That Sounds Like a Plan! – Details, episodes & analysis

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

SHOW NOTES: www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/51

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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 you implement these storytelling techniques right away. Be sure to check the show notes for more details!

In this episode we explore: 

• What is a story arc and how to use it to craft stories - above and below the line
• Using conflict in your story
• Why you should focus on nouns and verbs rather than adverbs when storytelling
• How to make storytelling and integral part of your organization

SHOW NOTES:  www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/50

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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 needs
• Why you need board support organizationally and personally
• The skills you need to be able lead an event 

• Pick the area, organizationally or personally, where you need the most work and focus on it. 

Ep 41 Show Notes

Ep. 1_Are you planning your event backwards?

Ep. 20_Event volunteer basics

Ep 5_Utilizing board members

Sign up for more info about the event timeline workshop

Podcast website:   https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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

• Rank the systems from 1-7.  Number one is the most important, urgent or needs the most work.  Seven needs the least.  Block time in your calendar to work on the system you ranked as number one.  

• Ep 40 Show Notes
• Sign up for more info about Plan to Plan - a guided event timeline workshop using a wall calendar and sticky notes + Asana tutorial
• Set up a demo of Qgiv.   See their pricing here.  

Podcast website:   https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmkt

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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 event

• Pick one of the seven ways to refresh your event and explore it fully.  Keep in mind your target audience, goals and team when making any changes to your event. 

Ep 39 Show Notes

Podcast website:   https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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

• Download 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 comparison grid.  
• If you’ve gone through the list of questions with a venue and you like their answers, ask them to place a hold on your preferred date.  You likely cannot make the decision on your own and will need committee or board approval.  If the approval process takes a while, make sure you stay in contact with that venue so they know you’re still interested. People will often place holds on spaces and then never follow through so make sure the venue knows you’re definitely still interested. 

Ep. 38 Show Notes

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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.  

• Download the survey template. Edit it as necessary for your event.  
• Copy a link to the survey
• Add a line item to your planning timeline to schedule an email with the survey link to go to all registered guests the day of, or day after, your event.  

Ep 37 Show Notes
Ep. 2_Defining, aligning and tracking event goals
Ep. 22_Creating an internal event recap

Podcast website:   https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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

• Determine 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.  Really think about your target audience and what would appeal to them.  Give your board some examples of the types of live auctions you’d like to have   
• Research consignment item sites.  You want to have them in your back pocket if you need to round out your auction.  The two sites I recommend are Winspire and CharityACE auctions.  I
• Talk to other nonprofits in your area to see who they’ve used for live auctioneers. Get pricing for your event.  Auctioneer pricing is based on a number of factors.  Don’t assume because your nonprofit neighbor paid a certain dollar amount you’ll get a similar bid. 
• Let me know what topics you’d like me to cover in future podcast episodes.  Go to https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/submitaquestion

Ep 36 Show Notes

Ep. 35_Seven Post-Auction Duties

Ep. 34_Day of Auction Details

Ep 33 Online Auction Basics

Ep 32_Preparing to Host an Auction

Ep 22_Creating an Internal Event Recap  

Podcast website:   https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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

Go through each of the seven post-auction duties in order.  

Ep 35 Show Notes

Ep. 34 Day of Auction Details

Ep 33 Online Auction Basics

Ep 32_Preparing to Host an Auction

Ep 22_Creating an Internal Event Recap  

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

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 pick up their item at the end of the night
  • Packing up and heading out.  

1. Determine when you'll open & close your auction
2. Find out the quantity and types of tables available at the venue.  Work with your rep to create a layout. 
3. Determine your volunteer needs and recruit volunteers for the day of your event, including setup and tear down.     
4. Purchase items you plan to use for auction merchandise and display. 
5. Create a seamless process for check out and put together clearly written instructions for volunteers.
6. Create SOLD tags to put on Buy it Now items.  
7. Determine your procedure for items that don’t get picked up at the end of the night.  Put that information on your auction site and in all your communications with potential bidders.  

Ep. 34 Show Notes (includes more links to resources)

Ep 33 Show Notes (Part 2)

Ep 32_Preparing to Host an Auction (Part 1)

Ripple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.