Ep 307 | Converting High Net Worth People Into Donors with Ellen Christine Ruiters
Release Date: 06/24/2025
Ep 308 | Generating Revenue as an Affiliate with Aya Hesham
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you looking for innovative ways to boost your nonprofit's revenue and expand your reach? In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked strategy of affiliate marketing and how it can benefit mission-driven organizations. I sit down with Aya Hesham, CEO of Vivian Agency, to uncover the potential of strategic partnerships that align with your cause and resonate with your audience. Demystifying Affiliate Marketing for Nonprofits Aya breaks down the concept of affiliate marketing and explains why it's a powerful tool for nonprofits: - Creating mutually beneficial partnerships with aligned...
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Ep 307 | Converting High Net Worth People Into Donors with Ellen Christine Ruiters
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you struggling to connect with major donors and secure those game-changing gifts for your nonprofit? In this episode, I sit down with Ellen Christine Ruiters, a nonprofit leadership and fundraising consultant who has helped great causes raise over a billion dollars globally. Ellen shares her insights on building authentic relationships with high-net-worth donors and creating a strategic approach to major gift fundraising. Shifting the Mindset: From Asking to Partnering Ellen emphasizes the importance of viewing major donors as strategic partners rather than simply sources of funding. We...
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Ep 306 | Writing Great Impact Statements with Jake Sucoff
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you struggling to cut through the noise and truly connect with your donors? In this episode, I sit down with Jake Sucoff, founder and CEO of Patient Procure, to explore the art of crafting compelling impact stories that resonate with your audience. Jake shares his passion for helping organizations translate their mission into powerful narratives that inspire action. We discuss: The Power of Personal Stories - Why leading with individual stories is more effective than overwhelming statistics - How to identify and develop your organization's core impact narratives - Strategies for tailoring...
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Ep 305 | Repurposing your Press Releases with Aquila Mendez
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you making the most of your nonprofit's public relations efforts? In this episode, I sit down with Aquila Mendez, founder of Haute in Texas PR and marketing agency, to explore how organizations can maximize their PR strategies and create lasting impact. The Evolution of Public Relations - How PR has become more integrated with marketing - The importance of building relationships with media outlets - Strategies for crafting compelling, newsworthy stories Maximizing Your PR Efforts - Repurposing press releases across multiple channels - Creating a crisis communication plan before you need it...
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Ep 304 | Grow and Scale Authentically with Deirdre Tshien
Digital Marketing Therapy
Growing pains are an inevitable part of any organization's journey, whether you're a nonprofit or a tech startup. In this episode, I sit down with Deirdre Tshien, co-founder and CEO of Capsho, to explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business in the ever-evolving AI landscape. Navigating the Ups and Downs of Growth Deirdre shares her candid experiences of: - Pivoting and refining Capsho's focus in response to market changes - Balancing innovation with staying true to the company's core mission - Overcoming the temptation to please everyone and learning to say “no” The Power of...
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Ep 303 | Avoiding Burnout By Building Community with Rob Tracz
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and on the brink of burnout in your nonprofit work? You're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Rob Tracz, a personal performance coach dedicated to helping driven individuals achieve success without sacrificing their well-being. Rob shares his powerful journey from severe burnout to becoming a champion for sustainable success. He reveals how his relentless pursuit of “shadow success” led to deteriorating relationships, declining health, and missed opportunities with loved ones. Key Insights on Preventing Burnout Learn practical strategies to...
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Best Website Builder for Non-Techy People with Becky Launder
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you considering building a website for your nonprofit but feeling overwhelmed by the options? In this episode, I sit down with Becky Launder, co-founder of Oh My High, to discuss the essential factors you should consider before embarking on your website journey. Why Your Nonprofit Needs a Website Becky emphasizes the importance of having a website for credibility and round-the-clock visibility. We explore how a well-crafted site can: - Showcase your services and impact - Share testimonials - Collect leads and donations 24/7 Key Considerations Before Building Before you start, think about:...
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Ep 302 | Getting Specific with Your Vision and Mission for Better Donor Alignment with Dan Johnson
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you struggling to attract the right donors and volunteers to your nonprofit? The secret might lie in your organization's vision and mission statements. These foundational elements are more than just corporate jargon – they're powerful tools that can transform your fundraising efforts and organizational impact. In this eye-opening episode, I'm joined by Dan Johnson, a seasoned nonprofit coach who has raised over $3 million for new nonprofits and helped turn around struggling organizations. Dan shares his expertise on crafting compelling vision and mission statements that resonate with...
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Ep 301 | Monthly Giving Programs 101 with Katherine Lacefield
Digital Marketing Therapy
Are you looking to create a steady stream of income for your nonprofit? Monthly giving programs might be the answer you've been searching for. In this episode, I'm joined by Katherine Lacefield, a seasoned philanthropic consultant with over 20 years of experience, to explore the power of recurring donations. Building a Successful Monthly Giving Program - Creating a compelling narrative around your program - Crafting an exclusive experience for monthly donors - Implementing effective stewardship strategies Strategies for Growing Your Monthly Donor Base - Targeting existing donors for conversion...
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Ep 300 | Top 15 Episodes from the last 300!
Digital Marketing Therapy
Can you believe it? We've hit a major milestone – 300 episodes of the Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast! To celebrate this incredible journey, I'm taking you on a whirlwind tour of our top 15 episodes, packed with actionable insights and strategies to elevate your nonprofit's digital marketing game. From crafting compelling year-end emails to leveraging AI for content creation, we're covering a diverse range of topics that have resonated most with our listeners. Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. Practical Tips and...
info_outlineAre you struggling to connect with major donors and secure those game-changing gifts for your nonprofit? In this episode, I sit down with Ellen Christine Ruiters, a nonprofit leadership and fundraising consultant who has helped great causes raise over a billion dollars globally. Ellen shares her insights on building authentic relationships with high-net-worth donors and creating a strategic approach to major gift fundraising.
Shifting the Mindset: From Asking to Partnering
Ellen emphasizes the importance of viewing major donors as strategic partners rather than simply sources of funding. We explore:
- Why today's donors want to be heard, understood, and involved in problem-solving
- The power of engagement design in creating meaningful donor experiences
- How to balance donor input with maintaining your organization's mission and direction
Practical Strategies for Cultivating Major Gifts
Discover actionable advice for nurturing relationships with potential major donors:
- How to identify and engage with donors who are ready to increase their giving
- The art of asking thoughtful questions and truly listening to donor motivations
- Creating personalized stewardship plans that respect donors' preferences
Leveraging Donor Insights for Organizational Growth
Ellen shares a brilliant strategy for involving donors in your nonprofit's development:
- How to conduct donor interviews that provide valuable feedback and insights
- Using donor input to shape your organization's growth strategy
- Turning engaged supporters into potential board members and major gift donors
Whether you're new to major gift fundraising or looking to refine your approach, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you build stronger, more authentic relationships with your top supporters.
Want to skip ahead? Here are some key takeaways:
06:28 Crafting Effective Donor Conversations Learn how to ask the right questions and truly listen to donor motivations, creating a foundation for meaningful partnerships.
19:38 Personalizing Donor Engagement Discover strategies for tailoring your approach to each donor's preferences and communication style.
30:47 Turning Donor Feedback into Action Explore Ellen's powerful technique for using donor insights to shape your organization's growth strategy and cultivate deeper commitment.
Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to major gift fundraising and create lasting partnerships with your most impactful supporters.
Resources
One:One and Team coaching. Join my MasterMind Group. Listeners can have FREE access to my course. The Thriving Nonprofit Leader: https://theideallife.com/the-thriving-nonprofit-leader/
Ellen Christine Ruiters
Ellen Christine understands the challenges of nonprofit leadership because she’s been there. A nonprofit founder turned leadership and fundraising consultant, she has helped great causes raise over $1 billion globally.
Through culture-building, high-net-worth donor strategies, and impactful storytelling, Ellen empowers nonprofits and their leaders to thrive.
Her program, The Thriving Nonprofit Leader, helps organizations and their teams rediscover joy in their work while attracting more high-impact donors.
Learn more at TheThrivingNonprofitLeader.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-christine-ruiters/
Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-click
Learn more about The First Click: https://thefirstclick.net
Schedule a Digital Marketing Therapy Session: https://thefirstclick.net/officehours