Innovation abounds and Dana Snyder has got all the juice you need to hook your event up with something your audience will be talking about for the ages.
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Everything you need to know to create impressive, unexpected and engaging virtual events
“Always think about your attendees first. What’s in it for them? Be real. Go live. Don’t be afraid to mess up.... Have fun!” Click To TweetNow, I know a lot of you are glad you don’t have to go to any more (proverbial) rubber chicken dinners. Not me! I loved galas! I’m a social butterfly who liked connecting with new and old friends, experiencing the delight of an orchestrated festivity, and then floating away lit up about the cause we rallied to support that evening. I’m not really one for TV in general, so, when I tell you I did NOT enjoy pre-recorded, virtual Zoom events in Q1 of SIP, believe me, I mean it.
Good news! Creativity wins again!! I am jazzed by the astute genius that has proven me wrong: virtual events can be captivating, dynamic, and …dare I say, fun! The entertainment- and community-engagement-experts of the world pivoted and innovated quickly to enchant us, all from the comfort of our PJs. No doubt some of these new strategies will inform how we connect in person or virtually going forward.
Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind (…and nature and animals and environment and all the things.) With the INTENTION to inform, inspire and evolve, allow me to introduce to you my new go-to social / virtual / positivity gal: Dana Snyder. Dana is a bad@ss. Just listen to her! Her enthusiasm and optimism are contagious. She rolls through this interview spilling creativity and solutions effortlessly. As someone who thought she was allergic to virtual events, I’m sincerely excited to know what we saw months ago is not what we’ll see going forward. Innovation abounds and Dana’s got all the juice you need to hook your event up with something your audience will be talking about for the ages.
About Dana Snyder
Dana Snyder is a passionate entrepreneur, digital strategist, and conscious consumer. She founded Positive Equation in 2017 with a focus on helping nonprofits cultivate online audiences of donors, partners, and advocates using social media. Currently based in Atlanta (but a former SoCal gal), Dana has worked with Movember, Dress for Success, USTA, Honest Company, Sports Illustrated, American Idol, The Global Foodbanking Network, The Gary Sinise Foundation, LA84 Foundation, and many more on their digital strategies. Dana is also a member of the Purpose Collaborative, an invitation-only, global group of 40+ boutique firms, consultancies, and subject matter experts, all passionate about social purpose. (Dana, can I get an intro!?) Dana is an incredibly inspiring and active member of the philanthropy community, and I can assure you’ll be motivated and ready to get to work once you’re done with this episode!
Where to begin? In an ocean of resources in the interwebs, what are the best platforms and tools available for even the smallest organizations? Keeping attendees is one thing, but how do you influence action? Dana is on it! Listen to how she works her magic — and how you can, too. From the planning stage, through the big day, and even the day after the event, she shares her secrets, critical tips and favorite resources, so you and your team can create magic online, too!
As a little sneak peek, here’s Dana’s Virtual Event Goal Setting Pyramid, so you can get started TODAY. This pyramid consists of three levels:
- First, determine the vibe you hope to elicit. What do you want your attendees to feel? How (and when) do you make these emotions flow? This will make the event feel like an experience. Emotional experiences form memories.
- Second, lead with an impact story and weave it throughout. Funds will flow once the ROI is proven and hearts are opened.
- Third, frame your strategy around benchmarks such as impressions, attendees, high-value touchpoints, and action steps.
After these three visioning steps are taken, you can start planning your event. Think outside the box to charm your customer. What was in-person will not translate virtually — switch it up! Another fun tip: if this is an adults-only event in the late evening — cater to that vibe. If it’s during the day or early evening, assume kids will be near; consider including them and helping children learn about important causes and philanthropy!
Curious to see a model virtual event showcasing mission delivery, breakout rooms, audience engagement, and live and recorded material? Join me for a 45-minute free, virtual event on Thursday, March 25th at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST (sharp). Dana and I didn’t plan this one, but it promises to be a dynamic and impressive run of a show. Click here to join me for BUILD Fest. Be sure to put my name in the intake fields — you know I love a little friendly competition, and it’s on! 😉
Key Takeaways:
00:59 – The importance of building strong foundations for an impactful digital social strategy.
05:52 – The hidden potential of the digital world: on Dana’s Virtual Event Goal Setting Pyramid.
11:54 – Best interactive spaces and platforms for events, how to keep attendees engaged and excited throughout your agenda, and Dana’s go-to resources for an unforgettable virtual event.
20:00 – Wrapping things up: How to call to action and build meaningful connections with attendees beyond the event.
24:18 – Why authenticity will guarantee a successful event, and Dana’s “What If Brainstorm” dynamic to activate, integrate and inspire your logistics team.
Connect with Dana
Follow Dana on Instagram
Join Missions to Movements: A Mastermind for Nonprofit Leaders
Get Dana’s Virtual Event Run of Show Template for Nonprofits
Episode Resources
Join the Nonprofit Social Media Marketers Facebook Group
Join the fun at ClubHouse
Incorporate Wheel of Names into your meetings!
Check out EP40: We Are For Good | Employee Giving Campaigns: From Staff to Ambassadors
Check out EP35: We are For Good | Making the Ask & the Five Fundamentals of Fundraising
In the world of philanthropy, everything adds up. These changing times have been consistently pushing nonprofits to keep evolving, adapting, and making the most out of the tools available to keep bringing their communities together for positive change. With that in mind, I planned this special episode with my friend, Dana Snyder, to have a really dynamic conversation around the art of making impactful virtual events happen.
