​The end of the year is not just a time for holiday festivities and celebrations - it’s also a critical period for nonprofits. It is so critical, that on average, nonprofits raise 26% of their annual revenue in December!
 
A well-executed year-end campaign can set the tone for the upcoming year and provide essential resources for the organization. Nonprofit organizations must pay attention to their fundraising targets during this crucial time. Slash 26% out of anyone’s budget, and the results would be dire!
 
So, what makes an end-of-year campaign a hit and successful? BIG DEAL Company has led multiple successful end-of-year campaigns, and here is what we have found to be some key elements for success:

​Donor-Centric Approaches
It is always helpful to remember that your donors are the heroes. Successful campaigns pull donors along on a journey, showing how their contributions make a difference. Donors like to see their dollars at work and feel like they are making a difference.
 
Lifting up donors during an end-of-year campaign is also key. Personalized thank-you notes and shout-outs on social media can go a long way in making your supporters feel loved and appreciated.

​Multi-Channel Outreach
You need to have a plan to meet your donors where they are. Gone are the days of a single end-of-year mailer or newsletter. Organizations must utilize social media, emails, as well as direct mailers to get their message across. If your organization has an advertising budget, the end-of-year giving season might be the right time to consider purchasing ad space or mailing lists as a way to broaden your audience reach. Different platforms engage people in different ways, so find out what your audience likes and meet them where they are!
 
Create a Communications Plan
Once you have found where your audience receives information, it is vital to set up a communications plan. Prepping your donors well in advance can drastically improve your end-of-year fundraising results. This can be done through emails and social media posts. Prepping communication does not have to ask for money. It just has to serve as a reminder of who you are and what problem you solve. Prepping communication is consistent, engaging, and strategic.

​Transparency
Be open about how the funds will be used. People want to see how their hard-earned money and generosity are making real and tangible impacts.
 
Create Urgency
The clock is ticking and the year is ending!
Create a sense of urgency by taking advantage of pre-planned giving days like #GivingTuesday, or in Northern Colorado, #ColoradoGivesDay.
Build excitement and engagement with a countdown or milestones, encouraging people to act now, rather than later.

​It’s A Match!
According to research from Double the Donation, 84% of donors are more likely to give if they know that their contributions will be matched[1]. 1 in 3 donors indicate that they would give a large gift if matching is applied to their donation[2].
Donors feel that they make a more significant impact on your organization and its cause when they can see their dollars doubled in real-time.
 
Matching Donations can be leveraged by a major donor-matching gift, crowdsourcing matching gifts, or employee/corporate matching gifts. Once you have a plan for a matching gift, it is important that it is communicated clearly with your followers to achieve the greatest impact.
[1] https://doublethedonation.com/statistics/
[2] https://doublethedonation.com/statistics/

​Follow-Up
Once the campaign is over, don’t forget to let everyone know how it went. Celebrate the successes and be honest about the areas where there could be some improvement.
 
It’s also important to be clear with your gratitude. Have a clear plan for how your organization will thank donors at every level - new donors, large donors, small donors, match donors, corporate donors. Giving thanks increases the chances of donors coming back and donating again, setting the foundation for strong and positive relationships.
 
Remember, every donation - big or small - gets you one step closer to your mission’s success. It’s not just about the money - it’s about building a community that shares your values and vision.
 
If you are ready to elevate your organization’s end-of-year fundraising campaign, look no further than BIG DEAL Company. With our proven strategies and experience, we specialize in turning a mission into a compelling story that resonates with donors. We work with organizations to set clear fundraising goals, we design and create engaging multimedia content, and we optimize multi-channel outreach. We also provide robust analytics to help you track campaign performance in real time. Consider working with our team of professionals for your next end-of-year fundraising campaign.

We hear the question all the time, "Do I really need to hire an event planner?"
Maybe you are really organized...
Maybe you are surrounded with helpful people.
While there is no question that organizational skills and reliable friends can aid in an event's success - there is nothing like having a professional team to ensure your event is successful and stress free.

With over 160 years of combined experience on our event planning team, we have compiled a number of memorable 'Event Planner to the Rescue' moments during our time working together. So many popped up that we had to make this a multi-part blog!

Examples of how we have saved the day at events:

-Flashlights - We carry them in our emergency kits. We have supported countless events where lighting was limited, but bathrooms are always necessary. Hey - in Colorado, we have outdoor events nearly year-round! Sometimes guests with simply need an escort... to the parking lot or to the restrooms. 

-Glowsticks - Yes, we get creative. Sometimes hanging glowsticks in restrooms comes with the job. Creativity - it's what we do.

-Keeping peace with the family - There is a reason why the role of Event Planner is commonly in the Top 10 List of most stressful jobs in America. Part of our job is 'making people happy.' When family relationships are strained, we are often the peacemakers.

-Traditions - Speaking of family intervention.... we commonly experience dissention between business partners who disagree about 'the way things have always been done'.... or family members who are insistent on honoring tradition or heritage, even though the recognized parties don't associate with said traditions. In comes your event planner.

-Technology partners - Not only do we rock spreadsheets, we have to be well-versed in every kind of technology. From laptop back-ups, jump drives to tablets and iPods with your playlist back-up.... we have managed it all. DJ showed up with a wireless microphone with dead batteries. We step in.

-Wind storms, Rain storms and Stow storms - With 20+ years of experience and an average of 100 events a year, we've seen and planned around it all. We approach every event with a plan A, plan B and plan C. We have weathered all kinds of storms and don't sweat it, because we have seen and done it all.

We LOVE a theme party and Halloween is hands down, one of our favorite holidays! Our friends at Ensight Skills Center hired BIG DEAL Company to bring back their annual Halloween Eye Ball - a spooky fun fundraiser!

The Lyric in Fort Collins was the perfect location for this type of event! A free-flowing evening with DJ/dancing, tons of Halloween decor, cult classic movies playing in the background of the theater, door prizes, food buffet, open bar, costume contest, and huge silent auction! Thank you to all of the vendors  and sponsors who made this event possible.

​The Cost of NOT Hiring an Event Planner; A Closer Look at ROI - Free Printable

When it comes to planning an event, the decision of whether to hire an event planner or go it alone can be the difference between a hit or miss for your event. While it may seem less expensive to tackle all the logistics yourself, the potential hidden costs and missed opportunities associated with not hiring a professional event planner can far outweigh the initial investment. Here are a few tangible and intangible returns on investment (ROI) that an event planner can offer.

Time is Money: Event planning demands a significant amount of time and effort. Whether you're organizing a corporate conference, a wedding, or a charity fundraiser, the hours spent managing the logistics, vendors, and details can be a substantial drain on your precious time and energy. BIG DEAL Company will streamline the process and ultimately free you up to enjoy the event.

Vendor Negotiations: Due to the years of experience planning events, BIG DEAL Company has established relationships with vendors, which often result in cost savings and valuable perks. We are often able to secure deals on venues, catering, entertainment, and other services, ultimately reducing your expenses while enhancing the event's quality.  Plus, we can maximize your budget, ensuring that every dollar spent generates a higher ROI.

Risk Mitigation: BIG DEAL Company is skilled at identifying and tackling potential risks before and during your event. Whether it's weather-related issues for an outdoor event or last-minute vendor cancellations, our on-the-ground team is always prepared for these contingencies and can prevent costly disruptions and reputation damage.

Enhanced Attendee Experience: A well-executed event can leave a lasting impression on attendees. At BIG DEAL Company, we understand the psychology of engagement, and our expertise in designing a memorable experience can lead to higher attendee satisfaction and future business opportunities.

Marketing and Promotion: This is a factor we see neglected by many events.  We can help market your event effectively, increasing attendance and revenue. We’ll help create promotional strategies to reach a wider audience and generate a higher ROI where applicable.
​
The benefits of hiring BIG DEAL Company extend beyond mere monetary savings and can result in a more successful and stress-free event. When you consider the hidden costs, in terms of time, money, and attendee satisfaction, of not hiring an event planner the choice is easy.  As a bonus, we’re a fun and talented team that truly look forward to working with you.  

​Analytics, insights, results – These are all words used by different online platforms to describe one thing: data about users. Modern business marketing involves gathering a wealth of it, and many websites are already doing this for you behind the scenes. Let’s talk about how you can use these analytics to drive your own small business marketing decisions.

​What are analytics?
 
By definition, analytics means, “the analysis of data, typically large sets of business data, by the use of mathematics, statistics, and computer software.” Analytics can also refer to Google Analytics, Google’s own web analytics service that you can use to gather data from your website (learn more at Google.com/grow).
 
Other examples of analytics programs include Meta Business Suite’s Insights for Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest’s Analytics.
 
In the age of information, data is a gold mine. Analytics, in marketing, is the art of transforming this raw data into meaningful insights about your customers. This means understanding your audience better, optimizing your marketing strategies, and ultimately driving success.
 
How can analytics help me?
 
Ultimately, the purpose of analytics is to understand what your website and social media users are like and how they behave. You can use analytics to learn which marketing strategies are working for your business, and which are not. All of these things enable you to make better business decisions.

​Tailoring Marketing Strategies
Effective marketing begins with understanding your audience and their preferences. Analytics empowers you to gather and analyze data related to customer demographics, purchasing behavior, and interactions with your marketing campaigns. This information allows you to tailor your marketing strategies to resonate with your target audience, increasing engagement and conversion rates.

• Customer Segmentation: Analytics enables you to categorize your customer base into distinct segments based on various parameters such as age, location, interests, and buying habits. Understanding these segments allows for personalized marketing strategies that are more likely to capture attention and drive conversions.

• Campaign Performance Analysis: Analyzing the performance of past marketing campaigns provides valuable insights into what worked and what didn't. Metrics like click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI) can guide future campaign planning and optimization.

• Content Optimization: By analyzing the engagement and response to different types of content, you can refine your content strategy. Analytics can help identify the most effective content formats, channels, and messaging to resonate with your audience.

Data-Driven Decision Making
Incorporating analytics into your marketing and events company culture promotes data-driven decision making at all levels. By utilizing accurate and relevant data, you reduce the guesswork, minimize risks, and increase the likelihood of success in your marketing initiatives and events.

• Predictive Analytics: Leverage predictive analytics to forecast future trends, consumer behavior, and market demands. These forecasts enable proactive decision making, ensuring your marketing and event strategies are aligned with anticipated market shifts.
• Performance Benchmarking: Regularly benchmark your marketing and event performance against industry standards and competitors. Analytics helps you identify areas for improvement and establish achievable goals to stay competitive and successful.
• Cost Optimization: Analyze the cost-effectiveness of marketing campaigns and events to allocate budgets more efficiently. Understanding which strategies yield the best results for the least cost allows you to maximize returns on investment.

Analytics isn't just about numbers and graphs – it's about understanding your audience, refining strategies, and making informed decisions. In a rapidly evolving landscape, where consumer preferences are as dynamic as ever, making informed choices can be the difference between thriving and falling behind. 

​Overwhelmed with analytics? We can help. With over 20 years working in advertising, marketing and media software, the BIG DEAL Company team proudly specializes in full and partial service marketing campaigns.
 
For more business marketing tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

SCAMS, SPAM and MORE SCAMS
Wow -- they just keep coming! We happened across a great resource for current scams and spam. If you are ever in doubt, check this link to a list of current prevalent scams locally.  https://www.larimer.gov/sheriff/services/information/frauds-scams
If you see any messages in your social media inbox that mention your account being shut down--- know that it is a scam. It is happening to all business accounts, across all platforms.

Meta Fundraising Tools for Non-Profits
Many of our clients take advantage of the easy way to fundraise on social media. For those who use the fundraising tools on Facebook and Instagram (Meta), you probably received an email that could have looked like spam, but is important. You will need to accept the NEW TERMS sent to you via your social pages so that you can continue to allow fundraising via your pages.
Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/gpa/blog/paypal-giving-fund#:~:text=Today%2C%20we're%20announcing%20changes,nonprofits%20through%20Meta%20Payments%20Inc.

A Word on 'Contesting'
Lately our inboxes have been inundated with contesting opportunities and questions from clients. "Your business has been nominated for an award!" There are a number of 'Vanity Scams' going around. This is a seemingly legit award, that ultimately costs you money to promote that you received the award. There are SO MANY contests out there... some reputable, of course. 
​
How do you figure out which is worth your time?  Ask yourself these questions....

1. How much time to I have to spend signing up to be considered and to PROMOTE my business to try to earn the award? Your time is money.
2. How reputable is the organization the award is with... and do they align with my business values?
3. Do I need to spend money to be considered for the award? (buying ads, promoting the award on social media, etc.)
4. Is the contest sending potential customers to MY WEBSITE or THEIR WEBSITE?
5. Do my customers need to jump through hoops or enter personal information to VOTE FOR ME? How is the contest benefiting MY CUSTOMERS?

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Generating Referrals for Small Businesses

In the realm of marketing, nothing beats the power of a glowing recommendation from a satisfied customer. Word-of-mouth marketing is an age-old practice that remains one of the most effective strategies for generating referrals and boosting business growth for small enterprises. People overwhelmingly trust word-of-mouth referrals from their peers. In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of word-of-mouth marketing and provide actionable tips for generating referrals for your small business.
 
Why is word-of-mouth marketing so powerful?

In a word: trust. Consumers tend to trust recommendations from people they know more than traditional advertisements. When someone recommends your business, it carries inherent credibility. In a Nielsen study, 83% of people said they trust word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or family members, and another 92% trust word-of-mouth recommendations more than any other method of advertising.
 
Word-of-mouth-marketing (or WOMM) is essentially free, making it an incredibly cost-effective way to promote your business. In addition, your satisfied customers can potentially reach a broader audience than you might through traditional marketing efforts, speaking with people who are not usually part of your marketing audience.
 
Positive recommendations also have a long-lasting effect on your business, as people remember and value personal referrals. Word continues to spread long after the initial recommendation, fostering your business’s community prestige and creating an enduring reputation.

​How can I generate word-of-mouth referrals for my small business?
 
Let’s delve into some strategies that small businesses can employ to generate referrals and maximize their impact:
 
Deliver Exceptional Customer Service
 
Happy customers are more likely to recommend your business to others. When you provide a positive, memorable, and/or unique experience, you’re setting the stage for effective word-of-mouth recommendations from your customers.
 
Encourage Reviews and Testimonials
 
Reviews and testimonials are a form of unpaid advertising that, when used effectively, is more productive than the majority of paid advertisement. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or industry-specific review sites. Showcase your rave reviews on your website, on social media, and in marketing materials you send to prospective customers.
 
Leverage Social Media
 
Social media can be another source of testimonials in the form of user-generated content – content that is created by a user or customer rather than by your marketing team. Encourage your audience to share their experiences, then broadcast their feedback to reach a wider audience and build trust and credibility in your business.
 
Implement a Referral Program
 
A structured referral program formally incentivizes your satisfied customers to bring in new business. Referral programs offer benefits to happy customers, such as gift cards to your business, freebies, or discounts on services or products, in exchange for bringing new customers to you. These customers are more valuable than a new customer who walks in off the street, because your referring client has already laid the foundation of trust and the expectation of a positive experience.

Network and Collaborate
 
Collaborate with other local businesses and professionals, and attend networking events. Establishing partnerships with complementary businesses can lead to partnerships and mutual referrals. Business owners who have had positive personal interactions with you are much more likely to recommend your business to their customers.
 
Use Storytelling
 
As we discussed last month, storytelling is a powerful tool for eliciting an emotional response from your customers and potential customers. Share your business journey and success stories with your audience. People love hearing about the passion and dedication behind a small business. An engaging narrative can inspire others to support and recommend your brand.
 
Engage with Customer Feedback
 
Regularly monitor online reviews and customer feedback. Promote the positive, and address any negative comments professionally and promptly (but after you’ve allowed some time for your initial emotional response to wear off). Demonstrating your commitment to resolving issues can turn a review around and transform a dissatisfied customer into a loyal advocate. Even when that fails, others will see your response as a testament to your dedication to your business and desire to create positive experiences for your customers.
 
Word-of-mouth marketing holds immense potential for small businesses. By focusing on delivering exceptional customer experiences, encouraging reviews and referrals, and leveraging social media and networking opportunities, you can harness the power of word-of-mouth to grow your business organically and sustainably. A happy customer can be your best marketing asset, and nurturing those relationships can pave the way for a successful and thriving business.
 
When you hire BIG DEAL Company for small business marketing, you gain a built-in partnership. We’ll refer your business to our clients and network of other small businesses and promote your company across our social media network. Start building word-of-mouth today with our experienced marketing team.
 
For more business marketing tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
 

BIG DEAL Company is excited to promote the Unstoppable Women’s Business Conference that will take place on October 10th at the Aims Community College Welcome Center in Greeley.
Our very own company CEO, Christine Forster, is a presenter!
​Topic: Exploring Software: Time-Tested Platforms Small Businesses Prefer
We hope you’ll join us for this day of education and encouragement as we listen to inspirational women presenters explore what makes and entrepreneur unstoppable!

​The art of storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool for small businesses to effectively market their products or services. Storytelling in marketing simply means using a story, or narrative, to communicate your message to your audience. Read on to find out how brand storytelling can enhance your small business marketing.

Creating Emotional Connections
Storytelling is a means of connecting with your audience as you exchange information with them. It makes business communications relatable and memorable. When done well, it creates an emotional connection to your brand.
 
Emotions play a vital role in decision-making, and storytelling is a powerful tool to evoke emotions in your audience. Through compelling narratives, small businesses can evoke a range of emotions, such as joy, empathy, or inspiration. When customers emotionally connect with a brand, they are more likely to remember it and choose it over competitors.
Sharing stories about how the business positively impacted a customer's life or helped them overcome a challenge creates a strong emotional bond. Testimonials and case studies are excellent examples of storytelling that showcase real-life experiences and the emotional connection a customer has with a product or service.

Encouraging Engagement
Engagement is crucial for the success of any marketing strategy, and storytelling helps in fostering a sense of community among customers. By sharing stories and encouraging customers to share their own experiences, small businesses can create a network of engaged customers who actively support and promote the brand.
Utilizing social media platforms to share stories and encourage discussions allows businesses to connect with their audience in a more interactive and engaging way.

​Humanizing Your Brand
One of the fundamental ways storytelling enhances small business marketing is by humanizing the brand. Sharing stories about the people behind the business, their struggles, triumphs, and motivations – when appropriate – helps to create a genuine and personal connection with the audience. It transforms a faceless entity into a relatable and empathetic one, ultimately fostering trust and loyalty.
For example, sharing a story about the founder's passion for the business and how it all began can resonate with customers who appreciate the dedication and hard work that went into building the brand.

Building Trust
Genuine authenticity and trust play crucial roles in the realm of marketing. When customers have confidence in your brand, they're inclined to engage with your business, advocate for your offerings, and foster enduring brand loyalty over time.
 
Establishing trust with your target audience hinges on delivering an authentic message. Your brand narrative should remain faithful to your true identity, avoiding fabrication or exaggeration. Transparency and authenticity signal your brand's commitment to honesty and openness in its operations, cultivating customer confidence and reinforcing their connection with your brand.
 
Yielding Better ROI
Storytelling harnesses the profound influence of human emotions, rendering your brand more relatable and dependable. We tend to choose brands we are familiar with, fond of, and trust. Consequently, brand storytelling yields a superior return on investment.
Customers relish the opportunity to see themselves as heroes or trendsetters, significantly increasing their likelihood of choosing your brand over those that unabashedly self-promote.

 
By humanizing the brand, creating emotional connections, establishing a unique identity, educating the audience, and fostering engagement, storytelling can significantly enhance small business marketing. In today's competitive business landscape, storytelling has emerged as a vital tool for small businesses to connect with their audience on a deeper level.

BIG DEAL Company’s experienced small business marketing team is ready to tell YOUR brand’s story.
 
For more business marketing tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.