Blog | The Next Steps, LLC

Do you know the one thing that makes or breaks a headshot?

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 18:12:25 +0000

I think I speak for quite a few when I say that at one point or another we haven’t been pleased with a professional headshot. Maybe it’s because we think that the photo isn’t flattering, the lighting was bad, the outfit choice wasn’t quite what we wanted. Professional headshots are an important part of your branding. This photo is perhaps my favorite headshot of all time and truthfully I still use it because it’s my…
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Tips for a Successful Fundraising Event

NextStepsAdmin — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 21:21:57 +0000

Our team completed a 2nd year of running logistics for a local nonprofit annual fundraiser and we wanted to share our success with you along with some tips! The Planning Our efforts began a bit later than what I would normally recommend. We were tasked with overall management of a silent auction, ticket sales, sponsorship, and decor. TIP #1: If you host an annual event the planning should always begin the week after your last…
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Can you really plan for a crisis?

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 19:17:37 +0000

It’s been quite a couple of weeks for our country with the back to back lashing of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Not to mention we have Jose sitting out in the ocean not knowing, quite yet, which way he is headed. The devastation we have all seen on the news is something I can’t quite imagine as I have not lived through anything like this in my lifetime. It has brought up something for me though…
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The Power of the Emotional Appeal

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 12:00:23 +0000

With all of the emojis flying through cyberspace these days, we’ve been taking actual emotions for granted in how we communicate and market products and services these days. Advertising has come a long way from the Mean Joe Greene Coke and Crying Indian type commercials of my generation and with our attention spans becoming shorter and shorter, it’s become a huge challenge to make our appeals touch the hearts of our prospects and customers. However,…
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How to break free from trying to please

NextStepsAdmin — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:49:18 +0000

We love to hear from our clients and followers on our social media channel and via comments to our blog and podcast. Recently one of our followers asked us on Facebook the following question that we thought was incredibly timely and something many can relate to: “How do I break free from trying to please everyone? There’s a branch of my business that I’ve been doing since 2012. I am a valuable asset to this…
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How Networking Groups are Like Dating

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 00:10:25 +0000

Like a personal relationship, networking groups should be an easy conversation between people and leave you wanting to get together again to learn more. I adore this topic: networking not dating! I got that out of my system long ago. Back in 2012,I wrote an article for the American Society of Association Executives on ‘How CAE Study Groups are Like Dating‘ and after reading it again this weekend realized the same information is accurate for networking…
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5 Tips and Tricks for Working with a Small Staff & Team

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 09 May 2017 14:40:54 +0000

We all know that with small association’s and organizations the staff wear many different hats. You are the meeting planner, legal team working on contracts, membership recruiter, sponsorship sales, marketing and sometimes the finance department. How can we get the most productivity from our staff and those we work with on our teams when we are all overwhelmed? Below are five tips and tricks to help you manage your teams more efficiently. Be Flexible It seems…
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Stepping Up

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 02 May 2017 09:00:07 +0000

When was the last time you stepped up? Are you sitting there wondering, what do I mean? Well, for example when is the last time you can recall one of the following: Volunteered to run a social event (work, school, moms group)? Took on a task at the office even though you weren’t thrilled? Were vocal about an election or wrongdoings in the community? Went to an HOA or civic meeting? Decided to take a…
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3 New Wakeup Calls for Change

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 14:08:19 +0000

Copyright April 2012, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, Washington, DC. Republished with Permission. 3 New Wakeup Calls for Change By: Dan Ratner Getting your association’s staff and volunteers on board with change is a lot like getting a stubborn teenager to wake up in the morning. It’s all about getting their attention and removing their comfort with the familiar. Have you ever tried waking up a teenager early in the morning? He ignores the…
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The 4 Reasons Why You Need An Event Planner

NextStepsAdmin — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 02:30:08 +0000

Raise your hand if you’ve ever planned a kids’ birthday party? Or perhaps a surprise party for someone? Bridal Shower? Baby Shower? Reunion? Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Shall I keep going? Planning is a lot of prep work and so often includes many details that we think of after the fact. Let us know your favorite planning moment in the comments. All too often I am asked, why hire an event planner? My answer is always the…
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