The Smart Communications Podcast

The Smart Communications Podcast is a useful resource for all nonprofit leaders looking to boost their communications chops on the go.

About the show

The Smart Communications Podcast helps busy nonprofit leaders build their communications skills and develop their organization’s voice. Every episode shares insights and practical tips to help you leverage strategic communications to advance your nonprofit’s mission.

The Smart Communications Podcast on social media

Episodes

  • Episode 47: Should your nonprofit be worried about GDPR and online privacy?

    October 23rd, 2019  |  15 mins 22 secs
    nonprofit, nonprofit communications, nonprofit privacy, privacy

    As online privacy has become an increasingly important topic, how should your organization manage data? Hear the ins and outs of GDPR, how to be honest with your donors and clients, and more.

  • Episode 46: How do you involve your community when rebranding?

    October 9th, 2019  |  23 mins 50 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Elisabeth King of Lycée Français de New York successfully involved over 2,000 people in her nonprofit’s rebrand. Learn how and get tips for making your organization’s change process more inclusive.

  • Episode 45: How can your staff co-create your brand?

    September 25th, 2019  |  12 mins 46 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Ambar Mentor-Truppa, VP of Communications, shares her experiences listening to and uplifting the voices of all staff during the Shriver Center on Poverty Law’s rebranding process.

  • Episode 44: How should you work with freelancers?

    September 11th, 2019  |  15 mins 22 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    If you need to professionally write or design a communications piece in a pinch, a freelancer may be your nonprofit’s best bet. Learn where to find freelancers, how to vet them, and manage their work.

  • Episode 43: How do you let your community speak for you?

    August 28th, 2019  |  14 mins 9 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Michael Hoffman, CEO and founder of Gather Voices, shares a new tool that collects community-made video for nonprofits to use to create engaging, diverse content.

  • Episode 42: How do you use the media for advocacy?

    August 14th, 2019  |  12 mins 2 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    If your nonprofit’s mission is to change structures, behaviors, or beliefs, the media can be a powerful tool. Vince Warren of The Center for Constitutional Rights talks through his experiences.

  • Episode 41: How can interviews help you get better insights?

    July 31st, 2019  |  21 mins 2 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Laura Fisher, Big Duck’s Senior Strategist, shares how qualitative research can help you understand your target audiences better.

  • Episode 40: How can you be a better writer?

    July 17th, 2019  |  21 mins 13 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Everyone thinks they’re a writer—and a great one at that. Dan Gunderman, expert writer and Big Duck’s former Creative Director shares what it takes to write well.

  • Episode 39: How can you get your team to stop fighting like cats and dogs?

    July 3rd, 2019  |  20 mins 11 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Your communications and development teams don’t have to fight like cats and dogs. Hear our tips for collaboration in this podcast episode.

  • Episode 38: Can chatbots improve donor experiences?

    June 19th, 2019  |  19 mins 8 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Alice Hendricks, CEO of Jackson River, explains how nonprofits can harness technology to personalize communications and donor experiences.

  • Episode 37: Are your internal communications values-driven?

    June 5th, 2019  |  18 mins 48 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Elizabeth Toledo, President of Camino Group and crisis communications expert, talks internal communications challenges, values-driven workplaces, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and more.

  • Episode 36: Do you need a capital campaign consultant?

    May 22nd, 2019  |  12 mins 44 secs
    capital campaigns, marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    If you want to learn how to do something, you google it. Could capital campaigns be DIY too? Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein discuss disrupting capital campaigns with their new online toolkit.

  • Episode 35: Does your nonprofit need a new logo?

    May 8th, 2019  |  14 mins 22 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    You might think your nonprofit’s logo needs to change, but it’s not that simple. Tune in to learn how colors, typography, imagery and more affect an organization’s brand.

  • Episode 34: How can you make a lean team more effective?

    April 24th, 2019  |  15 mins 10 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Christine Hughes, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Burke Neurological Institute, built a precision comms team from scratch fast. Learn how in this podcast.

  • Episode 33: Should your organization produce a PSA?

    April 10th, 2019  |  18 mins 48 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    Stephanie Paul, VP of Marketing and Development at the American Parkinson Disease Association, shares her experiences creating Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for TV and print.

  • Episode 32: What data really matters?

    March 27th, 2019  |  14 mins 8 secs
    marketing, nonprofit, nonprofit branding, nonprofit communications

    There’s more digital data now than ever before. George Weiner, Founder and Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, shares tips for nonprofits to get a handle on the most valuable metrics.