Life and Mission

This week on Life and Mission: End-of-year fundraising may be over, but that only sets up some key messaging for January.  In this episode, I'll give you three key messages to send donors in January (plus a bonus). Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing...

In this episode, Kent Sanders shares his process for ghostwriting and collaborating on book projects. Plus, thoughts on structure and creativity, and his latest project - a book about Elvis. Kent is the author of 18 Words to Live By: A Father's Wisdom on What Matters Most ,   and The Artist's Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey , and co-author of Performance-Driven Giving: T...

When things don't turn out as planned, a well-told setback story can give donors another reason to support you.  Here are some of the stories you can tell around a setback: Explain the process of change your beneficiaries go through. Focus on one aspect of the change process and help supporters understand why it's such a hurdle. Share a story about the setting that causes difficulties in...

I have a love-hate relationship with conferences and networking events. While I love to meet new people and to learn new things, large or busy events can get overwhelming. I'm an introvert. I like my alone time. After a lot of activity,  conversations, and noise, I need to go somewhere quiet and recharge.  Last week's Daily Writer Retreat got me thinking about the advantage of smaller ev...

The tables are turned as fundraising expert Mary Valloni interviews Kay about using stories to connect with donors. We talked about: Using stories to connect Where we go wrong with storytelling Stories for people in admin roles Telling your own origin story The key story we forget Missionary fundraising training with Mary Valloni fullyfundedacademy.com Level up your storytelling skills with Kay mi...

Your donors are busy. They’re tired. They make decisions all day in a world where everyone is clamoring for attention. Here's a simple way to help them "catch" your stories. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to som...

Our stories have the power to move supporters along on a journey: introducing them to a problem, dispelling myths, offering hope, introducing them to our organization, showing them how we solve the problem, building trust, and inviting them to take action.  At any point in time, you'll have people at different stages along these five levels of awareness: Unaware - They don't even know th...

My guest today is Joy Capps, author of Joyful Copy—How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically.  There are a lot of copywriting formulas and blueprints, and many ways to reach your audience. But not all ways line up with what we know to be ethical and true. Joy created her Joyful Copy framework to help us write marketing copy that isn’t slimy. Based on Galatians 5:22-23 and Phili...

Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective? Airbnb runs an ad featuring a family of shaggy “monsters” enjoying their vacation. the goal of the ad is to invite people to become hosts on the platform. It starts where many of us are when it comes to inviting strangers to stay in our homes–it’s a little scary. Bu...

I got a message today from a supporter who needs to stop her monthly donations. I'm thinking of my friends in ministry who raise support–missionary support or raising funds for the ministry as a whole–and you’re on the field, you’re doing the work, and you get a message like this. The temptation is to shrink back. The temptation is to say, "Well, people are hurting (they are) and so I fe...

How to make your fundraising materials more inviting and easier to read, so more people can join you in your life-changing mission.  Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have s...

My interview with Katie Hornor, author of Flamingo Marketing: How to Leverage Unique, Stay Relevant and Change the World [00:02:28]  Leverage your unique [00:04:11]  Why mindset is so important [00:06:03]  Doing hard things [00:09:26]  Time management [00:13:08]  Legacy [00:14:03]  Details on the book Katie has bonuses for you at freeflamingobook.com Send me your questions Support the show Mission...

My three top takeaways from the Virtual Event on Virtual Events, and how you can serve your people by sharing the things you learn. I try to attend something every year that’s outside of but adjacent to my field. It helps me see things with fresh eyes. New possibilities, solutions to old problems, and a break from the routine.  I recently attended The Virtual Event for Virtual Events and came away...

You need to tell stories to raise more funds for your mission, ministry or nonprofit. But why is that? What exactly is it that stories do? Every known culture tells stories. This is the way we make sense of the world and our place in it. All through the donor journey, especially with people who are not yet aware of you and your mission. Stories help draw them in, and help them get to know, like, a...

It's a new season for the Life and Mission podcast!  Mission Writers Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so...

Ronne Rock is a storyteller, truth-teller, hope-dealer, and author of One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comme...

Mission and vision are words we hear often, but we can struggle to differentiate between them. As leaders, communicators, and fundraisers, the confusion can cost us. We have a great cause! Why won’t people join us? Why don’t they give? Maybe it’s because we’re not being clear. They can’t see the big picture, and they don’t understand what we’re doing or how what we do fits in with the big picture....

Fundraising doesn’t have to be a chore! Why should it be? We get to invite people into a greater story. David Oaks and I had a fun conversation about the simple things you can put into practice today to build better relationships and raise more money for your mission. Connect with David: Website: www.wsdevelop.com Instagram: @davidLoaks12 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLOaks Twitter: @dav...

How do we get past that nagging feeling that we aren't qualified or "ready" to do that thing we're supposed to do? Imposter syndrome is that feeling many of us get when we start something new, where we question our qualifications, our abilities, or even our right to be involved at all. Jennifer Harshman works with people who want to make a difference, mostly writers and entrepr...

How can moments of slow living create an island of peace in our daily lives?  Jodi Grubbs is a slow living advocate and host of the Our Island in the City podcast. Here are some of the ways we  can slow down and connect in the midst of our busy lives. Guest: Our Island in the City Connect with Jodi on Instagram @jodi.grubbs Sponsor: Get Out of the Boat, A Bible-Based Business Virtual Retreat, Apri...

Chris Staron is an award-winning filmmaker, an author, comedian, and podcaster. As host of the Truce Podcast , Chris uses journalistic tools to provide history and context to better understand the Christian church today. He gives us an inside look into his storytelling process, and why the stories we tell are so important. Connect with Chris at trucepodcast.com Send me your questions Support the s...

What's keeping your nonprofit or ministry from being fully funded? Mary Valloni lays down some truth to help us overcome the lies we believe about money and fundraising. Plus, simple things you can do today to start your journey to Fully Funded. Connect with Mary at maryvalloni.com and at fullyfundedacademy.com Need a Certified Fully Funded Coach? fullyfundedacademy.com/kayhelm Get the book:...

Misty Phillip is using her gifts and her calling to bring people together. In 2020, she hosted two events–one live, right before the lockdown–and the second as a virtual event. We talked about the differences and similarities between live and virtual events, Misty’s personal journey of faith, and cultivating community. About Misty Phillip Misty is a dreamer and a doer who believes we are all here...

If you've ever wanted to start a podcast, this is for you. But not only podcasts, we're talking about going where your audience is, the process of creating content, and how to get your message out to the world. About Alana is a podcast coach, editor, and podcast producer who is on a mission to take the overwhelm, frustration, & stress out of podcasting, and put the fun back in! Alana...

I sat down with Brandy Wallner of Hope*Writers to talk about three things writers and creatives need to succeed. 1. A guide 2. Good, fresh information 3. Community Brandy is a community writer for Hope*Writers, tasked with building community and keeping members on track. For more about Hope*Writers https://lifeandmission.com/hope Do you dream of publishing your writing but you’re not sure what to...