Ready. Set... Give!

By BDI

People want to give… they just might not realize it yet! That’s where innovative fundraisers like YOU come in to inspire and ignite their caring, compassionate hearts.

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FAQs about Ready. Set... Give!:

How many episodes does Ready. Set... Give! have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.

Ready. Set... Give! episodes:

January 16, 2025New Year’s Resolution for Your Nonprofit Donation Page
Do you want to crush your fundraising goals in 2025? Tune in as we talk about donation page best practices!
Windy Keene, Customer Success Manager of Qgiv fundraising platform, joins Ashley Prior, BDI Digital Marketing Manager, to share how you can optimize your donation pages and forms for fundraising success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to identify if your forms are working (and what to do ASAP if they’re not!)
Best practices for images, CTAs and forms on mobile
How to optimize donation pages and boost monthly giving
Whether it’s been a while since you last optimized your donation pages, or if this is new to you, taking the time to fine-tune your donation pages is key to your fundraising success in 2025!
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44min
May 22, 2024Episode 11. Digital Marketing Tests to Strengthen Your Fundraising
Are you looking for new fundraising strategies that can increase revenue and response? See how digital marketing testing can help!
BDI Director of Digital Strategy Nicole Ige-Hutto is sharing some impactful testing ideas to elevate your digital marketing.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why regular digital marketing testing is crucial for your nonprofit’s success
Step-by-step guidance on how to conduct digital marketing tests effectively
Real-world examples of successful marketing tests and what they teach us
Testing can be the difference between a “good enough” fundraising campaign and a great one… So listen now to learn how you can launch your own digital tests today! 🚀
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33min
March 24, 2024Episode 10. Adventures in AI: Part 2 – Incorporating AI In Your Nonprofit Operations
AI is showing no signs of slowing down! And at BDI, we’re committed to exploring this new frontier, responsibly, to put these innovations to work. Our goal is to help you maximize your impact as you incorporate AI in your nonprofit’s daily operations.
BDI’s Chief Intelligence Officer, Mike Rogers, and Chief Creative Officer, James Read, are joined by some of the brightest minds on our Creative Team to continue their timely conversation about this developing technology.
In this second-part episode of our Adventures in AI series, you’ll explore…
AI applications BDI uses for our client partners
Ethical questions surrounding the use of AI
How to start leveraging AI for your organization
Listen now to dive into the questions, answers and ethical best practices that will help you start incorporating AI in your nonprofit’s life-changing work!
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45min
February 25, 2024Episode 9. Adventures in AI: Part 1 - A Nonprofit’s Intro to Artificial Intelligence
In the last 12 months, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, and you’ve likely felt the effects at your organization!
From the rapid rise of ChatGPT and other AI tools, it can be hard to keep up – and hard to know when and how to dive in. BDI’s Chief Intelligence Officer, Mike Rogers, and Chief Creative Officer, James Read, are eager to help.
In this episode, you’ll learn…
A helpful history of AI and how it works
Possible applications of AI in fundraising
How AI can make your work more efficient and effective
Listen now to be encouraged and inspired to harness the power of AI at your nonprofit organization!

Episode Highlights:
Meet Mike and James and hear their experiences in the nonprofit industry
A brief history of artificial intelligence
How does AI technology show up in our lives every day?
Why is AI at the forefront of our conversations today?
Major milestones of OpenAI and ChatGPT
Types of AI: Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning or Generative AI
How BDI has adopted AI tools into our workflow
PLUS… a game: “Is it real or is it AI?”
Connect with us!
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with Mike Rogers: LinkedIn
Connect with James Read: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article: How AI is Revolutionizing Nonprofit Fundraising & Marketing
Article: 5 Steps to Integrate AI Into Your Organization
Article: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to AI-Powered Productivity
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36min
February 08, 2024Episode 8. Brand Voice Part 2: The Healthy Tension Between Brand Style and Best Practice
What do you do when there’s tension between what you think your brand should sound like and fundraising best practices?
Anna Koons, BDI Creative Content Manager, discusses the balance between staying true to your nonprofit’s brand while still getting results – and why it’s a healthy dynamic to have.
In this episode, you’ll learn…
How to handle tension between brand style and best practice
When and when not to prioritize brand guidelines
Why an outside perspective can be helpful
Both brand style and best practice are critical to connecting with your donors and prospective supporters. Listen now to learn how to balance the two for a strategy that stays true to your brand – while amplifying your message for more impact!
Episode Highlights:
Copy mandatories: The building blocks of brand voice
Nitty gritty questions to nail down your communication standards
How to handle tension between creative mandatories and best practices
When it might be okay to compromise on your standards
What best practices should you implement to boost results
How and when to use people-first language (and why it’s important)
Do grammar rules make a difference? Maybe not…
Connect with us!
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with Anna Koons: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article: How (and When!) to Use People-First Language in Your Fundraising
Article: 2 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising Copy
Article: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit Story
Article: Essential Ingredients for Nonprofit Copywriting Success
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21min
January 29, 2024Episode 7. Brand Voice Part 1: Build Your Nonprofit’s Brand Voice
How much does your fundraising copy impact your results?
Anna Koons, BDI Creative Content Manager, is sharing how effective fundraising starts with consistent, clear communications – and how you can make this happen at your organization, starting today!
In this episode, you’ll learn how to…
Develop a style guide of copy mandatories for stronger fundraising
Identify your organization’s unique brand voice
Let go of details that don’t really matter when it comes to results
It’s critical to understand how well your brand voice and messaging strategy connect with your donors and prospective supporters. Listen now to learn how to take your fundraising copy to the next level and amplify your message for more impact today!
Episode Highlights:
Copy mandatories: The building blocks of brand voice
Nitty gritty questions to nail down your communication standards
How and when to use people-first language (and why it’s important)
Deciding on your tone – religious, urgent or donor-centric?
Messaging matters: How tone of voice impacts results
Do grammar rules make a difference? Maybe not…
How to start building your nonprofit’s brand voice
PLUS… The most controversial grammar rules in the world!
Connect with us!
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with Anna Koons: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article: How (and When!) to Use People-First Language in Your Fundraising
Article: 2 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising Copy
Article: How to Inspire Donors with your Nonprofit Story
Article: Essential Ingredients for Nonprofit Copywriting Success
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24min
December 20, 2023Episode 6. BDI’s 2023 Rewind: Top Fundraising Trends
Unwrap the top fundraising trends of 2023… and look forward to what’s coming next!
Katrina Williams and Maddie Lara from BDI’s Marketing team take us on a walk down memory lane. Tune in now for this rewind on the top trends and insights from the last year.
In this episode, you’ll dive deeper into 2023’s…
Shifts in giving + surprising results in philanthropy
Developments in AI + applications for fundraisers
Trends in marketing + what we predict will be BIG in the new year
We’re also revealing the top 5 nonprofit fundraising articles of the year from BDI! Was your favorite in our best of the best? Listen now to find out…
Episode Highlights:
What were the top trends in 2023?
The year’s biggest headlines & fundraising news
Results report: Declines and increases in giving
New forms of fundraising: Text-to-give & TikTok
2023 trends in marketing
New developments in AI and what it means for fundraising
BDI Rewind: Top 5 nonprofit fundraising articles
A special Christmas activity
A GIFT for you… Write a review for a gift card!
Connect with us!
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with Maddie Lara: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article: Your 5 Top Nonprofit Articles of the Year
Article: Boost Your Results in 2023: Today’s Top Marketing Trends
Article: Fundraising Trends and Challenges in 2023
Article: 5 Takeaways from Giving USA 2023 Annual Report on Philanthropy
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19min
December 04, 2023Episode 5. Nonprofit Development Strategies for All!
Want to boost your nonprofit team’s engagement? Looking to share the workload more evenly when it comes to development? Seeking ways to strengthen your fundraising? If you answered yes, tune in!
This week’s episode of “Ready Set Give” dives into development strategies for all! Learn to empower EVERYONE on your team to do the all-important work of development (while protecting them – and yourself – from burnout).
Drawing on 15 years in nonprofit fundraising, BDI Strategist and Sr. Account Director David Stolberg is sharing his recommendations for development strategies to keep in-house. You’ll learn…
How to engage your internal team in the important work of development
Which programs run well in-house (monthly giving, major donor outreach, etc.)
Ideas to get your internal team on board with your development strategies
Listen now to learn how you can share the joys (and challenges) of development with others at your organization, and set your team up for success!
Episode Highlights:
David shares about his unique career path to nonprofit fundraising
Why it’s important for nonprofits to handle some strategic work in-house
The programs David recommends to keep in-house
Program #1: Monthly Giving
Program #2: Major Donors
Real-life examples of successful monthly giving & major donor programs
Why should development be the responsibility of everyone on a nonprofit team?
First steps to empowering your team to share in development
David’s final words of advice for nonprofit teams
Connect with us!
Connect with David Stolberg: LinkedIn
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article Series: Conquering the Development Mountain as a Nonprofit
Article: Creating a Culture of Employee Appreciation
Article: Your Organization Needs Monthly Giving Programs. Here’s why…
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16min
November 20, 2023Episode 4. The Power of Storytelling
Are you looking to inspire more generosity through your fundraising appeals? Start with storytelling!
Jhovany Quiroz and Courtney Hamilton from BDI’s Storytellers team share how powerful stories, photos and videos from your organization can unlock giving… and encourage your community’s investment in your cause long-term.
You’ll learn…
How to tell inspiring, real-life stories of transformation that inspire giving.
Tools and tips for effective and efficient storytelling interviews.
Ideas to amplify your stories through compelling photography and video.
And get ready to check your biases at the door! ✅🚪Jhovany and Courtney also share some gentle but important reminders for making your interviews a safe and empathetic space for everyone involved.
Tune in now to unlock the fundraising potential of your nonprofit stories!
Episode Highlights:
Jhovany and Courtney share their passion for storytelling
The vision and purpose driving BDI Storytellers
Actionable tips for great nonprofit storytelling interviews
Thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewees
The role of photography and video in powerful storytelling
What is a “testimony” and how can it make your appeals more impactful?
Building trust, leading with empathy and leaving behind your biases in interviews
Tested strategies and advice to help nonprofit teams strengthen their storytelling
Connect with us!
Connect with Jhovany Quiroz: LinkedIn
Connect with Courtney Hamilton: LinkedIn
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article: 5 Tips for Nonprofit Storytelling Interviews
Article: When to Use “Need” and “Joy” Photos in Fundraising
Article: 4 Best Practices for Nonprofit Photography and Video
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27min
October 20, 2023Episode 3. From Sinner to Saint: How to Avoid the 7 Sins of Email Marketing
Are you making these 7 email marketing mistakes?
BDI’s Digital Implementation Manager, Ashley Prior, has built a lot of great fundraising emails in her day… but she’s also seen a lot of nonprofit organizations struggle to apply email marketing best practices. They give in to common fears, and the temptation of sending “good enough” emails, when a few small tweaks could greatly increase their engagement!
You’ll learn…
How to avoid common pitfalls that lead to email marketing purgatory 🪦(AKA the “spam” folder).
The most important changes you should make to your email marketing today.
Strategies for keeping your email subscribers and donors happy.
Plus, hear Ashley’s take on the biggest red flags in marketing today. 🚩🚩🚩
Episode Highlights:
Ashley’s story and why she’s passionate about email marketing
The “7 deadly sins” of email marketing
The cardinal (email marketing) sin: not optimizing for mobile
The sin of omission: not segmenting your list
The sin of gluttony: spamming your subscribers
The sin of laziness: not testing your emails
The sin of confusion: using unclear CTAs
The sin of neglect: not keeping your list clean
The sin of greed: not personalizing your emails
The biggest takeaways to be successful in email marketing
Red flags and deal-breakers in marketing today
Connect with us!
Connect with Ashley Prior: LinkedIn
Connect with Katrina Williams: LinkedIn
Connect with BDI: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Resources:
Article: 7 Email Marketing Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Article: 5 Essentials for Your Email Marketing Platform
Article: Multi-Channel Marketing for Nonprofits
Email testing tools:
Litmus
Browser Stalk
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30min

FAQs about Ready. Set... Give!:

How many episodes does Ready. Set... Give! have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.