The Smart Communications Podcast

Big Duck

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.

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215 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes215

Newest first

Aug 8, 2018 · 15 min
Episode 15: How do you articulate your community’s values?
Nonprofit leaders have a great opportunity to define their organization’s values by listening to clients and other key constituents in their community. Listen to learn how to shape your values collaboratively.
Aug 1, 2018 · 10 min
Episode 14: Can we engage audiences with YouTube Live?
Sharing information and starting conversations online are powerful ways nonprofits can engage new audiences. Listen to learn more about a burgeoning platform in the nonprofit space—YouTube live.
Jul 24, 2018 · 7 min
Episode 13: Should we digitize our brand guide?
Brand guides contain everything you need to write and design on behalf of your nonprofit, and many organizations are beginning to digitize them. Listen to learn more about the pros of digital brand guides.
Jul 11, 2018 · 14 min
Episode 12: What makes a great nonprofit tagline?
A tagline can’t communicate everything, but it can fill in gaps left by the name and logo and help express your brand. Tune in for new ways of thinking about your organization’s tagline.
Jul 3, 2018 · 18 min
Episode 11: How can nonprofit leaders take successful sabbaticals?
When nonprofit leaders prepare effectively for taking extended time off, it can strengthen their senior team, too. Tune in to learn what it takes to plan and take a successful sabbatical.
Jun 27, 2018 · 10 min
Episode 10: What words should you avoid?
Lila Tublin, one of Big Duck’s copywriters, uncovers words, phrases, jargon, and pronouns(!) nonprofit communicators should think carefully about before using, gleaned from our popular “Words to Avoid” annual blog, plus shares tips to ensure your writing is clear and easy to understand no matter what. Click play to tune in.
Jun 13, 2018 · 8 min
Episode 9: Why is it so hard to raise awareness?
To successfully increase their organization’s visibility through campaigns, nonprofit leaders need to ensure they’re grounded in strategy—with concrete goals, audiences, and actions in mind.
May 30, 2018 · 12 min
Episode 8: How are organizational values and personality different?
Organizational values and brand personality are related but very different, and often get confused. We’ll define and differentiate them in this podcast.
May 16, 2018 · 12 min
Episode 7: Are events and galas still effective?
Special events and annual galas may no longer be a nonprofit’s best bet for fundraising. Why? The world is changing rapidly—and so are audiences’ expectations. Tune in to learn more.
May 1, 2018 · 8 min
Episode 6: How do you get feedback from a working group?
When materials need to be reviewed by working groups, committees, and senior level staff, project managers must master the art of getting consolidated feedback and, in some cases, herding cats. In this episode of the Smart Communications Podcast, Maya Ovrutsky, one of Big Duck’s expert Relationship Managers, shares her strategies for keeping projects moving smoothly.
Apr 25, 2018 · 8 min
Episode 5: How can nonprofits use photography well?
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.
Apr 11, 2018 · 12 min
Episode 4: How do we communicate without communications staff?
Having a dedicated communications team is out of reach for many nonprofits, but the need to communicate effectively to external audiences is still there. This episode of the Smart Communications Podcast features a conversation with Wayne Ho, President and CEO of CPC, a large social services organization located in NYC. Out of CPC’s 4,000 employees, none have “communications” in their job title. Listen in to find out how Wayne encourages all staff to be effective brand ambassadors.
Apr 2, 2018 · 11 min
Episode 3: What's the board's role in branding?
Figuring out the right people to have in the rebranding process at the right time is a real struggle. In this episode of the Smart Communications Podcast, Big Duck’s VP, Farra Trompeter, and Big Duck’s CEO, Sarah Durham, share their experiences leading nonprofit rebrands and serving as nonprofit board members, plus provide expert recommendations for defining the board’s role in branding.
Apr 2, 2018 · 6 min
Episode 2: When is it okay to use jargon?
Generally, we recommend avoiding jargon. But in this episode of the Smart Communications Podcast, Dan Gunderman, Big Duck’s Creative Director, sits down with Sarah Durham, Big Duck’s CEO, to discuss when nonprofits communicators should embrace industry-specific language.
Apr 2, 2018 · 1 min
Episode 1: Welcome to the Smart Communications Podcast!
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

Episode 15: How do you articulate your community’s values?

Episode 14: Can we engage audiences with YouTube Live?

Episode 13: Should we digitize our brand guide?

Episode 12: What makes a great nonprofit tagline?

Episode 11: How can nonprofit leaders take successful sabbaticals?

Episode 10: What words should you avoid?

Episode 9: Why is it so hard to raise awareness?

Episode 8: How are organizational values and personality different?

Episode 7: Are events and galas still effective?

Episode 6: How do you get feedback from a working group?

Episode 5: How can nonprofits use photography well?

Episode 4: How do we communicate without communications staff?

Episode 3: What's the board's role in branding?

Episode 2: When is it okay to use jargon?

Episode 1: Welcome to the Smart Communications Podcast!