Elevate Your Virtual Fundraising Event: Hire an MC!
The invitations are out, the registrations are in, and the show is ready to start. But who is going to welcome everyone and get things started? Who is going to help the evening flow and keep the audience engaged? Who will help lead people on their journey to supporting your organization’s mission?
We’ve been making people more comfortable in front of the lens for 25 years. There is literally no one on our team who likes being on the other end of the equation, and we often joke: that’s why we got into this line of work–to ensure we are the ones behind the camera. Holding the attention of a room during an in-person fundraising event is a special skill. Standing in front of a camera and simultaneously delivering eloquence and positive energy is an equally specialized, yet different skill. Whether your event is in-person or virtual, hiring a professional to serve as an MC is something every organization should consider.
“I’m usually all for saving some money and using an in-house emcee, but I have to say I was totally wrong. Hiring a professional who knows just how to engage your audience and pull them into your program, and ultimately get them to provide their support, is 100% worth it.”
Another advantage to virtual events!
With remote recording, you might even be able to get Whoopi to host your fundraiser!
Even before the days of “virtual everything” many of the videos we produced were created for use at fundraising galas or annual meetings. Many of our clients’ first impulse is to have their executive director or board chair serve as the main voice of their event. We get it, they’re a familiar face, with knowledge of your organization. However, unless your organization has rockstar leaders who love being on camera, you might want to give that impulse a second thought. Hiring a professional to serve as your master of ceremonies can pay dividends–you’ll earn and retain your audience’s attention, save your own staff the hassle, AND increase your promotional opportunities. Most importantly, you can raise more money! Let’s explore each of these points a bit more:
A more interesting fundraising event:
We don’t doubt that your executive director is a great boss, with sincerity and wit unmatched in the nonprofit sector. Nevertheless, a lot of those qualities you most like about your organization’s gallant leader may not translate on-camera. That’s where a professional comes in; not only will a professional be more comfortable working from a script (and reading from a teleprompter, its own special skill to which we could devote a thousand words), they’ll also know how to evoke the right response from your audience at home. The MC’s job is to introduce the event and connect all of the various video segments in a cohesive manner–without a pro running the show, you risk losing people before you’re done conveying your story (and, making your ask!).
Be kind to your leadership:
We’ve heard it a thousand times: “I hate being on camera!” Reading a lengthy script on-camera can be very unpleasant for many of us. Additionally, for those of us who aren’t used to the task, it can be downright difficult. Your executive director can still play a prominent part in your event. In fact, a talented MC can even help someone who isn’t a professional engage with the audience during their segment.
Syreeta Martin from WURD recorded several promos for Pathways to Housing PA’s virtual event.
Promote, Promote, Promote!
Finding the right MC for your event may actually help you boost your attendance, too! In the case of a pre-recorded virtual event, we always encourage the writing of some scripted promos. Your MC can deliver these scripted bits to camera, making for engaging 30-60 second videos perfect for e-mail blasts, Instagram, etc. Furthermore, many of those willing to work as professional MCs already have a following that they may be willing to help you leverage. If the person you choose has followers or subscribers, they can put your event’s info in front of their audience.
Choosing the right MC:
Only you can decide which MC is right for you. Perhaps there’s a local news anchor who cares deeply about your organization’s mission? A motivational speaker whose messaging complements your own? Local radio and TV personalities often make great MCs, but due to the nature of virtual events and the advent of remote recording, it’s possible to cast your net further afield! World-famous celebrities who support your cause can be enlisted to record the MC’s script remotely, further boosting the prominence of your fundraiser. Recently, we’ve had the good fortune of working with WURD on-air personality, journalist, and local entrepreneur Syreeta Martin. Syreeta exemplifies many of the reasons why working with a pro is a no-brainer. During an on-location day producing a virtual event for Pathways to Housing PA, she knocked out an entire script in 22 minutes flat (including promos!) Pathways Director of Institutional Advancement, Valerie Johnson, hadn’t gone into the event’s planning process thinking about hiring an emcee: “I’m usually all for saving some money and using an in-house emcee, but I have to say I was totally wrong. Hiring a professional who knows just how to engage your audience and pull them into your program, and ultimately get them to provide their support, is 100% worth it.”
