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Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

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Board Nominating: A Better Way

Board Nominating: A Better Way

By Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams Simply too many organizations think about bringing new people onto the board of directors as a last-minute activity. They wait until just before the Annual Meeting, have a few quick, quiet conversations about who has time and is willing to join the board for the next term. Those people say ‘yes,’ the names are hastily approved, and thus, the next year’s board of directors is born. And this story repeats itself, often with just...

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...

Leadership Starts with You

Leadership Starts with You

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.” ~Helen Keller When you think of a “leader,” who comes to mind? We typically list examples of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and other famous people, but we overlook the value that each of us possess as leaders. Does your organization have strong leadership? How enthusiastic and impassioned are the leaders that sit on your board of directors?...

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...

Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic

Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group We have always known that, out of necessity, nonprofit organizations are incredibly nimble and resilient. Over the last 12 months, organizations have made quick pivots and showed great commitment and creativity to the missions they serve. Now that it has been a full year of life with COVID-19, we asked our clients if they had any unexpected positive results from the pandemic. Here is what they had to say:   Rogers Park Business Alliance “We added video interviews to our Small Business Saturday event in 2020. The pivot to video for...

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...

6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members

6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group We regularly hear from nonprofits that their Board of Directors or certain members are not carrying their fair share of the weight. The biggest concern is leadership not delivering on their Board commitments and sometimes they aren’t even showing up to the organization’s events. But imagine the flipside: What if each Board member actively engaged with your organization? What if every Board member met their give-or-get requirements and took their fiduciary responsibilities more seriously? What if every Board member actively served and supported your nonprofit with shared vision and commitment toward...

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...

Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services

Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services

Big Buzz Idea Group has enjoyed consulting nonprofits for the past 15 years, and over that time, whenever we met a new potential client, we heard a very common theme: “I had no idea a company like yours even existed!” The need for assistance has never been more obvious, which is why we are presenting a new suite of budget-friendly services to a larger audience of nonprofits.

Your mission is our mission, and now in addition to “powering nonprofit organizations to fuel positive change in the world,” we want to also “power nonprofit professionals” to accelerate your organization to fuel positive change in the world.

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Insights Blog Archive

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

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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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