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Crisis Management: Are You Ready?

Crisis Management: Are You Ready?

By Melissa Lagowski Big Buzz Idea Group CEO/Founder/Queen Bee It is a moment that every nonprofit executive hopes will never come: Your day is flowing like most days, and all is well when, in a blink, a single phone call disrupts the status quo and turns your world upside down. Dazed and confused now, how do you react? What are the next steps? Who ya gonna call? As part of your fiduciary responsibilities to your association, it is prudent to have a crisis communication plan in place. This is a task that many organizations put on their to-do list, but...

Leveraging E-Newsletters For Nonprofit Growth

Leveraging E-Newsletters For Nonprofit Growth

By Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Newsletters sent to your organization’s email list—also known as e-newsletters or electronic, digital or email newsletters—hold incredible value. So many nonprofits are not using this marketing channel to the fullest potential, but newsletters are a key resource and a crucial component of a balanced and successful communication strategy. How effective are newsletters, and how do they help nonprofits? According to a recent survey, 69 percent of nonprofits worldwide regularly send an email newsletter. Nonprofits have the second best industry open rate, with an average open rate of 25.2 percent and click-through...

5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace

5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace

By Cat Donovan Executive Assistant Big Buzz Idea Group In March of 2020 we began navigating a maze of unknown depth and complexity. Juggling balls and spinning plates multiplied by the day. Professional settings and expectations changed overnight. Families with school-aged children had the routines they depended on completely uprooted. It quickly became apparent that managing and maintaining positive mental health was going to be both a challenge and a priority. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, released the results of a tracking poll about one year into the pandemic that indicated four...

Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes

Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes

By Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Have you ever had one of those situations? You know the one. You are communicating with a colleague, and you thought that you had given such incredibly clear directions that you couldn’t believe it when they didn’t do what you had instructed? It happens unintentionally. Most of the time people think that they are being very specific in their conversations. We believe that we have transferred all the relevant information for the recipient to properly execute a task, but in reality we have a lot of information in our mind that...

6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair

6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair

By Melissa Lagowski CEO / Queen Bee / Founder Big Buzz Idea Group In thinking back to my first day as an Executive Director (E.D.), I realize now that the tone was set right there on day one. I met the Board President at my new office. He unlocked the door, handed me the key and said, “Have a nice day” as he left. There was no training, nobody to answer my questions. I don’t even know if I saw any of the board members between meetings (except, on occasion, for the Board member who owned the building where my...

How to Develop Your Nonprofit’s Audience Persona

How to Develop Your Nonprofit’s Audience Persona

By: Lidia Varesco Racoma Brand Strategist & Creative Marketer Lidia Varesco Design Determining your organization’s audience is a crucial part of branding and marketing. Developing a persona for each segment of your audience provides a framework for your content and assures that your outreach is strategic, focused and targeted. What Is a Persona? A persona is a representation of the target audience segment you are trying to reach based on internal data and research, and it includes the basics of who they are, as well as insights into their challenges and values. Some personas even include a name and image...

Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)

Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Routine “bored” meetings have transitioned from conference rooms to Zoom rooms for today’s remote workforce (and many are still a challenge to get enthused about…). Video conferencing is here to stay, so if you want your meetings to stand out while you increase engagement and avoid contributing to your staff’s zoom fatigue, you’ll want to pay attention. Whether you are using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts or one of the many other online video platforms, it is always a good idea to look for ways to increase the engagement of your...

Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II

Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group In “Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I” we covered ideas for you to utilize relative to email marketing, leveraging your community and capitalizing on some basic public relations tactics. Part II will advance the promotional discussions and cover more ideas for digital exposure. Online Marketing Marketing online via social media remains an important part of overall promotions for nonprofits and associations so we encourage our clients to include online promotions to achieve maximum exposure. Social media options can be a bit overwhelming, so it’s best to compare the various...

Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I

Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group I recently heard a horror story about a nonprofit that was promised a packed room for their annual fundraiser. The development team guaranteed that the tables would be full and the event would be a huge success. I don’t know all the intricacies, but in the end, their promotions clearly failed as there were not even three full tables and it was a huge flop. This is everyone’s worst nightmare. We are constantly tasked with growing our audiences and engaging new supporters but often don’t know where to begin. This list...

9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference

9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group As we continue to navigate this most historic year, I have personally tried to remain focused on the positive and the valuable lessons learned in 2020. Since March 16th, we have helped nonprofit organizations create virtual meetings, webinars, networking events and happy hours. In August, we added in a virtual festival, and in September, we leveled up to our first virtual conference. In one day, we hosted nine breakout sessions, one general session with a hybrid awards presentation, a diversity panel, a happy hour and an exhibit hall. After kicking the...

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Insights Blog Archive

  • 3 Tips For Maintaining Your NPO’s Digital Assets
  • Are You Leaving Money On The Table?
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: To Package or Not to Package
  • Boost Your Daily Productivity
  • Interim Directors Provide Strength in Times of Transition
  • 6 Tips for Cultivating Gratitude in the Workplace
  • Board Nominating: A Better Way
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  • Why Your Nonprofit Needs Brand Guidelines
  • Talk to Me! Prioritizing Internal Communications During Times of Transition
  • The Birth of a New Vision
  • Word of the Year: Manifestation
  • Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization
  • How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Meet Goals
  • 3 Reasons Why Your Organization Should Use Canva
  • 4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value
  • Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit
  • Budgeting for Your Nonprofit in Uncertain Times
  • Keep Your Mission in Mind to Maximize Results
  • 6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members
  • Nonprofit Event Venues 101
  • The Need to Go Beyond Surveys
  • Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic
  • Tips for Virtual Event Success
  • Please Send a Hi-res Copy of Your Logo
  • Self-Care: A Necessity for Successful Leadership
  • Spend Less. Do More. Your Guide to Effective Outsourcing
  • Should Sponsorships Include Membership Dues?
  • Optimize Your Contact List for Nonprofit Growth
  • Client Spotlight: Illinois Theatre Association
  • 5 Reasons to Outsource Instead of Rely on Volunteers
  • Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World
  • Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization
  • Never Overlook the Value of Gratitude
  • The Compelling Case to Renew
  • 3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership
  • Re-Imagine the Possibilities to Better Serve Your Mission
  • New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members
  • 4 Productivity Tips to Elevate Your Nonprofit
  • 5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace
  • How to Hire a Consultant
  • Celebrate You and Avoid Nonprofit Burnout
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: Growing Nonprofit Revenues
  • Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue
  • Cross-Train Your Team for Better Outcomes
  • Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven
  • Making a Case for Strategic Planning
  • Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams
  • Networking for Personal and Professional Growth
  • Why Nonprofits Need to Evaluate Their Budgets Every Year
  • Is Your Marketing Missing the Mark?
  • 6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair
  • Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times
  • Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve
  • Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19
  • How to Rewire Your Brain with Positive Thinking
  • 9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference
  • Something Good: Building Your Team’s Connection
  • Meet Big Buzz, the Creators of Ribfest Chicago
  • Employee Retention Tax Credit Yields Powerful Opportunity
  • 2020: A Lesson in Gratitude
  • How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status
  • How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I
  • Want To Retain Your Employees? Wellness in the Workplace Matters!
  • Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)
  • Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant
  • Innovative Approach to Volunteer Recruitment
  • Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations
  • The Taxman Cometh (Yes, Even For Your Exempt Organization)
  • Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?
  • Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture
  • Goal-Setting For Successful Events
  • The Benefits of Outsourcing
  • What’s Your Nonprofit’s Story
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II
  • Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!
  • 10 Tips to Cultivate Sponsor Relationships
  • How to Secure Mega Sponsorships For Your Fundraising Event!
  • DIY Event Photos
  • Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In
  • A Job Gone Wrong
  • How To Secure More Donor Dollars
  • Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit
  • Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns
  • 5 Secrets to Streamlining Your Administrative Tasks
  • The 3 Mistakes I Made Managing a Nonprofit
  • Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?
  • Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?
  • Outsourcing: The Only Solution To Staffing Shortages
  • To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services
  • Implementing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Your Nonprofit
  • If You’re Feeling Hopeless of Late, Remember That Your Work Matters and You Do, Too
  • Four Tactics to Resolve Nonprofit Staffing Shortages
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  • Take Time to Evaluate Your Events
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  • Crisis Management: Are You Ready?
  • Leadership Starts with You
  • Financial Planning for Uncertain Times
  • The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser
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  • Chart a Path for Nonprofit Success
  • Fresh Funding Ideas Are Blooming
  • 5 Ways to Generate Sponsor Leads
  • Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes
  • Why Identifying and Communicating Your Core Values Is Important
  • Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?

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  • 4055 W. Peterson Ave., #105 Chicago, IL 60646
  • 773.804.8589
  • 773.804.8986
  • info@bigbuzzideagroup.com

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