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Published by Dan Portnoy
Hosted by writer, filmmaker, and creative strategist Dan Portnoy, Portnoy Media Lab is a podcast for makers and marketers trying to turn real creative work into communication that actually connects. Through honest conversations with writers, filmmakers, designers, producers, and creative leaders—and occasional solo episodes from Dan—the show explores how meaningful work gets made, how it breaks, and how it survives the marketing process. No hype. No busywork. Just field-tested thinking for people chasing meaning and impact.
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Before I touched a campaign, I ran them through the first two lenses of a framework I built called Core4: what do they actually have, and who actually donates to them. This is the real footage of what I found. Episode 3 of a behind-the-scenes series on the whole campaign. Learn more about Alabaster: https://www.alabasterinternational.org/groundbreakers Instagram - / alabaster_international YouTube - / @alabasterinternational Work with me: http://portnoymedia.com/work-with-dan www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
This is Episode 2 of a behind-the-scenes series on raising $200,000 in 90 days for Alabaster. The honest stuff: what's hard, what's working, what's at stake. Learn more about Alabaster: https://www.alabasterinternational.org/groundbreakers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alabaster_international/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AlabasterInternational #nonprofit #fundraising #socialimpact www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
I knew Shannon and Ash from church. I had no idea they were quietly running world-class work in South Sudan, schools, kids, in one of the hardest places on earth to do any of it. Legit, and badly underfunded. So they hired me. We have until August 1 to raise $200,000, and hitting it unlocks grant money that changes what they can do. This is Episode 1 of a behind-the-scenes series on the whole campaign. The wins, the misses, all of it. Subscribe to follow along and see if I can pull this off. Learn more about Alabaster: https://www.alabasterinternational.org Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alabaster_international/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@alabasterinternational #nonprofit #fundraising #socialimpact www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
What This Episode Covers The hidden reason nonprofit content underperforms Why “Sorry it’s been a while…” is a trust killer The inbox is a value exchange , not a favor Why most organizations send updates instead of insights Key Concept: The Expertise Gap The gap between: What your organization knows deeply What you’re actually sharing publicly Most teams protect their expertise rather than use it. The Core Problem Infrequent emails → audience forgets you Low-value emails → audience ignores you Result: you lose the trade every time 3 Ways to Close the Gap 1. Teach your process (not just outcomes) Don’t just report results Show how the work actually happens 2. Say the uncomfortable truths Every sector has things “everyone knows but doesn’t say.” Saying them builds trust fast 3. Share what you’re learning Wins are boring Growth is compelling 3 Questions to Fix Your Content What do outsiders consistently get wrong about our work? What decisions would surprise people if they saw inside? What have we failed at recently—and what did we learn? The Big Shift Stop: Reporting Asking Playing it safe Start: Teaching Sharing insight Earning attention www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
What This Episode Covers The “paint job vs engine” framework Why polished content often fails How AI is making shallow content easier (and worse) The difference between clever and clear The Core Problem: The Paint Job Trap Content that sounds smart but says nothing Strong visuals, weak thinking Packaging without substance Why This Happens Early marketers chase cleverness Pressure to produce → skip thinking AI makes it easy to generate finished-looking content instantly The AI Problem (and Opportunity) AI = fast, efficient, scalable But: Lacks lived experience Doesn’t understand your audience deeply Produces “committee content.” Result: Technically correct Emotionally flat Completely forgettable The Shift: Clever vs Clear Clever: Sounds impressive Performs intelligence Gets attention (briefly) Clear: Names a real problem Feels specific Builds trust Example (From the Episode) Weak: “We help nonprofits grow.” Strong: “Most nonprofits aren’t broken—they’re overwhelmed by bad advice and systems that don’t fit their world.” Clarity wins because it proves understanding. The Test (Use This Before You Publish) Ask: If I stripped away design, tone, and style… is the idea still valuable? If not → you don’t have an engine. Key Takeaway You don’t need better content. You need better thinking. www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
Story isn't something you add at the end of your marketing process. It's the structure that makes your message work in the first place. In Episode 4, Dan Portnoy breaks down what story actually is at its most fundamental level — not long-form content, not guilt-trip videos with soft music — but a three-part structure that your audience's brain is already wired to follow: Want → Obstacle → Change . In this episode you'll learn: Why most marketing fails (it's skipping one of the three story elements) How your brain processes narrative differently than information — and why that matters for every campaign you run The difference between alignment (your North Star) and amplification (your story) — and why you need both The three-question test you can run on any post, pitch, email, or campaign to find out if it's actually ready Why nonprofits especially need to understand the exchange happening in every donor relationship If you can answer all three questions clearly, you have the architecture for a story. If you can't, the piece isn't done yet. The Three-Question Test: What does my audience want? (Not what you want to tell them) What's in the way? (The real obstacle — fear, confusion, bad past experience) What changes if they engage with you? (A shift, not a feature list) Resources mentioned: Story frameworks on the Portnoy Media Lab YouTube channel The Nonprofit Narrative by Dan Portnoy Questions or stuck? Email Dan: dan@portnoymedia.com www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
Key Ideas Most marketing advice conflicts because it’s designed to sell products, not solve your problem Strategy defines the goal; tactics support it—not the other way around Algorithms change constantly; your story is the only stable asset There are no shortcuts—momentum comes from sustained effort Constantly switching tactics creates opportunity cost, morale loss, and confusion Practical Takeaways Define a clear outcome before choosing platforms or tactics Commit to one direction for at least 90 days (six months is better) Treat your brand as the mentor, not the hero Focus on relationship-building, not follower counts Consistency beats cleverness Referenced Resources Storytelling training (linked in-video) Fix Your Funnel Fast – Leak Funnel Tool ($17) Available at: https://portnoymedia.com/resources www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog 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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.com Ink + Volt Planning Resources : https://inkandvolt.com/pages/yearly-planning-worksheets Portnoy Media 1-Day Intensive : https://www.portnoymedia.com/store/p/the-action-blueprint Video Pitch Deck : https://www.portnoymedia.com/blog/sjxgb9wgj89jph99yurluwc6fkoxel www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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 design The importance of design in storytelling Practical tips for nonprofits to improve their visual communication The concept of a website "realignment" vs. redesign 🔗 Check out the full episode now Don'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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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. Takeaways Clear 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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:24 Starting a Business in 2020 04:33 Common Messaging Mistakes 06:31 Making the Shift to Customer-Focused Messaging 09:03 Positioning the Recipients as the Hero 10:09 Avoiding Emotional Manipulation in Messaging 12:13I mportance of Strategic Messaging 13:04 Pitfalls in Messaging and the Importance of Clear Brand Message 16:38 The Role of AI in Messaging 20:10 The Balance Between Cleverness and Clarity in Messaging 21:52 Including Empathy and Authority in Messaging 23:23 Delivering Value and Building Relationships 26:06 Advice for Early Career Professionals in Messaging 28:14 Simplicity and Clarity in Messaging 29:42 Creating Subplots in Brand Messaging 31:28 Prioritizing a Strong Brand Message 32:34 The Importance of Clear Messaging in Overcoming Blank Page Syndrome 33:16 Including Avatars in Messaging 35:12 Strategic Planning and Goal Setting 36:13 Blocking out time for critical thinking 37:12 Reflecting on past performance 38:18 Making strategic changes 38:48 Recommended books 39:50 How to connect with Decoded Strategies 40:50 The challenges of effective communication Connect With Kristin Spiotto Web - http://decodedstrategies.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-spiotto/ Grab a FREE PDF on Welcome Videos www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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 IMDB Email me your questions dan@Portnoymedia.com www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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-5BGce0HrgaxNRNl7Uds Download the sample editorial calendar here - https://portnoy.co/3NynUjt www.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.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.danportnoy.substack.com www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog www.DanPortnoy.com
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Observed September 12, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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