I cannot emphasize enough what I am about to say:
Photos are a million times more engaging than text–and a million times more valuable in your marketing campaigns than text.
If you are a corporation and you’re sponsoring a big, lively charity event (or if you’re the event planner or non-profit working on this event), you will be amazed at how useful high quality photos will be–photos that really capture the spirit of your event and show your organization in its best light.
People are drawn to pictures. Pictures engage viewers. Pictures give internet passers-by a piece of your story–and hopefully intrigue them enough to read more of your blog or page. That’s why you always want a good pool of high energy event photos at your fingertips that can be used for:
- Instant public relations opportunities (especially those that give you short notice)
- Brochures and other marketing materials
- Annual statements
- Web site portfolios highlighting your involvement in your community
- Marketing for the same event next year
And there is simply no better opportunity for high energy, show-you-in-your-best-light pictures than at a fundraiser or any other charity event.
That’s why I make this appeal to all event planners, non-profits, and corporations–at your next big event, make sure you take the step of hiring a professional photographer to capture your event.
Because once the event is over, you’ve missed a golden opportunity to show how your efforts brought the community together and how you worked to make positive change happen.
High profile guests, local celebrities and politicians–pictures that associate community leaders with your organization flatter and excite the people supporting you AND can open doors if the right person sees that picture. Someone sees one of your pictures and says, “Oh! I didn’t know Rita was there. I should look into this organization.” That person will talk to Rita, there will be an introduction–and you’ve made yet another connection.
So whatever you do, don’t skimp on the photos. Don’t be like that bride who realizes a month after her wedding that most of her photos are no good–or worse, that there aren’t any pictures to remember the special day by at all.
