To paraphrase the opening line of <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em>, it was the best of practices and the worst of practices. Let me explain.

In the past few weeks, I've attended two remarkably similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. One organization clearly followed best practices, while the other appeared to have no idea how to make the most of a successful event.

<strong>Organization A</strong>

Event description: Luncheon featuring a <em>Washington Post</em> reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.

Sign up: On the organization's website, taken directly to PayPal. No information or email list sign up captured.

Reminder for the event: None.

Follow up after the event: None.

<strong>Organization B</strong>

Event: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion, featuring three White House correspondents, about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $36.

Sign up: Through EventBrite, which allows for email capture, branding, and payment on one page. (There are other benefits to using EventBrite, including ability to sign in people, print labels, be listed on an events page, and others.)

Reminder: EventBrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.

Follow up: Personalized thank you email from the organization's development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.
<h3><strong>Four best practices </strong></h3>
<strong>1. A hook</strong>

Kudos to both these organizations for their choice of speakers. Both events were very interesting. <strong>Hosting an interesting, topical event is a big draw for members and is attractive to non-members</strong>.

<strong>2. Building an email list</strong>

If you are a membership or donor-based organization it becomes extremely important to build and expand your email list. Having an event is a great way to attract new people, so it makes sense to get their email organization. <strong>Automatically adding people that have signed up for an event to your email list is easy and smart.</strong>

<strong>3. Following up after the event</strong>

Presumably, by hosting an event, you have a goal for it.  This goal could be to increase awareness, or increase your membership, or attract donations, etc. <strong>Following up after the event, reminding people of what you do and how they can be involved will go a long way to achieving your goal.</strong>

<strong>4. Program surveys</strong>

If you want to continue to have successful programs, you'll need to know what attendees liked and didn't like. <strong>Asking attendees to rate your program and give suggestions is a great way to improve your future events.</strong>
<h3><strong>It really was the best of times and the worst of times</strong></h3>
Organization B was much more sophisticated than Organization A. It used online tools to make things easier, and it seemed to be clearer to the outcomes it wanted. Even though both organizations advocate, only one organization had the foresight to build their email list to make advocacy happen.

Organization A, in effect, has put the onus on me if I want to be more involved in the future. If I want to see what programs are coming up, I will have to visit their website. Organization B is making my involvement and support easier. Since I will be getting B's emails about advocacy and events, I will be able to involved if I choose, without having to think about it.

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