Portnoy Media Lab

In today's fast-paced business environment, defining success is crucial for any marketing strategy to yield the desired results. Many teams focus on developing a growth strategy that emphasizes marketing tactics and ROI, but often overlook a critical question that can make or break their marketing planning efforts. To achieve compounding growth and sustainable marketing, it's essential to have a clear marketing framework that guides your team's marketing focus and helps you avoid common marketing mistakes. By understanding what defines success for your business and establishing a well-structured marketing framework, you can create a strategic marketing approach that drives business growth and ensures a strong marketing ROI. In this video, we'll explore the often-missed question that can transform your marketing goals and help you develop a more effective marketing strategy. www.PortnoyMedia.com www.DanPortnoy.com

Key IdeasMost marketing advice conflicts because it’s designed to sell products, not solve your problemStrategy defines the goal; tactics support it—not the other way aroundAlgorithms change constantly; your story is the only stable assetThere are no shortcuts—momentum comes from sustained effortConstantly switching tactics creates opportunity cost, morale loss, and confusion Practical TakeawaysDefine a clear outcome before choosing platforms or tacticsCommit to one direction for at least 90 days (six months is better)Treat your brand as the mentor, not the heroFocus on relationship-building, not follower countsConsistency beats cleverness Referenced ResourcesStorytelling training (linked in-video)Fix Your Funnel Fast – Leak Funnel Tool ($17)Available at: https://portnoymedia.com/resources  www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Episode Notes: This is Episode 1 of the Portnoy Media Lab Podcast New episodes explore clarity, systems, and creative work that actually moves the needle Resources and tools mentioned are available at danportnoy.com/resources Blog posts publish Tuesdays; personal reflections on Substack publish Thursdays   www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

The Portnoy Media Lab Podcast is for makers and marketers trying to turn real creative work into communication that actually connects. Hosted by writer, filmmaker, and creative strategist Dan Portnoy, the show features honest conversations with writers, filmmakers, designers, producers, and creative leaders—along with occasional solo episodes unpacking the communication and strategy problems that keep teams stuck. No hype. No busywork. Just field-tested thinking for people chasing meaning and impact. New episodes every Wednesday. www.PortnoyMedia.com www.DanPortnoy.com

Introduction: Reflecting on last week's episode and transitioning to the present.Assessing Your Current Position:Checking in with yourself and your morale.Identifying areas of dissatisfaction and improvement.Aligning with mission statements and values.Gathering feedback from colleagues.Celebrating Small Wins:Recognizing everyday achievements to build morale.Encouraging teams to acknowledge progress.Identifying Current Challenges:Understanding obstacles and external factors.Controlling what can be managed now.Staying Present:Avoiding the rush to future goals.Evaluating systems and ensuring they align with goals.Closing Thoughts:Encouragement to be kind to oneself.A preview of next week's focus: planning for the future.Call to action: subscribe, like, and leave a review. www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Welcome to the Nonprofit Narrative Podcast, where we discuss marketing, storytelling, and systems to help your business or nonprofit thrive. In this episode, we cover:The importance of taking your time with strategic planning.How to reflect on the past year and set meaningful goals for the future.Conducting a business audit to analyze key performance indicators (KPIs).Insights from the Ink + Volt planner to structure your planning process.An introduction to the Portnoy Media 1-Day Intensive, a transformative day to solve key challenges.The Portnoy Media Video Pitch Deck, showcasing how video storytelling can amplify your mission.Links mentioned in this episode:Portnoy Media Website - https://www.portnoymedia.comInk + Volt Planning Resources: https://inkandvolt.com/pages/yearly-planning-worksheetsPortnoy Media 1-Day Intensive: https://www.portnoymedia.com/store/p/the-action-blueprintVideo Pitch Deck: https://www.portnoymedia.com/blog/sjxgb9wgj89jph99yurluwc6fkoxel www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Join me on the latest episode of the Nonprofit Narrative Podcast as I chat with my brother, Ryan Portnoy, a design wizard who helps small nonprofits tell their stories through stunning design. We dive deep into the world of nonprofit design, sharing insights on how great design can enhance storytelling and drive engagement.👉 Episode Highlights:Ryan’s journey and expertise in nonprofit designThe importance of design in storytellingPractical tips for nonprofits to improve their visual communicationThe concept of a website "realignment" vs. redesign🔗 Check out the full episode nowDon't forget to visit Ryan’s website at thegoodstory.com for more on his amazing work!👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more insights on nonprofit storytelling and strategy!#NonprofitPodcast #NonprofitDesign #Storytelling #PodcastEpisode #DesignTips #NonprofitMarketing www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

In this insightful episode titled "Maximizing Grant Writing for Funding Success," experts Dan Portnoy and Lara Pimentel share transformative strategies for nonprofits seeking to enhance their grant acquisition and foster impactful relationships. Discover practical tips on crafting compelling grant proposals, navigating the complexities of funding mechanisms, and building lasting connections with donors. Ideal for nonprofit leaders, this conversation dives into the essentials of securing grants and leveraging partnerships for sustainable success. Whether you're a small community organization or a large philanthropic entity, this episode offers valuable insights into maximizing your funding potential and expanding your impact.Osa Philanthropy - https://www.osaphilanthropy.com www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Kristin Spiotto, the co-founder and CEO of Decoded Strategies, shares insights on strategic messaging for nonprofits. She emphasizes the importance of clear and customer-focused messaging, avoiding confusion and making the audience the story's hero. Kristin also discusses the role of AI in messaging and the need for human decision-making. She highlights the significance of empathy and authority in brand messaging and the value of delivering ongoing content to build relationships. Kristin advises early career professionals in messaging and emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity. She also discusses the importance of strategic planning and goal setting in messaging. In this conversation, Kristin discusses the importance of blocking time for critical thinking and reflection on past performance. She emphasizes the need for strategic changes and recommends books like 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry' and 'Atomic Habits.' Kristin also shares how to connect with Decoded Strategies and highlights the challenges of effective communication.TakeawaysClear and customer-focused messaging is crucial for nonprofits to communicate their mission and impact effectively.Avoid confusing your audience with insider language, jargon, or acronyms. Make sure your target audience easily understands your messaging.Position the recipients of your services as the story's hero rather than making your organization the hero.Use AI as a force multiplier to scale up your messaging, but ensure you have a clear and compelling message.Empathy and authority are key elements in positioning your organization as the guide in the hero's journey.Deliver ongoing value to your audience through content and resources that help them along their journey and build a stronger relationship.Prioritize and use a strong brand message as a foundation for all your communications and marketing efforts.Simplicity and clarity in messaging are more effective than trying to be clever or funny.Include avatars or personas in your messaging to ensure relevance and targeted communication.Strategic planning and goal setting are essential for effective messaging and achieving desired outcomes. Block out dedicated time for critical thinking and reflection on past performance.Be willing to make strategic changes based on the insights gained from reflection.Read books like 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry' and 'Atomic Habits' for inspiration and guidance.Connect with Decoded Strategies through their website or LinkedIn for messaging and nonprofit support.Effective communication requires constant evaluation and an outside perspective to avoid insider language and the curse of knowledge.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:24 Starting a Business in 202004:33 Common Messaging Mistakes06:31 Making the Shift to Customer-Focused Messaging09:03 Positioning the Recipients as the Hero10:09 Avoiding Emotional Manipulation in Messaging12:13I mportance of Strategic Messaging13:04 Pitfalls in Messaging and the Importance of Clear Brand Message16:38 The Role of AI in Messaging20:10 The Balance Between Cleverness and Clarity in Messaging21:52 Including Empathy and Authority in Messaging23:23 Delivering Value and Building Relationships26:06 Advice for Early Career Professionals in Messaging28:14 Simplicity and Clarity in Messaging29:42 Creating Subplots in Brand Messaging31:28 Prioritizing a Strong Brand Message32:34 The Importance of Clear Messaging in Overcoming Blank Page Syndrome33:16 Including Avatars in Messaging35:12 Strategic Planning and Goal Setting36:13 Blocking out time for critical thinking37:12 Reflecting on past performance38:18 Making strategic changes38:48 Recommended books39:50 How to connect with Decoded Strategies40:50 The challenges of effective communicationConnect With Kristin SpiottoWeb - http://decodedstrategies.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-spiotto/Grab a FREE PDF on Welcome Videos www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Hello, and welcome to the nonprofit narrative podcast, the go-to space for marketing managers and development directors passionate about taking their nonprofits to new heights. I'm your host, Dan Portnoy high. In each episode, we will dive into the world of nonprofit storytelling, donor engagement, and fundraising strategies; whether you want to refine your narrative, boost your fundraising efforts, or seek inspiration guidance, you're in the right place. So today, we'll be exploring some innovative tips, practical ideas, and success stories whenever you never know where we will go. But today, I want to talk about welcome videos. Welcome videos are a great thing to talk about in February because in January, you know, we're getting ourselves back together after a crazy December, and you take a breather, and then you got to think about, alright, what are we doing? What are we doing for this year? What's our strategic planning looking like? When was that all coming together? Well, our theme for the month in The Nonprofit Narrative Academy is strategic planning. So I want to talk about that. But that'll be coming up a little later this month. And we've got an I've got a great guest in Kristen Spiro, who's going to be telling us talking to us about strategic communication. And then also later this month, I've got my brother, and you say, oh, nepotism, and I say, Well if your brother is really good at a thing, you should let him talk about his thing. And he's really good at graphic design. He has just an incredible eye for design. So we're going to talk about design. And we will talk about all that goes with it and what it conveys. So that's going to be some great font later this month. Okay, so let's talk about welcome videos. Well, I had a crazy idea a couple of years ago, and as a writer, I know that sometimes I come up with ideas, and they're half-baked, so I need to let them ruminate. And sometimes that takes a long time. So, actually, it did. It took a long time tyranny of the urgent and some the things, and I came up with the idea that I should want to talk about things like welcome videos and just a lot of the kinds of sins of nonprofits in general. But the tough part about doing it is that it usually means trashing a nonprofit or trying to block out everything they did, like all their logos, and then talking about it. And so, instead of doing that, I've created a fictional nonprofit called Unfriend the Children. And you can visit unfriend the children.com or.org. And you'll find my website. And so it's the more we do about this. This year, we will talk about all the different things that Unfriend The Children is going to do wrong. And it's just easier when I'm making all the mistakes to talk about it instead of somebody who's really trying very hard to get something out into the world. And then I trash it. So that's what I decided to do. So, with that, I decided to do a quick welcome video, and I want to talk about some of the sins of this welcome video. www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

I'm thrilled to unveil an idea two years in the making. It will be a game-changer for you and your organization: The Nonprofit Narrative Academy.Each month follows a theme to maximize an organization's story and put the pieces in place for maximum communication.And each month, you'll learn how to communicate your impact and engage with your community effectively. The academy covers it all, whether it's through managing social media, crafting compelling email campaigns, or launching impactful videos.The structure for learning a NEW e-book and audiobook every month. Then, on the second week of the month, I'll launch training with how-tos and give some homework. Then, a podcast from an additional export will be released in week three. And finally, a LIVE Q&A to answer questions, review specifics, and make changes for member organizations. www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

In the ever-evolving world of nonprofit organizations, the ability to craft a compelling narrative and tell a captivating story can be the difference between achieving your mission and getting lost in the noise. In today's episode, we welcome 6-time Primetime Emmy nominee writer Matt Beans, a storytelling expert with a treasure trove of experience in the entertainment industry. Matt Beans joins the show to shed light on how nonprofits can utilize narrative and storytelling techniques to elevate their messages and impact.Before diving into the episode, here's some info on Matt. Matt Beans is a renowned writer with a prolific television, animation, and entertainment career. With six Primetime Emmy nominations to his name, Matt's impressive portfolio boasts work on popular shows like "Robot Chicken," "Trolls," and "Dawn of the Croods." His extensive experience in storytelling makes Matt Beans the ideal guest to discuss the application of narrative techniques in the nonprofit sector. There's no better way for Nonprofit organizations to connect with audiences than through a compelling story, and Matt's expertise promises to provide invaluable insights into this practice.Creative journey from Maryland to LA with Robot Chicken writers. (0:04)Writing for TV shows with a focus on character development and scene structure. (6:09)Writing for TV and film, emphasizing clarity. (11:58)Writing for TV shows and nonprofit storytelling. (16:48)Nonprofit storytelling and emotionally compelling messaging. (21:02)I want to thank Matt for being on the show, and my hope is that you're inspired and equipped with the tools to craft narratives that resonate deeply with your audience. Matt at IMDBEmail me your questions dan@Portnoymedia.com   www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

What if you aren't ready for Giving Tuesday?Don't worry, I'm here to help. This week is a 7-part training I made to help Giving Tuesday be amazing.Watch the training here - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2kh3qUPEGSc-5BGce0HrgaxNRNl7UdsDownload the sample editorial calendar here - https://portnoy.co/3NynUjt www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Don't let this happen to you! I recently received a mailing from a nonprofit that was big and jam-packed with goodies for me but there was zero connection. What should you do? Listen in to find out.  www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Okay, here we go. Hey, welcome to the show. My name is Dan. This is the nonprofit narrative podcast. In today's episode, our first journey together. This is an interview that I did a couple of months back with Dave Avramovich. He's a young life area director, he is responsible for the Los Angeles area. And he's also a pretty great guy. The fun part about today is like this is a maiden voyage. So I had to build a studio. So that's why it kind of took so long. And so hopefully very shortly here, we'll have a lot more episodes. But check out what Dave has to say about what we can do as nonprofits to raise money. One thing that Dave is really great at is raising money. He's actually never had a problem with it, which is pretty wild. So let's hear what he has to say. Check it out. Connect with Dave AvramovichTwitterWebsite Resources: Multipliers - Liz WisemanThe New Extraordinary Leader - John Zenger, Joseph FolkmanThe Ideal Team Player - Patrick LencioniThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni  www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

New for 2022! The Nonprofit Narrative Podcast is to help you tell your story the best way possible and connect with more donors and the community better than ever. I hope you'll join us.  www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Connect with RoryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/go_innovation/Website: http://go-innovation.com  www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

 Connect with KristinWebsite: https://decodedfinances.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/decodedfinances/Spreadsheet - Download on Kristin's website - CLICK HERE Budget Resources:Mint- http://www.mint.comYouNeedABudget - http://www.youneedabudget.comEvery Dollar - http://www.everydollar.com www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

Joey ContactWebsite: http://www.jo3bot.comEtsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/joebot/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo3bot/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo3bot/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeySpiottoGrumpy Unicorn - https://www.amazon.com/Grumpy-Unicorn-Why-Me-Scholastic/dp/1338565419Other Books - http://www.jo3bot.com/booksArtist Profile - https://youtu.be/3aMbngTcUQs LinksDoug Chiang - https://www.instagram.com/doug_chiang/?hl=enGallery 1998 - https://nineteeneightyeight.comThe Dundies - https://youtu.be/XXjStnr_g3MMy book and free one hour consult to anyone that signs up. For you, a friend, anyone. Pass it on. www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com 

This week I talk with Mike Rusch, CEO of Pure Charity.Mike talks about the downstream issues of bad communication and fundraising and how storytelling can fix much of what ails a non-profit. Give it a listen.Connect with Mike RuschPersonal Website - mikerusch.comBiz Website - purecharity.orgTwitter - @MikeRuschInstagram - @MikeRuschA brand new, updated edition of The Non-Profit Narrative is available now. Buy the book and then sign up for my email list and receive the Bonus Workbook for FREE!www.nonprofitnarrative.com ​FREE Nonprofit Resources - End of Year Email, Welcome Series, and more.Also announced, I'm teaching a FREE Class on Giving Tuesday - Sign up here www.PortnoyMedia.comwww.DanPortnoy.com