We’re finalizing the content for next week’s webinar on a-Thons, and we’re looking forward to sharing some great ideas with attendees. Our speaker, Julie Taylor, works for American Heart Association as a market consultant. Before that, she was Senior Director of Start! Richmond Heart Walk for three years. We’re delighted and grateful that she has the time to share her expertise with us—and you.
American Heart Association (AHA) practically invented a-thon’s and has planned and executed hundreds—if not thousands—of Heart Walks, so Julie brings an incredible amount of experience to this webinar. I asked her to sum up all of her a-thon experience in four points. Here was her response:
1. Start Early. Time is the most critical element in planning a successful a-thon. If you’re holding your event in a public place, you’ll need to get permits and make arrangements with local municipalities, law enforcement, etc. In many cases, you’ll need to make those crucial arrangements a year in advance. And, for an a-thon, promotion is multi-level; recruiting participants, driving publicity to help participants recruit supporters, and promoting your cause. The earlier you start, the better your results.
2. Focus on making regular, incremental progress. AHA calls it “moving the marbles.” Set your goals early (see #1) and make sure every planning activity gets you closer to those goals.
3. Ask face-to-face. It’s harder for potential participants, supporters, donors, and sponsors to say “no” in person, so try to make at least the initial ask in person. Remember that asking face-to-face takes longer to accomplish (again, see #1).
4. Say “thank you.” Julie has a personal rule when speaking publically—start and end every talk with a thank-you for attending, and say thanks at least once during the talk. Avoid assuming that potential participants, supporters, donors, and sponsors know you value them—make sure to tell them.
A-thons are work-intensive, but they have the potential to generate as much revenue as a gala. Listen to the webinar on November 18th for lots more information, and consider an a-thon for your organization in 2010! For more on the webinar, or to register, click here.