I'm back from maternity leave and more excited than ever to share with you the latest digital strategies for organizations making a positive impact in the world. As I return to work, I'll be discussing the importance of time efficiency and the amazing insights I've had from guests like Vik Harrison, Marcus Collins, and Caroline Griffin.

Ready to transform your mission into a movement? Discover how monthly giving programs can create sustainable, scalable income for your organization. We'll also dive into building a successful monthly giving program and what to expect in future episodes as we examine AI, Facebook Ads, and social channel updates. Together, let's create positive change in the world through digital strategies!

Resources & Links

Some of my favorite Episodes from the past few months include:

• Episode 70: The 3-Step Marketing Engine Every Org Should Use with Vik Harrison
• Episode 68: How Culture Influences Marketing with Marcus Collins, Wieden+Kennedy
• Episode 71: The Big Change with Google Analytics & What You Need to Do with Caroline Griffin

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, so apply now!

Check out Gateway Center’s monthly giving program, The Path and The Roots monthly giving program, devoted to supporting communities in Ethiopia.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

What does it actually take to navigate a business through the challenges of a global pandemic? I'm so excited to be speaking with Steve Johns, CEO of OneCause, about the importance of open communication and innovation as they faced unprecedented obstacles in 2020. Steve's inspiring story of resilience and adaptability offers valuable insights for organizations facing their own storms.

Steve shares how he sent weekly updates to his team, providing reassurance during uncertain times and creating a connective tissue that kept them motivated and connected. As the conversation unfolds, we discover how OneCause embraced innovation by creating their Virtual Event Center in just FOUR months (!), transforming the future of their fundraising platform. Drawing inspiration from the Lotus Bud parable, we delve into the concept of "fearlessness" and Steve's quest to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to his organization.

But how did OneCause achieve fundraising success amidst all this turmoil? Steve reveals the power of transitioning in-person events to virtual platforms, expanding their reach and donor base. We also discuss the vital role of social media in connecting with supporters and the exciting prospect of a hybrid approach to events moving forward.

Resources & Links

Check out Steve’s new book, Fearless: Leadership Lessons at the Crossroads and connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also learn more about OneCause’s powerful fundraising software solutions and follow them on LinkedIn.

Steve recommends the How I Built This Podcast and The Daily Stoic, by Ryan Holiday.

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, so apply now!

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and shar

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Are you ready to elevate your marketing game and achieve maximum results? We sat down with Erik Huberman from Hawke Media, a digital marketing agency that has been revolutionizing the industry with their cost-effective, a la carte marketing solutions. Eric shares his journey of building and growing his marketing business over the last nine years, and the innovative approach his team takes toward digital marketing - you can think of him as your outsourced CMO.

Throughout this episode, we discuss the importance of sticking to tried and true marketing methods while also exploring new opportunities, like TikTok. We also dive into summer marketing strategies, the balance between in-house and outsourced marketing, and the advantages of having access to a fractional CMO.

Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with practical tips and strategies to help you make the most of your marketing efforts! We wrap up by discussing the importance of critical thinking when consuming content from social media gurus and the success of a houseplant company's marketing strategy that focused on building relationships with customers. Listen in and prepare to be inspired to take your marketing to the next level.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Hawke Media and connect with Erik on LinkedIn.

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, so apply now!

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Ever wondered about the ins and outs of self-publishing a book and the journey that comes with it? I'm so thrilled to have Imani Collective founder and CEO Jenny Nuccio back on the show to share the story behind her incredible accomplishment of writing her second book, Let It Be Wild. Join us as we dive into the writing process, the growth of Imani Collective, and how postpartum anxiety and traveling across the country in an RV to over 42 states fueled her journey.

Jenny also reveals exciting details about their sustainability focus, the launch of Wild Soul Coffee, and how she plans to embark on a book tour with purpose.

To wrap up our inspiring and insightful chat, Jenny encourages us all to embrace failure as a learning opportunity, refining our character in the process. Plus, you'll hear some of Jenny's favorite book recommendations to fuel your own writing journey.

Resources & Links

Connect with Jenny on her personal website and learn more about Imani Collective. Her brand new book, Let It Be Wild, can be purchased on Amazon, or through her website where you can also see the dates for her upcoming book tour.

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, so apply now!

Jenny recommends the books Crazy Love by Francis Chan, You Be You by Jamie Ivey, and From Basement to Sanctuary by Holly Hayes. She also

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Martine Resnick believes that if you intentionally build your community and your network with high-quality connections, you can go so much farther, quicker, faster. And it’s also a lot more fun.

After 20 years in corporate working for The Cartoon Network and Bumble & Bumble, Martine and her partner Eileen opened The Lola, a welcoming, purpose-driven women’s co-working space and community in Atlanta. What’s even more impressive? They secured their first 300 members before ever opening their doors!

Martine walks us through her strategic strategies for raising money and making connections, the power of “Founder’s Circles”, how partnerships have been critical to their growth, and how they build community thoughtfully and organically.

In This Episode:

• Martine breaks down her entrepreneurial journey, following 20 years in corporate (The Cartoon Network, Bumble & Bumble, etc.) to community being the catalyst for opening The Lola
• How Martine found her business partner Eileen, plus the benefits of this complementary pairing (more collaboration, leveraging one another’s strengths)
• The intentionality behind how Martine cultivated community in Atlanta, hosting small events for 1-2 years BEFORE even opening their doors 
• Why we need community and high-quality connections to stay accountable to ourselves and grow faster
• How Martine creates “stickiness” in her community and uses clear communication, resulting in stronger retention and more engagement from her members

Resources & Links

Connect with Martine on LinkedIn and check out her beautiful co-working space in Atlanta, The Lola. Download her free guide to learn how to build high-quality connections in business.

Martine recommends using Mighty Networks as an online community platform. Click here to start a free trial.

What inspires website visitors to invest in your mission? Are you providing donors with a desirable online journey that keeps them coming back? Join my virtual session at the DonorPerfect Community Conference. I’ll see you on June 6th and 7th!

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Google Analytics is getting a HUGE facelift to GA4 on July 1st and today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know so you’re prepared for all of the changes. I promise it’ll be well worth the effort.

Caroline Griffin is a marketer on a mission and truly my partner in crime when it comes to digital marketing. You’ll hear what you need to do right now, how this new shift to GA4 can tell you even more about your donors, and why it’s essential to take action on this now. This is going to be a super tactical episode and very noteworthy!

If you’re interested in hiring Caroline to configure GA4 for your organization, click here to fill out her inquiry form.

In This Episode:

• The massive changes coming to Google Analytics on July 1st, and how this pivot means we can better model data and track people’s actions as they move through our website
• How to get GA4 set up properly, beginning with the first step of adding a snippet of code to your website using Google Tag Manager
• What nonprofits can expect to invest in getting their GA4 properly set up by an expert (plus, DIY options including a free certification program)
• How GA4 can help you connect the dots to see where people are dropping off in your supporter journey and which pages they spend time on before making a gift

Resources & Links

Learn more about Caroline on her website, Marketer on a Mission or find her on LinkedIn. If you’re interested in Caroline’s GA4 configuration services, fill out her inquiry form.

What inspires website visitors to invest in your mission? Are you providing donors with a desirable online journey that keeps them coming back? Join my virtual session at the DonorPerfect Community Conference. I’ll see you on June 6th and 7th!

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, so apply now!

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and s

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Marketing can be a very misunderstood word, but hands down, it’s a necessity if you want to create a consistent stream of lifelong donors and supporters. Do you have a strong creative strategy? Have you gotten stuck committing the dreaded “random acts of marketing”?

Today’s guest is Vik Harris, the co-creator of charity: water, a self-proclaimed marketing and branding nerd, and a nonprofit coach who helps organizations hone their leadership, marketing, and fundraising skills.

We’re about to go behind the feed and dive into some of her most provocative and powerful marketing strategies so you can walk away with tangible tips around conversions, messaging, and how to captivate someone’s “lizard brain”.

In This Episode:

• The dangers of committing “random acts of marketing” and why charity: water intentionally plans their content 12-16 months in advance
• Vik breaks down her 3-part marketing engine, consisting of captivate, convert, and keep. Our job is to appeal to the LAZIEST person who doesn’t have time to learn about your nonprofit
• How an incredible opportunity with Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City helped charity: water capture attention with something novel and different
• Why conversion is all about simplicity, taking away friction and countering objections, plus how to ascend donors up the “donor mountain”
• The importance of finding a home in your marketing messaging for joy and lightness, no matter how deep, serious, or dark your cause is

Resources & Links

Learn more about Vik on her website Mission Critical and follow her on Instagram at @vikharrison. You can also join the waitlist for her course, Critical Mass, so you can learn how to master modern marketing for your rising nonprofit.

What inspires website visitors to invest in your mission? Are you providing donors with a desirable online journey that keeps them coming back? Join my virtual session at the DonorPerfect Community Conference. I’ll see you on June 6th and 7th!

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, s

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Kimberly Bryant started a movement out of a passion project. Black Girls Code has scaled significantly over the years and now has over 15 chapters across the United States and DREAM partnerships with brands like Google, TikTok, Verizon, the NBA, and Capital One.

This inspiring conversation touches on so many pillars of growing a nonprofit organization from the ground up. You’ll hear Kimberly’s “founder’s story”, her obsession with building their brand and making it pop, and how she scored all of those incredible brand partnerships for the long-haul.

Plus, Kimberly shares the new trailblazing venture she’s creating with Black Innovation Lab, a space to help marginalized founders and entrepreneurs build pathways to financial freedom and ownership.

In This Episode:

• How the power of story, authenticity, and vulnerability helped Kimberly expand Black Girls Code so rapidly in the early days
• Kimberly’s scrappy approach to creating their digital footprint, from leveraging volunteers and stock images, to pro-bono support
• The first role Kimberly hired within marketing and how she remained flexible to move people within the organization, especially if it was a better match for their talents and passions
• How Kimberly secured a multimillion dollar grant from Google to fund their New York headquarters (and how she ensures partnerships aren’t just “one and done”)
• The moment where Kimberly saw an article on Twitter, which inspired her to turn an abandoned, historically Black college, into what will become the Black Innovation Lab

Resources & Links

Learn more about Black Girls Code and follow Kimberly on Twitter and Instagram at @6gems. You can follow ASCEND Ventures Tech on LinkedIn to learn more about the Black Innovation Lab.

What inspires website visitors to invest in your mission? Are you providing donors with a desirable online journey that keeps them coming back? Join my virtual session at the DonorPerfect Community Conference. I’ll see you on June 6th and 7th!

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving progr

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

“No lever influences people more consistently than culture.”

Marcus Collins is the author behind a new book that I’m absolutely obsessed with, called For the Culture, and he’s also the Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden+Kennedy, a global advertising agency best known for their work with mega brands like Nike and Budweiser.

We’re digging into all things culture today - starting with the premise of understanding culture and its influence on marketing, shared beliefs, the “identity marks” of branding, and how consumption becomes a proxy for culture.

This conversation is SO good and I can’t wait for you to tune in.

00:02:29 Culture is a powerful connection.
00:10:21 Culture is the cheat code.
00:13:59 Find connection through identity.
00:20:23 Believers, not fans.
00:24:59 Believe, then sell.
00:30:25 Spread the culture gospel.
00:31:36 Digital transformation is possible.

In This Episode:

• How Budweisier cemented themselves as a cultural product through their marketing communications and commercials
• Patagonia’s conviction and beliefs that have led to their ultimate success, plus, hear about one of their infamous Black Friday campaigns
• Why our purchase of branded products tells the world who we are and translates to finding community 
• How Nike put a stake in the ground around a cultural moment, causing a 6 billion dollar market increase for their brand after it happened (!)
• Marcus breaks down a beautiful and simple framework - get ready to write this down and iterate on it
• The tremendous amount of empathy and curiosity that are required to “find your people”

Resources & Links

What inspires website visitors to invest in your mission? Are you providing donors with a desirable online journey that keeps them coming back? Join my virtual session at the DonorPerfect Community Conference. I’ll see you on June 6th and 7th!

Applications for my Monthly Giving Mastermind program are now open. If you have been wanting to start a monthly giving program but haven’t had the time or the team to make it happen, this is for you. We start in July, so

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Have you ever found yourself nervous or vulnerable around making an ask to a major donor?

Today’s topic is all about fundraising - from creating high-converting email asks, to leveraging marketing in your post-gift strategy, and how to use “funder mapping” and “asset mapping” techniques. We also dig into activating empathy, connection, belonging and identity in relationship to our donors.

Mallory Erickson is a business bestie of mine and an incredible fundraising consultant who helps nonprofits raise more from the right funders. As Mallory says, “Great fundraising is not an ask - it’s an offer!”

In This Episode:

• How to navigate awkward and sometimes anxiety-inducing fundraising conversations, and making it more about what you and this person can build together
• Why talking about fundraising doesn’t need to feel “transactional” - it’s important to reframe that you’re asking for more money so you can create a bigger impact 
• Building trust with your donors by being open and honest about the numbers - all too often, organizations are downgrading their donors
• Putting a Donate button at the bottom of your email is not making an ask - use storytelling and segment your messaging to specific donor personalities and identities
• Marketing and fundraising need to work together cohesively, especially after a donor’s first gift
• Why we need to take care of our nervous system and fundraiser wellness while fundraising. We can’t raise money from an activated, stressed out, and overwhelmed state and actually see the results we want

Resources & Links

Connect with Mallory on her website, watch her free webinar, and learn more about her Power Partners Formula. Follow her on LinkedIn or on Instagram at _malloryerickson. Mallory also hosts a podcast, What the Fundraising.

Spend less time posting manually and use Later for all your social media management and analytics needs! Start with a FREE account today.

What if you could grow your email list with passionate supporters ready to rally behind your mission? My bestselling course, Grow Your Supporter

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here, including up to 50% off LinkedIn hiring tools.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. Limited spots are left and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!