Navigating the world of government grants can be stressful. But funding isn't just in the grants you apply for. Guest Matthew Lesko has been helping individuals and nonprofits access little-known government resources for over 30 years, and he's here to share his wealth of knowledge.

What you'll learn: → Why Matthew is so passionate about government grants and funding → Strategies for finding and securing government grants, even if you're a small nonprofit → Creative ways to generate revenue beyond just grants → How to build relationships with elected officials to unlock funding opportunities → Resources and tools to help you navigate the complex world of government assistance

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:[05:34] Get intentional with the sources you use to find government grants. Avoid using Google to search for government grants – it's a “death trap” full of people trying to take your money. You don't need to hire someone to help you execute. [05:34] Utilize the SBA's local assistance database to find free, nonprofit organizations that can help with various aspects of your organization. There are loans available to help you with your team, as well as learning opportunities. [12:42] Don't just ask for money from government offices – ask for help in discovering the resources available to you. There are consultants that are connected to government projects that can provide services to supoprt you. [26:24] Follow your heart and focus on being genuine in your relationships with grantors and elected officials. Yes you will need to build relationships, but make sure it is the right opportunity for your needs.

Resources SBA's local assistance database: https://sba.gov/local-assistance Career one stop center: https://careeronestop.org/ Common Cause website: https://commoncause.org/ Apex Accelerators website: https://apexaccelerators.us/ YouFindHelp.org: http://youfindhelp.org/ GoHelp.com: http://gohelp.com/

Matthew Lesko Hi, I’m Matthew Lesko, known as the “Question Mark Guy” for my eccentric suits and passion for helping people find government grants and financial assistance programs. For over 30 years, I’ve authored bestselling books, appeared on major TV shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, and built online communities to educate individuals and businesses on accessing little-known resources. My mission is to simplify complex government systems, empowering everyone to unlock opportunities they didn’t know existed.

Learn more at https://www.free.lesko.com. https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeskoHelp https://www.youtube.com/user/matthewlesko

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

In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of leadership and personal growth with the one and only Alan Lazaros. As the CEO and CFO of Next Level University, Alan has an incredible story to share about how he turned his own personal tragedies and challenges into a mission to help others reach their full potential. From losing his father at a young age to a near-fatal car accident that sparked a major life shift, Alan's journey is both inspiring and insightful.

There are so many different types of leaders. Understanding who you are and how you work are critical to becoming the best leader. Take it to the next level by bringing in team members that can balance out your skill set. This is when you become a powerhouse leadership team!

→ Alan's background and how he found his passion for self-improvement → The importance of self-belief and self-worth in leadership → Strategies for building a culture of authenticity and belonging on your team → How to navigate the fears and doubts that can hold leaders back → Practical tips for taking personal responsibility and being your own hero

[03:26] Leadership isn't always easy. Having honest conversations about what you need and who you care is so important. Without it you can't be the best version of yourself and make the most of your best skillsets.  [13:18] Challenges are constant. Choosing to respond positively to adversity, rather than falling into depression or despair is important. You can't control what happens to you, only what you chose to do when adversity happens. [19:40] Core values are so important. They help you know how to lead and communicate with your team.  [31:54] As leaders, we all have fears. Different people have different fears so it's important to understand where you line up. Do you identify with the fear of not being enough vs. the fear of being too much? [31:54] When we are true to ourselves we can fear that we are going to lose. Embrace your unique strengths and gifts, even if they make you “not normal” in the eyes of others.

Resources Bronnie Ware's book “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying”: https://bronnieware.com/blog/regrets-of-the-dying/

Alan Lazaros At age 2, my father passed away in a car accident. At age 26, after getting into a nearly fatal car accident myself, I questioned everything I was doing in life. I questioned who I was and the choices I was making. I was at an all-time low. Filled with regret, I searched for answers and found two of the brightest lights I had ever seen. The first bright light was a book by Bronnie Ware entitled, “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying,” and the second was a Ted Talk by Tony Robbins. Both of these resources helped me find my way and guided me to make the choice of going ALL IN on self-improvement to design a life of meaning and purpose. On this self-improvement journey, I have learned I believe in a heart-driven but NO BS approach to inspiring, motivating, and educating others on what it REALLY takes to get to the Next Level. Today, I am proud to say it is my mission to help others design fulfilling lives, maximize their own unique potential, and build aligned businesses they love on their own terms. I have a powerful combination of technical expertise and business acumen specializing in Peak Performance, Productivity, Organizational Design, and Individual, Team, and Business Optimization. I lead a global team at NLU, have given hundreds of trainings all over the world, and have happily completed thousands of one-on-one coaching calls with clients. It would be my honor to help you get to the Next Level of your life, love, health, and wealth.

Learn more at https://www.nextleveluniverse.com. www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros www.instagram.com/alazaros88 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc

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

Celebration sounds good in theory, but who has time for it! There is always something else that is around the corner, another thing to add to the to-do list, another board meeting. Making time to celebrate your wins and your teams wins, sometimes feels like a waste of time. But it is so important!!

Creating a plan for your celebrations, just like you do your goals, can go. along way in making sure you take time to relish in those wins. It goes such a long way to bring your team together and avoid burnout.

→ The importance of celebrating wins, big and small → How to set milestones and pre-plan celebrations to keep your team motivated → Strategies for incorporating personal goal-setting and celebrations → Ways to get your board involved in the celebration process → Tips for maintaining momentum and avoiding burnout

[05:25] Pre-plan milestones and celebrations to keep your team motivated. This will make it so much easier to track when its time to whoop it up and know there is already something lined up to do. [06:54] Consider having a “Celebration Chair” on your board to help execute the planned celebrations. Their job is to keep you posted when you're close to your goal and be your cheerleader. Then, they can help execute the already planned celebration. [08:00] Implement a personal goal-setting and celebration strategy to stay motivated on your own tasks. Figure out what your mini milestones are and give yourself a treat when you accomplish it.

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Do you struggle with making the ask? You don't need to struggle anymore. Change your mindset and go for the nos instead of worrying about the nos. When we use data to our advantage we can set ourselves, and our team, up for success. Remove the pressure and give yourselve the power to create strategies that will help you close those deals and raise the funds you need.

What you'll learn: → The importance of mindset when it comes to fundraising → How to use conversion rates and data to inform your goals and activities → Strategies for following up with donors who initially say “no” → Tips for tracking new vs. returning donors → Ways to build a comprehensive fundraising plan

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways: [03:42] How many conversations are you having? Understanding your conversion rates and how many conversations you need to have to reach your fundraising goals will help you plan your day. This way you can plan your time accordingly. [07:07] Your conversion rate with new vs. returning donors will be different. Track data to inform your outreach strategies. [10:03] Nos are not right now. Have a list of follow-up options ready to keep donors engaged, even if they can't give right now. [11:41] You probably have a lot of different types of donors. Start with one fundraising activity, work it, and then move on to the next segment.

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

Social media is a team effort. Getting people on your team to join in on social media is easier said than done. Having their help will give you better content to share and be more on message. To get people to support your social media strategy, it requires being specific, having a goal in mind, and ensuring the team feels comfortable. This episode will help you break down how to encourage your team to join in and get excited about social media.

→ How to build a collaborative team approach to social media planning → Strategies for defining your social media goals and aligning them with your 2025 objectives → Tips for creating a content calendar and video strategy to keep your social channels fresh → Ways to foster a culture of content creation across your organization → How to support your marketing team and get the most out of your social media efforts

[03:44] Start with your plan of attack. Be intentional about your social media goals and how they fit into your overall 2025 plan. It's not just about being on social media to be on social media. [05:43] Build a calendar. Leverage a content calendar and video strategy to streamline your social media planning. It helps you come with ideas so people know what you're creating. [08:17] Lead by example. Create a culture where everyone contributes to social media content creation. They don't need to build the strategy they just need to support it. [10:07] You're in the field, you see what's going on. Support your marketing team by sharing stories, wins, and questions from the field.

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

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Therapy podcast, we're diving deep into LinkedIn strategies – both for your personal profile and your organization's business page. Sami Bedell-Mulhern shares her insights on how to leverage this powerful platform to build real connections, repurpose your content, and fill that all-important pipeline of potential donors.

What you'll learn: → The key differences between personal and business LinkedIn pages → How to create a social media policy to guide employee use of LinkedIn → Strategies for repurposing content across your personal and business pages → Tips for sharing and engaging with content from other thought leaders in your space → Ways to utilize LinkedIn's features, like live audio and video, to connect with your audience

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways: [06:55] When you have. astrong strategy for LinkedIn you don't have to worry about individuals making the connections. Embrace the personal nature of LinkedIn connections, and let go of the fear of employees managing relationships. [12:10] You don't have to come up with brand new content. Repurpose your existing content, like email newsletters and blog posts, to build trust and engagement on LinkedIn. [14:33] Help build trust for your cause with other people's content! Share relevant posts from industry experts and thought leaders to strengthen your position as a trusted resource. [14:40] Make personal connections through live events. Explore LinkedIn's live audio and video features to connect with your audience in a more interactive way. [14:53] Take the conversations offline quickly. Use LinkedIn strategically to fill your pipeline of potential donors and build meaningful connections.

Resources Ep 187 | Getting Started with LinkedIn with Jen Corcoran: https://thefirstclick.net/187

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

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast, we're diving into the world of social media influencers – but not the kind you might be thinking of. It's time to reframe the way we think about influencers and how nonprofits can leverage these powerful connections to grow their community and reach new audiences.

Influencers don't have to be super famous and with tons of followers. They just have to have an engaged audience that would be interested in learning more about what your organization does. 

→ How to identify potential “influencers” that align with your nonprofit's mission and goals → Strategies for reaching out and making a clear, specific ask → Tips for creating shareable content and tracking the success of your influencer outreach → Creative ways to think beyond the traditional “influencer” mold → The importance of building genuine relationships with your influencer partners

[00:00] It's time to think about influencers in a different way. Influencers aren't just celebrities, but anyone who has built an engaged community around their social media presence. [04:46] Finding influencers can be the struggle. Start with local “celebrities,” media personalities, and advocates who share similar causes to your nonprofit. [05:23] Look for the less obvious infuencers . Think outside the box and consider adjacent topics that might still align with your mission. This could be related products or services that would compliment the work you do. [06:25] Put a process together for how you reach out. Research their social media presence, look for mutual connections, and personalize your outreach message. When you can, have someone on your team, board, volunter, etc, reach out to them if they know them. [06:42] Make the ask clear and specific. Be clear about the desired conversion, such as event promotion or resource sharing, and offer something in return. [9:40] Don't forget to track the results. You want to know if your efforts are working. Be sure you understand the desired outcome so that you can track for future projects.

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 combines the best of goal setting, weekly planning, and quarterly focus techniques using both digital tools like ClickUp and traditional methods such as the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt. Sami provides valuable insights into creating impactful daily actions through effective task management, practical tips for maintaining focus on both short-term and long-term goals, and ensuring team alignment. Tune in for motivational advice, and learn about her favorite tools that can make your planning process smoother and more productive.

*This page contains affiliate links. That means should you choose to purchase we may receive a small commission. We are only affiliates of products and services we use ourselves.

→ How to effectively set and track goals using a combination of technology and pen-and-paper methods. → Weekly planning strategies that break tasks into manageable ‘buckets.' → Tips on staying committed to routines and planning tools for maximum productivity. → The importance of maintaining visibility on quarterly goals for consistent progress. → Practical methods to keep your team aligned and motivated.

[04:25] Use a project management tool to keep track of all the things. This way you can take things out of your brain and put them down to do at a future date. It helps you with scheduling and ensuring you don't forget any important tasks. [8:48] Utilize the Full Focus Planner to help you break big goals into quarterly, weekly, and daily priorities.  It will help you make sense of what you have coming up and how you can prioritize the never ending to-do list. [12:35] Commit to your own system, everyone's is diferent. Building habits makes you more productive and helps you keep things moving forward. [14:15] Find a place to keep your big picture goals visible. That way as you move through the year you don't stray too far away from what you wanted to accomplish. 

Ep 185 | Take Back Your time in 2023 with Chelsey Newmyer Ink+Volt desktop Planner ClickUp*

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

A website isn't set it and forget it. Year end is a great time to ensure your website is aligned with your business goals. Guest Monica Pitts, founder of May Create Design, shares strategies to ensure your website aligns with your goals, converts effectively, and engages the right audience. From website audits and stakeholder engagement to using AI tools for refined messaging, this episode is packed with actionable tips to improve your nonprofit's digital marketing efforts.

→ How to align your website with your organization's evolving goals → Effective nonprofit marketing strategies and stakeholder engagement → Continuous website management and optimization tips → Utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance nonprofit messaging → Maximizing clarity in communication for efficient advocacy

[05:20] Update your website to align with your goals. Messaging and the alignment of your website and your goals needs to be consistent. Now is the time to ensure that its updated and showcasing the priorities you've set for your organization. [10:45] Speak in a language your audience understands, remove the jargon. Utilize your team to ensure that it makes sense for how they talk with their stakeholders. Bring in people that would use your website to see if they can find what they need from the website. [15:30] Take your goals and start the review process with your website. Ensure the structure is what you needs to be to support conversions. Set up automations for updating content so it is more seamless. [20:15] Use AI for refining website messaging and engaging donors. Take your existing language and use ChatGPT to update the language you need.  [25:50] Be positive and uplifting. Balancing clear communication with mission alignment helps with effective advocacy. Share imagery that shows the transformation and what will be when they give to your organization.

Resources

The Marketing with Purpose podcast: https://mayecreate.com/marketing-with-purpose-podcast/

Monica Pitts Founder, MayeCreate Design Monica is the founder of MayeCreate Design and host of the Marketing with Purpose podcast. She’s a techy, crafty, aerial dancer with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Monica possesses a rare combination of design savvy and technological know-how. She puts her down-to-earth problem solving skills to work providing solutions to marketing and communication challenges through technology. When she’s not running her business she’s raising her two daughters, 9 and 13, petting her puppies, traveling with her husband, Mike, dancing in air or digging in the dirt!

Learn more at: https://mayecreate.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@mayecreatedesign Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/mayecreate/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mayecreate/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mayecreate/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mayecreate X - https://twitter.com/MayeCreate

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

Having big goals for your organization is crucial, but actually executing on them and staying motivated can be a real challenge. In this episode, we chat with Colleen Biggs, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist, about her proven strategies for setting achievable goals, keeping your team engaged, and celebrating wins along the way. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, small business owner, or just someone who wants to level up in 2025, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights to help you make your big dreams a reality.

→ The importance of goal-setting and why it's like a game of darts → How to break down long-term goals into manageable milestones → Strategies for keeping your team motivated and engaged → The power of visualization and creating a vision board → Tips for enjoying the journey and not just focusing on the end result

[06:00] If there was no goal, there would be no meaning to the work. Goals help you stay motivated and on track to doing more good in this world. [07:45] Break down big goals into more maneagble chunks. Colleen shares how she broke down her long-term Taekwondo goal into smaller, more manageable milestones. “ I never once focused honestly on the getting the black belt, until the black belt was visible in the space.” [27:07] Ensure everyone knows their role to play in reaching the goals. Colleen provides insights on engaging and motivating teams to work towards shared goals. [33:57] Goals are important, and having the goal is just as important as the journey. Colleen shares a personal story about running a half-marathon and the importance of enjoying the experience, not just the end result. Celebrate milestones and make the process enjoyable to avoid burnout.

Resources Take the Leap podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-the-leap/id1503359524

Colleen Biggs Business Coach for Women

Colleen Biggs is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with over 22 years of experience in launching over 365 businesses. She has a passion for empowering entrepreneurs to make MONEY. With a background in franchising, including her time with The Little Gym and now franchising Phoenix Drone Pros, she enjoys guiding small business owners to expand their influence, generate more revenue, and achieve financial abundance. As a visionary leader and business coach, Colleen is also dedicated to helping women build thriving connections. Through her transformative coaching program and local Empower & Elevate conferences, she empowers women to unleash their profit potential by building their net worth directly through their networks.

Learn more: https://colleenbiggs.net/

Connect with Colleen here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleen.s.biggs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-biggs/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenbiggs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeapwithColleen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colleenjanebiggs

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