BRIEF SUMMARY In this episode of That Sounds Like a Plan, we dive into three key strategies to keep your steering committee meetings on track. In this episode we explore: The value of creating and sharing an agenda.Why brainstorming sessions should be separate from steering committee meetings. The importance of summarizing and clarifying next steps LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES SHOW NOTES: www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/51 RIpple Event FB Page: htt...

Storytelling plays a vital role in the success of a nonprofit event. Organizations must be able to tell their story in a way that compels their audience to take action. In this episode I sit down with Howard Levy, founder of Red Rooster Group, to explore the vital role storytelling plays in nonprofit success. Howard shares his expertise on how nonprofits can craft compelling narratives that inspire action As a bonus, this episode comes with free resources designed to help yo...

In this very digital age, the personal touch of human interaction becomes increasingly important. Today we’re going to bring that personal touch back to event promotion. We’re talking about promoting your event with a street team. In this episode I share: - What a street team is - Why they’re effective and the benefits to using this form of promotion - Where and how to use a street team - Recruiting and training your team - How to maximize your team’s exposure. Links &am...

Whether you're organizing a small gathering or a massive conference, AI tools can streamline your processes, enhance attendee experiences, and make your event planning smoother than ever before. In this episode I share: Nine ways to use AI that will save you time and moneyA way to use AI that is a game-changer for an auction (check out my social media pages for an example)How to get the best results when using AI LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES 48_Show Notes 46_Event tech...

As the host of a nonprofit event, the program is your opportunity to educate and inspire your audience. Sadly, many event hosts get caught up in the planning of the event, how many auction items, the entertainment, the food, the decor. The program, which is arguably the most important part of the event, gets only a fraction of the attention. In this episode I share: - Why you need to start with 'why' - The importance of storytelling in your program - Why you need fewer speakers -...

Today we're talking tech. I'm sharing my must have event tech tools that streamline planning and ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether you're an event planning pro or just getting started, these tools are game changers. LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLESEp 46 Show NotesSign up for more info about Plan to Plan - a guided event timeline workshop using a wall calendar and sticky notes + Asana tutorialSet up a demo of Qgiv Podcast website: https://www.thatsoundsli...

“If you build it, they will come” only worked in the movie Field of Dreams. The reality is that it takes a lot of work to get people to first be aware of your event and then to buy a ticket. In this episode I share: The most common, yet frustrating, trend in ticket salesHow to use ticket bundles, FOMO and social proof to sell ticketsHow to audit your event using the 5 Ps LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLESEp 45 Show NotesSign up for more info about Plan to Plan - ...

There's a lot of waste in the event industry. If you've ever cleaned up after an event, you see it firsthand. In this episode, I cover ways to make your event eco-friendlier in seven categories: 1) Event marketing and promotion 2) Registration 3) Catering. 4) Venues and AV 5) Transportation 6) Décor and 7) SWAG. LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLESEp 44 Show NotesSign up for more info about Plan to Plan - a guided event timeline workshop using a wall calendar and sticky...

This is a Planner Pep Talk or PPT episode. Planning fundraising events is not easy. These pep talks are designed to let you know you're not alone with some of the challenging aspects of planning an event. Whenever you need a little encouragement, check out any of the PPT episodes. There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to nonprofit events. Just because you’ve planned one event doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same for the next one. In this episode I encourag...

BRIEF SUMMARYWe often talk about the need to have a successful fundraising event. But what does that mean? Just because your event made money doesn’t necessarily mean it was a success, financial or otherwise. In today’s episode we’re going to talk about the different ways you can measure event success. In this episode I share: The most common goals for nonprofit eventsTwo formulas to measure financial successWhy it’s important to track and monitor your goals as ...

BRIEF SUMMARYIf you are a relatively new nonprofit, or new to events, you might be wondering when it’s a good time to host your first fundraising event. In this episode we’ll talk about what you need organizationally and personally to be ready to host your first fundraising event In this episode I share: The most important thing your organization needsWhy you need board support organizationally and personallyThe skills you need to be able lead an event LISTENER ACTION ITEMP...

BRIEF SUMMARYWithout systems, planning an event can easily become chaotic and overwhelming. Systems enable you to delegate tasks and create consistency. In this episode I share: The difference between a system and a processThe seven core systems you need for nonprofit successFour tips for creating systems & proceduresLISTENER ACTION ITEMRank the systems from 1-7. Number one is the most important, urgent or needs the most work. Seven needs the least. Block ti...

BRIEF SUMMARYHaving a successful event year after year is a great thing! There are times, though, when you need to change things up slightly to refresh an event to keep it from getting a little stale. In this episode I share: The difference between the Flywheel Effect and the Doom LoopSeven ways to refresh or breathe a little fresh air into your event LISTENER ACTION ITEMPick one of the seven ways to refresh your event and explore it fully. Keep in mind your target audience, goa...

BRIEF SUMMARYHalf the battle when researching venues for your nonprofit event is knowing the right questions to ask. In this episode I share: Eleven questions to ask when looking at venuesLISTENER ACTION ITEMDownload the list of 11 questions. If you’re looking at several venues and want to make an apples-to-apples comparison, create a spreadsheet with the venue criteria that matters most to you so you can see at a glance what each venue has to offer. I call it a compa...

BRIEF SUMMARYGathering event feedback helps you determine what your audience liked about the event and identify areas for improvement. In this episode I share: Why feedback is importantThe best ways to capture feedbackThe types of questions to askHow to use that feedback once you have itTips for how NOT to take negative feedback personally. LISTENER ACTION ITEMDownload the survey template. Edit it as necessary for your event. Copy a link to the surveyAdd a line item to your ...

Live auctions serve a purpose other than just raising more money for your organization. In this episode I share: The purpose of a live auctionThe types of events that work best for live auctionsHow to find live auction itemsWhy it’s important to work with an auctioneerLISTENER ACTION ITEMDetermine if a live auction is right for your organization and your event. Talk to your board about the types of unique, one of a kind experiences you’re hoping to get for the auction. Reall...

The silent auction has ended, guests have checked out and you’re done. Well, almost. There are seven things you need to do to wrap up your auction. In this episode I share: The first thing you should do. It might surprise youThe things you need to document for the organizationThe things you should document for yourself or the future auction chair LISTENER ACTION ITEMGo through each of the seven post-auction duties in order. LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MED...

There are a number of things you must do in the month or two leading up to and on the day of the auction to make everything run smoothly. In this episode I share: When to open & close your auctionDetermining your layout at the venue Creating a seamless process for check outCommon Volunteer RolesMerchandising items What to do if someone doesn’t pick up their item at the end of the nightPacking up and heading out. LISTENER ACTION ITEMDetermine when you'll open &...

Online, mobile, or virtual auction. No matter the name, they all mean the same thing; an auction conducted over the Internet where people can bid through a website or mobile device. Not paper sheet bidding. In this episode I share: The benefits of an online auctionWhat to look for in a platformHow to structure your planning timeline for an online auctionSuggestions for dividing the work amongst your auction teamTips for adding items to your auction siteLISTENER ACTION ITEMS...

Silent auctions are a popular fundraising activity for nonprofits and their supporters. Sometimes auctions are viewed as easy money. If you’ve ever organized an auction, you know it’s anything but easy. They are a lot of work! When you put processes in place, it makes everything go more smoothly and makes you look more professional. BEFORE you ask for a single donation, you need to prepare to host an auction. Find out what you need to do and how to do it, step b...