The Productive Executive Director Podcast

Can an email series transform your community engagement? In today's episode, I'm join by the one and only Trent Rash, Executive Director of the Missouri Symphony to talk about being stopped on the street because of an email — and how storytelling is essential to every nonprofit organization. Trent reflects on the challenges and rewards of nonprofit leadership, especially in the arts sector. Join us to hear how storytelling and embracing change can redefine the success of a nonprofit organization.

Whether you're a small shop leader, an aspiring nonprofit professional, or simply someone interested in the intersection of creativity, finance, and education, this episode is a must-listen. Andrea Ferrero-Haggerty is on the podcast sharing about her journey as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Pockets Change. This episode serves as an inspiring example of how small organizations can make a substantial impact with the right approach, mindset, and community support. Join this conversation in exploring how productivity and purpose can align to create meaningful, sustainable change.

If you're feeling the strain of endless tasks and unrelenting expectations, this episode is a breath of fresh air. Ask we kick off the new year, we're also calling for a call to action to rewrite the narrative on productivity, focusing on what truly matters. Tune in for an enlightening journey towards sustainable productivity, where doing less can actually mean achieving more.

This time of year, your inbox is the LAST place you should be spending all your time. Yet, here we are. Stuck spending our days and weeks in our inboxes. You likely know this frustration. In today's episode, we're talking about just that - your email inbox! And more specifically, the simple strategies you need to keep it under control and from taking over your life. ☕️ Find me on social media Instagram LinkedIn ⚙️ My favorite tech tools ConvertKit (PS. nonprofits get 20% off!) Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a few more hours back in your day? During the challenge, I will show you how to start saving 2+ hours in your day – easily. (Yes, that's 10+ hours a week!). Sign up today! https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/challenge

Is direct mail fundraising all that and a bag of chips? Dive into this Bonus Call from inside the SproutED membership featuring Steven Screen, a fundraising guru with over 30 years of experience! Steven shares a treasure trove of tips on leveraging direct mail for donor engagement. He unpacks the nuances of creating impactful appeals and explains why direct mail remains a powerful tool in your fundraising arsenal, especially amidst the trend of decreasing online giving. Get ready to transform your fundraising strategy from transactional to relational with Steven's expert guidance.

Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a community of people to support you? Enrollment for

Are you ready for a no-BS conversation with Rhea Wong all about raising major money with high net worth donors? On this

Have you all of a sudden looked up from your computer and realized you've spent all day in your inbox? You likely know this frustration. In today's episode, we're talking about just that - your email inbox! And more specifically, the 4 rules you need to keep from wasting your whole day responding to emails that are other people's priorities. ☕️ Find me on social media Instagram LinkedIn ⚙️ My favorite tech tools ConvertKit (PS. nonprofits get 20% off!) Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a community of people to support you? Enrollment for

Welcome back to Part 2 of our deep dive into email marketing and list segmentation. If you missed Part 1, make sure to take a listen so you have the full scoop! In this episode, I dive into all your email marketing questions — including my favorite tool (ConvertKit - duh!), is unsubscribe stress worth it and a powerful case study from Andrea, Executive Director, of Pockets Change, and SproutED member. ☕️ Find me on social media Instagram LinkedIn ⚙️ My favorite tech tools ConvertKit (PS. nonprofits get 20% off!) Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a community of people to support you? Enrollment for

Today, we're diving into the tech and automation side of email marketing, and there was so much to unpack, you'll need to check back next week for part 2! This episode was inspired by a voice memo we received from Jo, the Executive Director of Make.Do., a creative organization in Arkansas. If you're new to email marketing or still getting the hang of managing your donor list, this is the episode for you as I break down key email marketing terminology, why segmenting your list is so important and the impact it can have on your org.

Peeling back the curtain on one of the SproutED Community Bonus calls. In this episode, DeaRonda Harrison of June First Firm chats with SproutED community members and answers all their grant writing questions. Bonus calls take place monthly inside the SproutED community and members get exclusive access to industry experts on some of the biggest issues facing EDs and nonprofits. Join the SproutED waitlist. Get to know DeaRonda Harrison. ☕️ Find me on social media Instagram LinkedIn ⚙️ My favorite tech tools ConvertKit (PS. nonprofits get 20% off!)

Helllloooo from Nonprofit Nation! In this episode, I am sharing an episode from when I was a guest on Julia Cambell's podcast, Nonprofit Nation. This is one of my favorite interviews I've ever done. We talk about ideas for building resilience in our organizations and in ourselves, especially after the collective trauma we all experienced (the pandemic) and what the most successful nonprofit organizations and successful EDs have in common. Follow Nonprofit Nation Get to know Julia Campbell ☕️ Find me on social media Instagram LinkedIn ⚙️ My favorite tech tools ConvertKit (PS. nonprofits get 20% off!)

We are back in action! The Sprout Nonprofit podcast is back from summer vacation and shaking things up. In this episode, I share with you some of the shifts I'm making in my business, some exciting new offerings (this will be a surprise to no one), more about enrollment for SproutED and some fun updates to the Sprout podcast.

Need a few hot tips for retaining your  donors?   A new report is in and I'm giving you all the highlights for keeping your donors engaged amidst the decreasing giving trend. I also dive into the importance of email marketing and share some important benchmarks for small shops.   Giddy up because it's time to make the shift from a transactional approach to a more relational approach.   My favorite email marketing tool: ConvertKit (PS. nonprofits get 20% off!) Join me for the North America Giving Conferece hosted by Fundraising Everywhere next week, click here to get signed up.   ____  Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a few more hours back in your day? During the challenge, I will show you how to start saving 2+ hours in your day – easily. (Yes, that's 10+ hours a week!).    Sign up today! https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/challenge   

Ready to take back control of your calendar?    In this episode, I will share with you the three layers of calendar management and how practice putting your non-negotiables and boundaries in the calendar will help you work more efficiently and intentionally.   ____  Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a few more hours back in your day? During the challenge, I will show you how to start saving 2+ hours in your day – easily. (Yes, that's 10+ hours a week!).    Sign up today! https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/quiz  

Ready to take back your time and banish that burnout for good?⏰   Find out how I plan my calendar and practice flexible time blocking.    ____  Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a few more hours back in your day?During the challenge, I will show you how to start saving 2+ hours in your day – easily. (Yes, that's 10+ hours a week!).    Sign up today! https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/challenge 

The best way to retain new donors? With an automated welcome series. No need to let new donors slip through the cracks - keep ‘em coming back for more.    Here's how to put a crucial part of donor stewardship on autopilot. 

Systems are crucial for becoming more focused, organized, and productive.    In this episode, we'll cover the 4 systems every nonprofit needs and how they work together to boost your productivity -- and, therefore, your impact. ____   ⚙️ Running a nonprofit is not easy, but what if you had a few more hours back in your day? During the challenge, I will show you how to start saving 2+ hours in your day – easily. (Yes, that's 10+ hours a week!).    Sign up today! (It's FREE!) https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/challenge   

Being a fundraiser is not for the faint of heart. But what happens when someone unexpected becomes a fundraiser.    This episode is a peek inside of a project that my partner and I are working on together for our small town in the middle of nowhere Iowa. But it's really about giving everyone an opportunity to to find alignment about something they are passion about and letting them run with it. ____  

Do you need an annual report? Is there a difference between an annual report and an impact report?    In this podcast, we'll walk through everything you need to know about annual reports and how to use them to steward your supporters.  ___

If you've wondered if you should give a membership a try, or even if it works, this episode will give you all the clarity.    Hear my hot take on memberships, and what type of memberships are most effective for small shop EDs.    After coaching hundreds of executive directors, I have lots of thoughts to share with you!  

Running your nonprofit all on your own isn't easy, but what if it didn't have to feel so hard?   Listen to this episode for the ONE question you need to ask yourself this week.   

Want to peek behind the curtain of what it's like be inside the SproutED community? This is the episode for you. This is a replay of a conversation with a few members of the SproutED Community.   Come hear from them about their ah-ha moments, how they are planning for 2023 and how they've met some of their best friends inside the community.  

Want to peek behind the curtain of what it's like be inside the SproutED community? Join 3 long time members of the SproutED Community tomorrow, Tuesday, January 17 at 12pm CT (10am PT, 1pm ET) for a conversation. Come hear from them about their ah-ha moments, how they are planning for 2023 and how they've met some of their best friends inside the community. Of course, you'll have a chance to ask any questions you have about the topic or SproutED.   Listen to this episode to find out more! Join us tomorrow ➜ https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/edpanel  

How do you create a lasting impact?    The answer: relationships.    But how do you find time for relationships when your to-do list and schedule are already over-stuffed?    Hear my thoughts on how to make relationships a priority this year.   

What would it feel like to get 2+ hours back every day?    YOU'RE INVITED. Mark your calendar for January 10, 11, + 12 for a free 3-day productivity challenge.    Sign up today: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/challenge 

Start off the New Year on the right track

Stewardship is essential to creating a sustainable impact. But why is it so hard to do?    Hear the 4 most common challenges faced by EDs, along with how to make stewardship easier.    ___   ➡️ snag the stewardship roadmap: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/100days  

Drum roll… The Productive Executive Director is now called SPROUT!     This episode is a little different from our normal episodes where I share tips for nonprofit EDs. Today, I'm sharing what's been going on behind the scenes at Small Shop.    Listen in to hear all about the how and why behind our podcast rebrand!    In this episode, you will hear: - A quick celebration of our 50th episode  - Some background on Productive ED  - Why a name change matters - What you can expect from the change    ___  

Picture this. It's the week of Thanksgiving and you see another Giving Tuesday email in your inbox.    “Oops, is that next week already?!”    Hear why this national day of giving isn't for everyone and how to make #GivingTuesday easy as apple pie.   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Can nonprofits talk about politics? Why are we afraid to talk about social and political issues?    There are a lot of misconceptions about what's allowed. Those misconceptions keep nonprofits from boosting their impact and mobilizing your donors and community members.   In this episode, we're going to clarify some of the myths about politics and how your organization can be part of having conversations about issues that are important to your work.    Resources:  The Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations by Bolder Advocacy Permissible Election Activities Checklist by Nonprofit Vote IRS restrictions - 501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(4) Tax-Exempt Organizations  Be The Ones has a free nonpartisan voters guide that explains 10 state & local positions you should know before heading to the polls and how their jobs directly impact issues like reproductive justice, education, and voting access.   Disclaimer: The information in this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only.   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Is it marketing? Fundraising? A little bit of both?    Campaigns. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, campaigns help you plan your communications and move people to take action.    Tune into this episode to learn best practices and the most common campaign mistakes to avoid.  Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies  

When it comes to fundraising campaigns, clear always beats clever. Clear is kind.    Want to move your donors to take action and make a gift? Create a crystal clear fundraising offer.    In this episode, we'll walk through how to turn your impact statement into a fundraising offer, with the help of Build Good founder Mike Duerkson.      Sample appeal: buildgood.com/read-the-blog/2022/07/01/this-appeal-raised-835911-heres-what-you-can-learn-from-it/    Resources mentioned:  Impact statement worksheet: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/isw  Build Good Podcast: buildgood.com/category/podcast/    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Did you know 80% of new donors don't give a second gift?    Why? Because they either didn't get a response to their gift. Or they don't feel like the organization cares about them as a person.    In today's episode, we're talking about what you need to do the moment a new donation rolls in and how to create a really solid relationship with a new donor.   Resources mentioned:  Get your steward$h!t together: smallshopstrategies.com/keepyourdonors   Donor experience roadmap: smallshopstrategies.com/100days    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

You don't want to hear this but… year-end will be here before we know it. Are you ready? Of course not! It's barely September.    Want to avoid the year-end tornado (aka your brain feeling like scrambled eggs for 7 weeks straight?) Listen to this episode to learn the 6 steps you can take now to make life easier later.    Resources mentioned: Get your steward$h!t together www.smallshopstrategies.com/keepyourdonors Change title case support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/change-the-case-of-text-in-excel-adc65f5b-958f-46a2-4d23-ab4d5faf48a8  Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

“So…what do you do?” The dreaded question. How do you keep people interested when you talk about your nonprofit —and list off the dozens of programs  you offer.    (Hint: you don't).   In this episode, find out how to create an impact statement that's not only easy to remember, but memorable and engaging.    Impact statement worksheet: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/pod44    Prefer to read? Blog here:  smallshopstrategies.com/podcast/creating-a-memorable-impact-statement    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

It's not about taking more vacation. It's about creating more whitespace to get stuff done. (And sneaking in a little rest too).    Find out how I planned my mental health breaks and what you can do to implement them for yourself. So you can work smarter—not harder.    Resources mentioned: calendly.com   Prefer to read? Blog here:   smallshopstrategies.com/podcast/why-i-put-mental-health-weeks-on-my-calendar    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

How much time are you spending on content creation? Yes, social media matters. But…how important is it?    In this episode, we'll talk about why social media is a distraction and how to steward your donors more effectively.    Resources mentioned: 102 captions for nonprofits - astounding-maker-5659.ck.page/products/99-social-media-captions-for-nonpr    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

What can you do TODAY to make sure you have a great year-end?    I know it's summer, and I know things like appeals, campaigns, and Giving Tuesday all seem like a year away. But the work you do now will create the foundation for a smooth end of year. Listen to this episode to find out how.   raisemoretogether.co   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com  instagram.com/smallshopstrategies  facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Not sure what coaching looks like? Here's your chance to get a little behind the scenes look!    I'm so excited to announce that I'll be hosting an open house tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28th at 12pm CT (10am PT, 1pm ET). Listen to this episode to find out more!   Sign up:  smallshopstrategies.com/openhouse    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com  instagram.com/smallshopstrategies  facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

What's a Small Shop nonprofit? Who is the Productive Executive Director meant for? Tune into this episode to find out what the PED is all about and whether it's the right community for you.  RSVP to Tuesday's Open House: www.smallshopstrategies.com/openhouse Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Tomorrow is a BIG DAY! I'm popping into your podcast feed on a Monday with two big announcements. Hint: if you're an ED who doesn't have enough time in your day, this is for you.    Join the Productive Executive Director: smallshopstrategies.com/beproductive    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

There's a reason EDs are exhausted all of the time (and no, it's not because you need more hours in the day!).    Say it with me: thinking is work.  Anticipating is work.  Planning is WORK.    In this episode, we'll talk about emotional labor and what you can do to navigate the extra mental load you carry as an ED.    Resources mentioned in the episode:  nytimes.com/2021/04/21/parenting/women-gender-gap-domestic-work.html english.emmaclit.com/2017/05/20/you-shouldve-asked/  fairplaylife.com/  www.fairplaylife.com/the-cards    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   smallshopstrategies.com instagram.com/smallshopstrategies facebook.com/smallshopstrategies

Has it been a whole 5 months since the last time you asked for a gift from your donors? What's holding you back from reaching out to your donors.   If you are feeling a little nervous about asking again.. Then this episode will walk you through some of the fears you might be facing and how to overcome them.   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/  www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/  www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/

Love to DIY? You're not alone. But what's the financial impact of doing everything yourself? Listen to this episode to find out. We'll also cover how to prioritize and figure out who your next hire should be.    Grab this worksheet to help make delegating a bit easier: www.smallshopstrategies.com/delegate   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/  www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/  www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/

Delegating isn't easy. What's harder? Asking for help.    When it comes to building your team, there's a lot you have to come to terms with— imposter syndrome, anxiety, and…probably hardest of all… vulnerability.    In this episode, we're going to talk about the emotional side of delegating and hiring a team for your nonprofit.   Grab this worksheet to help make delegating a bit easier: www.smallshopstrategies.com/delegate Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/  www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/  www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/

Should you hire a contractor, consultant, or part-time employee? What's the difference between a freelancer and a part-time employee?   As a Small Shop nonprofit, hiring a full-time employee might not be in the cards right now, and that's OKAY. In this episode, we'll walk through your options. Mentioned in the episode:  smallshopstrategies.com/essentials smallshopstrategies.com/projectplanner Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/ www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/ www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/

Does something in your social media strategy feel off? Feeling like you're putting in all this effort and never seeing any traction?    Let's talk about how you can realign your social media strategy and build stronger connections with your audience.    (Hint: it has nothing to do with asking for more donations on Instagram)  Mentioned in the episode:  smallshopstrategies.com/contentcalendar  smallshopstrategies.com/essentials    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   www.smallshopstrategies.com/ www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/ www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/

“Do I need an annual report?”   Today, we're going to talk about everything you need to know about annual reports—whether they're required or not, and how to make them less of a snooze fest for your donors.    In this episode, you'll learn:   The difference between an Annual Report for taxes and an Annual Report for marketing  Why you should call it an Impact Report (or anything other than “Annual Report”)  What you need to include in your report How to market and get the most out of your report      Mentioned in the episode:  Content Calendar: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/contentcalendar Impact Report Template: https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/impact   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/ https://www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/ https://www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect? Is there something wrong with how we're approaching consistency in our nonprofits?    Listen to this episode to find out how to reframe your approach to work and why you need to be steady instead of perfect.     In this episode, you'll learn: The problem with aiming for “perfect” consistency  Why being a steady leader is the key to reaching your goals   My project planning method to keep you steady this year    Mentioned in this episode:    Link to the project manager tool      Other episodes you might like:  Ep 20: How to Prioritize and Plan for Consistency  Ep 18: Why you Need 90-Day Goals    Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/  https://www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/  https://www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/ 

This is a special episode brought to you by Steven Brice, the Executive Director of Yoga4Philly.    For this episode, you'll want to find a comfy place where you can be still, breathe and take in the meditation Steven shares about Black History and what this month represents.   Mentioned in the episode:  Purchase Meditation for Executive Directors   Connect with Steven from Yoga4Philly:   DONATE to Yoga4Philly https://www.instagram.com/yoga4philly/ Steven Brice – Yoga 4 Philly   Connect with Rachel from Small Shop Strategies:   https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/ https://www.instagram.com/smallshopstrategies/ https://www.facebook.com/smallshopstrategies/