In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harter welcomes storytelling expert Vanessa Chase Lockshin, founder of The Storytelling Non-Profit and author of The Storytelling Non-Profit. Vanessa shares her extensive experience helping organizations craft emotionally resonant, authentic stories that drive fundraising success and donor engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting out, this conversation is packed with practical tips on how to build your organization’s narrative strategy and share stories in a way that deeply connects with your audience.
Vanessa walks through the core elements of powerful storytelling, how to maintain authenticity, create meaningful donor calls-to-action, and why story planning is crucial to long-term communications success. The episode also covers balancing trauma-informed storytelling with impact, the role of conflict in narratives, and how to adapt stories for various platforms from email to Instagram reels.
Key Topics Include:
- What differentiates a true story from a testimonial or summary
- How to hook your audience with emotional and engaging storytelling elements
- Techniques for building authentic, trauma-informed stories that maintain dignity
- Crafting calls-to-action that are clear, tangible, and drive donations
- Planning an annual storytelling strategy aligned with your organization’s goals
- When and how to reuse stories effectively across platforms and over time
- Leveraging short-form video and AI tools for engaging social media storytelling
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Vanessa Chase Lockshin’s website: The Storytelling Non-Profit
- Vanessa’s book: The Storytelling Non-Profit on Amazon
- AI video tool: Arbor – for creating nonprofit-focused short-form videos
This Episode is Sponsored By:
- DonorBox – Helping you help others with the best donation forms in the business
Links to Resources:
- Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com
- Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel
- Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com
- Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com
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