By being online you have the option to branch out your ideas to more individuals as proximity no longer would cause an issue. In addition, there would be a sense of unity as it would bring people who SHARE the same interest to one common ground. By using the platforms mentioned above they each have an area for participants in the chat to communicate with each other as well as the host of the online masterclass.

In regards to how money can be raised by this activity is simple. As people would willingly turn up to the class that they are interested in, it can be assumed that they would pay money to receive content from the host of the class. (For example, if there was a class on cooking, the host could release (for a fee) a recipe book or an in-depth guide on the skills that they would have presented in the masterclass.)

• Streaming/Meeting Platform

• Live Streaming

• Ticketing Platform

• Fundraising Page

• Social Media

Click here to see our suggested platforms.

In order for this to be successful, you first need to think of your target market and what activity or class would most attract them. (This could be done using questionnaires that you email out, or you could create an instagram poll.)

Some examples that could be used are:

• History classes

• Arts and craft classes

• Traditional recipes using Sunnah ingredients

• How to draw

• Motivational or Leadership talks

• Tafseer classes

• The five Pillars

• Calligraphy class

After you have researched what activity you would like to do; you would next need to find professionals in that topical area to do the class. When contacting the potential masterclass hosts, explain who you are and the cause, additionally it may be suggested that you specify how you want the video filmed, whether they would mind if they were recorded and the class could later be sold to raise money, and lastly if they would make the additional package (such as a recipe guide) to also raise money.

It would be ideal if the potential host would send you a draft of what they intend to do during the masterclass and a sample of the package that they would be making. This would allow you as the audience to judge whether you are happy with what will be displayed and also would help you come up with ways to promote the class.

Decide which platform to host this event, consider the following factors to help make your decision.

• Number of attendees (certain platforms have limits, or will charge for more attendees)

• How easy it is for the host / guest to use

• Do you want interaction from the attendees, either via speaking or chat box. (dependent on the platform, you can cater for this)

A TOP TIP for timing is choosing a time when most people will have no classes or lectures. Consider prayer times, and avoid if possible.

Think about branding and ensure the people who are promoting the event know what the event is, as this will be invaluable during its promotion.

Create an eye-catching video or poster that could be shared on your social media and maybe even your Unions social media. It can be useful creating a Facebook event and messaging into facebook and WhatsApp groups.

A TOP TIP is to utilise your Institutions mailing list and also encourage key people to spread the word

There are many ways to sell tickets, from simple online transfers, to using online platforms such as Eventbrite.

A TOP TIP when using Eventbrite is to have your tickets as free on the site and ask attendees to use bank transfer/paypal to send the ticket money (to avoid additional processing fees). Another option is also to ask your union if you can use their website to sell tickets too.

To determine a method of payment and cost, consider the following:

The ticket price should cover event expenditure. Make sure you consider all expected expenditures, from platform costs (if there is a cost) to speaker remuneration and other costs.

Consider whether you want to make a profit from the tickets- whereby profit money goes towards charity week. If so, take this into account and add on a small amount to the ticket price to ensure the ticket price covers expenditure and profit.

A TOP TIP is to send access and preparation details to attendees once they have purchased a ticket via your chosen method. Or you can add them into a facebook or WhatsApp group to receive access details on the day of the event.

Be sure to have a team to run the event. Roles they can take up are:

• Operating the platform

• Hosting the event

• Interacting with the audience

• Troubleshooting

A TOP TIP is to have a trial run on the platform and streaming to familiarise yourself and help the event run smoothly.

It would be ideal to have a list of customers who have already paid at hand so that you can check them off as you accept them in the class. It could also be suggested that you begin letting people in before the class begins to ensure that there are no delays.

If you are using Facebook, it may be ideal to create a private group before the event begins and as people pay you add them to the group on Facebook.

If you are using instagram you would need to create a page beforehand and as people start to pay for the class you can then accept them into the group and proceed with the class on instagram live. You may want to save a class on IGTV so that the followers would be able to go back to review the class.

• We recommended that you do a sound and video check before the class begins to ensure that everything is working properly.

• Start the event with an opening Islamic / motivational reminder

• Share the vision of Charity Week, by playing a short video about Charity Week

• Whilst the class is on you should have one person in charge of viewing the comments to see if there are any technical issues or questions that arise.

• You can create additional ways to raise money by selling any extras that maybe on offer dependent on what was being taught

• You may also have sponsors who will pay to show an advertisement to your attendees during or at the end of the event

• Have virtual speaker gifts. A TOP TIP is to talk to local businesses for a gift or meal vouchers or experience vouchers that you can use.

Think of all of the possible things that could go wrong and put measures in place to prevent this from happening. E.g. speaker not turning up on time, issues with platform starting, people struggling to join.

Before you end the event, inform everyone of your other events, how they can get involved and even how to donate.

A TOP TIP to raise more money from the event is either auctioning or selling the items from the competition, if the participants are willing to take part like this. This allows for the viewers to support even more! Check out our auction guide for more guidance on this.

After the class you would need to have a method of how to monitor who would like the additional package that the host has created. A way in which you can do this is by having a post where people can comment a certain word such as “PACKAGE”, and you would be able to contact them directly through whichever mode of social media you have chosen. Keep an excel sheet to ensure that you keep a tab on who has asked for a package and who has received it.

Thank all those that attended, this can be done by sending a message via your social media and sign up lists

A TOP TIP is to use this moment to remind them of your upcoming events and share your donation link.

• Make sure someone is in charge of sending out the prizes

• Make sure someone is in charge of following up with any purchases

There are always hiccups or lessons that we learn, but do we make sure that the team next year will learn from these? Use our template event planning document to keep a record of how you put on your event and also any feedback to pass onto next year's team!