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Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

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Tips to Ensure Event Safety

Tips to Ensure Event Safety

By Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Events are as common in the nonprofit industry as annual campaigns and executive directors. What comes to mind when you think of events? Most people think of parties, galas and fundraising, but nonprofit events can expand to include festivals, concerts, chef competitions and more. Regardless of the type of event your association hosts, there are inherent risks that savvy leaders should anticipate and mitigate. Financial Risk You know that the most obvious hazard of any project is the financial risk, so it is important to delve deep into any event concept...

7 Tips for Managing Hybrid Events

By Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group The times we are in are certainly uncertain. Looking back a year ago, most event planners thought we would be back to in-person events and that virtual events would be a thing of the past. But the reality is that with Covid variants surfacing and the general population having an extremely wide range of what they are or aren’t comfortable with, nonprofits today are being forced to choose which type of event they want to plan for next year. Many of our association clients found that a portion of their members...

Post-Pandemic Event Lessons

Post-Pandemic Event Lessons

By Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group For decades, events have been the lifeblood of nonprofits and associations. Then suddenly, March 2020 struck, and the event industry was about to begin a revolution unlike anything it had previously seen. We thought it might last for a few weeks or a few months, but now the months have flown by and the new normal is here. It is obvious that there are some important lessons that you will want to hold onto for the foreseeable future when it comes to event planning. Risk Versus Reward Events have always had...

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...

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...

Tips for Virtual Event Success

Tips for Virtual Event Success

By: Debbie McCann Partner W4Sight A virtual event is a great opportunity to showcase your nonprofit’s resilience and demonstrate your impact amidst the “new normal.” Just like with any in-person event, good planning is critical to virtual event success. Keep these three tips in mind to ensure that people remember the inspiring speaker, the amazing video, or the thought-provoking panel discussion – not the glitches. Tip #1: Set Expectations. Make sure people know what your event is all about, especially if you are doing a virtual event that specifically takes the place of an in-person event. In your email blasts...

Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue

Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with nonprofit organizations this year, and many organizations have been forced to cancel or postpone their fundraising initiatives. We have seen organizations focus on their individual giving campaigns, and we have heard some greatly inspiring stories about donors who have really stepped up for causes close to their hearts. But on the other side, there are also many NPOs that are not traditional 501c3 organizations. Many of these other organizations do not have access to grants, donations or governmental funding, so what are they to do during...

Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!

Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!

Many of our partners have been working tirelessly to provide relevant and valuable information to help various nonprofit organizations navigate the ever-changing waters regarding COVID-19. Forefront COVID-19 Resource Page  COVID-19 Response Funds Network for Good COVID-19 Resources National Council of Nonprofits COVID-19 Resource Page Bloomerang COVID-19 Resource Page Council of Nonprofits Resources Financial and Strategic Preparedness for COVID-19 Webinar Center for Disaster Philanthropy COVID-19 Arts Community Resources Northstar Meetings Group – How to Monetize Virtual Events   We will continue to update this page as more and more resources become available. Thank you to everyone for their hard work in...

Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19

Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group   We watched the world change, hour by hour, for several days until landing in our current “Shelter in Place” status. Initially, as the country began to respond to the coronavirus, we started to feel the impact on our nonprofit events, but they didn’t appear to be in the direct line of fire. But then on March 15th, the CDC issued new guidelines that stated that all gatherings with more than 50 people should be cancelled until at least May 12, 2020. The initial potential impact was now an impending multi-car...

Take Time to Evaluate Your Events

Take Time to Evaluate Your Events

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Some events can draw crowds for decades while others fall flat after a year or two. It can be tricky to forecast what makes certain gatherings an instant success, but it shouldn’t be difficult to measure an event’s effectiveness over time. “Events are often passed down for years, from one set of staff or board members to another, and no one actually stops to think about what the event should be achieving,” says founder and president of Big Buzz Idea Group Melissa Lagowski. “To properly evaluate an event, you must first...

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Insights Blog Archive

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

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  • 773.804.8589
  • 773.804.8986
  • info@bigbuzzideagroup.com

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