Are you looking to take your nonprofit's corporate partnerships to the next level? Join us as we explore the ins and outs of corporate sponsorships with Brandon Barnum, a master in forging powerful relationships that lead to significant funding. In this episode, we'll uncover the secrets to building your strategy for corporate giving. Learn how to establish meaningful ties with businesses and leverage these connections for mutual benefit. It's not just about securing funds; it's about creating partnerships that last and grow over time.

Whether your nonprofit is just starting out or has been in the game for years, there's always room to grow and improve. This episode is brimming with practical advice that you can apply right away. From crafting compelling pitches to nurturing donor relationships, Brandon will guide you through each step of the process. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with the knowledge you need to elevate your fundraising efforts and achieve greater impact. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your nonprofit's approach to corporate partnerships.

→ Why now is the perfect time for businesses to engage with nonprofits
→ How to create a corporate advisory council that drives engagement
→ Strategies for turning donors into passionate ambassadors
→ The importance of storytelling in building lasting partnerships
→ Creative ways to add value to your corporate sponsors

[03:43] Businesses want to partner because their customers require it. Consumer demand is driving businesses to engage more with nonprofits, with 94% of consumers wanting to know how companies are improving their communities. Frame your conversation with this perk in mind.
[09:51] Bring businesses alongside you to deepen your connection. Creating a corporate industry council can be an effective way to engage business leaders and deepen their commitment to your cause. When they feel part of what you're doing the relationship is likely to continue longer term.
[17:10] Encourage them to create their own event that benefits you. Empowering passionate supporters to organize their own events can lead to significant fundraising success, as demonstrated by Brandon's $1.2 million event.
[24:02] Employees want to work for businesses that give back to the community. Corporate involvement in charitable causes can significantly boost employee commitment and emotional connection to the company. Get creative with them on how they can showcase and feature your relationship with their team.
[29:14] Give them more visibility. Ask major donors to create quick video testimonials about your organization's impact – it's a win-win for both parties and adds value to your marketing efforts.

Volunteer Match
Nonprofit Prophet: When Community Comes Together by Matt George

Brandon Barnum

CEO, HOA.com

While a single dad in 1997, Brandon was an early technology innovator featuring real estate property listings from Realtors he partnered with and promoted. After learning the art and science of referrals, he increased his annual income 10X from $20K to $200K in just 18 months. Brandon has since closed over $500 million in transactions by referral and has founded multiple local and online referral platforms and networks connecting more than 5 million members in 195 countries. Learn more: https://hoa.com/how-it-works/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

Ever wonder how some nonprofits seem to always be in the news? It's not magic – it's PR! In this episode, we dive into the world of press releases and media relations with PR expert Mickey Kennedy. Learn how to craft compelling stories, build relationships with journalists, and get your nonprofit the attention it deserves. Whether you're a PR novice or looking to up your game, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies you can start using today.

What you'll learn:
→ The basics of writing an effective press release
→ How to build and nurture relationships with journalists
→ Strategies for getting national media coverage on a budget
→ Why being a small, unknown organization can be a PR advantage
→ Creative ways to generate newsworthy content

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:
[06:14] Craft strong, meaningful quotes in your press releases – they're your chance to control the message and increase the likelihood of being included in articles.
[12:08] Start building media connections locally – there are probably less than a dozen key journalists in your area who cover nonprofits.
[19:33] Timing, message, and relevance are crucial for press release success – as demonstrated by the dining bond initiative case study.
[30:09] Consider creating surveys or studies to generate newsworthy content and position your organization as an expert in your field.
[37:01] Don't let your organization's size deter you from pursuing PR – sometimes being small and unknown can actually work in your favor with journalists.

Resources
9 Creative Ways to Engage and Steward Your Donors Guide: http://thefirstclick.net/resources
Free Master Class: How to Build a PR Campaign Designed to Get Massive Media Coverage: https://www.ereleases.com/plan/
CauseWire – a nonprofit rate for press releases: https://www.ereleases.com/causewire/

Mickie Kennedy
Founder, eReleases

Mickie Kennedy founded eReleases (http://www.ereleases.com) 25 years ago to help small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility through tier-1 press release distribution. He lives in the Baltimore area.

https://x.com/ereleases
https://www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution
https://www.instagram.com/ereleasespr/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/
https://www.pinterest.com/ereleases/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ereleases
https://www.tiktok.com/@ereleases

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

Ready to supercharge your nonprofit's donor stewardship game? In this episode, we're joined by the amazing Sabrina Walker Hernandez, a board management guru with over 25 years of nonprofit experience. Sabrina dishes out practical tips on how to engage your board in donor stewardship, from thank-you taskforces to creative cultivation strategies. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you retain donors and maximize your board's impact.

What you'll learn:
→ Why donor stewardship is crucial for nonprofit boards
→ Practical strategies for involving board members in stewardship
→ How to create a culture of gratitude within your organization
→ Tips for developing a comprehensive stewardship plan
→ Ways to leverage board members' strengths in fundraising efforts

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:
[6:23] The fundraising process breakdown: Sabrina reveals that 60% of fundraising is relationship cultivation, 15% is stewardship, and only 5% is actually asking for money. This insight helps shift focus from the “ask” to building and maintaining donor relationships.
[13:09] Leadership Mindset Shift: Instead of lamenting that “my board won't fundraise,” Sabrina encourages nonprofit leaders to ask, “How can I better lead and educate my board?” This perspective change empowers CEOs to take responsibility for board engagement and success.
[24:46] Donor Care at All Levels: Sabrina shares a story about a wealthy donor who would test organizations with small initial donations. This emphasizes the importance of treating all donors with equal care and respect, regardless of gift size.
[28:29] Implement a “five by five” plan: This practical strategy involves assigning each board member five donors to steward, with a goal of five meaningful touchpoints throughout the year. This structured approach helps ensure consistent donor engagement.
[35:33] Leveraging Board Strengths: Sabrina stresses the importance of focusing on board members' individual strengths. A board member who excels at stewardship and cultivation can be incredibly valuable, even if they're not comfortable directly asking for money.

Resources
Visit Supporting World Hope for Sabrina's social media platforms, services, and to join her VIP resource library. https://supportingworldhope.com/

Listen to episode 172 where Sabrina and Sami discuss Utilizing Your Board in You Marketing Efforts. https://thefirstclick.net/172

Sabrina Walker Hernandez

President/CEO, Supporting World Hope Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Sabrina Walker Hernandez has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. She grew her operation revenue from $750,000 to $2.5M and completed a $12M capital campaign. She is certified in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School and a bestselling author.

Learn more at https://supportingworldhope.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawalkerhernandez/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportingworldhope
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nonprofitexpert
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/supportingworldhope

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

→ The basics of behavioral science and how it relates to decision making
→ Strategies for connecting with donors through shared values and experiences
→ Examples of how language priming increased donations
→ Techniques like set completion and scarcity to boost average gifts
→ The power of personal stories over statistics

[05:30] Intuitive vs. Cognitive Decisions People make decisions in two main ways: intuitively and cognitively. Intuitive decisions are quick and based on gut feelings or automatic thoughts. They don't require much thinking. On the other hand, cognitive decisions involve careful thought and analysis. Understanding this can help us predict how someone might decide in different situations.
[13:00] Building Donor Relationships. It is import of find common ground when building relationships with donors. This means looking for shared interests, values, or experiences that can connect you with the donor on a personal level. When donors feel a personal connection, they're more likely to support your cause.
[20:30] Priming Language in Campaigns The right language can prime people to act. Priming involves using specific words or phrases to influence someone's behavior without them realizing it. In the campaign mentioned, using certain words made people more likely to donate because those words triggered associated positive feelings or ideas.
[31:00] Behavioral Triggers: Set Completion Using behavioral triggers like set completion can encourage action. Set completion is when people have a natural desire to finish a task once they've started it. So, if you show donors that they're part of a group effort and their contribution helps complete a goal, they may be more motivated to participate.
[38:50] Emotional Responses to Personal Stories Personal stories often lead to stronger emotional responses than data. While statistics can provide important information, a story about a real person's experience can create a deeper emotional connection. This connection can inspire people to act because they feel more personally involved in the outcome.

Red Rooster's Fundraising deck of cards PDF available on their website under the “Fundraising” tab.

President, Red Rooster Group
https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardadamlevy

When it comes to nonprofit branding and marketing, Howard Levy has seen it all. As President of Red Rooster Group, he’s been helping nonprofit organizations overcome hurdles and inertia to wake up their brands and achieve their missions.

Right out of college, he founded one of the first marketing agencies focused specifically on the needs of the nonprofit sector. In the three decades since, he’s helped hundreds of organizations across a range of causes to revitalize their brands, shore up their marketing, and raise millions for their organizations. Today, he’ll share his insights on how nonprofits can improve their fundraising effectiveness using behavioral principles.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

Welcome to our latest episode where we dive deep into the power of collaboration! Teaming up with other groups can open doors to new opportunities and amplify your message, reaching hearts and minds far and wide. But it's not just about shaking hands and combining resources; it takes smart planning and strategic thinking to truly succeed. Today, we're excited to share some key tactics that will help you lay the groundwork for a fruitful partnership. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these insights will guide you in creating alliances that not only last but also make a significant mark. So tune in as we explore how to join forces effectively and watch your impact soar!

→ How to determine if a potential partner is the right fit.
→ Tips for setting clear expectations and defining roles.
→ Best practices for communication and follow through.
→ Keys to ensuring a win-win outcome for all involved.

[03:37] Consider Your Goals and Outcomes Before you decide to work with someone else, think about what you want to achieve. Ask yourself what the main purpose of this collaboration is. Also, it's important to know the least you're willing to accept from the partnership. This means setting a minimum standard or 'threshold' for what success looks like to you.
[05:13] Talk Openly About Expectations When you start working with others, make sure everyone is clear about what they hope to get out of the collaboration. Discuss who will do what, how often you'll communicate, and how you'll handle sharing information. Being upfront about these things can help prevent misunderstandings later on.
[11:19] Assign Clear Leads for Tasks It's helpful to have specific people in charge of different parts of the project. This way, everyone knows who to go to with questions about a certain task. Breaking down the work into 'streams' or groups of related tasks can make it easier to manage.
[12:55] Develop a Follow-Up Plan After your project is done, don't just walk away. Make a plan for how you'll check in with your partners. This keeps the relationship strong and shows that you value their contribution. Remember to express your gratitude to everyone involved. Saying thank you is a simple but powerful way to acknowledge their hard work.

Resources
Is your Nonprofit ready for collaboration? Quiz: https://thefirstclick.net/resources

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

This episode is packed with powerful networking insights from master connector Steve Ramona. Tune in to learn Steve's time-tested strategies for building authentic relationships, generating quality referrals, and growing your business through connection.

What you'll learn:
→ Strategies for effective virtual and in-person networking
→ Tips for meaningful conversations that add value
→ Techniques for nurturing relationships and follow up
→ Ideas for using your network to collaborate and make introductions
→ Best practices for nonprofits to engage donors and partners

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:
[11:19] The importance of active listening in meetings and asking thoughtful questions.
[16:03] Using conversations to connect people and look for opportunities.
[21:51] Following up to build rapport and stay top of mind for referrals.
[26:19] Hosting free workshops to provide value and generate referrals.
[37:38] Getting better by 1% each day and practicing service.

Resources
Is your Nonprofit ready for collaboration? Quiz
Steve Ramona's monthly podcast workshop. Reach out for more info through LinkedIn or by text at 408-642-6288
Steve Ramona's business education sessions every other Monday at paywhatyoucansupportgroup.com

Steve Ramona
Host of the Pantheon Alliance Mastermind

Steve Ramona, a unique super-connector, specializes in building partnerships through his personalized introductions. These introductions are emails and include video explanations, adding a personal touch to each connection. Steve's introductions have been incredibly successful, resulting in 25 million dollars in deals over the past 11 years. This track record speaks volumes about the value he brings to each connection.

Steve has a podcast, Doing Business with a Servant's Heart, with an audience of over 40,000 people per episode.

He also has a TV show called Together We Serve, which has a 1.2 million audience monthly. Steve’s shows mostly feature CEOs, founders, Presidents, and Entrepreneurs with incredible stories. Steve finds great people to partner with and introduce partnerships through these shows.

Learn more at https://www.servinginbusinesspodcast.com/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours

When you're a guest on someone else's podcast you are put in front of an audience that already trusts you. They are listening to what you have to say because they already enjoy the podcast you're guesting on. It is an opportunity for you to share your expertise and reach new audiences. However, there are a few things you can do to make it even more successful.

What you'll learn:
→ Dustin's 5 step framework for podcast guesting
→ How to identify target podcast opportunities
→ Tips for crafting an effective pitch
→ Preparing for your podcast interview
→ Creating a clear call to action

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:
[16:03] Dustin outlines his 5P framework: purpose, plan, pitch, perform, profit.
[22:38] Understand your purpose and goals before identifying podcasts.
[31:55] Customize your pitch based on the podcast's audience.
[37:02] Provide one clear call to action at the end for listeners.

Resources
Is your Nonprofit ready for collaboration? Quiz: https://thefirstclick.net/resources
Dustin Riechmann's free podcast guesting playbook and resources: https://sevenfigureleap.com/playbook

Dustin Riechmann
Founder, 7-Figure Leap Coaching

Dustin Riechmann is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of 7-Figure Leap Coaching. He specializes in helping mission-driven experts build 7-figure brands by telling their story.

Learn more at https://7figureleap.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours