When you want to buy your grandma a birthday present, you go through Amazon. When you’re looking for a plumber or auto repair shop, you look through Google.

When you’re planning a Super Bowl party, you might email some friends or set up a Facebook event.

So much of our day-to-day existence is online, so it only makes sense that when you’re organizing a nonprofit event, you take things digital as well. The right digital marketing strategy could lead to a packed audience — the wrong one or an absence of one could do just the opposite. Try these marketing tips for best results:

Tip #1: Run social media ads.

Ever scroll through social media and see an ad like the one above? It’s no coincidence — ads are targeted to you and what your interests might be. Even if that seems a little creepy, it has a ton of potential to help expand your fundraiser audience.

Running social media ads for events is one of the best digital marketing strategies to implement. If you don’t already have someone on your team who can do this as part of a comprehensive strategy, look into taking an ads course or hiring someone to do it for you. If you want to fill your fundraising event, you have to reach outside your immediate circle — social media ads are the perfect way to do that.

Tip#2: Create a Facebook event.

When’s the last time you received a formal invitation in the mail to something other than a wedding? As special as mailed invitations are, you need to reach a wider audience for your nonprofit event. People can share and invite others through a Facebook event, which increases your chances for higher event attendance.

This isn’t to discourage you from sending mailed invitations; in the right situation and with the right event theme, this type of novelty can actually work in your favor. Just make sure you also have an easily shareable Facebook event created as well.

Tip #3: Send out an email campaign.

While no one likes getting bogged down with emails, a perfectly crafted campaign can spark more interest. Are you featuring an auction travel package that’s worth bragging about? Is the guest speaker out of this world? Pump up potential donors and event guests by sharing the highlights of what’s to come and what to expect. As an added tip, make sure you write enticing copy and clever subject lines — you don’t want your emails to get sent straight to the trash.

Tip #4: Use rich media.

Humans are visual creatures. When it comes to promoting your event, you need rich photos and eye-catching videos. Guests who can envision themselves having a great time at your event or spending time at one of our auction travel package destinations (think beautiful Bali or French countryside) are much more likely to participate.

But when you work with Philantopia, you don’t have to worry about finding incredible photos. We provide you with a library of photos that are at your digital marketing and promotional disposal! Posters, email blasts, websites, social media posts, you name it. And speaking of websites…

Tip #5: Update your website.

It probably won’t surprise you that many people don’t update their website when special events are taking place. People are usually too busy or too intimidated to mess around with their site, and that fear or lack of time is understandable.

With that being said, in a blog about digital marketing, we’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you to update your website. Building a simple event page not only informs visitors to your site (both returning and new), it also adds SEO value and gives an online opportunity to RSVP.

If you’ve read this and feel overwhelmed by digital marketing, know that it’s OK to start small. Even just trying one of these tips for your next event could lead to higher attendance, which means higher proceeds to help your cause.

And hey, if you’re looking for the easiest strategy to implement, work with Philantopia! We provide you with incredible auction travel package media and our packages are zero risk. If for some reason they don’t sell, you don’t pay! Look through our best selling packages and get started with Philantopia today.