Hybrid events are the latest craze in the fundraising world, but what are they and how did they come about? In 2020, during the pandemic, the virtual event concept was born. While all nonprofits were making a necessary pivot, the benefits of this new virtual environment came as a surprise to many.
In addition to the versatility and marketability virtual production provides, there are additional benefits, as well. Here are just a few of them:
- Online share-ability provides you access to a wider range of donors
- Virtual platforms can give longer access to your event
- Raise more funds when you pair your event with an Online Auction
- Production content can be used for additional marketing efforts beyond your event
Fast-forward to today—many nonprofits are headed back to their traditional in-person event strategy, but thinking that a virtual component could still be a powerful addition to their fundraiser… Hybrid Events to the rescue! But, what exactly is a Hybrid Event?
“Hybrid” is a buzzword that is defined in a multitude of ways. While many people assume it means donors at home bidding against guests at your event, there can be a lot more to it.
Distinguishing a Hybrid Event from a Traditional Gala
Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your upcoming event in order to distinguish it as “hybrid.”
- Are you expecting donors to bid in your silent auction from your event and from home?
- Would you like at-home bidders to participate in your live auction and paddle raise?
- Will you be broadcasting a live program from your event to your at-home audience?
If you have answered “Yes” to all three of these questions, you are planning a Hybrid Event! While Hybrid Events have great benefits and potential, the truth is that they are not a fit for every nonprofit.
Determine if a Hybrid Event is a good fit
When deciding if a Hybrid Event should be in your fundraising future, first consider the five points below:
- Extent of your Reach: Hybrid Events work best for nonprofits with a wide, national reach or those with multiple chapters participating together.
- Expected Headcount: Past event attendance should be relatively high to justify a Hybrid Event (400+ people). Offering the opportunity to stay home will likely split your in-person audience in half. Rarely does a Hybrid Event have the same in-person attendance plus additional bidders at home.
- Audience Demographic: The bulk of your at-home audience should fit well within a tech-savvy demographic. Be prepared to provide information to help your at-home audience self-educate about how to participate. Consider offering a dedicated helpline for those that need additional support.
- Budget Considerations: Hybrid Events are more expensive than most nonprofits realize. Remember, you are combining the cost of an in-person event with that of a virtual platform and broadcasting expenses.
- Your Event Team: Hybrid Events have twice the moving pieces as their in-person and virtual counterparts. This mean your team will need to be bigger to make for a smooth experience.
Get started Today
Our platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads, plus it can be customized to reflect your brand. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device.
So, get in touch today to see how we can help make your next gala event a successful one!
About the author
Auction Frogs
Auction Frogs streamlines your fundraising process by giving live and silent auctions a digital backbone. Reduce hassles, save valuable volunteer time, and increase your revenue raised. We deliver unique technology to simplify the experience of hosting a successful fundraiser.
