That Sounds Like a Plan!

Hosted by Alicia Baraga

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Latest episode

Nov 2024

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About the show

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 awareness-building events for a wide variety of nonprofit clients. Along with sharing best practices, Alicia interviews experts in fields related to events such as marketing, sponsorship, A/V, auctions and more. She answers your questions in Q&A episodes and boosts your confidence through Planner Pep Talks (PPT). If you're ready to streamline your event planning process, grow your audience and raise more money at your fundraising event, hit subscribe and let's get started. Now that sounds like a plan!

Listen to episodes

52 recent

November 5, 20249 min

51_How to keep event meetings on track

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: 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.

September 17, 202443 min

50_Nonprofit storytelling with Howard Levy

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 LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES 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.

August 6, 202415 min

49_Using a street team to promote a nonprofit event

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 & Resources 49_Show Notes 48_Nine ways to use AI when planning a nonprofit event 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.

July 23, 202422 min

48_Nine ways to use AI when planning a nonprofit event

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 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 tools I can’t live without ChatGPT/OpenAI Canva for nonprofits (free) eligibility requirements Canva AI tools Grammarly 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.

July 16, 202411 min

47_Five tips for planning a compelling nonprofit event program

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 - The importance of a script LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES Ep. 24_Why you need an event script Ep 47 Show Notes S ign 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 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.

June 18, 2024Episode 4616 min

46_Event tech tools I can't live without

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 S ign 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 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.

June 11, 2024Episode 4515 min

45_Six tips for selling event tickets

“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 your event using the 5 Ps LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES Ep 45 Show Notes S ign 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 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.

May 28, 2024Episode 4413 min

44_Eco friendly events

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 HANDLES Ep 44 Show Notes S ign 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 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.

May 21, 2024Episode 433 min

43_PPT Never stop asking questions

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 encourage you to not let ego or imposter syndrome keep you from getting the answers you need to have the most successful event possible. Never stop asking questions. 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.

May 14, 2024Episode 4211 min

42_Measuring event success

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 goals for nonprofit events Two formulas to measure financial success Why it’s important to track and monitor your goals as you plan your event LIST OF RESOURCES & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES Ep 42 Show Notes S ign 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 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.