Exploring and Expanding Your Circles

We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from readers about our last blog post, regarding how we break down the process of board engagement. However, we have also gotten a few emails from perplexed readers.

The question:
But what if I’ve run out of warm leads? What if I’ve gone through all my contacts, and I’m just cycling through the same people over and over?

You think you’re tapped out, but you are not! We have an exercise here to help you reframe how you see yourself and your network. We guarantee you’ll walk away thinking, “Wow, I know a lot more people than I thought!”

We present Exploring and Expanding Your Circles!

Above is a partially completed sample, to give you inspiration.

How to play the game:
1. Put your name in the middle square.
2. In the floating circles, list areas of your life, i.e. work, alumni association, children's school/PTA, gym, yoga, art class, etc.
3. Next to each circle, list potential warm leads.

Don't be limited; think creatively about your circles. In doing so, you will be able to better visualize and appreciate the expansiveness of your network. Now, go explore, expand, and engage!

If you have any questions or would like a blank template, please feel free to contact me.

We look forward to your feedback, and can't wait to hear about just how many people you know!

How to Play the Board Development Game

Board Development
This is the process of enhancing your current board. It is really just a means of reaching out to leads and expanding your network.

Warm Leads (vs. Cold Leads)
Approaching a cold lead is like opening the phonebook blindfolded, putting your finger on a name, and making a call. A warm lead, on the other hand, is an individual with whom you already have a relationship or someone whose values you feel would resonate with your organization’s mission. They are already in your phonebook.

How to Engage Warm Leads
There are three strategic parts: The Approach, The Ask, and The Engagement. Think of these as the pre-game, the game, and the post-game, respectively.

The Approach is the work you must do prior to making contact with your warm lead. Don’t approach a warm lead in a cold way. Do your homework; information is gold. You will use this information to craft your Ask.

The Ask is the game; your strategy and homework put into action. It’s a carefully orchestrated dialogue, the purpose of which is to engage and inspire your lead to “buy in.”

The Engagement is the process of deepening the relationship so that your warm lead develops into a true partner (hot lead). You are the motivating source for continued engagement.

Using Video Postards As Marketing Tools

There have been many exciting new developments for SWP!

In my last blogpost, I spoke about tools that engage and enliven a donor relationship.  In today’s marketplace, the key ingredient is passion.  If you are not passionate about your product, your company, or your nonprofit, then your audience won’t be, either.  

My role as a consultant is to connect an organization’s passion to its audience.

One of my clients, Jerusalem-based Thank Israeli Soldiers, recently asked me to come up with a marketing idea for its end-of-year fundraising campaign.  My client is very passionate about its organization and is known for its tremendous commitment to the soldiers of the IDF.  My suggestion to them was to create a “video postcard” (see below).

Today’s consumer lives in “the clouds” and is bombarded with information.  Your job is to stand out.  The “video postcard” for my client is 2 minutes long and packs an emotional punch.  It is strategic in its message and purpose.  Because the message is unique to the organization but not time-bound, this one-time investment will have a long shelf life. 

What was your inspiration for starting your venture?  Who are you talking to?  What is their passion?  What motivates them?  To begin, you must own the answers to these questions.

 

Some tips:

-       Learn as much as you can about your potential donors.  Interview your referrals; ask specific questions.

-       Information is gold.  Research.  Find out about the potential client/donor history, relationships to community, to giving, etc. 

-       Create partners, not donors.  Work on developing a marketing and communications strategy that is consistent and compelling.

  

Overcoming Donor Fatigue

In the past few months, we have begun to expand our reach and our scope of services.  In previous entries, I wrote about a seminar I developed entitled "How to Take Your Fundraising Events from OK to Awesome." This seminar attracted many new opportunities for SWP and allowed me to utilize my skills in many new arenas.

The process necessary for the creation of a compelling event is the same process needed for the development of new and existing relationships. Both need to keep their audiences inspired and motivated.  In an event, the goal is to connect the audience to the message.  In a donor relationship, the goal is to connect a donor’s passion to the organization’s programs. Aligning a message or a passion with an audience or donor has become a specialty of Sarah Weintraub Productions. 

I worked with a client today on how to prevent "donor fatigue," In order to keep donors inspired and connected, it is imperative for organizations to constantly deepen their relationships with them. How can they do that?  Here are a few pointers:

·               Never look at donors as  "cash vending machines.” This is a personal relationship first. 

·               Information is key. Understand who they are as individuals and what their passions are. Doing so provides valuable information about how to keep them inspired, connected and motivated.

·               Stay in contact on a regular basis with updates and exciting news about your programs and plans.  People like to be kept in the loop! Don’t underestimate the power of a personal connection.

If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to make a difference in your organization, feel free to contact me for a free initial consultation. 

In a League of It's Own

This year, 1,000 people attended the Aish Los Angeles Banquet at the Hilton Hotel. This was my fifteenth year producing this event. It was inspirational, entertaining and cutting-edge. Only Aish L.A. with its diverse audience and wide appeal would be able to create such a memorable night for all attendees. The banquet had something for everyone. People were still talking about it a week later.  Aish L.A. has amazing partners that are dedicated to the organization and its goals. Below is a video that I directed for Brad Berger, who was recognized as Partner of the Year.



It is always my goal to create an emotional connection between the honoree and the audience. My mini documentaries introduce the honoree to the audience in a way that is compelling and engaging.

Here are some pictures from the banquet courtesy of Jonah Light Photography.

One of the biggest projects I am currently involved with, is the Kiryat Shemona Foundation and Hesder Yeshiva. We are in the process of creating an image for the Foundation, and its associated Yeshiva in Israel, covering various online platforms. This is a multi-tiered project for Sarah Weintraub Productions and we expect to go live with the new website by the end of October.

Finally we are excited about working with Todat Tzahal (Thank Israeli Soldiers) in Israel. They have three strategic programs created specifically for IDF soldiers at various points of their service. The first one, called "Begin At The Base" is a lecture program connecting soldiers to the Land and to their heritage. The second one, "The Jerusalem Experience" provides an interactive platform in which to connect with the holy city. The final program, "MOMENTUM" is an after-army empowerment program aiding soldiers in their transition from the military back to civilian life.

Stay tuned as more things develop in the near future!

Creating New Opportunities

The last month has been a very busy and exciting month for Sarah Weintraub Productions.

I've been consulting for the Clarion Fund on the premier launch of "Iranium", an important and powerful film that highlights the ticking time bomb of Iran's nuclear capability. After being banned in Iran, it has gathered tremendous publicity throughout the world. Sean Hannity on FOX devoted an hour long show to the film and the ramifications of this nuclear threat. I have embedded a portion of the Hannity special featuring "Iranium" below.



This year once again I worked as a consultant for the Ma’aleh Film Festival. Ma'aleh returned to the Los Angeles community through the generosity and support of Lauren and Ezra Kest. I worked with Ma'aleh behind the scenes on a weekly basis for three months prior to the festival. Our goals for this trip were to raise awareness and support for the school and the key role they play in changing the landscape for young film makers in Israel. Our strategy was to associate Ma'aleh with key players in the Los Angeles entertainment industry. We created an event which accomplished all of our goals. Our attendance tripled and the added equity of the CAA Theatre gave it tremendous cache and exposure. Our hosts for this event are dedicated to the school, their work and their vision which made an enormous impression on everyone in attendance (see pictures below). For more information for Ma'aleh visit their website http://www.maale.co.il/

I have also been traveling back and forth to Denver, Colorado, producing and directing two videos for the upcoming Aish Denver banquet to take place on March 27th at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, a magnificent venue. I am also directing and producing the live portion of the program. Aish Denver came to me with the desire to re-brand the branch and to re-establish their position in the community as an outreach center. The video presentation and the live presentation have been strategically positioned to accomplish these goals and revitalize their image. I will posting the videos shortly.

Finally I have been developing another important and exciting facet to my business, working as a consultant and coach for various organizations throughout the world. I have been using my expertise to coach my clients one-on-one on how to communicate their message effectively. One of my recent clients was particularly successful in their fund raising efforts. Together we developed a strategy to present to a potential donor. It combined the donor's passion with the organization's programing. It was a BINGO!

More exciting news to follow...

Walking In The Footsteps Of Heroes

I recently had an opportunity to produce and direct an event in a magnificent private home in Bel Air, California, for the Kiryat Shemona Foundation. The setting was spectacular.

This was a fund-raising event hosted by Mr. Lee Samson for the Hesder Yeshiva Kiryat Shemona, to build a magnificent residential campus for the Yeshiva in Israel on the Lebanese/Syrian border. The spiritual leader of this yeshiva is Rav Tzfania Drori who is also the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Shemona.

It isn't often you get an opportunity to meet such an extraordinary person. Rav Drori and his wife Sharri Drori have dedicated the last 40 years of their lives to be front line spiritual leaders. The power of Rav Drori lies in his love of the land, his love of Torah, his love of the Jewish people and his love for his students. This is no ordinary Hesder Yeshiva. Its location is crucial in keeping Ahmadinejad and Assad out of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
 
A young soldier who is a graduate of this yeshiva spoke so beautifully at the event. This young man is only 21 years old and has the heart and soul of a lion. He told the audience "I never really understood the power of having a Rav until I met Rav Drori. You have to understand that we are destined for battle, and he gives us the ability to carry the weight of our destiny with incredible faith, strength and courage".

My goal for the evening's program was to take the audience on a journey. The heart and soul of this journey was a 6 minute video that I directed, which deepened and expanded the audience's understanding of why it is so important to support this institution. (See video below)

Next time you are visiting Israel, make a trip to the north and don't miss the Droris, your life will be changed forever.