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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : Event Q & A Articles : Article |
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Event Q & A
June 12, 2006
By Judy Allen, author of the professional best-selling Event Planning series.
The question:
How important is the invitation? Does the actual style/type of invitation make a difference in whether or not people accept?Judy's Response:
The invitation is extremely important - the look, the feel of the paper, layout, the font, the language used, the message and the "energy" it conveys. If your invitation does not have a hook and a sharp focus you will lose your target audience at the very beginning. It should reflect quality and excitement that is conveyed to the participant and creates desire to attend - in both guests and the media - and to support your fundraising endeavours.
The invitation also becomes a marketing tool. Done right, it can help you to attract new lead sponsors looking to have their name featured on your invitation and tied to your event. Make such the design works to showcase your sponsors, as well as your organization and event. Check and double-check spelling, logos, dates, times, special requirements, etc. Many an invitation has gone out with missing, but vital information and typos and other invitation faux pas. All of this reflects poorly on the calibre of your event. If attention to detail is lacking on the invitation it will not make your sponsors happy, and guests could question whether will be worth their time to attend your event if everything is not up to expected standards from the very beginning.
Invitation Tips:
1. Hand addressed envelopes are always more pleasing and project a much different event feel than using labels or printed envelopes.2. Always send an invitation to yourself so that you can see the condition it arrives in and know exactly when it arrives. If there are any delivery delays you want to be the first to know.
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For paid professional event planning consulting - event design, site selection critique, venue and supplier contract review, budget analysis, strategic planning, event logistical and timing requirements, and on-site orchestration - contact Judy directly at Judy Allen Productions.
Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.
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