Planning and producing a successful fundraising event can be stressful and overwhelming. That Sounds Like a Plan! walks you through the process step by step from start to finish. Whether you're an executive director, marketing manager, board member or volunteer, if you need guidance planning and producing a fundraising event for a small nonprofit, this podcast is for you. Host Alicia Baraga brings you strategies, tips, tools, and information from her 14+ years planning fundraising and awaren ...
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49_Using a street team to promote a nonprofit event
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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 promoti…
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48_Nine ways to use AI when planning a nonprofit event
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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 money A way to use AI that is a game-changer for an auction (check out my social m…
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47_Five tips for planning a compelling nonprofit event program
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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 thi…
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46_Event tech tools I can't live without
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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 HANDLES Ep 46 Show Notes Sign up for more info about Plan to Plan - a guided event timeline wo…
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45_Six tips for selling event tickets
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“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 sales How to use ticket bundles, FOMO and social proof to sell tickets How to audit …
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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 HAN…
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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 …
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BRIEF SUMMARY We 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 goal…
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41_Are you ready to host your first fundraising event?
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BRIEF SUMMARY If 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 …
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40_Seven systems for nonprofit event success
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BRIEF SUMMARY Without 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 process The seven core systems you need for nonprofit success Four tips for creating systems & procedures LISTENER ACTION ITEM Rank t…
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39_Seven ways to refresh your event
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BRIEF SUMMARY Having 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 Loop Seven ways to refresh or breathe a little fresh air into your …
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38_Eleven questions to ask when looking at venues
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BRIEF SUMMARY Half 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 venues LISTENER ACTION ITEM Download the list of 11 questions. If you’re looking at several venues and want to make an apples-to-apples comparison, create a spreadshee…
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37_How to get and use event feedback
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BRIEF SUMMARY Gathering 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 important The best ways to capture feedback The types of questions to ask How to use that feedback once you have it Tips for how NOT to take negative feedback personally. LI…
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Live auctions serve a purpose other than just raising more money for your organization. In this episode I share: The purpose of a live auction The types of events that work best for live auctions How to find live auction items Why it’s important to work with an auctioneer LISTENER ACTION ITEM Determine if a live auction is right for your organizati…
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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 you The things you need to document for the organization The things you should document for yourself or the future auction chair…
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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 auction Determining your layout at the venue Creating a seamless process for check out Common Volunteer Roles Merchandising items What to do if someone doesn’t p…
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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 auction What to look for in a platform How to structure your planning timeline for an online…
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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 …
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31_Putting Together Your Planning Team
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Planning a nonprofit fundraising or awareness-building event takes a team! This group of individuals can have a huge impact on your event. In this episode I share: The typical structure of the planning team When you should or shouldn’t have co-chairs Which roles should be held by organization staff, when possible The importance of matching the pers…
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30_When does sponsorship become advertising? Special Guest: Jess Birken
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Event sponsorship is arguably one of the most challenging and stressful aspects of planning a fundraising event. Part of that stress is driven by the fact that there are IRS rules about what you can and cannot do and there’s a fine line where sponsorship can unintentionally drift from sponsorship to advertising. I talk about this and more with my s…
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For nonprofits, sponsorship packages all tend to look the same; logos on websites and printed materials, tables at the event, social media mentions, etc. So how does a nonprofit stand out from the competition and create long term relationships with their sponsors? The answer…Sponsor Activations. In this episode I share: What is a sponsor activation…
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28_7 Steps to Get Ready for Sponsorship Sales
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Sponsorship sales is one of the most important, yet most daunting, tasks for your fundraising event. It’s not just something you can dive into. There’s a lot of prep work that needs to happen behind the scenes before you can begin. I break it the prep work down into 7 steps. In this episode I share: Why you should have a clear definition of your ta…
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This is an episode called a Planner Pep Talk or PPT. 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. Working hard is important but so is taking time off to rec…
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26_6 Ways to Prep for Next Year's Events
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Are you heading into the new year excited and ready to take on your first event? Or are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious? If it’s the latter, it may mean you simply need to do some year-end tasks that will set you up for success for next year’s events. In this episode I share: Why you need a recap for all events Why you should start recruiting y…
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This is an episode called a Planner Pep Talk or PPT. Planning fundraising events is not easy. These pep talks are designed to let you know you're not alone with some of the frustrating aspects of planning an event. Whenever you need a little encouragement, check out any of the PPT episodes. The last couple of weeks leading up to your event is one o…
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What is an event script? Why would you need one for a small nonprofit event? I answer these questions and more in this week’s episode. In this episode I share: Why you need an event script, no matter how small your event or program What should be the maximum length of your program The format and content of your script Head to the show notes and dow…
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Being nervous on event day is understandable. Your mind is filled with all kinds of scenarios of what could go wrong. In this episode I share: The three ways to minimize issues The five areas where problems tend to arise How to keep your cool on event day Ep. 21_Two ways to stay on track on event day RIpple Event FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/R…
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22_Creating an internal event recap
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There are many lessons learned each time you and your team plan a nonprofit fundraising or awareness building event. An internal recap document is how you capture those lessons and use what you've learned to build on and improve your event for the next time around. In this episode I share: What an internal recap is and why you need one The input yo…
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21_Two ways to stay on track on event day
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The weeks leading up to an event can be chaotic. There’s a lot happening and there will be lots of questions about what’s happening and when. The easiest way to ensure everyone is on the same page and minimize questions is to create two documents that will keep you on track on event day; a Show Flow or Run of Show and a packing checklist. In this e…
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Volunteers are the lifeblood of a nonprofit. They provide staffing and labor in areas where nonprofits typically can’t afford to hire staff. This is especially true when it comes to events. In this episode I share: The types of event volunteers you need The structure of your planning team How to create a volunteer grid for the day of the event Why …
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A theme can turn a ho-hum event into a memorable experience. When done well, a theme can seamlessly tie your mission to something fun and interactive. In this episode I share: The purpose of event themes The best type of theme for a nonprofit event A brainwriting process for coming up with a theme The Listener Action Item for today's episode has th…
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18_Lessons Learned from Event Burnout
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After a year of producing a large number of events, I hit a wall. I experienced event burnout. In this episode I share: The ways in which event burnout manifested in my life How I’m doing things differently to avoid burning out again I don’t ever want anyone to go through what I did. While this isn’t a foolproof method for avoiding burnout, it’s a …
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17_PPT The struggle with perfectionism
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This is an episode called a Planner Pep Talk or PPT. Planning fundraising events is not easy. These pep talks are designed to let you know you're not alone with some of the frustrating aspects of planning an event. Whenever you need a little encouragement, check out any of the PPT episodes. Perfectionists have a lot of good qualities and make great…
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16_Why HOPE shouldn't be part of your event
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There’s nothing wrong with hope. Giving someone hope can change their life. I am arguing that HOPE (the word hope) shouldn’t be part of your event. In today’s episode I’m going to tell you WHY I feel this way. I may not change your mind but hopefully I’ve made you think about a few things. In this episode I share: The 3 reasons why HOPE shouldn’t b…
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Planning an outdoor event comes with its own set of unique challenges and tasks on your to-do list. In this episode I share: How to create an inclement weather The seven most common logistical factors to consider How to plan for your event program Here’s a glance at what I cover: [1:50] Find out what should go into your inclement weather plan [4:46…
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14_The importance an external event recap with Jen Gilhoi
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Jen Gilhoi is an event strategist and founder of Sparktrack where she sparks conversations and tracks results for brands. She helps nonprofits view and approach their relationship building and events on more of a continuum, versus siloed points like an annual gala. Jen and I talk about the external event recaps she creates for nonprofits and corpor…
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13_This ONE thing will make your life easier
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Have you ever gone into a small coffee shop and it takes seemingly forever to get a latte? By contrast, you can sometimes go into a Starbucks or a Dunkin and they’re calling your name to let you know your half-calf, oat milk, extra hot latte with a double shot of espresso drink order is done before you’ve put your wallet away. This is not a critici…
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12_The 7 Skills or Traits Event Leaders Need
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Are you the leader of a nonprofit and are looking for someone to chair your next event? Maybe you’ve been asked to lead an event or are thinking about stepping into the event leadership role, Before you start recruiting or before you say ‘yes’, learn the 7 skills or traits event leaders need. Leading or chairing an event is NOT for everyone. I had …
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There are three key areas where you should have firm deadlines when planning a fundraising event; sponsor deliverables, auction donations and event registration. When you don't have deadlines, or worse yet, when you don't stick to your deadlines, you're adding extra work and stress for yourself and the planning team. Find out why these deadlines ar…
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This is an episode called a Planner Pep Talk or PPT. Planning fundraising events is not easy. These pep talks are designed to let you know you're not alone with some of the frustrating aspects of planning an event. Whenever you need a little encouragement, check out any of the PPT episodes. Dealing with difficult people is one of the most challengi…
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9_Building an annual giving plan around events with Jennifer Dieter
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You pulled off a successful event. Now what? What do you do with your list of donors and supporters? Jennifer Dieter has spent most of her fundraising career as a small shop generalist with a love/hate relationship with events. As a fundraising consultant, Jennifer wants to help fundraising professionals develop sustainable solutions that generate …
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8_Finding the best date for your event
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Many planning teams get stuck on finding THE perfect date. They either overthink it or just don’t know where to start. It doesn’t have to be that complicated. There are 6 factors you need to take into account in order to narrow it down to find the best date options for your event. After listening to this episode you’ll understand what those six fac…
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7_Promoting your event with PR with Kari Logan
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Are you looking to get more people to register or attend your event and think that PR is the best way to do that. PR is a great way to tell your story and build awareness for your organization. Every nonprofit wants PR around their event. But what's the best way to do that? Kari Logan spent her career in the media and is now focused on helping smal…
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This is an episode called a Planner Pep Talk or PPT. Planning fundraising events is not easy. These pep talks are designed to build your confidence and let you know you're not alone. Whenever you need a little encouragement, check out any of the PPT episodes. Today's PPT topic is about doubt and not letting others make you feel "less than". Text me…
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Today's question comes from Steve from Anoka, Minnesota. Steve asks, "How do we utilize board members most effectively at events? How can we train them to know they need to be our best ambassadors instead of guests at the event?" This is a question I know many nonprofit leaders struggle with so I'm thankful Steve brought it up. In this episode you'…
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4_Leaving enough time to plan your event
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There are two big mistakes many nonprofits make when planning a fundraising event: 1) Not leaving enough time to plan the event. This leads to all kinds of stress, things getting rushed, teams becoming burnt out which can impact your goals. 2) Not having a planning timeline which can lead to things falling through the cracks. I talk about both of t…
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3_Why You Shouldn't Call Your Gala a Gala
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Gala used to refer to a certain type of event. You can probably picture it…Tuxedos, long gowns, champagne and fancy appetizers. Today, the term gala has become generic. It can refer to any type of fundraising event for nonprofits. The term has become generic, like Kleenex. Nonprofits have a lot of competition when it comes to fundraising events. Th…
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2_Defining, Aligning & Tracking Event Goals
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If you’ve ever made the statement “I want to lose weight” you realize how extremely difficult that nebulous goal is to achieve compared to setting a goal for the number of pounds you want to lose by a specific date. Adding those two simple details helps you start to formulate a plan for how you will get there. Setting specific goals for your event …
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1_Are you planning your event backwards?
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If work or volunteer at a nonprofit, you've likely heard this statement, "We need to raise some money. We should host a ..." And then fill in the blank with some type of event; a gala, 5K, golf tournament or similar type event. Find out why this is a backwards way to plan an event and what you can do about it. Join the private Facebook community he…
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In each short episode, I'll share best practices and actionable tips for producing successful nonprofit fundraising events. Whether you're an executive director, development director, marketing manager, board member or volunteer, this podcast is for you. Confidence, Clarity and Community are the three Cs I want you to get from this podcast. I'll ha…
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