -Cody

“Sometimes all it takes for that person to go from supporter to donor is seeing and being in the room with you.” -Cody

“There’s so much power in collective activism.” -Cody