3 Big Questions to Ask Before You Book a Venue

LIGHTLIFT Team
Mar 18
2 min read

Every event should be strategically planned.

Strategic Direction Starts Here

Whether you're planning a fundraiser, client appreciation night, community workshop, or ribbon cutting, here’s the truth:

A great event doesn’t start with a checklist—it starts with a question.

Actually… three.

If you’ve ever planned something that felt busy but not effective, this post is for you.

✅ Before You Book the Venue or Design the Flyer, Ask:

1. What is the real goal of this event?

It sounds obvious, but many teams skip this step or settle for vague answers like “raise awareness” or “bring people together.”

🔍 Dig deeper:

Are you trying to raise money, build relationships, thank donors, attract new clients, or generate leads?
Is this event meant to support a long-term strategy—or are you doing it because it’s “what we always do”?

🎯 Your goal should be specific and measurable.That’s how you’ll know if the event was worth it.

💡 LightLIFT Intel: If your goal isn’t clear by the end of the first meeting… pause planning. A fuzzy goal leads to a scattered event.

2. Who is this event really for—and do they want it?

Every event has a target audience. And if you don’t know exactly who that is, it’s hard to design something they’ll actually show up for.

🧠 Ask:

Who do we want in the room?
Why would they want to come?
How does this event meet their needs, not just ours?

👀 Consider surveying your audience ahead of time—or reflecting on attendance patterns from past events.

💡 LightLIFT Intel: Great events feel like a gift, not an obligation. The best way to increase attendance is to design for your audience, not just around your goals.

3. What will success look like after the event ends?

Beyond RSVPs and catering counts, what would make this event a win?

✨ Could it be:

10 new monthly donors?
3 new business leads?
One major sponsor relationship started?
A re-engaged group of volunteers?

📈 This question forces you to align your event with your bigger strategy—so it becomes a springboard, not a silo.

💡 LightLIFT Intel: Every event should connect back to your mission, your revenue goals, or your visibility strategy. If it doesn’t—it’s just activity, not progress.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Strategic Events = Sustainable Growth

Planning fewer, smarter events is often the path to more results with less chaos.

Start by asking the right questions, and let strategy guide the structure—not the other way around.

And if your team needs help clarifying your event messaging, goals, or audience journey, that’s exactly what LightLIFT Marketing is here for.