That Sounds Like a Plan!

The weeks leading up to an event can be chaotic.  There’s a lot happening and there will be lots of questions about what’s happening and when.  The easiest way to ensure everyone is on the same page and minimize questions is to create two documents that will keep you on track on event day; a Show Flow or Run of Show and a packing checklist.  

In this episode I share:

• What a Show Flow or Run of Show is
• How it’s different from a timeline and why you need one.  
• How to create an event packing checklist.  

SHOW NOTES:  www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/21

Ep. 4_Leaving enough time to plan your event

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of a nonprofit.  They provide staffing and labor in areas where nonprofits typically can’t afford to hire staff.  This is especially true when it comes to events.  

In this episode I share:

• The types of  event volunteers you need
• The structure of your planning team
• How to create a volunteer grid for the day of the event
• Why and how you should plan for continuity when changing volunteers

LISTENER ACTION ITEMS
Head to the show notes and download the Roles & Responsibilities document.  Use the R&R example as a starting point and adapt it to fit your needs for your event.  

Sign up for my email newsletter so you get freebies like the R&R document right to your inbox.  

SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/20

EPISODE 12:  Ep. 12_The 7 skills and traits event leaders need

RIPPLE EVENT FB PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

RIPPLE EVENT INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

PODCAST FB COMMUNITY:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

A theme can turn a ho-hum event into a memorable experience.  When done well, a theme can seamlessly tie your mission to something fun and interactive.  

In this episode I share:

• The purpose of event themes
• The best type of theme for a nonprofit event
• A brainwriting process for coming up with a theme 

The Listener Action Item for today's episode has the exact steps for hosting a brain writing session to come up with an event theme.  Click the link to the Show Notes to get the steps.  

SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/19

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Email me:  info@rippleeventmktg dot com

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

After a year of producing a large number of events, I hit a wall.  I experienced event burnout.  

In this episode I share:

• The ways in which event burnout manifested in my life
• How I’m doing things differently to avoid burning out again

I don’t ever want anyone to go through what I did.  While this isn’t a foolproof method for avoiding burnout, it’s a cautionary tale.  

**I am not a therapist or a mental health professional, so if you are feeling there’s something more than just event burnout happening in your life, please seek help from a professional.  

Pick one or do all three: 

1. Just say ‘no’ to something.  Don’t feel obligated to say ‘yes’ to every request of your time.  Pick and choose the things that matter most and that you need or want to do.  
2. Create a written process or template.  Pick one thing that you do often and write down the exact steps you take to do it.  While you may not need to delegate that task now, you may in the future and you’ll be one step ahead by having the process already written down.  
3. Delegate or ask for help.  Speaking of delegation…Find one task on your to-do list that you can delegate to someone else or get help on it.  Don’t hold onto control of something because you feel you need to or that no one could do it as well as you could.  Done is better than perfect.  

Episode 13:  Ep. 13_This ONE thing will make your life easier

This Episode Show Notes:  www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/18

RIpple Event FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Ripple Event Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

Podcast Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

This is an episode called a Planner Pep Talk or PPT.   Planning fundraising events is not easy.  These pep talks are designed to let you know you're not alone with some of the frustrating aspects of planning an event. Whenever you need a little encouragement, check out any of the PPT episodes. 

Perfectionists have a lot of good qualities and make great event planners.   But perfectionism has its downsides.  It can impact your relationships, self-esteem and lead to burn out.  It can also cause you to procrastinate.    

If you struggle with perfectionism, I want you to know you're to alone. 


The 7 Traits or Skills Event Leaders Need:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/12

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

RIPPLE EVENT INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/17

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

There’s nothing wrong  with hope.  Giving someone hope can change their life.  I am arguing that HOPE (the word hope) shouldn’t be part of your event.   In today’s episode I’m going to tell you WHY I feel this way.  I may not change your mind but hopefully I’ve made you think about a few things.      

In this episode I share:

• The 3 reasons why HOPE shouldn’t be part of your event
• The #1 reason donors stop giving, or choose not to give in the first place
• What to do if you have HOPE in your event name, theme or messaging. 

 Have I given you enough reason why hope shouldn’t be part of your event?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  You can connect with me on social media, in the private facebook community or contact me directly.

EVENT BRAND BOOTCAMP:  Learn more at https://rippleevent.teachable.com/p/event-brand-bootcamp

RIPPLE EVENT FB PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

RIPPLE EVENT INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

PODCAST FACEBOOK COMMUNITY:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/16

CONTACT ME:  info at ripple event mktg dot com

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

Planning an outdoor event comes with its own set of unique challenges and tasks on your to-do list.  

In this episode I share:

• How to create an inclement weather
• The seven most common logistical factors to consider
• How to plan for your event program

Here’s a glance at what I cover: 

[1:50] Find out what should go into your inclement weather plan

[4:46] Learn what the seven most common logistical factors are when planning an outdoor event and how to handle them

[7:35] Discover the list of things you need to consider when serving food at your event

[11:04] The importance of having a safety & security plan

[12:35] Why you need to consider your program carefully for an outdoor event

[15:35] The purpose and importance of having a script for your program


FACEBOOK COMMUNITY:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

RIPPLE EVENT INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/15

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

Jen Gilhoi is an event strategist and founder of Sparktrack where she sparks conversations and tracks results for brands. 

She helps nonprofits view and approach their relationship building and events on more of a continuum, versus siloed points like an annual gala.

Jen and I talk about the external event recaps she creates for nonprofits and corporations, helping the event host capture the excitement and vibe of the event to share with the audience, speakers and sponsors to keep the energy going.   

TSLAP SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/14

TSLAP FACEBOOK COMMUNITY:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

RIPPLE EVENT INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

RIPPLE EVENT FB PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

Have you ever gone into a small coffee shop and it takes seemingly forever to get a latte?  By contrast, you can sometimes go into a Starbucks or a Dunkin and they’re calling your name to let you know your half-calf, oat milk, extra hot latte with a double shot of espresso drink order is done before you’ve put your wallet away.   

This is not a criticism of small coffee shops nor is it an exaltation of chains.  I merely want to point out that this ONE thing is the key difference between a business that struggles to meet the needs of its customers compared to one that meets or exceeds expectations.  It’s also the difference between a well-produced event and one that seems chaotic, either internally or externally.  

This ONE thing is actually several things; systems, processes and procedures.  It's what enabled McDonalds to get hamburgers to their customers is 30 seconds, compared to the 30 minutes a diner would take.  Having processes & procedures for your event can provide clarity, ensure nothings falls through the cracks, create consistency and will help you conserve your time and energy.  

Here’s a glance at this episode: 

[2:02] Find out how McDonald’s became an industry disrupter  

[3:36] Learn why you need systems through the 4 Cs of Event Processes

[6:40] Discover some of the tools I use to create systems, processes & procedures for events

TSLAP FACEBOOK COMMUNITY:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thatsoundslikeaplan

RIPPLE EVENT INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/rippleeventmktg/

RIPPLE EVENT FB PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/RippleEventMktg

TSLAP SHOW NOTES:  https://www.thatsoundslikeaplan.net/episodes/13

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.

Are you the leader of a nonprofit and are looking for someone to chair your next event?  Maybe you’ve been asked to lead an event or are thinking about stepping into the event leadership role, 

Before you start recruiting or before you say ‘yes’, learn the 7 skills or traits event leaders need.  

Leading or chairing an event is NOT for everyone.  I had a client say to me, “I’m the kind of person who throws a dinner party and forgets the forks”.  This was her funny way of saying she was a big-picture thinker.  Being highly organized and focusing on the details wasn’t her strong suit.   

Understanding the skills and traits an event leader needs will save you time and lots of headaches in the long run. 

Use this list to take an honest assessment of yourself or to find someone who is suited for the event leadership role and will be happy doing it which will benefit your organization.  

Now that sounds like a plan!  

Text me with a comment, question or topic you'd like me to cover in a future episode.